Let’s start this article with a big shoutout to Sam Skibbe for all the hard work he does for this website. This man pours a lot of time into wiffleball and we should all be thankful that we have him.
Now, maybe we as leagues should focus on helping the man out a little. I mean I know how much work he has to do, sifting through sometimes unclear websites and creating spreadsheets so we (Carl, Josh, Trent, and I) can rank teams as we see fit. It has to be exhausting. Therefore, I’ve put together a list that EVERY NWLA LEAGUE should try and follow to the best of their ability. If you do these few things, it will help you get ranked, get awards, and be nationally recognized as the great leagues you all are.
1. Have a real website (not Facebook or Twitter, etc.)
This one is probably the most important piece of being a good league. Yes Facebook is useful for player recruiting and such, but you really should supplement it with a website. They’re very easy to make (Wix and others) and give your league a sense of legitimacy. Even with as much crap as League Lineup gets, that is a perfectly serviceable starter site that you can use to easily put in records, stats, and other things.
2. Keep your website updated
I feel as though this one should be obvious but not all leagues subscribe to the idea. You really need to keep your website as up to date as possible. If I’m looking at a website and I see stuff from 2016, I’m going to think your league has died. If you want a good example of both #1 and #2, visit WSEM’s website. Looks clean, always posting new content. A great website can make a great league.
3. Have easy access to standings and stats
This is another obvious one but it needs to be said. Sam shouldn’t have to click on 10 links before he can get to a spreadsheet with your stats or standings. The standings can easily be put on the front page of any site, and stats should be in an obvious location with no more than a few links to gain access. If you don’t keep stats let me help you out: please start. Even if they’re rough stats, or even if you only keep track of HR and K, something needs to be there. Otherwise, you won’t be ranked and won’t receive any awards.
4. Be personally accessible
This is for all the commissioners out there: I like to talk to other commissioners. And if somebody has a question for you, but all they have are a phone number from 5 years ago and an email you made when you created an AIM account, then we can’t get to you. Commissioners have to talk to their players all the time, but we would also like to talk to you. So if you can, give us up to date (and accurate) contact info.
5. Sign up for the NWLA Tournament
Since I’m also on the Organizing Committee for NWLAT, this one is a bit selfish. What I can tell you is that you’ll struggle to find a negative review of the NWLA Tournament. It’s a competitive weekend, but in the end, it’s a bunch of guys who love the game getting together and collaborating, sharing ideas, and making cross country friendships. It’s a great way to learn about other leagues, other styles of play, and different ideas you can incorporate into your own league back home.
If you can follow these 5 things, you’re right where you should be as an NWLA Member League. And trust me, you’ll save Sam a huge headache if he can trust that this is done. So, get out there and get your things in line, and let’s help the man out!