** Interview with Blair Conrad **

Blair, thanks for spending time with us here at the Ultimate Strat Baseball Newsletter　

No problem at all. Happy to talk with you.　

Wolfman: Blair, I normally ask some personal questions first to give our members a chance to meet you and know a little bit about your background before we talk about Strat and your baseball league.　

So first, which part of the world do you live in right now and is this where you grew up and how did you find yourself in Canada?　

I live in Chester, Nova Scotia. I was born nearby in Bridgewater, NS and grew up there.　

Wolfman: When you were younger - did you actually play baseball and if so what was your best position?　

Fast pitch softball was big in this area when I was a kid so we all played that. I was a pitcher up until I was about 26 years old when I suffered a bad knee injury that knocked me off the rubber.　

Wolfman: What about which MLB team did you root for when you were younger and are you still a fan of this team. Are there any ball players you really followed or who were your favorites?　

I’ve been a big San Francisco Giants fan ever since I saw Will Clark swing a bat. Always loved Nolan Ryan, he pitched like I would have given the opportunity, and the talent.　

Wolfman: How did you hear about SOM Baseball? When did you first begin to play the game?　

Wolfman: What is your history participating in leagues (face-to-face or computer based)?　Have you ever played in any tournaments?　

I’ve been in the Halifax league since ’89 and I started another face to face league here in Nova Scotia that is still operating but that I’m no longer part of. I’ve never played in a tournament.　

Wolfman: How did The Halifax Strat-o League come into existence? Where did the name come from　for your league?　

It had been running for some time when I joined as an expansion team, at least since 1985. There aren’t any of the original teams still in the league and I don’t keep in contact with any of the guys from way back then so I really don’t know for sure when it started.　

All of the guys in the league were living in Halifax when I joined so I suppose that’s why it’s called that.　

Wolfman: I read on Strat-o-matic that you have 8 teams (which take the name of MLB teams) and you play a 162 game season. Are any of the managers in your league right now original manager? What is the name of the team you manage?　

No original managers. The manager of the Dodgers has been around the longest. He started in ’85.　

I manage the Giants, unsurprisingly.　

Wolfman: Can you describe the structure of your league and how the playoffs work to determine your league champion?　

I disapprove of having playoffs and using a DH. We have one 8 team division and we play a balanced schedule. Whomever wins the most games is the champion. Being the best over 162 games is far more indicative of who’s the best team. Anyone can win 4 out of 7 games.　

Wolfman: How do you create your teams - discuss the rules of your league and how you build you team (players you keep from year to year and your draft and trades).　

People who want to join the league are strenuously vetted. They have to actually be able to add single digit numbers together.　

Other than that they just have to commit to the time it takes to play 162 games face to face. It is a commitment; it takes a lot of time. Not everyone lasts. We’ve had our share of dropouts.　　

We try to make the league as much like MLB as possible. We have 40 man rosters with 25 man active rosters as well as a 5 man "minor league" roster that contains un-carded, rookie qualifying players.　

The 25-man active roster must contain at least 11 pitchers.　

At the end of each year we protect 25 players and dump the rest back in to the draft pool. If we are expanding we protect less players, usually 22 or 23.　

All trades have to be ratified by the commissioner but honestly there is rarely any controversy on that front. Everyone in the league is REALLY trying to win. There is a legend of a player being traded for a Big Mac but that was many years ago. Draft picks can be and are traded.　　

We all meet face to face shortly after the new cards arrive each February and do the draft.　

Wolfman: When you play your games -- do you use the computer or just use dice and cards with scoresheets?　

Dice, cards, and scoresheets.　

Wolfman: We can understand why 33 years ago you started a face-to-face league but with all the new updates with the computer game why have you decided to keep your league face-to-face?　

It’s tradition and it is fun. Why wouldn’t we? We’re all friends. I can’t imagine it any other way.　

Wolfman: Have you ever tried to contact other face to face league near you area in Canada to have league champions play each other?　

Nope, not really interested. It’s enough of a challenge to keep our league organized.　

Wolfman: What is your life as the commissioner of The Halifax Strat-o League like? How much time　does it take, what are your duties? Do you have other officers in your league?　

Well I would suggest your members check out our website.　　

http://lumpygravytubby.wixsite.com/halifaxstratoleague　

I handle all of the content. I love spreadsheets, sadly, so it’s fun to keep all records up to date. I encourage the owners to play their games and make sure I get my games played. There are no other officers. We all contribute $10 to pay for the cards each year and that’s it. Simple.　　

I spend way more time on my team than I do on being the commissioner.　

Wolfman: Blair have you ever been close to winning the champion of the The Halifax Strat-o League - when did this happen and what type of team did you have? What type of team do you generally like to create? How did your team do last season?　

I’ve won the league nine times, most recently using the 2013 cards. I always build my teams on OBP and right handed power pitching with a glance at defense. Our current season, 2015 cards, recently ended and sadly I finished second. 　

Wolfman: How is the relationship of your members amongst each other? Do you ever do some public activities together?　

The relationship is great but our activities are always to do with the league. We’re all in the 40-50 year-old range now so we try to keep our saggy asses out of the public eye.　

Wolfman: Is there any teams (via their manager) that has dominated your league?　

Early on a team called the Orioles did dominate the league via their manager but he was intolerable and violent. As bad a sportsman as you can imagine. That however was long ago; we have a very reasonable group now. A couple teams have won more than most but I wouldn’t say they dominate. Actually this year’s winner has been in the league since 1994 and he’s won for the very first time.　

Wolfman: When you have had a successful (playoff bound team) what were the keys to your success with this team (or teams)? Is there special strategies you use to build your team? And special strategies you use when playing your games?　

I scout by stats and internet opinion since I don’t get to see too many games in person. As I mentioned earlier I love pitchers that can strike batters out and batters that walk so I that’s where everything starts. Making smart trades at opportune moments and drafting well are also key. I think I prepare well for each season’s draft and have built my teams that way for years.　

In game strategy leans toward Earl Weaver I’m afraid. I don’t like to make outs on the bases and I do platoon liberally.　Love the 3-run homer.

Wolfman: We always ask those we interview if they have any tips or advice for our members that could help them with success with their own game playing?　

Wolfman: What do you like about The Halifax Strat-o League? What is the key for the longevity of　your league?　

We all love baseball. We love discussing baseball and playing a simulation of it because we’re not going to be playing the real thing any time soon.　

Wolfman: Have you had any special experiences (certain games that stand out in your mind that you played or series you played) being a manager in your league that were amazing or very unusual games, or something you are proud of. Maybe some key trade you made …??