In the past week the CCWA has removed two teams from the Northern Division and two teams from the South.
In the North the Toutle Angels were dropped from the league after they wouldn't pay their team fees. It's too bad too because this team could've contended for the title in my opinion. Matt Bailey would've been a great captain and set the tone for the rest of his team which included former Brewer Tim Davis. CCWA rookie Denny King had already paid his fee so he was allowed to join whichever team he wanted and that team would get an exemption on the six man roster size for the 2008 season. Denny decided that he'd join his friends on the Brewer roster and make them even stronger.
In very disappointing news the league office learned that the Cowlitz Cubs would also be dropping out of the league. Team captain Tyler Johnson was originally set to leave the season at the half-way point to go to college. Now he is scheduled to leave the second week of April which doesn't leave much time for wiffleball. Also departing the Cubs roster was Ryan Poston who is going to be Tyler's roommate in College. Kelle Ogden already had paid her fees and was given the same option as Denny. She decided to stay in the league and join her former team captain, Laura "Crazy Eyez" Marcil, on the Mariners roster.
In the South the new tournament tested team of the Rose City Padres dropped out of the league. It's tough to say how good this team may have been. I'm not sure if they really could hang with the CCWA since they dropped out before the season began.
In other Southern League news, the Woodstock Tigers have dropped a player in the last week. This left them with two players who both decided to join the Chinatown Athletics leaving the Tigers as a vacant team. With the Padres leaving we needed to cut another team for scheduling purposes. The now vacant Tigers were the perfect option.
For scheduling each team got assigned to a new division and will play each team in their League four games total. This will be in addition to two randomly drawn inter-league matchups.
NORTHERN LEAGUE
| West | East |
|---|
| Lexington Brewers | Jackmove Giants |
| Quiznos Indians | Rose Valley Red Sox |
| La Center White Sox | Kelso Mariners |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE
| West | East |
|---|
| Vancouver Yankees | Laurelhurst Pirates |
| Portland Royals | Couch St. Reds |
| Chinatown Athletics | Laurelhurst Mets |
The dropping of teams may actually prove to be good for the league as the remaining teams are all going to be able to play their games. Forfeits were unfortunately a big part of last season but should drop considerably this year. Along with the rising player fees the fact that 2/3 of the teams in the league will make the playoffs should keep teams interested and competitive through-out the season.
Thanks to all who help make this league the success that it is. The CCWA 2008 season will be the best yet.
In a shocking move, the Laurelhurst Pirates have agreed to send last year's MVP Ed Bert to the Laurelhurst Mets. With the Pirates adding Zac Warren to the roster playing time for everybody was going to be short. An offer came in from the Laurelhurst Mets for Ed Bert and the Pirates could not refuse. Since Ed most likely won't appear all season, he agreed to play for the Mets and try to lead them to the postseason.
