BBA Today #50 - Calgary, Montreal, Sacramento, and Poor, Poor TWC

[RonCo]

Aaron Weiner joins Ron Collins and Ted Schmidt to take a scan around the BBA in the middle of May, 2044. Ron asks the gang about Calgary, we dig into a couple of the bigger trades of the past week, and then hold a bit of a wake for poor Twin Cities, new home of dead pitching (with apologies to Phoenix).


GET IT HERE

[Fat Nige]

Do the GM’s that have slaved away every day in the UMEBA not get priority in any BBA vacancy? Seems from this that Ted appears to think the next vacancy is his ? A bit puzzling as that’s what the UMEBA was set up for, maybe I missed that rule change?

[tylertoo]

Ron (or anyone) I'm a little unclear about the podcast offerings. Obviously this one is BBA Today. I also found my way to a Spotify channel Brewster Broadcasting Network, which has other shows like Frontier Roundup and Commissioner's Corner -- though the most recent podcast on that feed is from April. So: how many different shows are there, and are they available on one single RSS feed?

[tylertoo]

Do the GM’s that have slaved away every day in the UMEBA not get priority in any BBA vacancy? Seems from this that Ted appears to think the next vacancy is his ? A bit puzzling as that’s what the UMEBA was set up for, maybe I missed that rule change?

For what it's worth, having just joined UMEBA, Matt and Ron told me from the start that Ted gets dibs on the first opening. Not sure if the others are aware but I have no concerns and will wait my turn.

[RonCo]

Do the GM’s that have slaved away every day in the UMEBA not get priority in any BBA vacancy? Seems from this that Ted appears to think the next vacancy is his ? A bit puzzling as that’s what the UMEBA was set up for, maybe I missed that rule change?

I'm speaking for myself, not Matt. But during my time on the GB, every opening is reviewed on its own when it comes up. If Ted is still interested when that opening happens, he would be included in the list of candidates. Among (often related) things we've talked about regarding candidates are (1) how active the GM is, (2) how they fit into our culture, (3) what skill levels they have exhibited, (4) how long they've been in line, (5) other things that seem relevant. UMEBA experience is not absolutely required, but clearly can have a bearing.

Again, my opinion only: given Ted's history with the league and that he is kicking ass on participation even without having a team, if a team were to come open today I'd be hard pressed to suggest that he wouldn't be an outstanding candidate.

The UMEBA is many things, among them it's a league where we can pull BBA GMs from. But there is no "rule" that the GB must select from UMEBA GMs. The "rule" we seem to use is "let's create an environment that attracts and retains great GMs."

[Ted]

Do the GM’s that have slaved away every day in the UMEBA not get priority in any BBA vacancy? Seems from this that Ted appears to think the next vacancy is his ? A bit puzzling as that’s what the UMEBA was set up for, maybe I missed that rule change?

For what it's worth, having just joined UMEBA, Matt and Ron told me from the start that Ted gets dibs on the first opening. Not sure if the others are aware but I have no concerns and will wait my turn.

Matt asked me several times if I wanted an UMEBA team. I turned him down, largely because I didn't want to put the time into an UMEBA team just to dump it, and because at the time he was offering, the UMEBA was half full and didn't seem very interesting. I do apologize for creating somewhat of a headache. I was told there was precedent for returning GMs in good standing to bypass the UMEBA. So I decided to focus on creating content in such a way that if I was in the UMEBA, I'd be at the head of the list.

To be honest, I'm a bit uncomfortable with this, but man, I really don't want to run an UMEBA team. Most of those teams have had a ton of turnover, and are massive project to put any kind of organizational stamp on. And to do all that work just to abandon it seems pointless to me.

The other thing is, I'm going to be picky about the team I take, so there's a decent chance I'll pass on the first offered anyway. I don't know where I am on the list. I'll leave that up to the GB. We'll all get a shot eventually, and if I'm one spot earlier or later in the queue it doesn't matter to me. However, if the other UMEBA GMs feel this is unfair, I'll take the next UMEBA team that comes open. It just holds little interest for me, and I doubt I'll contribute much to the UMEBA community. I'd be a pretty absentee GM over there, and would still focus on the BBA.

[RonCo]

Ron (or anyone) I'm a little unclear about the podcast offerings. Obviously this one is BBA Today. I also found my way to a Spotify channel Brewster Broadcasting Network, which has other shows like Frontier Roundup and Commissioner's Corner -- though the most recent podcast on that feed is from April. So: how many different shows are there, and are they available on one single RSS feed?

Yeah...we've had a series of different podcasts over time, and we're a little rag-tag again. It would probably be a good idea to charter someone to do a special project and tie everything together more cleanly. Given that we're just people doing people things, you can see some big gaps in the various "products." (For example, the Frontier Roundup was going great a few months back, but life seems to have interrupted...the BBA Today was an actual daily, but is now a little different).

Right now, probably the best way to find all offerings are the stickied archive treads at the top of the BBA Network section of the forum, but even those will be a little raggedy. (note to self: get Dorks Being Dorks into its own place on Anchor...)

[usnspecialist]

FWIW there is precedent in bringing returning BBA GMs back into the league without requiring them to serve in the UMEBA, and that is Chris Robillard in Edmonton. Also with how active ted has been and his previous ties to the community, the GB feels he is more than worthy of "skipping the line" so to speak.

