Gameday, 8/4: The 2018 Ladder — Southgate

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Format: One loss and done. Win and Advance. Stinky Nuts (#5) and El Diablos (#6) play the first game. Winner advances to play SeeYas (#4) in game two. Winner advances to play King Friday (#3) in game three. Winner advances to play Islanders (#2) in game four. Winner advances to face Wicked Aces in best-of-three Championship Series.
		3 PM — GAME 4:  #2  vs  WINNER GAME 3
		9 1 WP: Farkas HR: Werner (1), Zeller (1) LP: C. Phillips HR: J. Skinner (3)
		2 PM — GAME 3:  #3  vs  WINNER GAME 2
		2 3 LP: Brown HR: Castle (1) WP: C. Skinner HR: C. Phillips (2)
		1 PM — GAME 2:  #4  vs  WINNER GAME 1
		0 9 LP: N. Braden WP: C. Phillips HR: J. Skinner (2), C. Phillips (1), Tomlinson (1)
		12 PM — GAME 1:  #5  vs  #6
		0 1 LP: Strojny WP: C. Skinner RBI: J. Skinner (1)

Gameday, 7/28: Week 8 - The Jack

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GAMES 1 & 2   —   12:00 PM   —   FIELD A
18 Pts   (7-13-4) .173 .302 24.4 4.12 1.82 2.26 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				28 Pts   (13-9-2) .242 .442 16.5 4.36 1.77 2.07 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 1				GAME 2
	0	LP: N. Braden			3	LP: Pearson
	2	WP: Kujawa			4	WP: LaDouceur HR: G. Brannan (4)
SEASON SERIES:  WA WIN  2-1-1

GAMES 3 & 4   —   2:30 PM   —   FIELD A
24 Pts   (11-11-2) .271 .488 16.4 4.82 1.91 2.0 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				34 Pts   (16-6-2) .283 .539 15.3 2.73 1.69 1.85 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 3				GAME 4
	2	WP: Farkas			5	WP: Tomlinson HR: C. Phillips (16,17), Tomlinson (12)
	0	LP: C. Skinner			4	LP: Zeller
SEASON SERIES:  EL WIN  3-2-1

GAMES 5 & 6   —   5:00 PM   —   FIELD A
17 Pts   (8-16-1) .181 .330 21.6 5.21 1.93 2.18 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				23 Pts   (11-12-1) .263 .537 12.2 3.42 1.99 1.35 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 5				GAME 6
	10	WP: Strojny HR: M. Phillips (3,4), Lollio (1,2)			2	LP: Castle HR: Brown (15), Castle (11)
	5	LP: Adams HR: Brown (14)			5	WP: Lollio HR: Strojny (8), M. Phillips (5)
SEASON SERIES:  KF LEAD  4-0

Gameday, 7/21: Week 7 - Holy Grounds

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GAMES 1 & 2   —   12:00 PM   —   FIELD A
18 Pts   (8-10-2) .236 .434 16.5 5.45 2.10 1.85 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				9 Pts   (4-15-1) .155 .275 26.2 4.48 1.40 2.25 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 1				GAME 2
	12	WP: Farkas HR: Zeller (1)			10	WP: Zeller HR: Alongi (4), Linebrink (3), Farkas (2)
	0	LP: Bortmas			1	LP: Strojny
SEASON SERIES:  IS WIN  3-1

GAMES 3 & 4   —   12:00 PM   —   FIELD B
29 Pts   (14-5-1) .284 .562 14.5 3.15 1.75 1.85 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				23 Pts   (11-8-1) .295 .621 12.7 3.15 1.90 1.49 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 3				GAME 4
	10	WP: C. Phillips HR: Tomlinson (10)			5	WP: C. Phillips HR: C. Phillips (13)
	2	LP: Castle			0	LP: Brown
SEASON SERIES:  EL WIN  4-0

