Wolfpack Attribute Ratings

Championships - silver star: tournament champion, gold star: WSEM champion, gold triangle: division pennant
League averages - CON: 77, PWR: 77, PIT: 75, DEF: 79, OVR: 77 Team attribute ratings were determined by averaging the individual ratings of the four members of the WSEM Front Office's Tactical Media Wing. Contact (CON), power (PWR), pitching (PIT), and defense (DEF) were studied to determine overall (OVR) team rating. The thin bars included are the league average for each attribute. This writeup for the Wolfpack is provided by David Castle.

The Wolfpack come into the 2014 season as a brand new team, filled with talent from top to bottom. However, that talent is too inconsistent for anyone to call them great, which is why they come in 5th in the overall ratings with an 80.

The Wolfpack have a respectable 83 Contact and 85 Power rating, which is no surprise because both Brannans can hit. Plus, the addition of Nicco Lollio puts the cherry on top. But, it all comes down to if Nicco shows up to games against formidable opponents, unlike last year. If he doesn’t, this line up takes a hit.

As for pitching, their rating is a staggering 71. It’s hard to rate them any higher with Mark Brannan being their only good source of pitching, and he can be shaky at times. They have no number two. Maybe Nicco can get that knuckleball to be more consistent, but that’s a long shot, and the thought of Andrew Piasecki pitching is amusing. Their defense is an 83, not bad, I wouldn’t mind having Greg Brannan behind me fielding anything that’s put in play. Look for this team to fight for a wildcard spot.

No Orchiding: a Wolfpack Prognostication

		Your Junk my Happy Zone
		by Brandon Corbett

We may have our first good omen for a team in the 2014 season, and it appears to come for the Wolfpack. Yesterday, Pantone Inc. announced "radiant orchid" - a hue very similar to one being used by the Wolfpack - as the 2014 color of the year.

"Orchid is growing on us: A version of the purple hue is Pantone Inc.'s color of the year for 2014." - Detroit Free Press

"Officially known as radiant orchid, the tropical shade is... a little different, it's a little off the beaten path... It's an invitation to innovation," a Free Press article announcing the decision detailed. Off the beaten path and a little different, huh? Well, if that doesn't signal an innate connection with Wiffleball, I don't know what does. And the part about being an invite for innovation? That can only suggest great things for the 'Pack, and it's just the beginning.

Colleen Sharin, senior fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue, goes on to praise radiant orchid as, "very relevant for spring, but I think even going into next fall (it will be)." Obviously, Sharin speaks to its place in fashion, but in our interconnected world her words promise even greater results in the context of Wiffleball. "Into the fall," is commonly used in MLB lingo when talking about playoff runs or races. Even though WSEM ends our season in August, it's not hard to extrapolate the meaning over to our game: being very relevant in the playoff picture. Any team has to like having that behind them.

Of course, it should be pointed out that Emerald Green is the color of this year, and while just a few shades away from what the Ducks used that relationship did not coalesce into anything more than a .393 season on the Wiffleball field and missing out on the playoffs. Still, with all the places the article expects to see radiant orchid show well - handbags, women's fashion, cosmetics, upholstery, desserts - it's hard not to jump in on the excitement and add Wiffle to that mix!

Let us know what do you think: a good omen for team of the year, or just a great color for 2014?