Kalamazoo Wiffleball League write-up

The Kalamazoo Wiffleball League is a true juggernaut in the wiffleball world. Where do you begin to with such an acclaimed league? They've been the league for the past few years, dethroning the wiffleball kings up in the twin cities (HRL: Twin Cities). They're probably one of the hardest working leagues in America, which is partially what makes them so endearing. Their commissioner, Brian Meyers, is one of the most social wifflers in the country and chances are if you're talking with someone who plays the game and mention his name they'll find it familiar. Their website has been constantly soaring to new heights. There's almost always something new every time you visit their site. KWL has championed the art of writing articles. Meyers doesn't do all the articles though, he has crucial help from his friends. Some of the league's players are some of the best wiffleball writers out there. Ryan Winfield and Daryl Hutson regularly post articles on their site which gives the site fresh perspective all the time. One of their columnists, Jacques Rimmier, won NWLA columnist of the year with his Creme de la Creme column. The splendid and sleek design of the website is extremely easy on the eyes but it's the great writing that keeps visitors coming back. Their columns are often very humorous as well as informative. Daryl Hutson's articles are particularly funny. His knack for writing isn't a coincidence. He's closing in on a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing...it shows. His Fernandomania article made it to the NWLA site and was met with much acclaim.

But it's not all fun and games. There are those out there that think this league is impossible to take seriously. It doesn't take much reading and searching to discover that Meyers and his vast band of friends don't take themselves very seriously. Most find it as a good thing but not everyone is entertained. Some have questioned the talent and competitiveness of KWL due to their carefree behavior. The KWL has made it clear that they don't care what others think about them, a characteristic that has aided them in their rise to prominence. But say what you want about their vulgar humor and carelessness for competitiveness - it's easy to see that these guys love the sport. They appear to be purists to the game and don't approve of the use of "fag-bats" and aren't afraid to call out leagues that do use the aforementioned style of bats. Some say this is a good thing and others find themselves in an arms race against Kalamazoo. Beloved by many and scorned by others the KWL is truly a league of their own and it seems that they'll be playing for quite some time. Only time will tell if they'll be able to continue to ride on the top of the tide of independent wiffleball leagues across the nation.* Can they keep up the phenomenal work? It's a juicy question when you consider the handful of serious contenders that are capable and willing to become America's new top league. With leagues like Palisades WBL, ORWBL, Hess Field, and CCWA waiting in the wings (and don't forget that the HRL: Twin Cities can always make a comeback) to snag some NWLA Awards, Kalamazoo has its hands full for 2011 and beyond. If the KWL ever slips it may cost them their precious top spot. Long story short - this league better bring their A-game because they've got company. But they were writing funny articles and playing ball long before all this acclaim and chances are they'd continue doing as they've done all along should they relinquish the spotlight.

* - Based on 2010 NWLA Awards won on their behalf (website of the year, commissioner of the year, & columnist of the year) and recent popular opinion among those involved in the NWLA. This opinion is in no way linked to the recent horrible mishap associated with the poll.

Palisades WBL Write-up

It's finally time to give credit to the 3 leagues I agreed to give a write-up for after performing well on the poll. Since the controversy of the poll has soured anything definite I felt that it'd be unfair to not give these leagues the publicity they deserve. Today it's Palisades' day. At only 3 years old they're one of the fastest growing leagues in the nations (9 teams now). Their video production capabilities are unmatched. Their Yard Work dvd is pretty high quality and affordable (well worth the money and your time). Their This Month In Wiffleball program is absolutely to die for. If you even follow this league a little bit that program makes it impossible for you to not know what's going on. Palisades uses their media well to keep their players and followers informed.

No amount of success comes without a price. They are somewhat social lepers in the national wiffleball community to some people. They're different. No doubt. They play with blue "super" bats and catch a lot of crap for it. BUT their field dimensions are pretty deep so I tend to turn a blind eye to it because I don't think I could hit a ball that far with a yellow bat in a field that big. Some of their players have taken to wearing baseball pants while playing which has also attracted criticism about taking the game just a little too seriously. While I find baseball pants both unattractive and uncomfortable I don't really see a big deal with it...different strokes for different folks. Palisades approached the National Wiffleball League Association at a bad time. The NWLA and GSWL were up-in-arms and in the midst of all of this Palisades was making their NWLA messageboard debut. Initially shunned Palisades stuck around and eventually were taken in to the NWLA.

While Palisades WBL definitely have the goods they may end up discounting that fact a little bit by declaring so often how they have the goods. Being confident and being conceited are related concepts. This fact is another reason why some find Palisades to be offensive. Palisades does go as far to say that others copy them (which they don't seem to mind, only point out) which is both true and untrue. About the only thing that leagues may copy from them is striving to up-the-ante with videos. As far as everything else I don't see anything to validate that statement...after all Palisades (like many leagues) use MLB mascots and logos. Nothing wrong with taking that route it just invalidates statements of originality. Palisades is in a class of their own and, in my opinion, no one is in their realm as of now. Their website, while stunning in appearance, is pretty tight-lipped with information. Don't get me wrong, it's sleek and one of the easiest sites to navigate out there. Period! But I find the site lacking in one thing...articles. Articles would really give HRL: Twin Cities and KWL a run for their money for website of the year. Seriously!

Whether you love or hate these dudes there's hardly a dull moment with them. If you really want to be in the constant know you need to join their forum. They have one of the most active forums of any league. It's amazing that a small league (by comparison to some of the juggernauts out there) that this league makes as much noise as it does. I have no doubt that they will continue to make a substantial amount of noise but my only hope is that a lot of that noise won't be self-proclaiming praise. This league is good enough to get plenty of outside praise, this being one of the sources that has done it's fair share of praising.