GAMES 5 & 6   —   2:30 PM   —   FIELD A
18 Pts   (7-9-4) .191 .318 25.1 4.65 1.81 2.39 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				32 Pts   (15-5-2) .284 .562 14.5 3.15 1.75 1.85 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 5				GAME 6
	0				7	WP: Lollio HR: C. Phillips (14), Tomlinson (11)
	0				2	LP: Paquin HR: Robert (4)
SEASON SERIES:  EL WIN  5-0-1

GAMES 7 & 8   —   2:30 PM   —   FIELD B
20 Pts   (9-9-2) .234 .438 16.4 4.41 1.72 2.19 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				13 Pts   (6-15-1) .155 .275 26.2 4.48 1.40 2.25 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 7				GAME 8
	4	LP: M. Villarreal HR: M. Brannan (6), M. Villarreal (4)			8	WP: Strojny HR: Strojny (4,5,6), Bortmas (3)
	10	WP: M. Phillips HR: Strojny (7), Bortmas (4), M. Phillips (2)			7	LP: Power HR: M. Brannan (7,8), M. Villarreal (5), Xavier (1)
SEASON SERIES:  WA WIN  4-2

GAMES 9 & 10   —   5:00 PM   —   FIELD A
18 Pts   (7-11-4) .191 .318 25.1 4.65 1.81 2.39 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				22 Pts   (10-10-2) .236 .434 16.5 5.45 2.10 1.85 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 9				GAME 10
	3	LP: N. Braden HR: Corbett (4)			5	WP: Zeller HR: Farkas (3)
	4	WP: Farkas HR: Alongi (5,6)			3	LP: Paquin HR: Corbett (5)
SEASON SERIES:  TIED  3-3

GAMES 11 & 12   —   5:00 PM   —   FIELD B
24 Pts   (11-9-2) .234 .438 16.4 4.41 1.72 2.19 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				23 Pts   (11-10-1) .295 .621 12.7 3.15 1.90 1.49 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 11				GAME 12
	1	WP: M. Villarreal			0	LP: Adams
	0	LP: Castle			2	WP: Power
SEASON SERIES:  WA WIN  4-2

4 RA

#	LEAGUE	YEAR	RA	GP
1		2017	4	8
2		2017	11	6
2		2016	11	5
4		2016	12	11
4		2015	12	9
4		2015	12	5
7		2016	13	8
8		2014	14	9
9		2014	15	10
9		2017	15	7
11		2016	17	8
11		2015	17	7
13		2016	18	6
14		2017	19	10
14		2014	19	8
16		2013	21	7
17		2016	22	7
17		2017	22	5
19		2015	23	7
19		2017	23	7
19		2017	23	6

Our guys did something impressive last year: four runs allowed in the entire tournament. With a growing penchant for more analytical statistics people occasionally like to remind me that simple numbers can carry more impact. Maybe that could be the case here, too. See for yourself. The list at left runs up the fewest runs allowed by a team during a single tournament; regionals excluded, of course, because they shouldn't exist. Note: To see the top ten ERA's posted by teams in a single tournament you can jump down to the bottom of the post.

4 RA is impressive. That's an understatement. It's the only time a team has given up a single digit number. It's also the only time a team has given up one run or less per game; although, SWBL came very close to that mark in 2016. The four runs were given up in two games: one versus Farkas in the first game of the double elimination tournament against GBL, and three against Kujawa in the winners bracket champtionship facing HFWB. Zeroes were hung in the other six games. While pool play results largely go overlooked, the three-game shut out in those games pitched by Chandler Phillips, Sam Hatt, and Scott Kujawa is important looking toward 2018. Kujawa slides into the ace role with the departure of Farkas. Phillips likely will get more innings, especially in volatile games. Hatt is further down the depth chart, but he's a valuable arm to have in the pen, if necessary. Speaking of the bullpen, Travis Strojny should be called on to throw more than bullpen sessions this time around. And lastly, Craig Skinner rejoins the national team for the first time since 2013, looking for a redemption arc. Sure, there is no Farkas, and I doubt any team ever goes as low as 4 RA again (shout out to the wind god), but the Dads are still bringing some talented arms to throw out there.

