[USML Announce] USML 2008 - 20th Anniversay Season

[Brad Jansen]

Mark: I teach Mon. and TH, this semster if you are scheduling a weeknight.
I plan my kids' spring break to be available for fantasy baseball auctions
and for the life of me after years of doing this I cannot understand why the
rest of you don't either.  This is your passion, isn't it...the one day
you're free to wear your goofy caps and tee shirts and eat sugar and grease
all day (and in Doug's case, well, it's too early to go there to talk about
the League's Party Boy...).  These dates should be etched in stone.  Anyway,
your firm as a location certainly works for me.  Thanks for all your
efforts....hey, was I the only one to get some invitation on MBB's behalf to
join cbssportsline or whatever? What's goin' on?
BLJ


On 1/10/08, MBBlocker at aol.com <MBBlocker at aol.com> wrote:
>
>  Gang:
>
>
>
>   Let the planning for USML 2008 begin!  Incredibly, this will be our 20thconsecutive 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 April 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape<http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489>in the new year.
>
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>
>
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