The wait is finally over...

 If you asked any wiffler a year ago or two which league they thought was the best league in the nation the likely answer would be "It's all about HRL : Twin Cities, man. Hands down." But recently the HRL's had a tough time keeping the crown. One of HRL's best features has been their impressive website. They've been notorious for winning the Best Website Award from the NWLA (4 years running) until the Kalamazoo Wiffleball League took the award for 2010. But a recent debate seems to question that part of HRL's claim to fame. But that wasn't all - Kalamazoo's commissioner (Brian Meyers) wrote an article "calling-out" the HRL. The article accused the league of slipping and that the KWL could be the next league to take the crown as the best league in the country. And he could be right! But the HRL seems to have taken the debate and article to heart and it seems that they're going to be bringing their A-game for 2011. Why should you not count the HRL out? This video is hot off the press, uploaded to Youtube within the past 24 hours. The HRL had some impressive videos back in the day and it looks as if they could be getting back into the game. But do they have the goods to keep it up in 2011? Better question: can the KWL continue to keep the HRL at bay and continue to make a run at taking the crown? This is just another reason Wiffle in 2011 is going to be so good!

May I Present...The Wifflers

You've got to love these weird satire videos that people make out there. Youtube is FULL of them. This one seems to be of the highest quality. So someone with legitimate filming and production skills wasted a lot of time and a little bit of money on this. It showcases the eclectic blend a wiffleball league may have as they try to join a large organization of wiffleball leagues. But they must first meet the criteria before they can be a part of the aforementioned organization. Thankfully it isn't this difficult to join the NWLA, but I can't help but wonder if it is this hard to get into Golden Stick.

Finn McCool has written an amazing article on the achievements on some of the nation's leading players/commissioners. What an honor for these four guys! The article is supposed to be a mock spin-off of some thing ESPN does. Finn normally writes good articles but this one could be his most interesting Yet!

Thoughts?

Pitchers - do not neglect your outfielders!

Today's video brings us a simple moral. It's no secret that pitchers are the center of attention in a wiffleball game. They're in the middle of the field and, at times, it can be difficult to keep up with all the action going on all around you. When you find yourself unaware of where the ball is WATCH OUT. Even a routine wayward foul ball can lead to you looking silly (as this video clearly indicates). Moral of the story: know where the ball is at all times.

Now there are some things I like about this video other than the obvious ball to the dome in the middle of this video. 3 seconds in the video the guy with the gray shirt and hat appears to be attempting to grab the guy in the red shirt's nipple. Unfortunately for him his attempt was unsuccessful. A sufficient nip pinch could have added a lot of humor to the video. Next I adore the rap music being 'blasted' from the red Jetta. How white is this video? C'mon! During the part of the video where it's a loop of the dude getting hit in the head - try to divert your attention to the guy in the red shirt in the Jetta. It looks like he's doing some sort of Midwestern white boy jig. "Turn it ova, Turn it ova, Turn it ova." But above all the noise you can clearly hear that light crunch sound of the ball pelting that dude's head. It's at that moment when everything that's wrong in this video is made right.

Captain Caveman takes center stage.

Ever wonder what a video of a hardcore home run derby with Captain Caveman bats would look like with 3 Days Grace playing in the background? Well you're in luck! Not only are they using "fag bats" but they're duck taped as well! Wow! I don't know why they don't use giant pieces of pvc pipe and get it over with. I mean sure. I've used the occasional giant orange bat during spring training or the off season...you know - to goof around. But these guys are serious. They probably recall those moments fondly. "Hey, remember when I hit that really long home run that night?" If only I could be there, I'd reply "Yeah, that bat must have weighed at least 40 pounds. Must have been hard hitting the ball that far with the bat doing all the work for you." But what do I know? Whatever tickles your fancy I suppose. But if you're going to play in public with one of those things or post a video that receives thousands of views you better think twice before bringing the enormous bat into the mix.

Now this is a Top 10 video!

This video has it all: good narration, a descent set-up, oh... and impressive plays (it's kind of a must). I've got to say I'm a big fan of FT Wiffle. I watched them more than any other league last year. They are possibly not returning for any seasons due to players going away to college but this league is a shining example of what every league should strive for. They've got a tight-knit group, amazing players, a great field, an amazing and creative commissioner, a website, and great equipment (lights, backstop, etc.). If you've never really been into this league, give them a try. They're kind of like Caputo Complex and have even played them in the past (the two leagues are close to each other in proximity). But their Youtube channel is worth the visit. They are one of the easiest leagues to follow and they do well filming their games.