Altogether, WSEM cracks the top twenty - in fact, the top ten - in runs allowed four times. Other repeat offenders: SWBL makes the list three times; OCWA, TBW, and GBL each appear twice. Probably shouldn't be surprised to see SWBL on the list so often given their routine success, but I am a little since we tend to focus all the attention on their hitting. I am very surprised, however, that TBW never cracks the top ten. OCWA also seems underrepresented in the list; turns out they tend to play a lot of games, and #spoileralert they come off a lot better when looking at ERA.

One last observation: the pitching numbers in 2012-2013 were bad. BAD. Awful really. Only two teams during those two years had a sub-4.00 ERA: WSEM in 2012 had a 3.92, and TBW in 2013 posted a 3.16. And now, since we've mentioned ERA… quickly ignore those bad, early outings; here are the top ERA's posted by teams in a single tournament:

1.	WSEM	(2017)	—	0.38 ERA
2.	SWBL	(2016)	—	1.24 ERA
3.	WSEM	(2015)	—	1.43 ERA
4.	OCWA	(2014)	—	1.55 ERA
5.	WSEM	(2014)	—	1.64 ERA
6.	WSEM	(2016)	—	1.66 ERA
7.	SWBL	(2017)	—	1.76 ERA
8.	WILL	(2017)	—	1.83 ERA*
9.	KWL	(2015)	—	2.22 ERA
10.	LWA	(2017)	—	2.33 ERA
10.	OCWA	(2016)	—	2.33 ERA
10.	OCWA	(2015)	—	2.33 ERA
* WILL stats incomplete on NWLA website. ERA estimated with 6 IP for each GP.

Nevermind, I take it back. That 0.38 ERA alone on an island is much more impressive than a single digit.

Pennant and #1 Overall Races after 18 Games

GARCIA DIVISION
TEAM	POINTS	PCT	GB	E#	#1 GB	#1 E#	PACE	SPEC	PROJ	MAX
	23	.639	-	-	1	6	30.7	31.7	31.3	35
	20	.556	1.5	5.5	2.5	4.5	26.7	27.0	25.2	32
	9	.250	7	E	8	E	12.0	17.3	13.0	21
POINTS:  Current point total PCT:  Current win percentage GB:  Games back in the division E#:  Elimination number in the division WC GB:  Games back in Wild Card race #1 GB:  Games back in the racefor the #1 ovrall seed atop the ladder #1 E#:  Elimination number for the #1 overall seed atop the ladder PACE:  Points after 24 games played based on pace of current win percentage SPEC:  Points after 24 games played speculated using remaining opponents' combined win percentage PROJ:  Points projection after 24 games played using run differential equation:            ((RS / (RS - RA)) * 24) * (1 + % difference of current win total) MAX:  Maximum points possible after 24 games played

RINGLER DIVISION
TEAM	POINTS	PCT	GB	E#	#1 GB	#1 E#	PACE	SPEC	PROJ	MAX
	25	.694	-	-	-	-	33.3	31.4	32.3	37
	17	.472	4	3	4	3	22.7	25.1	19.5	29
	14	.389	5.5	1.5	5.5	1.5	18.7	20.8	20.7	26
POINTS:  Current point total PCT:  Current win percentage GB:  Games back in the division E#:  Elimination number in the division #1 GB:  Games back in the racefor the #1 ovrall seed atop the ladder #1 E#:  Elimination number for the #1 overall seed atop the ladder PACE:  Points after 24 games played based on pace of current win percentage SPEC:  Points after 24 games played speculated using remaining opponents' combined win percentage PROJ:  Points projection after 24 games played using run differential equation:            ((RS / (RS - RA)) * 24) * (1 + % difference of current win total) MAX:  Maximum points possible after 24 games played

Cup of Nick Coffee, XI: “The Every-Year Club"

