Issue #2,
February-March, 2013
**
Commissioner's Corner - Part II - Notes from the Commish
**
(by Marc Wasserman, Commissioner of the Cyber
Baseball Association {CBA} )
(Note from the Wolfman:
- Here is part two of this new column by Marc Wasserman,
discussing his experiences and insights about being a
commissioner of a Strat-o-matic baseball league. Each month as
we continue this column, Marc will share with us different
aspects of the job of being a commissioner and what is necessary
to run a successful league. We hope this
column is helpful to enhance your own leagues or what you should
be prepared to do if you decide to form a new league and act as
its commissioner.)
So
you think you wanna run a Strat-o-matic league?
Not satisfied with how your league is proceeding or is
functioning? Some GM's give the impression they think they can
do a better job. Commissioners can experience this type of
situation at any time during their tenure as the commissioner.
If you have, you're not alone. Other commissioners may have
experienced it too. However, there is a proven way to approach
this and prevent a conflict.
Is it a good thing
to second guess the League Commissioner, or is it defiance?
This challenge happens all the time, in most leagues and
possibly your league too. Is this a bad thing? Is it dangerous
for your league?
This is a subject for great debate. Members who are openly
critical of the league's management, whether they share this
criticism publicly or behind closed doors is an issue of great
relevance. It can cause dissention, hard feelings, tension or
conversely it can be very productive.
Many members are
completely put off with this type of in-house bickering,
quibbling, and negative talk or chatter that can infest some
leagues. It is a leading cause of veteran GMs to abandon your
league. As I said last month, the game must be a very positive
experience with a great vibe feeling. But how healthy is
conflicting opinions for a league? How healthy is it to
additionally have differing viewpoints about league procedures
among the GMs? Let's first explore the communication that
happens between the GMs and Management.
League
Communications
(How to deal GM's who wish to openly debate or express opposing
opinions about league procedures or the league constitution, or
just plain bitch and gripe aloud?)
Of course this
situation usually happens when a unique event arises that seems
to interfer in the performance of a specific team during the
season and then this GM will bring this situation out publicly
which can cause an uproar in the league. Or it might have to do
with a new procedure set in motion that not all are in favor,
then expect the challenge to take place.
In talking with
other Commissioners, I have received a mixed bag of feedback
about how to handle what could potentially become a major
distraction for your league. Some people I've spoken to feel
it's a healthy process allowing a free form banter via group
emails or perhaps through the league forum, if you league has
this service. But then other Commissioners and League Executives
I have spoken to feel otherwise. While many conscientious
administrators perceive this situation and challenge as a
positive that involves good and open communication, there are a
number of others who are at the extreme that may deem this type
of communication as a threat to the league's very existence let
alone affect the confidence and ego of the head facilitators.
How the League permits their member to communicate about rule
challenges, procedure disagreements actually encompasses all the
above scenarios I have discussed.
The challenges can
be healthy in all the various forms as some will try and tell
you if the way these challenges are presented is done properly
and with mutual respect. The rationale behind this is that it's
better to have an open communication and bring about an
'understanding' amongst all parties. Or it's like getting the
marshmallows on your sticks at a campfire and let's all sing
peace songs and make nice. It sounds all good, but sometimes
this technique can backfire and harm the league.
Sometimes, a
Commissioner might feel to protect the league its better to
strongly discourage league wide communications or any criticisms
of league procedures or policy. If a commissioner decides to
take this approach, it too has a high potential to backfire.
Simply ignoring the issues at hand and moving forward may also
not bring the desired results.
Man-o-man, decisions, decisions -- how can a commissioner ride
in the middle while allowing free communication, yet at the same
time disallowing any potentially polarizing or destructive
communications? Debates can put kerosene on smoldering coals.
A Commissioner must gauge such difficult situations very
quickly. By knowing the personalities of the members of the
league involved in this challenging situation, the commissioner
will have a sense of where this situation may go and its final
outcome.
The personal
experience and the subjective nature of each of the individuals
in charge of the teams in your league must be respected.