Is this the worst top 10 reel ever?

The answer is it's quite possible. Never have I seen such an uneventful top 10 video in my life. But don't just take my word for it. Watch the video. You'll have to forgive my analysis of each play:

10 - Wow...did that infielder just catch a routine line-drive? Yes he did. Wow. Just wow.
 9 -  Did you see that weak curveball? Paging Nolan Ryan!
 8 -  That infielder totally outran the batter to first base for the out. That's legendary because that almost never happens!
7 -  ANOTHER effortless infielder catch? Is this professional or what?

6 -  I've never seen anyone dodge a peg attempt. This might be a first ever in the sport. And he makes it look so easy.
5 -  At this point it becomes obvious they're using a metal bat...hitting the ball a whopping 50 feet!
4 -  So mundane I can't even comment on it.
3 -  Wow he hit that ball far. Too bad there's no Home Run boundary...
2 -  None of those batters hit the ball. Simply amazing.
1  - That guy totally hit the chair. Wait! You're not supposed to do that! Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!

And now a Wiffle Public Service Announcement...

Although Wiffleball is seen as a children's toy it does NOT mean that you can haphazardly swing the bat at other people's skulls. This guy had it coming. He is apparently stupid. This was shot at the University of Tennessee by the way. Ah yes, the place where cutting edge research and learning takes place. Oh wait, the stupidity of students isn't limited to beer games. No. Apparently taking a thick plastic bat to the forehead is climbing up the list of pastimes. The guy who was swinging the bat wasn't holding back either. He must have had something against this guy. The bat actually bends a little bit. Those of us with extensive experience with yellow bats can attest to their durability. So a bat bending is not to be taken lightly. This guy should have gotten a CT scan for brain trauma after taking a hit like this. But since he was thinking a bat to the head won't hurt maybe he had already suffered some brain damage prior to this event. There's no way this guy's on the Dean's List.

Dedication - do you have it?

I've made some lucky grabs in my years as a pitcher and an outfielder. I've jumped to reach for one sailing over my head. I've ran them down as they go into foul territory. Hell, I've even dove once or twice occasionally to nab a fly ball. But I've never even come close to making a catch like this...possibly because we don't play near a pond. But even if I did play near a pond I probably wouldn't have the nads this dude has to carelessly fling myself into a shallow man-made pond. Plays like this is what separates the men from the boys. This dude must have a forest of chest hair because that was a manly catch. This is a web-gem if I've ever seen one. Someone get this guy a trophy and a doctor!

Wifflebat Fight Club...seriously?

Yes you read right. G4's Attack of the Show has managed to take polluting the sport of wiffleball to a whole new level.

The first rule of Wifflebat Fight Club is that it's okay to televise Wifflebat Fight Club events.
The second rule of Wifflebat Fight Club is that you do not use actual Wiffle Bats (yellow bats).

The third rule of Wifflebat Fight Club is that although the bats we use couldn't possibly hurt we can still be pussies and wear protective head gear.

Why is this happening? I mean they're not even actually using the official Wiffle Ball bat. If you used the real bat that would probably sting quite a bit. It's thicker plastic and the hollow center isn't as big, thus less resistance when it hits the ball...or human flesh. That's why they work so well on pinatas. But these gigantic bats they use render the name of the club useless. Those big red bats are despised in purist Wiffleball counter-culture. They're called everything from "fag bats" to "Captain Caveman bats." Such a mockery of a good movie and a phenomenal book. Somewhere in Portland, Oregon Chuck Palahniuk is vomiting after watching this video. What's sad is that since Attack of the Show has such a following of gamers that this travesty of an activity is already spreading. 

Then there's this video. Stick with this one, it's worth it in the end. It appears that they had a choreographed nerdy Star Wars reenactment in mind but things went horribly wrong when rehearsal turned to improvisation. You'll see what I mean near the end of the video below.

Restless Player Syndrome...does you league have it?

