User:Pleicht stl/sandbox

Overview
The SWBL is a competitive Wiffle ball league that was founded in St. Louis County, Missouri during the summer of 2003 by eight teenagers in the Parkway School District  What began as a simple backyard wiffle ball game has expanded with membership into the National Wiffleball League Association and has become the premiere competitive wiffle ball league in Missouri . Rules such as medium-pitch speed limits and full base-running make this league unlike any in the country . Over 100 players ranging in age from 13-28 have stepped out onto the SWBL field in St. Louis, MO over the course of the league's 13-year history . In it's early years, each season was stretched across the entire summer and games were scheduled based on the availability of each team . That changed in 2012 as now, the entire season is played during Memorial Day weekend with playoffs, awards, and a backyard barbecue held on Memorial Day, which continuously draws hundreds of family, friends, and wiffle lovers . The Skibbe Wiffle Ball League is named after the Skibbe family, who have generously hosted the league at the field constructed in their backyard each and every year. The SWBL front office includes Sam Skibbe (Commissioner), Gus Skibbe (Player's Association President), Peter Leicht (Chief Financial Officer), Scott Pohle (Marketing Director), and Andy Oldenburg (Media Relations Director) .

History
Over the course of the league's 13 year existence, 19 different individuals have earned the right to call themselves champions, including eight who have won multiple titles . During the league's first five seasons (2003-2007), the structure was a 2 on 2 format featuring four teams . For the next four seasons (2008-2011), the format changed to 3 on 3 featuring six teams . The franchise era began in 2012 and continues today with eight teams composed of 4 batters and 3 fielders . Each franchise is managed by a captain and team names are chosen based on current/former Major League Baseball franchises . Due to medium-speed pitching limitations and full base-running, the SWBL has become a league nationally recognized for its hitting and fielding skill as discussed below in the National Competition and Honors section. Ever since Season 1, the league has awarded individuals for the following: Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Gold Glove, and Rookie of the Year . Beginning in 2012 (franchise era), the Franchise of the Year award is given to the franchise that best embodies what a franchise should represent (sportsmanship, camaraderie, skill, team spirit, etc.) .

League Format
In 2012, the league began a franchise era which consists of eight franchises (four in the American League division and four in the National League division). Each franchise is run by a captain/general manager who makes all managerial and personnel decisions. Currently, the eight active franchises are the Astros, Athletics, Royals, and Yankees (AL); and Brewers, Expos, Phillies, and Rockies (NL) . Each season consists of 10 regular season games (two games versus each divisional opponent and one game against cross-divisional teams). The top two seeds from each league advance to the playoff semi-finals and play to see who advances to the championship game. Home field advantage of the championship game is determined by the outcome of the All-Star game, which is played 3/4 of the way through the regular season. Of the four All-Star team roster spots, two are determined by league vote, one is chosen by the All-Star team captain (captain of the previous year's league champion), and the fourth and final roster spot is determined by the front office. Currently the AL and NL have split the All-Star series 2-2. The league also awards individuals in the following categories

National Competition and Honors
Since 2012, the SWBL has participated in the National Wiffleball League Association (NWLA) tournament in Dublin, OH as the SWBL Cardinals <http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/07/22/wiffle-ball-tournament-shows-game-is-not-for-lightweights.html>. This is a fast pitch tournament that has welcomed dozens of leagues from all across the country to compete in a pool play, elimination tournament to determine the NWLA champion <http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/07/22/wiffle-ball-tournament-shows-game-is-not-for-lightweights.html>. Although this tournament is a fast-pitch tournament with no pitching speed limitations (unlike the moderate pitching regulations of the SWBL), the SWBL Cardinals team is consistently recognized nationally via the NWLA individual awards and regional and national awards <http://www.nwlatournament.com/stats/>. The SWBL has placed hitters on the National First, Second, and Third teams for hitting, fielding, and pitching <http://www.nationalwiffleballrankings.org/#!wiffys/kzy8e>. Specifically, the SWBL has claimed the NWLA Hitter of the Year (2013, 2015), NWLA Fielder of the Year (2013, 2014), as well as awards for the most improved website and best audio podcast <http://www.nationalwiffleballrankings.org/#!wiffys/kzy8e>. The SWBL Cardinals have continued to become more competitive since its affiliation with the NWLA:

<http://www.nationalwiffleballrankings.org/#!wiffys/kzy8e>
 * Year 1 (2012): 2-3 (7th place) <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!national-tournaments/c1ev>
 * Year 2 (2013): 4-3 (3rd place) <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!national-tournaments/c1ev>
 * Year 3 (2014): 6-2 (3rd place) <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!national-tournaments/c1ev>
 * Year 4 (2015): 6-2 (5th place) <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!national-tournaments/c1ev>

Unique activities
Notable events that occur outside of wiffle ball gameplay include the winter meeting, spring rookie draft, restricted and unrestricted free agency periods, pre-season captains meeting, annual fantasy wiffle ball draft, and in-season betting options on games, award winners, and league champions. Additionally, podcasts are recorded every 6-8 weeks featuring members of the front office and special guest each week. The podcasts serve to keep stakeholders updated in the offseason and includes discussion about key offseason topics, the national wiffle ball scene, and a Face-Off with the Commissioner trivia segment. Interested parties can also stay in touch with the SWBL in the off-season by following any of the five SWBL Columnists who write occasional articles covering topics such as rumors, pre-season projections, and post-season analysis <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!news/c23sa>. When the season begins each and every Memorial Day weekend, it brings perhaps the most extraordinary element to the SWBL: the swimming pool located in left field foul territory, which allows spectators to view games while catching some sun in the pool <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!fantasycorner/c18pm>.

Sponsors

 * Dick's Sporting Goods <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!contact/c2q4>
 * Wendy's <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!contact/c2q4>
 * Krieger's Bar and Grill, Town and Country, Missouri <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!contact/c2q4>
 * Wiffle <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!contact/c2q4>
 * Close Outfitters <http://skibbewiffleball.wix.com/swbl#!contact/c2q4>