Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Do We Need A Cash-In-Trades Official Policy?

zbrent recently tc'd me with this question, and I promised to poll the world on it.

Can't say the question has ever registered high on my attention scale, but I agree it's worth asking.

Here's what I think I can accurately report about it:

1.  There seems to be some kind of world-chat disagreement about it almost every year. This year's seemed to me to be civil and respectful, but it hasn't always been. Regardless of the tone, the discussion seems to be one that few people enjoy, and the purpose of the World Chat (imho) is to be a forum for comments that people DO enjoy.

2.  We had 2 owners depart this year who cited either our laissez-faire treatment of cash in trades, or the resulting WC discussion of it, as their reasons for leaving.  Personally, I take this with a few grains of salt; I've never seen anyone with a winning record, or a big jump in winning percentage, or a loaded farm system depart and cite cash in trades as a reason. Nonetheless, 2 departing GM's did give me that as a reason, so I feel obligated to report that in any discussion of the subject.

The big reason for having a C-I-T policy, I think, would be so we can have right up front how we handle it for anyone considering coming into the world.  If someone knows that we limit C-I-T to the salary of the highest-paid player in the trade (just to use an example), they can't exactly complain about it later or use that as a reason for leaving.  It would also theoretically end the WC discussions about it.

There certainly may be better reasons for having one.

The negative, I suppose, is it's one more little admin detail for the commish to keep up with, although I"m sure there are other arguments against it as well.

I'd welcome comments here or on the WC from anyone who has something to add.

Please vote in the poll.  Note that the question is whether we should even have a C-I-T policy, not what it should be.  If the world votes to have one, we'll move on to deciding what it should be later.

New Commish Needed, Suggest Recruiter As Well

As I mentioned on the World Chat, I'm retiring from HBD after my next seasons here and in Hobbs.

I'm moving from Austin to Madison, WI for the Summer (arriving June 1).  After that I'm going on some kind of international sojourn, most likely through Latin America.  I travelled a lot years ago and have been promising myself I'd do so again.  At age 62, it's time to sogotp, so I'm going (somewhere).

First, thanks to all of you (and especially the long-timers) for the many seasons of great competition and camaraderie.  Major Leagues has probably been the best of all the many HBD worlds I've played in, and I'll miss it.

Second, start thinking about a new commish.  I'd suggest we set some kind of date for early season for nominations, or perhaps to select someone by acclamation.  Main idea is to get it done early so you don't run into the next recruiting season.

Third, I'd very strongly urge you to select an official recruiter as well.  I know it's a task that would run a poor race to sticking pencils in your eyes, but if you have a good system, it's pretty easy.  And I have a good system, which I'll document completely for the next recruiter (and help with at the end of next season).

I can't emphasize enough how big a difference it makes to a world to have someone who is dedicated to making the next season start right after rollover.  Many of you who have joined Major Leagues in the last 10 seasons or so have told me that you did so for exactly that reason.

Last, the reason I emphasize having a recruiter separate and apart from the commissioner. I think both jobs are made easier by the fact that there are 2 people who have a vested interest in the smooth operation of the world, rather than having the entire burden fall to 1 person.

That's it, we'll work out some kind of early-Season 38 date for selection, just wanted to put it out there well in advance.