The kid in this video is not unlike some of the players in leagues across the nation. They're there one week gone the next and in extreme cases they're there for only a few minutes before wandering off doing something else. I've yet to see a player to walk off in the middle of an at bat (this kid being an exception). The symptoms are getting worse people! No treatments have been issued for players developing Restless Player Syndrome (RPS) but there are symptoms that you can notice. These symptoms include:
- appearing dazed
- picking grass when in outfield
- looking at birds while at bat or fielding
- disappearing when it's the player's turn to bat
- and if it's becoming commonplace that a player is unexpectedly hit with the ball numerous times during a game then that player may have RPS

There is good new though: it's not contagious. But it can lead to an end for their career should the disorder progress. Reasons for RPS is unknown but it's more than likely an extension of short attention span that's exhibited in all activities the victim may be involved in...we'll call that Type 1 RPS. Type 2 is if the player is becoming jaded with the game or they way the league is run. Type 2 can be treated if their symptoms are caused by their dissatisfaction of the way the league is ran. Help stop RPS as doctors race to find the cure.

It's time for some basic arithmetic...

5 adult males bored in the woods + a water balloon launcher + 1 plastic bat + a wiffleball + a copious amount of alcohol (I'm assuming, why else would you do this?) = 40 seconds of entertainment. Yes in less time that it takes to warm up your frozen pizza in the microwave you can watch this video and be left with MANY questions such as:
- Who came up with the idea for the water balloon launcher to come into the mix?
- There are people that are still naming their kids Chet...seriously? (mentioned in first part of video, "Wait, Chet, do another huge one...")
- Have you ever in your life heard men laugh like this? It sounded like a bunch of women at a baby shower.
- Having said that, is this what men do when their wives are at baby showers?
- There are countless questions you could ask yourself, post yours!

A lesson in overdone Wiffleball videos (Part I)

We get it! Wiffleball is kind of like baseball. There's been some videos and trailers to movies (that may never be released) all over Youtube. You know the ones. A tale of a once legendary wiffler that's fallen from grace and struggles with vices and has seemingly lost his talent. He makes one last effort to return to stardom only to fall short and retire. OVERDONE. It's wiffleball so I know its kind of a joke (we're all in on it) but do we seriously keep having to make these types of videos. This one is a prime example:

At least that one is short and not a 5 part miniseries of sheer boredom. Fortunately not all attempts at a wiffleball movie is a travesty. Last year a trailer hit the internet called 'Screwball: The Ted Whitfield Story." It looks legitimate but it's probably fake but at least if it's fake it's pretty good satire. See for yourself:

 But don't give up video makers. If you have a vision of a wiffleball video/movie then by all means go for it. Just remember - don't blow it!

While the rest of us are surrounded by snow...

It is mild and beautiful in Tampa Bay, Florida! Jealous! Last year Tampa League Wiffleball had a brief but amazing 2010 season. I know what you're thinking...what the Hell is up with the placement of the word 'league' in their name. Don't worry, it puzzles me too. This year their website is even better and they're going to be playing loads more games. The competition is tough and the league is solid! They returned with their awesome Wiffleball Tonight program that rivals the greatness of Hess Field's similar program (no longer running). Check it out:

Great program? That's what I thought. This league has continually impressed me along with everyone else who follows wiffleball in the American Southeast. To find out more about the changes they made this year check out an article written about them featured on the National Wiffleball League Association's website. Here's the link.

Let's play a little catch up...

For those of you who may not have been paying attention to a little southern league out of North Carolina known as the Winston-Salem Wiffleball League...you missed out. Although they don't look like they're coming back for 2011 they had a phenomenal year in 2010. They started their season with a gigantic bang, partly because of their highlights video of the first week's competition. It sent shock waves through the NWLA message board and no other videos could top it (not even WSWL). This video was awarded the 2010 NWLA Video of the Year. This was the first year the category was introduced into the awards and what better video to start the tradition with than this video.

Welcome to Wiffler's Digest

Welcome to the new blog known as Wiffler's Digest. This will be a place where you can hear the latest on anything going on in the Wiffleball world. While we currently have only one writer we are open to the idea of having other writers join but will make due with the one writer we currently have. That's the great thing about blogs...only one person needed. Posts will be as frequent as possible with reviews on videos, websites, articles in newspapers or on the NWLA website, etc. If something is going on that is interesting it'll be posted on here.

The first video that is posted here is from Tripleplay1882, a prominent member of Wiffle Reviews. He's got a sweet field and is in love with it...seriously. The guy shoveled snow off the field and everything this winter (as you'll see on the video). His progress was a little shadowy in 2010 but I think it's going to be more public this year. My only question is...where is the league? This great field is a dream but I have been unable to find a league that calls that impressive field home.