methodically Building a Proposal for randy

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The concept for zip code teams (short for local/regional development squads) had been around for a few years. The state's largest youth organizaytion runs what they call theior "August Classic" involving combination teams from their 72 communities. Numerous Legion coaches expressed their desire to find more ways to enhance their programs. First, they wanted to find some ways to build a higher level of competition for their developing players. Second, they wantedLegion to help them fight clubs that have increased pressure in an expanding geography.Somem members of the Minnesota Baseball Board may hide from that reality. But increasingly, Legion coaches cannot live in such convenient denial. They have to compete for kids.

A number of coaches asked All- Star founders to approach the state board with ideas that could help them build greater competition during the season rather than solely offering the post-season reward of the reward of All-Stars after the season 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

Barron did include a recommendation (one of four ideas presented) 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 terribly difficult to confirm interest and the Board could 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 to him and to all-stars. He was a bit surprised when Mike Perry called to tell him that Randy had "greenlighted zip code". Randy said he liked Barron's ideas and he wanted a proposal to back up the verbal description. Well, Randy had been nice and supportive of all-stars since the beginning. He was complimentary with ithe growth and development and execution of All Stars. Randy had said he was for growth and opportunity for Legion kids.  So why not a coach-driven test program. If it worked great. If it fell flat on its face then fine. Mike pushed - Let's do it for Randy.

Making a Proposal: Is A Test Group Really Out There?

You can share an 'idea' verbally or put it on a sheet of paper. That A proposal for the In-season zip code project would be different than the proposal process for all stars. 

• All Star started as an "idea" that was described on two sheets of paper. It had to be a “build it they will come” approach. No systems 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. It was a gamble, bnut one that we were confident in.
•  Zip Codes would have the opposite process. You must know if there is actual interest and committed coaches up front. If there was insufficient interest or if people could not commit, there would be no reason to waste time generating a proposal. You need the trial pool before you create and present a proposal.

Now we must ask - did board members, did the officers, did the state director have any clue on how a p;roposal would have to be constructed? We know what we are doing. Did they? Did Randy appreciate what he was asking us to do when he requested 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 one of four 'ideas" or recommendations FOR FUTURE REVIEW. The presentation was very detailed, specific programs and specific coaches were identified. Barron did not make a proposal on September 21st. He made a recommendation fpor consideration. Nothing was secret from the board.
2. Barron also recommended that the board form a development subcommittee and assign specific board members to foster better communications and build 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 would not provide any basis for decisions on anyone's part.  
4. Schaub spoke with former state director Mike Perry on September 25th. He praised Barron's 'good ideas', as always. As to the 'zip code' idea, Randy wanted something in writing as Barron's ideas were only verbal descriptions which didn;t give hime or his group to work from or decide on. Randy's request of a proposal was absolutely clear to Mike Perry.

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 including inter-state all-star play.  He was very positive about an in-season variation that could be helpful to states across the country.  Technically, he suggested the teams would most simply 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. Our concept was clearly supported by Legion rules and national leadership and our state director. Well, we knew it but wanted confirmation.
3. Contact state directors and others in surrounding states. What are they doing for all-stars? What are they doing in their state? How are they structired? What's worked and what are their challenges? One state was interested in sending a team or two to our all-star event. Cool. Steve Cloud would be happy.
4. The trial group, we determined, should be no less than 6 teams and no more than 8. 
5. Call coaches that had exporessed interest one by one. This could take several weeks.
6. Cobble together descriptive material that would be modified with coach's input.
7. Individual coach contacts were made from October 5th to the 18th. One by one. No mass mailing. Discussions ensued. A possible format template was sent out to only to the coaches that wanted to participate in the Randy's test trial. It was a short list of guys.
8. 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
• Several committed coaches  spoke with their local coach buddies. They got asked - Why did you get the call and not me? They recommended seding out an email to a broader group at least informing them that there was an idea of something new that was a possibility for the 2025 season. An email went out to two dozen coaches on October 22nd that shared an "idea" that was a "potential", No coach from that list was contacted or invited to join the test group. Besides, a proposal had not yet been delivered or approved. 

It took barely two weeks to find out that many guys, but not all, guys were enthusiastic to add somehting to their program menus. It was 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.

More Steps To Take - If Proposal Development Had Finished

1. Reconnect with each coach.
2. Which coaches would be heading the group and taking responsibility for scheduling and such matters? 
3. 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. 
4.  We would substantially develop the test or pilot program to the fullest extent possible. 
5. The proposal would be written. 
6. 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.