Additionally, we have (somewhat fairly) been criticized for using the UMEBA as nothing but a waiting pool for the BBA and ignoring the league cohesion and development, and now we seem to be getting questioned for letting GMs stay longer over there and develop things? Can't really have it both ways.

[usnspecialist]

Do the GM’s that have slaved away every day in the UMEBA not get priority in any BBA vacancy? Seems from this that Ted appears to think the next vacancy is his ? A bit puzzling as that’s what the UMEBA was set up for, maybe I missed that rule change?

I'm speaking for myself, not Matt. But during my time on the GB, every opening is reviewed on its own when it comes up. If Ted is still interested when that opening happens, he would be included in the list of candidates. Among (often related) things we've talked about regarding candidates are (1) how active the GM is, (2) how they fit into our culture, (3) what skill levels they have exhibited, (4) how long they've been in line, (5) other things that seem relevant. UMEBA experience is not absolutely required, but clearly can have a bearing.

Again, my opinion only: given Ted's history with the league and that he is kicking ass on participation even without having a team, if a team were to come open today I'd be hard pressed to suggest that he wouldn't be an outstanding candidate.

The UMEBA is many things, among them it's a league where we can pull BBA GMs from. But there is no "rule" that the GB must select from UMEBA GMs. The "rule" we seem to use is "let's create an environment that attracts and retains great GMs."

it is rare that i say this (mainly because his posts are usually so long and winding that inevitably i find something i disagree with), but Ron 100% sums up my thinking on this issue.

[Fat Nige]

I’m well aware that I matter little to the league. I do think though that it shows the standard of the GB when they abuse a GM just for asking questions lol.

[aaronweiner]

I’m well aware that I matter little to the league. I do think though that it shows the standard of the GB when they abuse a GM just for asking questions lol.

That's the price of questioning said GB about matters that don't actually concern you in public.

If you did that in private I suspect you'd get a more polite answer.

[usnspecialist]

I’m well aware that I matter little to the league. I do think though that it shows the standard of the GB when they abuse a GM just for asking questions lol.

im just curious what post you consider was abuse? You stated an opinion and i think both ron and i respectfully disagreed and outlined some reasons why.

[GoldenOne]

Sorry Nigel, I dont see anything wrong with how either Ron or Randy, or Ted, answered your question.

I personally dont have an issue with Ted jumping to the front of the line, if that's how we want to look at it. I dont think he should get to choose whether or not or which team he takes though. I feel like if he is next in line, you get the team that next comes open. (Sorry, Ted.)

[Fat Nige]

I’m well aware that I matter little to the league. I do think though that it shows the standard of the GB when they abuse a GM just for asking questions lol.

im just curious what post you consider was abuse? You stated an opinion and i think both ron and i respectfully disagreed and outlined some reasons why.

It was a post that briefly appeared here but was deleted and sent to me as a PM. I will not requote it but I’m sure if you ask the GB they will be able to share

[jleddy]

Great listen...the rapport between Ron, Ted and Aaron is unbelievably natural.

[RonCo]

Aaron was great fun to chat with. Hope we'll get more from him!

[aaronweiner]

I had a post up for about 2 seconds that I deleted and sent to Nigel in private, thinking better of putting it in a public forum. There's nothing in there that's wrong or unreasonable, but I thought it more courteous to post it in private. I doubt he would ever show us the same courtesy. Which is nothing he hasn't heard before.

He literally has nothing to do with this process at all but interjected himself in a place he didn't really need to be in a way he didn't need to act, forcing at least three people to defend themselves for something they don't have to justify to Nigel at ALL.

[aaronweiner]

Great listen...the rapport between Ron, Ted and Aaron is unbelievably natural.

It was pretty fun. First ever podcast.

[usnspecialist]

Ron (or anyone) I'm a little unclear about the podcast offerings. Obviously this one is BBA Today. I also found my way to a Spotify channel Brewster Broadcasting Network, which has other shows like Frontier Roundup and Commissioner's Corner -- though the most recent podcast on that feed is from April. So: how many different shows are there, and are they available on one single RSS feed?

let me think of all the different BBA shows and where to find them (im sure i will miss some).

BBA Today (BBA Today Spotify Channel): Ron talks about various happenings in the league, often with guests, sometimes without.

Three Strikes (Recent ones on Three Strikes Spotify Channel, older ones mixed into BBA Today): Ron and Justin Niles take turns talking about various topics in the league in a relatively quick hitting format, usually takes place every real life week or two

A Few Beers In (Brewster Broadcasting Network Forum Section): A long-winded unscripted rambling with GMs hopping in and out that often lasts anywhere from 2.5-4 hours. Brett Schroeder posts these on his youtube page, but for some reason they dont show up on his profile there.

Free Agency Review (Ted Schmidt Youtube Page) Ted and Randy (myself) do our stadler and waldorf routine and talk about what various teams did or didnt do in free agency.

This Week in the Brewster (TThis Week in the Brewster Spotify Channel): Justin Niles takes a look back at the last (real-life) week in the brewster, generally contained to 10-15 minutes. Recently he has done a spinoff of GMs corner called "GM unchained" on this feed as well which is a little longer).

[shoeless.db]

Great podcast, guys. A lot of the content was about my Mad Popes, but the thinking of three highly regarded GMs concerning team planning, construction, and implementation was an invaluable course for newish GMs like myself and others.

More podcasts of you three thoroughly dissecting a team would substantially improve an already highly competitive league.