A closed system reminder

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The concept for zip code teams (short for local all-star squads) had been around for a few years. Coaches were looking for ways to enhance their programs and ways to build a higher level of competition for their developing players that were leaving to join club teams in rapidly increasing numbers. The Minnesota Baseball Board may hide from that reality. But coaches cannot live in such convenient denial. They have to compete for kids.

A number of coaches asked All- Star founder to approach the state board with ideas that could help them build greater competitin during the season rather thanh just offering the reward or All-Stars after the season had ended.  Enhancing the level of competition for teams and players has been a growing concern across the state. Like it or not.

The Baseball Board Heard Clear Description and List of Candidate Coaches/Programs

On behalf of the coaches that were looking to better address local challenges and to better promote Legion baseball in the areas, Barron did bring a recommendation to the board meeting on September 21st. 

• The description of zip code concepts were detailed.  
• Specific interested coaches and programs were listed clearly for everyone in attendance to hear.
• Barron stated it would not be difficult to confirm interest and the Board would have a beta test group for the coming year.
• Barron was not secretive whatsoever.

Randy Requested a Proposal

Barron thought the board was just plain hostile top him and to all-stars. He was a bit surprised when Mike Perry called to tell him that Randy had "greenlighted zip code" and Randy needed a proposal. Then again, Mr. Schaub had been very complimentary of the job done to revuild the Junior D1 Division as well as All Stars. Randy always said he is for opportunity for Legion kids.  So whyt not a coach-driven test program. If it worked great. If it fell flat on its face then fine. As Mike said - Let's do it for Randy.

Making a Proposal

A proposal for the In-season zip code project would be different than the proposal process for all stars. 

• All Stars had to be “build it they will come” approach. No system existed for all-stars. Everything had to be developed and put in place with the hope that there would be sufficient interest to fill uniforms. There was no guarantee of success. 
•  Zip Codes would have the opposite process. You must interested and committed coaches and programs up front. If there was insufficient interest or if people could not commit, there would be no reason to waste time generating a proposal.

Steps To Take: The Pre- Board Recommendation Process

1. Listen for three years gathering ideas and input from various sources. Listen to coaches, parents, and players. What are they looking to do? 
2. Know hatt coaches and programs are the most interested in putting admnaced Legion playing options to work for their kids and their programs.
3. Discuss concepts and ideas with those leading Legion programs and coaches. Learn

Steps To Take: Make a Recommendation to the Baseball Board to Promote A Discussion

1. Bring the concept to the American Legion Baseball Committee  on September 21 2024 as a recommendation FOR REVIEW. The presentation was detailed, specific programs and specific coaches were identified. Barron did not make a proposal on September 21st. He made a recommendation.
2. Barron also recommended that the board form a development subcommittee or assign specific board members to buiuld better communications  and better coordination.
3. Barron's intent was to have actual discussions with the director and any other board members that would join the dicussion. Spending ten minutes of time describing an idea or a recommendation wpouild  not provide any basis for decisions on anyone's part.  Schaub and the board never provided the oppotunity. They just stonewalled with silence.

Steps to Take: Acting on Randy Schaub's Request for a Proposal

1. Call Steve Cloud - National Baseball Director for American Legion Baseball - Cinncinnati OH. The discussion was extensive. Cloud has been promoting all-star programs across the country. He was very positive about an in-season variation that could be helpful to states across the country.  Technically the teams would be "exhibition" teams the same as all-stars. He liked that we thought they should be formed within "Plan B" guidelines.  He was excited and stated he would call "Slick" right away.
2. OK. The concept is clearly supported by Legion rules and leadership.
3. Call coaches one by one. This would take several weeks.
4. Cobble together descriptive material that would be modified with coach's input.
5. Individualcalls were made over several weeks.  One by one. Discussions ensued. A possible format template was sent out to a short list of guys.
6. Several coaches were very enthusiastic including:

• i. Excelsior/Minnetonka
• ii. Duluth
• iii. St. Michael
• iv. Dassel Cokato
• v. Sleepy Eye
• vi. Iron Range
• vii. Eden Prairie

It was pretty clear that a target beta test group of 6 to 8 teams could be achieved. The idea was viable. A proposal could be generated assuming additional steps were taken.

The "Build A Proposal For Randy" ended on November 1 2024. No call or contact or email went out after the 1st. Over and done. The End.

More Steps To Take - If Proposal Development Had Finished

1. Reconnect with each coach.
2. Set up a Zoom meeting to better flesh out the understandings, roles, responsibilities and schedules. Any issues or concerns would need to be discussed. Questions for Randy and whoever he would have involved would be developed. 
3.  We would substantially develop the test or pilot program to the fullest extent possible. 
4. The proposal would be written. 
5. A  Proposal meeting with Director Schaub and his associates to introduce the completed proposal would be set up with coaches in attendance.

At its core, this was nothing more than a part-time weekend league to better attract, better keep, and better develop top-tier Legion talent and to do so within a Legion wrapper. Who better than Legion coaches to run their teams and league? That is exactly what they do every day.

And it might fail!

That is why you experiment.

Calling coaches. Talking. Listening. All that took time.

IF THE STATE DIRECTOR CHANGED HIS MIND, WHY NOT LET US KNOW?

IF THE BOARD RULED AGAINST IT THEN WHY NOT TELL US?

