When I first started this league, I don’t think I ever imagined that we’d still be playing fifteen years later. And, yet, that’s exactly what has happened.
It was fifteen years ago today, Nov 27, 2002, when I started a thread in the Straight Dope Message Board asking if there was anyone interested in starting an Out of the Park League. It took a few days, but we eventually found eight people to take the plunge, purchase the software and set up the league. And the rest, as they say, is history. Now, fifteen years, thirty seasons and four additional franchises later, we’re still here, having fun.
I happen to like the way our league is built and the people that we have in it. Yes, we’re not the most active or flashy league out there - but I like that about our league. We’re having the fun of running a baseball franchise without having to worry about three sims a week or deciding how many feet away the right field fence should be. We don’t get bogged down into a morass of rule lawyering and we find ways to resolve disputes and problems quickly and fairly. We simply have the fun of the game, without having to devote fifteen to twenty hours a week to it. It’s just a friendly, easy going league -- and I like that.
I find it amazing that not only are we still here fifteen years later, but that four of the original eight owners are still here and have participated in every one of our 29 seasons to date. Michael, Mack and Will -- thank you for staying with me all these years as we continue to play season after season. Matt, Bill, Nate, Fred, Brian, John and Tom - some of you have been here for many years, some of you are relatively new, but I've enjoyed having every one of you in the league with us.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my co-commissioner Michael for all of his help. I could not continue this league with him. There have been times of late that I have simply not been up to the task of running the league and Michael has always been there to help pick up the slack. In addition, he's been a tremendous help in running the league, coming up with rule ideas and doing the many things that it takes to help keep this league running. His assistance, insight and attention to league matters has been invaluable and is deeply appreciated.
I also want to thank Mack for his assistance in keeping the statistical history of the league. I know that if I ever need to get details about the ancient early years of our league, I can turn to Mack and his spreadsheets for help.
I’ve had a blast running this league for the last fifteen years -- and I’m looking forward to continuing to do so for many years more. Thank you all for being along for the ride - I could not do it without you.
Zev
Thank you, Zev, for introducing me to the game 15 years ago (and a few days). I was one of the last of the original 8 to join, and as a young (-er) man facing his first winter in Sweden, it was a thrill to bring American baseball to Stockholm. My life has changed so much in 15 years, and this game, and my team (despite all its name changes) has remained constant.
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of winning my fourth-straight (and, as of now, final) Cecil Cup on New Year's Eve 2005, hours before going out to celebrate the new year in my then-new home of Los Angeles; I more recently remember closing a trade hours before my daughter was born earlier this year.
Let's play 15 more!
Thanks Zev, for running the league so wisely and so well all these years. It's been a real pleasure to play in this league and it's a testament to you that half the original group of owners have continued to play, 15 years later.
ReplyDeleteI still have the first email I sent to you, back on November 27, 2002, asking to be part of the league. Wild.
P.S. I feel it's fair to point out that Nate was an original owner too. He just made the grievous error of stepping away for a few seasons.