[USML Announce] USML 2006 - Kick-off memo

[RICHARD ROBBINS]

Web Site -- I'm fine with TQ Stats but would also support any other site
that people like
 
Rules -- A few months ago I wired the rules we've been using for early
drafts into the constitution.  Take a look at the relevant page on
www.usml.net and see if you think I did it right.  The text is based on
messages that we've circulated each of the last few years.
 
New Rules -- I have nothing to suggest at the moment -- not even my
annual plea for changes to how we handle inter-league trades.  Of
course, if raised, you can assume that my vote will be consistent with
what I've argued for and lost with regularity.
 
League Size -- I'd prefer to remain at 11.
 
League Trophy -- Can we replace the Johnny Damon with an Anna Benson
trophy?
 
-- Rich

________________________________

From: announce-bounces at usml.net [mailto:announce-bounces at usml.net] On
Behalf Of MBBlocker at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 10:17 PM
To: announce at usml.net
Subject: [USML Announce] USML 2006 - Kick-off memo



Gang:

 

  USML 2006 is now just weeks away!  This year will mark our 18th
consecutive season of play.  Because there has already been some
discussion of league planning before my annual kick-off e-mail, I will
get right to the matters that need attention.

 

  Draft Day:  It appears from early returns that we have do not have a
consensus as to a draft day.  In fact, as in past years, it already
appears that accommodating everyone's schedule will be difficult.  Below
is a grid with the current unavailabilities that have been reported in
e-mail thus far.  I would appreciate if all those who have not weighed
in would please do so and for all of those who have commented, let me
know if there are any other dates we need to avoid.  Once I hear from
most people, I will circulate a revised grid with some
suggestions/inquiries.  

 

  Draft location:  We have a decision to make here.  Sidley's new
conference center is very nice and we could hold the draft there again
(right across the street from our old offices downtown).  However, two
league members have approached me about having the draft at a more
kid-friendly site so that children of league members could attend, but
could drift out of the draft room at their leisure.  I am interested in
the views of the league on this issue.

 

  There are several additional topics we should also address promptly.
Here they are.

 

1.  Web site:  Unless I not hear any strong groundswell of support for
changing websites, we will stay with TQ Stats.  One drawback of TQ Stats
in the past is that total team salaries are not reported on a page that
is readily available to the league.  I am not certain that alone
warrants a change, but I note the issue.

 

2.  Draft Day rules:  To avoid some debate, I propose that, in the event
we end up drafting pre-opening day again, we use the same draft day
rules that we used last year, i.e., rules dealing with slotting and
rookie eligibility to account for a pre-season draft.  I cannot recall
if we had grated those rules into our current constitution, but if we
did not do so, we should.  

 

3.  New rules:  If there are any amendments to our current in-season
rules (in other words, proposing to amend our constitution and not just
a rule dealing with pre-season drafting), please circulate those soon so
we can debate them and vote.  If you are among the minority that does
not enjoy the rules debates, please just ignore the e-mail traffic
relating to the new rule topics.  I would prefer to see proposed
amendments circulated by mid-February, but there is probably no need to
set a hard deadline.

 

4.  League size:  We currently have 11 teams.  In the past there have
been suggestions to increase the league size to 12.  I'd be interested
in hearing peoples' thoughts on this topic again, although I personally
have grown accustomed to 11.  Obviously, a willing new owner would be
critical if we decide to expand.

 

5.  League trophy:  To show how self-less I am, I will raise a topic
that has no likely significance to me in the future: a traveling league
trophy awarded to the USML champion.  My recollection is that Jeff or
Andy was looking into this, and perhaps an update is in order.

 

 That is it for the moment.  Another update will follow shortly.  

 

  -- Mark B.

 

 

 

 

Draft Day Grid (unavailability)

 

Mar. 17-19:  Red Hots (18th only), Bombers (negotiable)

 

Mar. 24-26:  Red Hots (?)

 

Mar. 31-02:  Nukes (Dance). Red Hots (31st only)

 

Apr. 7-9:  Calamari (Vegas)

 

Apr. 14-16:  ----

 

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