However, there is a fine line to determine when the
conversations about challenges to the league becomes a bit too
much which only the experience of the Commissioner can help to
know when this point is reached. Yes there will come a time
when the communications can become a bit too much. Another
potential problem for a league can be the public list debates
about certain league procedures and the constitution during mid
season. If members start griping about league play, or members
begin spouting off negative vibes on the list or there are digs
against other members, this is another sign to pay attention as
all of these activities can greatly affect your league.
League
Communication Structure
First you must
establish the basics building blocks to provide for league wide
and public communications, this is vital for any league. Aside
from the great Strat-o-matic games we use in our league, the
very first essential component of a successful league, in my
humble opinion, is to establish a workable and efficient simple
communication system which offers an easy way for members to
talk to each other. This is just as important as developing a
good league constitution.
In this day and age we can absolutely and easily create a clear
communication system for the league members and for the general
public through a variety of methods. I do not want to go into
exactly how to set up such a system here in this column just yet
but I will in a future column. But, here's what one should
expect in a well organized league. All members should be able
to contact each other by cell phone or text if possible. It's
2013 now and phone rates are extremely low across North America
and the world. There's no substitute for a live discussion,
however this is not a requirement.
E-mails should be
answered regularly. By this I mean, the GM's must be active with
their E-mail, checking them regularly and sending answers as
needed or they must find a replacement quickly. I have little
patience in a league for members who are consistently blowing
off communications received from other members or not paying
attention to their league E-mails. Additionally, I recommend to
join Yahoo Groups and create a league group mailing list. The
Yahoogroups.com web system provides file space, reliable
delivery and sending of e-mail, polls and other features that
can help any league. All members should subscribe to the full
featured Yahoo Groups.
Next, it's essential
to have regular communication amongst the league members. A
section of your constitution could mandate regular E-mail
correspondences within the league mailing list or various league
offices. I recall certain situations where GM's have left their
teams unattended causing usage and pennant race issues which not
only affected their team but the whole league.
For example, one of
our GMs in the CBA (Cyber Baseball Association) one year left
town on business and flew overseas on vacation without notifying
the league or officials. Since his C.M.s were not sent into the
league ahead of time, a difficult situation occurred. With many
of CBA's games centrally played by the Computer Manager (some
netplayed), his team's C.M. was set to continue using his old
lineups. Without communication from this member and his team on
auto pilot, he had some key players exceed their maximum usage.
This had an affect on the tight Conferences races thus impacting
the other GM's races and enjoyment. Even one game can make a
difference.
Therefore, as you
can see from the above example, it is very important that each
GM emphasizes and practices good league wide communication. Our
league resolved this issue by having a league President make the
proper C.M. adjustments and then sharing his effort with the
executive committee. When the GM returned an infraction was
levied, his first warning, without the loss of a draft pick
until he gets a second warning. That indeed was sufficient
enough to make the message clear. This GM hasn't incurred
another infraction in CBA since. Make sure your gamers have
back up plans in place if they have to go out of town or they
have a personal emergency such as C.M.s filled out through the
season or use of a proxy managers should they need so.
Social media has now
become a very important source for league communications in
2013. I recommend highly that you participate or give serious
consideration to implement this new media with your friends.
Tools such as Facebook, Twitter and AOL instant messenger are
being used by more and more leagues these days. It was
suggested to me by one of my league member to recommend that AOL
AIM be more prominently used within league communication. It's
fast and instantaneous and lends greatly to real time
conversations with the ability to transfer files of league
materials. I think this was a very good suggestion. All 3 of
these social media tools can easily be set up for a league and
featured in their communication system.
Of course, every
league also requires a modern functional league website that has
the ability to archive past records, current rosters, league
news, trades, etc. This a great tool for your league and to
offer for public references. Some leagues will create a chat
room on their website so league members can talk to each other
or possibly use this room to make deals. On-line Meetings and
Forums can be utilized also to create stronger league
communication.
