CO Mile High Power Rankings (Final)

As most of you figured out, these power rankings are a sham. A big joke. I mean come on, Coming From Behind was even ranked No. 1 for like two weeks. Ha! I hope some of you who have even a hint of a sarcasm-meter got a laugh or two out of it. That's part of what makes WAKA great; sure, it's more competitve than most kickball leagues, but we also know how to leave that fire on the field and have a great time together off of it.

However, in honor of the level of competition exhibited in CO Mile High this year and the extent to which most of you care (even if you won't admit it), I think it's only fair to present, just this once, a real Power Rankings.

Thank you for the great season everyone. I hope to see many of these teams return in 2013, assuming the Mayans weren't right and we're all boned.

1. Dice. (10-1) – Dice. came in to CO Mile High with a reputation. Few said it out loud, but many considered it a foregone conclusion that they'd win the league and coast to Vegas. While they didn't disappoint during the regular season, Dice. did get all it could handle from Stu Gotz in the championship game. The savvy players stuck to their guns despite a late deficit and clawed out a 5-4 victory in the final inning. If they get a bid, they'll likely be Colorado's strongest representative in Vegas to date. Good luck, Dice.

2. STU GOTZ (7-3-1) – Since forming the core of its current roster in Summer 2011, Stu Gotz has played in two championships and one semifinal in the most competitive kickball league in Denver. Unbelievably, they've lost all three by one run in the final inning. Every. Single. Time. The Gotz Mob does perhaps the best job in CO Mile High balancing fun with competitiveness, and that's what WAKA is all about. With its now-experienced players starting to play more frequently and in tournaments, it's only a matter of time before the Lovable Losers snag that elusive crown.

3. American Riff Raff (7-2) -- Having already secured a bid to Vegas with its Spring 2012 title, the Riff Raff players still gave this summer their all despite the tough Friday night schedule. Yes, Justin, everyone knows you guys came back from 7-0 to beat Stu Gotz with eight players. We get it. I can't wait to hear more about it at the end-of-season party. Good luck to y'all in Vegas, too!

4. Coming From Behind (7-3) – Watching this team come together as friends off the field and improve on the field since forming just this spring has been a pleasure to watch. Some other players got upset about CFB enforcing forfeits, but hey, those are the rules. Don't write them off because of it; this is a good team. They'll be challenging for a championship in 2013 -- forfeits or no -- assuming they stay sober enough to at least remember some of their innings.

5. Your Mom (4-4-1) – The record does not reflect the talent. Perhaps WAKA's most established team, Your Mom faced a series of circumstances this season (mostly related to summer Fridays being difficult) that left them short-handed many weeks. They also lost to Riff Raff twice in tight games and tied with Stu Gotz after dominating most of the game. If they return for yet another WAKA season, Your Mom will be far above .500.

6. Pitches Be Crazy (3-6) -- Strategy is all that's keeping this team from winning more games. The roster is one of the most athletic in the league, but if they want to advance in the playoffs they'll have to accept the need for bunting. If they're happy to just have fun and kick away, more power to them. The Pitches are awesome and a valuable addition to CO Mile High. 

7. Drinkers With A Kicking Problem (4-6) – Every season, there's a team of newbies that comes together and catches the attention of the vets. DWAK's improvement from week-to-week was tangible, thanks in no small part to a strong captain. By the end of the season they gave CFB all the No. 2 seed wanted, losing only 2-3. If they return, DWAK could see a meteoric rise in future seasons.

8. Drunken Monkeys (3-7) – The Monkeys are one of WAKA's most enjoyable teams to play, a reputation they've rightfully earned over the past few seasons. If they wanted to compete they could, but they seem content to have a great time and boost the friendly, fun spirit of the entire league. I speak for us all when I say I just wish they'd come to the bar more often.

9. Shenanigans (2-7) -- Shenanigans was a mix of players from previous WAKA seasons, many of whom seemed more interested in having fun together as friends than taking kickball too seriously. That's a fantastic perspective to have. Some teams play kickball to win, some teams play kickball to take a break from real life, party with their friends and make new ones. Both are equally valid reasons.

10. Bob Loblaws Ball Lawbers (1-8) – I honestly didn't get to know many players on this team, which was an assortment of folks put together through Yelp! As many teams of random people in their first WAKA seasons are wont to do, they didn't fare well against the teams of established friends who better knew each other and the rules. That's no reason not to come back. Most teams improve drastically in their second or third seasons. I hope y'all show up in force to the end-of-season party since we didn't see you often at Hayter's!