The Every-Year Club. Sure, it’s not as exclusive as the 700-homerun club or prestigious as the career grand slam club, but it’s ours and the members should be proud. The NWLA Tournament’s inaugural year was in 2012 and there are only a handful of players planning to attend this year that have been to every year prior. The difference between them and me? I’m not a player. However, I still contributed my time, effort, money and passion for the love of the game of Wiffleball. In 2012, it was easy to drive to Ohio for that first year. I just hitched a ride with Carl and Alex Shore. 2013 was also easy, as I still lived in Michigan and got down there from another WSEM league member, in Ryan Bullard. It was the years that followed that would test my mettle. You see, I moved to South Florida in August of 2013, so for the last 4 years I needed to fly either to Michigan, right to Columbus and even Virginia to ultimately get to see WSEM compete in the NWLA Tournament. Looking back, it seems that since I’ve lived in Florida, WSEM has won 3 out of the 4 tournaments they’ve played in. It was only the first two years, when I was a Michigander, that they struggled. Some might give this credit to adding Farkas on the roster, but everyone knows how important a well-traveled third base coach is.

We all know the story of how WSEM came to be. If you don’t, you need to pull up some of my archived articles. I’ve been playing wiffleball and being a part of this league since 2004. The DWL (Downriver Wiffleball League) was our attempt to add the competitiveness to the sport after playing in the London Tournament for a few years. I don’t know how our ‘tournament-only’ DWL model segued into a national juggernaut in WSEM, but I’m happy to have part a part of it. I’d like to break down my memory of every year I’ve attended the NWLA Tournament and add my prediction for this year. This might very well be my last Wiffle-related article written.

2012 – Carl and Gallaway were in talks of creating a National Tournament for NWLA-recognized leagues around the country. Most of us were still really into the London Tournament and the NWLA playtime schedule was based around London’s. It’s silly to think about that now. The fields were across the street from the hotel that we all stayed at and located behind a church. All eight teams were hesitant to break out of their shells and get along with other leagues, so it was basically just hanging out with your own teammates. It was still a great time and fun to reminisce of the humble beginnings. WSEM, known as Big Wood back then, ended up getting 3rd place and OCWA was victorious over Tampa.

2013 – This was the first year that Gallaway spread his financial wings. We added more teams and moved locations. The bells and whistles were front and center and ultimately the selling point for the following years. WSEM lost early on Sunday and finished in 9th place. I got really drunk and missed work the next day. Tampa and OCWA met each other in the championship again, but this time Tampa came out on top.

2014 – After having two successful NWLA Tournaments under our belts, it was easier to recruit more teams. Gallaway added even more to the event and it was truly the talk of the town. We added more teams and I controlled my alcoholism. WSEM, after a dreadful year before, changed management and their name to the Dads. We had a great run and beat Tampa to win it all! I didn’t think it could get any better.

2015 – It got better. There was so much interest in the tournament that we implemented regionals to determine the 16-tournament teams. The drones flew overhead, the beer flowed like wine and the Dads were the first ever back-to-back Champions, beating OCWA. After knowing some of the same group of guys for 4 years, we all developed a mutual respect and friendship amongst each other. It was great to break out of our comfort zones and get to have an awesome weekend with everyone.

2016 – This was the last year of the Gallaway era. 2016 generated about the same buzz as the year before. The glitz and glam of the NWLA Tournament was still a pivotal selling point, but the game was still the same. There were whispers on what would happen after losing Gallaway’s checkbook and after being held in Ohio since its creation, where it would be held moving forward. That’s where Michael Sessions came in to save the day. A new team, SWBL, finally got to play in the Championship game, but OCWA joined WSEM as the only team with two Championships.

2017 – Take everything we knew about the NWLA Tournament in the past and throw it away. That’s pretty much what they did for 2017. It was held in the small town of Morenci, MI and there was much backlash for this decision. Teams have been dropping out over the years and new teams emerged to showcase their talents. Instead of hired help, the townspeople and NWLA Board volunteered their blood (especially from Tomkins), sweat and tears to put on the new NWLA Tournament. It reminded me of 2012, in that many teams didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be an amazing time. SWBL made the Championship again, but came up short to the WSEM Dads. We now have 3 Championships!

