Wisconsin's Independent Dart Leagues - History Page
WIDL started in September of 1990 when two small town dart players wanted a dart league in their small town. Unfortunately (or fortunately), they could not find anyone to run the league for them. After a year of discussions George Zeller and Ray Petersen decided to try this on their own. October of 1991 saw the beginnings of WIDL as the Sun Prairie Dart League (SPDL) kicked off it's first year. Four teams wasn't much of a start, but two more jumped in at the half way mark. The first year ended with six teams and the very first Spring Fling (although it did not have that name yet.)
During the third season of the SPDL the two pioneers saw that this was happening in more than just their town. This caused them to start developing plans to provide their services to other towns. By the fourth season of the SPDL, they were ready. What they were not quite as ready for was the explosion of teams in the SPDL. The league had blossomed from ten teams the third season to twenty teams in the fourth season! WIDL was born! At least in their eyes it was after tackling this and the next setback.
Unfortunately, during the fourth year George Zeller had to go start the Dakota's Independent Dart Leagues (DIDL) from Carson, North Dakota. That didn't effect WIDL except to give it a sister out west. Steve "Spider" Scott filled the vacant slot most effectively, helping with the first Sun Prairie Summer Dart League.
A little bit of a struggle taught these two much and the next year saw the addition of the DeForest\Token Creek Dart League (DTDL). DTDL started out small, but with patience is growing as fast as the SPDL did. Now it is the DeForest\Morrisonville Dart League (DMDL). With the teams that have already registered for next year we will probably change the name to the Deforest Area Dart League (DADL). (That has to be put to a league vote yet so don't tell them.)
After the fifth year Steve Scott had to step down, but ready to take his place was JR Raftery. Together JR and Ray are providing professional league and tournament coordination to all that want their services. Now with three annual tournaments, four leagues, and one weekly tournament WIDL is ready and prepared to help out all those suffering darters anywhere in Wisconsin. If you want a tournament, or need help with your league, just contact us and we will do anything we can to help.
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