Team 1 - One of the Biggest Metro Programs– Home to a prominent board member. Coach wants to help in any way. Act as coordinator. Will host a tournament. With an 18-man roster, wants more innings for the younger developing players that don’t get as many innings playing behind senior kids. Might combine Senior and Junior Legion kids also to keep their developing core playing together. Main team has to travel to find better competition. Already schedules directly with club teams. Not impacted too much by club now, but wants more options to meet future challenges. Also sees an opportunity for neighboring teams to raise their competitive level -Sees a huge talent dropoff from high school season to summer. Wants better competition. Has ideas

Team 2 - Big Metro Program  -  Senior team is usually dominated by graduated. Legion 2 is not very competitive (Tier 1A). Metro Jr. Legion has dropped off. So most top sophomores and junior players deserted for club. Sees the same trend all around them. All-Stars is a great program. Loves it. The Kids love it. But the zip code thing can give a new dimension that is aimed right at their biggest program gap – the developing sophomore band junior kids that now choose club. He wants to help rebuild the level of competition for their top developing players and do it within Legion. Going to save a lot of families a boatload of money, too. Count us in.

Team 3 - Large Near Metro – Trusted to put on the Senior D1 state tournament and a recent state champion. Senior team is usually dominated by graduatedVery successful program that has seen most of the developing talent leave for club. But returning seniors have won state championships. Loves All-Stars. Son says its his best experience in Legion baseball. All of his teammates stayed together with a group chat. Several kids in the area were seen by colleges that would never have been looked at. An in-season program like this would help their program better attract developing kids to the Legion team. Will definitely develop a team – already can think of who to bring together. Will be fun for the kids to know other team players and good for coaches to work together rather than be stuck solely as competitors. Lots of positives. Will assist as league coordinator.

Team 4 - Outstate Northwest – Wasn’t very sure of the written material. Has a great program and doesn’t want to lose the community flavor. Oh. Its supplemental not replacement. Its tough to find weekend tournaments. Several of our developing kids play three or four weekends with club now. There isn’t any alternative despite the costs and the miles. We played up into D1 so we would have something more than a two week regular season (that’s crazy short). We try to do the best we can to develop our ballplayers. I see possibilities. Can’t commit to anything right now. But if we combined with xxxxx we would have a really strong team. Stay in touch. Thanks for what you did for my guys at All-Stars. Our guys loved it.

Team 5 - Outstate West Central – This coach has been very helpful since All-Stars began. Big Legion guy. Great baseball guy. High school coach. Mentor. Says he can’t figure out what those Legion guys have against coaches and kids. What’s the matter with them?  Related his experience at a 2024 substate site. Spoke with the site director (a baseball board member). Told him the regular season is just way too short, way shorter than any other division. Then playoffs pit you against tiny towns and lousy competition. We are going to lose kids to clubs of we don’t wake up. The site director’s reply: ‘You just go play baseball. It’s never going to change.’ Coach – the guy told me to shut up. What an ass. The concept makes sense. I like who is getting involved. We are developing some nice players through our program but we don’t have enough talent in our small town to form a weekend all star team. But with a few calls in he area, we could put together a great squad. This can breathe some fresh air into Legion. All Stars has been great. But this will help more kids and more programs. Its going to save a ton of money for some families too. Let me know what’s next.

Team 6 - Large North Metro – My program is pretty much where we want it to be. We leave some weekends open if guys have other teams or activities. Most of our high school team stays together. I don’t want to replace our program. Oh. It’s just a supplement? For the younger guys? They don’t get enough innings anyway. Great job with All—Stars by the way. Can’t believe how fast you built it. Oh? The director asked for a proposal on this? Maybe there’s hope for that stale Legion group. Keep me in the loop. It might be something we want to consider.

Team 8 - Outstate Central  Mid Size- Totally gung ho. Being pressured by clubs that are pushing west. We need to give the aspirational player a more competitive track if we are going to keep them. My own kid pushes to do club. I bet nine of our top eleven are playing in club already part time or in the fall club program.  We want them in Legion but they want better competition that what they see in lost Legion games. We have two great fields and I bet a dozen teams withing 15 miles of us. Our area boosters would love to see a tournament in here. Get me any materials you have and I will get on the phone like right now. Hey. You might want to send information to more coaches so you don’t get accused of only considering your buddies.

Team 9 - South Central Mid Size – Hey we had a blast working on All Stars. You better have us back. We have great baseball in our area. Two times state champs! We want to get the best competition for our players that are coming up. My kid included. Putting together a squad would be easy. How would it work with our playoffs? Have to think about that one. Would we call xxxx? Naw. Let them do their own thing. We are in. Two Time D2 state champions by the way.

Team 10 - Large Outstate City – This is what we discussed. Yes. Our area needs it. We have two club teams right in town. We have to fight for every kid we get even if they are shared kids. Did you know a couple of Legion teams up this way have dropped entirely? There are two teams around us I would bring in with us. Hey. I will make some calls to get an Iron Range squad too. They lost teams and this might help get Legion back going. Those guys are such deadheads. Its great that the state director has an open mind. This thing will help out Legion way more than all-stars. We love all-stars but you know what I mean.

Team 11 - Large Suburban Southwest – I like all-stars. But I don’t want to do this zip code thing. Coach – you can do what you want! Its your program. Some other guys want to test it out. Its not a one-size-fits-all world for us.

Other calls were made. An email was sent o a number of coaches that were never called. No doubt some had no idea what they received. No doubt a couple guys sent material off to a board member or to Randy. Maybe someone asked  what the hell was going on.

Nothing was hidden. Everything out in the open.

No call or contact or email went out after November 1 2024. Over and done. The End.

Everything was about Legion baseball. Everything was for Legion baseball. For its players. For its coaches. For its communities and its families. These are constituents that baseball board members just fail to represent. Or at the very least, fail to place as priorities over their personal agendas. As we came to know.