League Play

[mozeek]

What is the DRAW? Why do some coaches PAY the Dough but still won't SHOW?
I have spent countless hours with e-mails, recruiting...phone calls and still I get the same coaches on play dates.......

Sooooooooo what is one to do????????
Guys show up to one date never to be heard from again?

Is it the coaches in the league?
Is it the STYLE of play?

IS IT ME???????

How can the excuse of LIFE issues come into play when they run and join other leagues and will make those play dates and not make yours....WHAT does that SAY?

Am I missing the message being sent to me......

Maybe I should concentrate on "OUR " Local League and support where support is given?????? That seems to be the motto.......


Raiderman and George how do you guys keep it going out there? You guys have about maybe 10 dedicated coaches and still have success?

Maybe 10 is the magic # ???????


Well I hope a few Coaches on here could give me some answers....cause i am bald from pulling my hair out???????

[artlax]

since I am in the same foxhole with you Morgan...I am not going to go into all that I could rant on...but, and some may not like this...here it comes.

First and foremost it is certainly NOT YOU and NOT the style of play - period!

Morgan - you and I know who will be there for sure and who won't. I came this past weekend and because of things beyond my control (Life Issues which I dealt with) had to make major adjustments to do it, but I made those adjustments because...

I decided to play in the league and will honor my commitment.
(I initially did not start the season because I wasn't sure if I could make the dates, etc...).

I respect you and the other coaches I know that were going to be there and did not want to leave anyone standing around not able to play.

I respect the time commitment that other coaches make and things they may give up to come play.

I enjoy being with my fellow coaches and the energy of playing the games.

I AM NOT in the BAM to add it to my list of leagues I play in - I am in the BAM to play and enjoy time with you guys.

BTW - It was great to see Scott, JDub, James, JMac, Joe and You on Saturday!

Hey - I have no problem if a guy does not want to play - hey it is their life - but don't waste our time by saying yeah, yeah and then make one date or be inconsistent to the point of being unreliable.

The life issues card is far to easy to play because guys know they most likely won't be called on it - like this local referee I know -always late - he has had more flat tires than there is rubber to make them - nobody respects the guy anymore - simple as that.

And guys not answering their phone, or not returning calls or emails - c'mon - man up guys are living on these devices these days - we are adults not seventh graders in my school classroom.

You put the dates out there this year WELL in advance of the start - so guys could look and decide and make the right decision.

I think what we discussed Saturday will get us headed down the right track towards a solid and enjoyable BAM league for the future. Unfortunately, that will mean that some will be left out, but they have made that decision easy by not being reliable and dependable.

Heads up man - it is NOT YOU - my friend!

[RAIDERMAN]

It's not you. It's life. Coaches sign up and never play a down. I had that for (5) years running the NHFL. Their intensions are good but when they get home their wife says, "You did what?!" Then we never see them again.

I've pretty much pulled back and only deal with the local leagues and even there it's a tough draw any more. I'm struggling to keep at least (8) guys playing in the Pro League. People just get too busy and move on. You just have to keep plugging away. Throw 20 against the wall and hope half of them stick.

RAIDERMAN

[sweetka]

I decided not to play in my local league this year. Sometimes there are issues that do come up.

1. My son is starting rehab next week 2-3 times
2. My other sons are in scouting the other two evenings
3. I have one playing Varsity and the coach is starting to play him even after he took off last year to honor band. The coach is allowing him to do both.
4. I have moved on in some respects because my MF time is spent directing my efforts toward more constructive endeavors to better the experience for the entity, not the individual by:

a. Assisting with building a league, tournament, and hopefully sanctioning body which will help with recruiting.
b. Working with coaches who really can't get the best of their imagination because they lack tweak expertise. I went to breakfast in Canton with guys who love the game more than any of us coaches do. That was my epiphany. To be told that guys have purchased 500 bases and two are on their teams? I have now been told that several times. The bad part is I'm not asking around. Just listening. I wonder how many coaches we have lost that way and through bad business dealings?

c. Increased my commitment to the governing body of the MFCA beyond being the MFCAL commissioner.

For your league I offer you the same advice as Raiderman who is dead on:

Rule #1: Never ban people who pay to play and don't show. I have seen guys who were banned because they lost their jobs and their cars broke down. Actually they won games in my opinion.

Rule #2: Make sure that winning isn't the only thing and make sure that anyone running a MF business understands that. If businesses are performance based all kinds of bad things can happen.

Rule #3: Keep your problems in house. I have vented before inappropriately and it is not good for anyone regardless as to whether you are right.

Rule #4: If you have people doing an excellent job don't run them away. Competition is healthy, Napolean complex is not.

Rule #5: Generate feedback. Sometimes there may be problems but they could be ones you never thought of. I have seen that happen as well.

Rule #6: Take what you have and continue to build. Keep improving. Good things will come your way.