2018 – We got that awkward, ‘is-it-gonna-work?’ year out of the way. We worked out the kinks and added some additional manpower for this year’s tournament. Morenci is still in the middle of nowhere, but I believe that the tournament will run smoother and be just as much, if not more, fun than last year. Unfortunately, I will not be attending. It’s been weird not texting the WSEM Dads and getting those stupid Facebook group message alerts to update everyone. I don’t have a jersey. I didn’t buy my flight. The hotel room isn’t booked. There is a hole in my Wiffle heart, but I know that my life has bigger and better things around the corner. I’ll still be traveling to Michigan this summer, but it’s for my wedding. Priorities. I predict that SWBL will return to the Championship game for the third year in a row and finally hoist up the trophy. The runner-up? A new team. Finally.

It’s hard to remember the grassroots of the game and where we all started. The NWLA Tournament gave us a chance to feel like big leaguers in our own silly ways. We saw our pictures and stats on the Jumbotron. We played in lights. We fought hard for Championship. We got drunk and played Wiffleball! I never got to physically play in the Tournament, but I still felt like I contributed a lot. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and as I said earlier, a solid third base coach is vital to a successful tournament run.

I wish all the teams and players the best of luck. Remember that when you’re in Morenci, there are plenty of people that want to be there, but can’t. Don’t take it for granted. You’re an adult that gets to play wiffleball every summer. How cool is that? And for the guys that have been there every year since the beginning; be proud that you’re continuing to be part of the great ‘Every-Year Club’. I’ll miss the guys that whom I was able to form friendships. I’ll miss the smell of freshly cut grass in the early morning. I’ll miss the sound of the crack of the bat and the ball hitting the board. I’ll miss it all. Have a great NWLA Tournament guys.

Gameday, 7/7: Week 6 - The Jack

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GAMES 1 & 2   —   12:00 PM   —   FIELD A
25 Pts   (12-5-1) .265 .497 18.0 3.17 1.67 1.96 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				17 Pts   (7-8-3) .197 .334 23.3 3.77 1.69 2.59 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 1				GAME 2
	2	WP: C. Phillips (5-2) HR: C. Phillips (10)			18	WP: C. Skinner (5-2) HR: C. Phillips (11,12), Tomlinson (7,8,9), C. Skinner (2,3)
	1	LP: Paquin (3-5)			3	LP: Pearson (0-1)
SEASON SERIES:  EL LEAD  4-0

GAMES 3 & 4   —   2:30 PM   —   FIELD A
20 Pts   (9-7-2) .226 .4`7 17.7 5.11 1.85 2.01 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				9 Pts   (4-13-1) .164 .300 23.1 4.44 1.80 2.17 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 3				GAME 4
	10	WP: M. Villarreal (2-4) HR: Kujawa (3,4,5,6), M. Villarreal (3)			1	WP: Kujawa (5-1)
	0	LP: Strojny (3-4)			0	LP: Strojny (3-5)
SEASON SERIES:  WA LEAD  4-0

GAMES 5 & 6   —   5:00 PM   —   FIELD A
23 Pts   (11-6-1) .284 .596 10.8 2.79 1.86 1.42 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB				14 Pts   (6-10-2) .232 .417 17.7 4.87 2.08 1.75 AVG SLG AB/HR ERA WHIP K/BB
GAME 5				GAME 6
	3	LP: Castle (7-3) HR: Adams (7), D. Braden (3)			14	WP: Brown (4-3) HR: Brown (13), Castle (9), Adams (8), D. Braden (4)
	7	WP: Zeller (1-1) HR: Alongi (3), Linebrink (2)			4	LP: Werner (1-2) HR: Giguere (10), Werner (4)
SEASON SERIES:  KF WIN  3-1