The Future of Wiffleball
11/4/2015
by Devin Nelson
As the MNWA begins its offseason, I’d like to take a look at how the MNWA can grow as a league. In 2015 the MNWA had arguably its best season in history. Competitive teams were the main things that helped make this possible. As we look forward to the 2016 season however I feel like we are upon the “future” of the MNWA, and wiffleball as well. But only time will tell. As we look back on 2015 we see the common MNWA format style: four “tournaments” that are really just regular season games. Opening Day in Ashby in late May, two mid-season tournaments in Maple Grove in June & July, and then the final regular season games and Final Tournament in Ashby in early August. Throw in the NWLA Qualifier and the NWLA Tournament and for seven players they had six of their 10 summer weekends filled up with wiffleball related activities, not to mention any HRL sponsored tournaments they took part in. The other 10 players had 4/10 weekends taken up by wiffleball, and for most of them maybe only two or three if they didn’t show up for a tournament or two, this may seem like a “perfect season.” However if it weren’t for the 12 dedicated players that showed up for all 13-17 of their teams’ games the MNWA wouldn’t exist. Frankly, being one of these players is getting old, especially with the addition of the NWLA regionals. Personally I’d like change the MNWA to a “Skibbe Style” league. Play in the NWLA, and then attend some more HRL events. But since I’m only 1/20 players in the league, my lone opinion doesn’t matter. As for the good of the league as a whole, I don’t know what’s best, especially as six of our players now hold the rights to an HRL squad. These guys will now dedicate another evening a week to wiffleball, and before long will soon find that the MNWA isn’t as “fun” as our HRL counterpart. Although I don’t seem the MNWA folding any time soon, I see significant changes in the near future, especially as the NWLA continues to develop.
The NWLA’s future may be even more in question than the MNWA’s. Not necessarily from a folding or retiring standpoint, but from a standpoint of significant changes. They’ve grown from 12 teams to 19, and are trying to get 24. But with the lack of serious interest, they seem to be listening to options about leagues being able to bring two teams (which I support). The addition of regionals and the shift to Washington D.C. (which I think will happen) also poses changes to the leagues interested in participating. Once again I resort to my personal opinion to make an argument, what a surprise. Playing in the NWLA is the most fun I have ever had playing wiffleball, hands down. We’ve also gotten 14th and 12th place respectively in our two years of participation. I’m a relatively competitive person and have had fun in the bottom half of the field. However, getting other players from the league to come along has been a problem. Only 3 players have gone both years, and even though everyone who has gone either year has said “I’ll come along next year,” I haven’t seen it yet. And now as the tourney plans to move to D.C. I only see the poor 23-year-old and under players of the MNWA becoming even tougher to get to attend. Although the NWLA Tournament may continue, the MNWA’s participation is once again up in the air.
As Winter Wiffs approaches, and looks to be as big as ever, the looming questions about the MNWA and NWLA continue to loom. Hopefully all works out well and 2016 goes like 2015 did. But with financial concerns with the NWLA and attendance concerns in the MNWA, only time will tell.
by Devin Nelson
As the MNWA begins its offseason, I’d like to take a look at how the MNWA can grow as a league. In 2015 the MNWA had arguably its best season in history. Competitive teams were the main things that helped make this possible. As we look forward to the 2016 season however I feel like we are upon the “future” of the MNWA, and wiffleball as well. But only time will tell. As we look back on 2015 we see the common MNWA format style: four “tournaments” that are really just regular season games. Opening Day in Ashby in late May, two mid-season tournaments in Maple Grove in June & July, and then the final regular season games and Final Tournament in Ashby in early August. Throw in the NWLA Qualifier and the NWLA Tournament and for seven players they had six of their 10 summer weekends filled up with wiffleball related activities, not to mention any HRL sponsored tournaments they took part in. The other 10 players had 4/10 weekends taken up by wiffleball, and for most of them maybe only two or three if they didn’t show up for a tournament or two, this may seem like a “perfect season.” However if it weren’t for the 12 dedicated players that showed up for all 13-17 of their teams’ games the MNWA wouldn’t exist. Frankly, being one of these players is getting old, especially with the addition of the NWLA regionals. Personally I’d like change the MNWA to a “Skibbe Style” league. Play in the NWLA, and then attend some more HRL events. But since I’m only 1/20 players in the league, my lone opinion doesn’t matter. As for the good of the league as a whole, I don’t know what’s best, especially as six of our players now hold the rights to an HRL squad. These guys will now dedicate another evening a week to wiffleball, and before long will soon find that the MNWA isn’t as “fun” as our HRL counterpart. Although I don’t seem the MNWA folding any time soon, I see significant changes in the near future, especially as the NWLA continues to develop.
The NWLA’s future may be even more in question than the MNWA’s. Not necessarily from a folding or retiring standpoint, but from a standpoint of significant changes. They’ve grown from 12 teams to 19, and are trying to get 24. But with the lack of serious interest, they seem to be listening to options about leagues being able to bring two teams (which I support). The addition of regionals and the shift to Washington D.C. (which I think will happen) also poses changes to the leagues interested in participating. Once again I resort to my personal opinion to make an argument, what a surprise. Playing in the NWLA is the most fun I have ever had playing wiffleball, hands down. We’ve also gotten 14th and 12th place respectively in our two years of participation. I’m a relatively competitive person and have had fun in the bottom half of the field. However, getting other players from the league to come along has been a problem. Only 3 players have gone both years, and even though everyone who has gone either year has said “I’ll come along next year,” I haven’t seen it yet. And now as the tourney plans to move to D.C. I only see the poor 23-year-old and under players of the MNWA becoming even tougher to get to attend. Although the NWLA Tournament may continue, the MNWA’s participation is once again up in the air.
As Winter Wiffs approaches, and looks to be as big as ever, the looming questions about the MNWA and NWLA continue to loom. Hopefully all works out well and 2016 goes like 2015 did. But with financial concerns with the NWLA and attendance concerns in the MNWA, only time will tell.