6-Pack Fun, Vol.6: Rivalries

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

Back in 2011, rivalries in WSEM were prevalent, but in the past two seasons they have died down. It appears that some are being reborn and created for this coming season, but let's look back at my favorite historic rivalries.

6.  Wicked Aces  &  El Diablos (2013) This was a quiet rivalry, but in a season where these two teams stood out above the others, it was still a rivalry on the field, nonetheless.

5.  Wicked Aces  &  Punchouts (2012) The Aces rarely lose, but the Punchouts had their number: going 3-1 vs. them in the 2012 regular season. If we had a list of biggest disappointments however, their non-played championship series would be #1.

4.  Flying Squirrels  &  DeLoppes (2011) When these two teams met in 2011, there seemed to always be something special about the games. Including what has to be the most dramatic best-of-five playoff series to date.

3.  Belgian Wiffles  &  Mattseals (2012) These teams just straight up did not like each other. Everything is fine now between the players, but in 2012 you couldn’t say that.

2.  Belgian  &  Squirrels (2011/12) Twice these teams met in the #4 vs. #5 playoff matchup and each team won one once. The last day of the season trade of Corbett for Skinner only made this rivalry better.

1.  Westside  &  Git r' Done (2011) No one can be surprised that this rivalry gets the top spot. Their facebook battles used to reach 200-300 comments in a matter of a couple hours and on the field it was always intense. Unfortunately for the Warriors though, Git r’ Done always seemed to have the last laugh after the games were played.

6-Pack Fun, Vol. 5: Games

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

This is the toughest list for me, but I will try and rank the six most memorable games in WSEM history. Obviously, most of these games I have either played in or watched, so I apologize if I missed any good ones.

6.   8/10/2013   All-Star Game
What started as a boring pitcher’s duel, turned into a very exciting game. Ryan Alexia’s peg of Evan Bortmas as he was a 1/2 step away from winning for Ringler ended up being the boost the Garcia team needed, as they were able to win the 8 inning affair 3-0.

5.   4/29/2011   Mattseals @ Commandos
The first game in WSEM history is one to remember. Joe Seto belted four home runs (including the first in WSEM history) and had 10 RBIs, as the Commandos easily won 13-3.

4.   7/29/2012   Belgian @ Mattseals
This 23 inning marathon set records that will probably never be broken. Tomlinson had ten hits, Chandler had 53 strike outs, and everyone watching fell asleep.

3.   5/5/2012   Donkeys @ Wicked Aces
This is the only game on the list that I wasn’t at, but the legend of Joe Seto once again made this game standout. His solo HR off of Austin Bischoff broke all of the laws of physics, but we also can’t forget about Shore’s shutout performance on the mound en route to a Donkeys 1-0 upset.

2.   7/30/2011   Game 4:   DeLoppes @ Squirrels
This is my favorite game that I played in, so it gets the #2 spot. The Squirrels down 2-1 in the best of 5 semifinals series had to win to keep their season alive. Austin Bischoff went toe to toe with Cliff Comstock, and the Squirrels won 1-0 in 12 innings.

1.   8/4/2013   Game 1:   Westside @ Wicked Aces
Everyone knew Sam Hatt vs. Austin Bischoff would be something special to watch, but no one predicted the game would end the way it did. Down 1-0 with two outs and a runner on, Joel Crozier hit a walkoff 2-run homer to win the game for the Aces.

6-Pack Fun, Vol. 4: Logos

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

We are very fortunate to have the man in charge of the Wiffle Logos site in our league, therefore crappy logos are rare.

6.	2012 Manchester Punchouts
I wonder how many people never noticed the fist in this logo is actually an ‘MP.’ That’s very clever.

5.	2012-13 Whiteford Wicked Aces
This logo won the NWLA logo of the year so it could be a crime if I didn’t include it.

4.	2011-13 Belgian Wiffles
This classic beauty will always be one of my favorites. It’s so simple yet so wonderful.

3.	2013 Ducks
I believe this one is Corbs’ favorite and it’s up there for me as well.

2.	2012 Jason Mattseals
You just look at this logo and smile.

1.	2012 Campus Commandos
The 2011 Commandos logo may be the worst ever in our league, but the 2012 one is my favorite. What isn’t awesome about a toy soldier shooting wiffleballs out of a wiffle bat?!?!