But let's go back to
main subject that I started this article with: What if Strat
discussions amongst the members doesn't go the way you would
hope it would? Or a member or members (not all roses you say)
openly questions or challenges the structure of your league?
Maybe this is coming from a drunk member who is spouting off.
Perhaps there exists bad blood between two parties (two GMs)?
Do you just instantly cabosh this situation? As a commissioner
we provide our members the means to communicate with each other
but must we now control the airwaves or become a censor?
I can recall during
a playoff series two GM's becoming disillusioned with each other
over scheduling the Netplay games. The words privately spoken
became public when the exchange began to go back n forth over
the 'list'. One fellow did call when he was supposed to, the
other was left hanging, both felt disrespected, and both had
their points. There was definitely miscommunication going on.
Immediately both players were moderated so that the public
dialogue they were sharing with each other were approved. This
took some of the unwanted calls and responses out of the picture
and saved perhaps 2 good men from some embarrassing and
polarizing words.
I was able to
contact both GM's by phone and moderate an agreement between
them. They were able to continue the series and ultimately
''shake hands". These two GMs had the same situation 2 years
later and a proxy had to finish the series for one member who
refused to play the other after a dispute. The playoffs always
must go on. The difference between these two managers did not
resort to calling each other out publicly. It's ok to moderate
your list members if they step over the line. So what could be
taboo on a league list? I feel strongly that although banter is
fine and some debate is healthy, when it gets heated perhaps
it's time to intervene and settle it down. Remind the league to
keep their decorum, and do not allow name calling or cursing.
It is my opinion
that public debates related to league rules can promote
polarization in a league. My experience proves this situation
to be true, but here's the paradox. At the same time, it is
also necessary to allow for there to be rules discussions. The
problems and polarization that can occur will take place if the
wrong forum is used to carry this discussion. It should be done
through an organized procedure and be put together by those who
wish to carry on this dialogue. However, the league may
encourage that all new rules and amendments should be developed
into a coherent plan first and presented to the administration
through proper channels. The polarization of the league
generally will stem from a free for all list discussion or chat
that results in causing hard feelings amongst the participating
members.
We strongly urge
that the proper procedure from day one be that any GM or GM's
who would like to develop a new rule be free to do so but it
must be submitted as a proposal to the League Administration for
review. A league can set up a separate E-mail group to act as a
committee to review Executive (rules), a Tradecom for trades, a
"Q and A" group or whatever you may need as a separate
committee. GM's are encouraged to use private communication in
their effort to build a proposal for a new rule and then present
it through the right channels. Communication procedures that
are firmly established means there will be less of a likelihood
for member to have miscommunications, public arguing, stirring
up of negative emotions or jamming up E-mail boxes so guys will
miss information that is vital.
I suggest for the
league's structure you have an Executive Committee and a Trade
Committee with League Presidents to facilitate and introduce the
rule change proposals to the league offices. In our league,
League Presidents will screen proposals first and assist the GM
in putting together the proposal into the right format. Some
new rules get approved, but most do not. Not all rules are good
ones for the long term of a league.
So now, let's look
at a GM who questions everything. The Commissioner first must
take the time to really fully understand what this GM is
saying. There may be something very valuable about the
questions this GM has or this GM may have a total new perception
that could greatly benefit the League. Sometimes a GM can bring
an awareness to issues that the Administrative Group can not see
clearly. Do not dismiss this GM and just send him off. Give
the GM the opportunity to put his ideas out on the table as they
may warrant a good look.
If you or your
league officers see something with this proposal that might
adversely affect the league then discuss this issue with the
GM. It is perfectly fine to explain the process by which league
decisions are made. Include this GM in your debate to present
his points, if you deem the issue worthy of consideration. Your
GM no doubt will be pleased to be part of this league process.
Assure him that not all proposals made are used but clearly
explain why the League decides not to use his ideas or to make a
change based upon his recommendation. Of course, this should
not be discussed in public or via your
E-group list.
