[USML Announce] USML 2008 - 20th Anniversay Season

[MBBlocker at aol.com]

Gang: 
Let the planning for USML 2008 begin!  Incredibly, this will be our  20th 
consecutive season in existence.  For those who may not know, our league?s  
birthplace was a dingy, college-style apartment in the heart of Lincoln Park.  Ten 
owners ? including two of our  league?s current members -- attended the 
inaugural USML draft in that tiny  apartment.  From those humble  beginnings, we 
have persevered over 20 seasons, and along the way, endured  multiple strikes, 
the Steroids Era, and even the coming and going and then The  Return of Brad 
Jansen.  But I  digress.  Let?s get right to the  matters that need our 
league-wide attention (as opposed to, say, the NFL  playoffs, which is only relevant 
to half of the league?s  membership). 
Draft Day:  The Major  League Baseball season will begin on Monday, March 31, 
2008, so the question is  whether we want to draft before or after opening 
day.  The options do not look great either  way.  The weekends of March 22 and  
29 likely will bookend many school spring breaks.  The weekend of April 4 is a 
non-starter  for me because of the Sidley partners meeting.  The weekend of Ap
ril 11 is a  possibility, but well into the real baseball season.  Another 
possibility is to draft on a  weekday evening right before or after opening day. 
 Please send around an e-mail with your  availability and preferences for a 
draft date.  As I get responsive e-mails, I will  compile the information and 
re-circulate it. 
Draft location:  My impression from Draft Day 2007 is  that the Sidley 
conference center downtown was perceived to be an excellent  draft site.  Let me 
know if anyone  objects to holding the draft there again this year.  Keep in mind 
it will be alcohol-free if  we hold the draft there.   
Stat Service:  We  will likely need to choose a new stat service again this 
year.  It is pretty clear from last year that  we cannot stay with All Star 
Stats.  It was expensive and routinely failed us.  Our prior service, TQ Stats, 
was and is  inexpensive, but has not received good reviews from those that used 
it last  year.  Jeff Winick and I have done  some investigating and are 
inclined to try the service offered by CBS Sportsline  (the same company that runs 
the football pool in which many of us  participate).  The advantages:  it?s 
run by a reputable company, its  cheap ($79 per league per season), and it 
appears to offer all of the features  we care about.  I have set up (but  not yet 
paid for) our league on the CBS Sportsline site, and you should each  receive 
an e-mail later tonight about accessing the site.  Please tour the site and 
share any  impressions you may have.  Also, if  you have suggestions for 
alternate website, please let us  know. 
Rules Discussion:  Now is the time to start proposing any  new rules.  If 
there are any  proposed amendments to our rules 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 the 
end of this month, with voting on the  rules in early February.  Let me  know 
if you think those deadlines are acceptable.   
League size:  We  currently have 11 teams.  Fruiter?s recent e-mail 
notwithstanding, I assume  all current owners will be participating in 2008 unless we 
hear otherwise.  If there is any groundswell to expand to  12 and a willing 
owner is available, please speak up soon.  Otherwise, 11 it  is. 
That is it for the moment.  Another update will follow  shortly.  Please send 
around an  e-mail soon with your preferred draft dates.   
-- Mark B. 




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