6-Pack Fun, Vol. 3: Characters

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

We’ve had our fair share of good and bad players, but what about the guys who just always seem to standout as unique characters? Well, they deserve some attention for once!

6.	Craig Skinner	(2012)     (2012)     (2013-pres.)
Craig’s skill set could easily make him a giant douche, but instead he always has fun on the field. His little shimmy and hoot after striking out a batter always makes me laugh.

5.	Brandon Mushinski	(2012)
It was really sad when I found out Brandon wasn’t returning in 2013. It is a safe bet his #703 will never be worn again in this league.

4.	Cliff Comstock	(2011-12)
My favorite DeLoppe to play against was easily Cliff Comstock. His check swings, cigarette in mouth whether batting or pitching, and fun attitude on the field still stand out to me.

3.	Adam Grant	(2011-12)
Adam always seemed to be a big topic of conversation in 2011-12 with his lean-over-the-plate-never-swing batting approach, loud mouth, and controversy. He brought Wiffleball to Detroit though, so he always has a soft spot in my heart.

2.	Nick Coffee	(2011-12)      (2013)
Whenever Nick played, I played, so I got to see and hear a lot of him on the field. Most player’s drink of choice is water or Gatorade, but Nick’s was Bacardi Razz.

1.	Jason Matt	(2011-12)      (2013)
It is never boring when Jason Matt is at a game. He goes 100% in every at-bat, pitch, run to 1st, or catch attempt in the field. His signature mouth wide open look while playing is a beautiful thing.

6-Pack Fun, Vol. 2: Fields

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

I believe we often forget just how unique it is to have so many fields in WSEM, both current and historic. These were my favorite fields to play on.

	6.	Frenchtown Field
	This is the only field on this list that lacks creativity. However, I can’t ignore the fact that this field was always well maintained and being elevated prevented it from ever being flooded.

	5.	Holy Grounds
	There is something very nostalgic about the Holy Grounds. It may be the alley past the home run fence or the school in the background; I just love the feel of this field.

	4.	The Drey
	This field was the ultimate pitcher’s park, and no matter what side of the plate you hit on, hitting it out wasn’t easy.

	3.	Knockout Park
	This field is often forgotten about when talking about some of the best fields in our league. They went all out here with their scoreboard in left field, and their creative outfield fencing.

	2.	Poolside Park
	The epitome of a backyard field is Poolside Park. Every time I walk into the Bischoff’s backyard I just get excited.

	1.	Pervis Memorial
	Every single time I visited Pervis Memorial it got better and better. Their improvements and fine attention to detail makes this my favorite field in WSEM history.

6-Pack Fun, Vol. 1: All-Star Teams

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

Although we didn’t have divisions or an All-Star game in 2011, we still had All-Star teams. For the first 6-Pack Fun Power Ranking, I will rank the six WSEM All-Star teams.

6.	2011 East	P - Lewis	P - Constanti	H - DeLano	H - B. Hoppe	H - D. Braden
Sure, DeLano was a monster and Lewis was a different pitcher in 2011, but the pitching is too weak and the hitting after DeLano is nothing spectacular.

5.	2012 Garcia	P - M. Constanti	P - Pearson	F - Corbett	F - D. Braden	F - Linebrink
This team lost 10-0 in the 2012 All-Star game and barely edges out the 2011 East team to get the #5 ranking.

4.	2011 South	P - Pearson	P - Comstock	F - Snow	F - Shore	F - C. Coffee
2011 Pearson was at a different level than any other pitcher in the league. Comstock’s finesse style pairs up well with Pearson’s power game. Also, Shore batted over .400 this year.

3.	2013 Ringler	P - Paquin	P - A. Bischoff	F - Bortmas	F - Castle	F - Hewlett
The pitching of the 2013 Ringler team is just a nod worse than the 2013 Garcia, but it is very close.

2.	2013 Garcia	P - Skinner	P - Mundel	F - Pearson	F - LaDouceur	F - Sessions
Skinner and Mundel are a dirty 1-2, and Pearson was a HR monster at the plate this year.

1.	2012 Ringler	P - A. Bischoff	P - Hatt	F - Bortmas	F - Crozier	F - Tomlinson
As complete a team as you can have. They had the Clown Shu, the Clown Shu runner up, MVP, future MVP, and one the best fielders in the league.

Videos of the two All-Star Games played:
2011	2012