To summarize then:
Counter opinions are good for the league. Critiques and opposing
views are indeed beneficial in helping a league progress and
evolve. The GM's opinions shouldn't be taken lightly, but a
league is not a true democracy either. Not all of the popular
opinions given will shape your leagues constitution as well
as not all final decisions are popular. The head Commissioner
is the person with the final determination. There can be only
one person when it comes down to it, to make such a decision.
As the Commissioner
listens carefully, work hard and learn how to avoid
polarization, negative vibe, distraction from procedure, and
confusion in your league as this will lead to apathy, negative
commenting and public opposing opinions that can be very
negative. Encourage all members to use the proper forum for
these types of challenging discussions and if a change is
requested, make sure the proper procedure is followed. Keep
your public list and all public communications as positive as
possible. The tone of these communication should always be set
by a calm and confident commissioner who actively engages in
counter pointing with the members and respects their
input...sometimes incorporating it into the procedure.
Marc Wass
(Note from the
Wolfman:
If you have a particular aspect
about being a League Commissioner or some questions you would
like Marc to cover in the future, feel free to contact him via
his email at:
)
Contained inside this exciting issue of Ultimate Strat
Baseball Newsletter:
(to view the various interviews, articles, columns and special sections click on
the links {underlined} and this will take you to the appropriate
webpage)
♦
RETURN TO NEWSLETTER MAIN PAGE
♦
INTERVIEW with BRYAN SWANK
SOM Gamer, league member.
(Sharing about his father, Thomas Swank)
♦
STRAT THOUGHTS with BRUCE BUNDY,
SOM Gamer, Creator of
Baseball Card Formulas, Baseball Strategy Advisor, Beta Tester
for the Game Company
(A new monthly column of "Strat Thoughts" from the mind of
legendary Bruce Bundy)
♦
ARTICLE with "REZZDOGG",
Owner/Moderator of
Stratomatic Baseball Village
(This Article is entitled "Fathers and Sons: Diamonds are
Forever".)
♦
INTERVIEW with DAN
PATTERSON,
Founder of Strat-o-matic Fan
Forum
(This forum covers all of the sports games offered by
Strat-o-matic)
♦
EARLY SOM
CONVENTIONS COLUMN with WOLFMAN SHAPIRO --
editor of "The Ultimate Strat Newsletter" and 2012 CBA Champion.
Wolfman takes us back in this article to the second national Strat-o-matic
Convention in 1973 held in Brooklyn, NY and co-sponsored by the
Game Company and the Strat-o-matic Review. Wolfman will be
taking us through the first nine conventions going through 1980
of which he was present at each one. From 1974-1980 Wolfman
along with his friends
from Chicago held these conventions in Illionies. We will continue to share one new convention in
each future issue till all of these early ones are shared.
♦
SOM BASEBALL CARDS QUIZ
- our test of your knowledge of the SOM Baseball Cards,
questions and answers provided by Marc Wasserman. In this issue
we give the answers to
Quiz #1,
interview our first winner (Art) and have two new questions to
ask for Quiz #2. Who will be our next winner?
♦
RECOMMEND
ON-LINE SOM RESOURCES
-- Those On-line
Strat-o-matic and Baseball related websites that offer amazing information, special tools and products to improve
your game play
that we recommend and which we have had personal contact with and agree with our
idea to work together and help promote each other.
♦
BOOKS TO
DIE FOR and Become a BASEBALL GURU
-- This page
is a new page we are adding for the newsletter that is
specifically about special books we are finding that either will
expand your insights about the game of Baseball, help you in the
creation of your current league teams or with your replays and
learn more about the Strat-o-matic Base Game and Game Company's
history. At the time of the release of this newsletter we
have a special arrangement with Acta Sports to offer our members
a 10% discount. We hope to add more books in the future.
Contact Us for Questions or Submissions:
Wolfman Shapiro
Founder/Editor, the
Ultimate Strat Baseball Newsletter
email:
wolfmanshapiro@gmail.com
facebook:
www.facebook.com/wolfman.shapiro
twitter:
@StratBaseball4U
