"IN THE BASEBALL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE PLAYERS ARE REPRESENTED BY TWO SEPARATE YET EQUALLY IMPORTANT GROUPS: THE LEAGUE OFFICIALS WHO MAINTAIN ORDER AND THE BULLETIN BOARD PUNDITOCRACY WHO SHOOTS FROM THE HIP. THESE ARE THERE STORIES." (Insert "ding-ding" sound effect here.)
I apologize for having to forfeit the game between the Hawks and Gray Cougars, especially since one of the Hawks had to travel from far away to make the game. But I can say categorically that I did everything possible to bring a team together for that game. Sometimes, an unfortunate result is simply unavoidable.
Indeed, the league could have threatened to impose any penalty it wanted, no matter how harsh or unreasonable, but the result would have been the same. I did everything I possibly could--starting the day before--to find fill-in players. And fellow 55+ manager Jim Porter even went so far as to announce at his post-game party on Wednesday (Whiz Kids vs. Damn Yankees), that I needed a couple of fill-ins. I sincerely appreciate that one of his players stepped up to help.
Moreover, I made countless calls. I begged, threatened, and cajoled. I even sent the opposing manager a list of possible fill-ins for his approval (and he asked that I not use one of them, which is his right). The upshot was this: I WAS CONVINCED THAT WE WOULD PLAY THE GAME RIGHT UP TO THE MOMENT OF CANCELLATION.
We had a player (who has undergone heart bypass surgery) phone at the last minute to say he wasn't feeling well and would not be able to play. If that player had been able to attend, the Hawks manager Jim Brearton would probably have been able to lend us the ninth player.
So, it doesn't take a Detective Lenny Briscoe (Jerry Orbach, rest his soul) to see that there was no crime commited here. And in case anyone was wondering, we'll have at least nine players suited-up and ready to go for our Saturday game.
Thanks for your time,
Frank Mgr., 55+ Gray Cougars
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Friday 29th of July 2011 12:25:09 PM
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-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Friday 29th of July 2011 04:14:25 PM
No one is attacking you personally. This has been an on-going problem that needs to be addressed in the off season.
The Bulletin Board Punditocracy has the league's best interest in mind. Seldom shooting from the hip; mostly, well thought and well intentioned ideas are put forth, with possible solutions offered.
I won't be here to participate in off season discussions, so here is my two cents: A player pool is a great idea. Something that should be addressed is the opposing manager's right to veto a substitute if it means a forfeit. The veto should be subject to that condition, and able to be over-ridden by the commissioner if necessary to get the game played.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Susie. And I would support any reasonable solution.
And while we're at it, we might try coming up with a better way to decide field playability in cases of bad weather. With forcasting having become as accurate as it seems to be these days, we might find a way to make a decision before two entire teams drive out to the field, only to find the game cancelled. And that is something that happens much more frequently than a forfeit.
Believe me, I don't take any of this personally. I'm just trying to have a little fun with an admittedly unfortunate situation. My apologies to the good-hearted punditocracy!
Great sense of humor about this Frank! I thought that the Law and Order referrence was funny! I just want to point out that you ought to leave no stone unturned to have 10 players dressed and ready for every game, not 9 and especially not 8, counting on a loan from the other team. As far as the opposing coach refusing any age qualified substitute... BOOOO!!!! If you refuse a substitute, you are begging for a forfeit, and the players on your team that travelled unnecessarily should be mad at you.
Mike, thanks for your note. Yes, I'd like to dress at least 12 for every game--though that's not always possible. I posted on the bulletin board yesterday only as a last resort. Believe me when I say, I left no stoned unturned--and one can only imagine who I found hiding under those upturned stones!
My point is that sometimes you have to go forward with eight, and hope and pray that someone unexpected will show up (as happened in our last game) or that the opposing manager will lend you one of his extras. I tried everything I could to avoid a last-minute forfeit, but the baseball gods simply refused to smile on me this time.
As a matter of fact, the issue has been raised on more than one occasion that managers should not be borrowing a tenth player--that is, if you know you have nine of your own confirmed, you shouldn't be allowed to pad your squad with a borrowed tenth.
And that makes sense to me. I've had to borrow a tenth (for catcher) in the past, and as I recall, I caught some flak for it (thankfully in my glove-side arm). I'd love to hear a clarification of this rule.
Frank
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Friday 29th of July 2011 04:54:01 PM
Are the rosters still 21 players? The players pay, and juggle their schedules, to play in a league. Are we organizing a pick-up game, with whoever we can get to show up?
I have managed teams in this league, and I know how hard it is. I have the utmost respect for Frank as a player and a dedicated member of this league, and by no means do I wish to single him out. He has probably spent more time on the phone than any manager in any division. I love this league because there is a place for anyone who loves baseball.
But at some point I think we have to make a decision as to whether or not we keep, or consolidate teams who forfeit, or habitually borrow players. It's not just the Cougars, or the 55 division. I have some ideas if the board is interested.
Tommy... why don't you write it up and email it to me and i will pass it along.
I think the pool of subs would be helpful .... and removing / modifying the age restrictions will increase that pool .... i know Don Ball, Tommy Smith and I all sub on a regular basis... but we are too young for the 55's.
