An Examination of The Secret Letter - Story #3

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1. All-Stars had been fully aligned with the baseball board and its mission for the previous four years.
2. All-Stars had been a good program that showcased and benefitted Legion kids. Right on author of Story #3!
3. Despite the positive endorsement of the letter writer, it was the "leadership" of the baseball board that made a decision to end All-Stars.
4. They decided to end All-Stars because of Zip Codes - a completely different subject. 
5. Note: The letter does not detail the logic or the linkage between an All-Star program that was humming along in "alignment" with the board and the zipcode idea that would appear to most folks as two completely separate topics and programs. 
6. Then -  "during a recent Minnesota American Legion Board of Directors meeting" - There were three baseball board meetings held during fall 2024:  September 18 (Zoom), September 21 (in-person), October 9 (Zoom). Which of these formal meetinmgs was referred to? There are minutes for all three of the board meetings.
7. Then "a founding member of the MN Legion Prospect Series presented ideas for expanding the All Star Series into the regular season by creating “Zip Code” teams." 
8. Note: this letter refers to "presented ideas". It does not say: made a recommendation. It does not say made a proposal. It did not say 'as creating a 2025 program'. It says (Barron) "presented ideas". True. He did on September 21st - at The Board Meeting.
9. OK. There is a new "linkage" being stated: The All-Star Series (a post-season weekend event)  wanted to expand into the regular season with "zip code teams". That is pretty tricky stuff.  Barron presenmted " four separate and inpeendent Ideas" to the board. All Stars and Zip Codes are two completely different concepts and ideas are thrown in as if they were the same. 
10. Then - The Letter states: "After careful consideration, the Board rejected this proposal." This "rejection" mjust be assumed to have occurred  "during a recent Minnesota American Legion Board of Directors meeting".
11. Wait. What "proposal" was rejected? The author first described that anm "idea" was presented. Then the "Idea" was called a "concept". OK. Maybe those two would be close enough. Now when did that "founder of All Stars" publish and present an actual "proposal" to the bopatrd that could be discussed and rejected? Words mean what they say. "Idea" and proposal" are completely different in meaning and context - as the Letter's author knows. Perhaps the author expects the audience not to notice or understand his manipulation of words.
12. Why was "the proposal" rejected? The Letter states:  "First, the concept of “Zip Code” teams would violate several established Minnesota American Legion Baseball rules." Certainly there would have been considerable discussion of several Minnesota rules at that Board of Director's meeting.  The actualk rules would have page numbers and rule numbers where the "several established rules" could be found. Certainly this thourough discussion took place at that Board of Director's meeting ahead of the board vote to reject.
13. Why else was it rejected? The Letter states: "Second, the idea would place undue strain on our regular season teams for the benefit of a select few."   Certainly there must been considerable discussion concerning running lineups and determining strain that would extend across the entire state. Factors and circumstances would certainly vary considerably among the 360 Legion teams in the state.  Certainly a comprehensive discussion took place at that Board of Director's meeting ahead of the decision to reject the zipcode idea/concept Wait. No - they rejected aProposal.
14. The zip code "concept" would be "undermining the integrity of the program as a whole." That topic of integrity of the entire program must certainly have taken up some time at the Board of Directors meeting. What does that actually mean - "undermining the intergrity" of all of Legion baseball? Wow. Did the borad members reach that broad conclusion? At the Board of Directors Meeting  as referred b y the author? It seems like an A to Z discussion as the board of directors were seemingly extremely diligent in their process and wide ranging in their deliberations..
15. The Secret Letter painted quite the picture of a very busy board of directors meeting diligently considered every aspect of what was first described as an "idea". They gave "careful consideration". Really?
16. So the Board rejected zip code teams. Normal procedure would be a vote of the board of directors presumably at the Board of Director's meeting. 
17. Comment: The Secret Letter's description is of a very complete and formal process. The normal course of taking as topic to decision involves: 1. Gaining a spot on the agenda; 2. Introducing the topic; 3. Distrubutimg materials if a "proposal" was onvolved. AN "idea" would be just a verbal desc riuption.  4. Opening up the floor for discussion (in this case it seemed quite comprehensive); 5. Someone makes a motion; 6. A vote is taken; 7. A decision is reached; 8. The maker of the proposal is notified. The entire official process would be recorded in the official minutes of the board meeting by the Secretary - in this case Tim Engstrom.
18. Once again: the letter states: "After careful consideration, the Board rejected this proposal" . Had anyone seen an actual proposal that Barron created and submitted to the board? Something submitted that could be acted on?
19. Secret Story #3 stated that the Board of Directors rejected the zip code "proposal". Great. Where was that vote recorded?  Who was in attendance? WHat was the actual vote count? Where and how was that decision memorialized? Who, how and to whom was the decision to reject communicated? If the process description was accurate, it would certainly be someone's responsibility to write it down. It would be somone's task and responsibility to communicate the acceptance or rejection. The Secret Letter provides no indication of any communication to anyone about anything. 

Then - Here is Why We Had To Kill All STars!

Randy and Slick and Brandon took action on themselves pon behalf of the Minnesota Legion Baseball Board pof Directors BECAUSE............................... BECAUSE WHY?

• Barron spoke to the baseball board meeting on September 21st.
• The Board Minutes of the 21st have no mention of "zip code teams". Minutes only mention 'fall ball teams'. No discussion is detailed. No review of rules was discussed. No rule determinations are mentioned. No discussion occured about anything that would stress team lineup management. No motions were introduced that relate to anythng Barron mentioned. There was no discussion and there were no votes.
• There would be no reason for a board discussion to erupt within a busy meeting agenda. There was no reason for the board  to get into any details about any idea, or rules, or any other issues that Barron had presented. He had only posed ideas. Barron did not put any proposal on the table for consideration. He sought future discussions.
• Barron gave the board a list of a half dozen programs and coaches that could form a 'zip code' mini all-star trial test for the following year. He said it would not take much work to see if there was interest to generate a proposal for the board to consider.
• September 24th (or 5th) Director Randy Schaub told Mike Perry to get him a proposal generated for one of Barron's "good ideas" - the zip-code trial. It seemed a bit surprising considering the apparent hostility displayed to Barron. 
• With "Do It For Randy" as the rationale, Barron spent two weeks in numerous discussions with state directors, coaches in other states, and Legion Baseball's National Director Steve Cloud. What do they do? What rules does National Legion say must be followed - if any. What makes other state organization tick. How in Minnesota different.
• The National Director, when speaking with Barron, said he was "going to call Slick as soon as he got off the phone" to discuss anmd push ofr the in-season zip-code idea. We assume "Slick" was called and Steve Cloud discussed all-stars and zip-codes sometime around September 25th or the 30th. Nothuing hidden there!
• During the first week of October, Barron met with a long-time friend and coaching colleague at Minnetonka/Excelsiorto see what his thoughts were. Was there a reason to out together an actual proposal? Was there really an interest? He was very enthusiastic, had many reasons the program would benefit their program and surrounding progams. OK. With that positive reaction, Barron would make further effort to see if others were interested, too.
• The Baseball Board met again October 9th on Zoom. There is nothing in those minutes that relate to All-Stars. There is nothing contained in the minutes related to 'zip ciode teams' or a potential trial program for 2025. There was no discussion of Minnesota rules and no discussion about lineup stress. There was nothing to decide anyway. There was no proposal on the table. Just the beginnings of an effor to get a proposal for Randy and the board. 
• About October 20th,  Barron concluded that enough teams had interest to justify a beta-test trial proposalfor Randy. He did not generate the proposal or arrange a presentation date. See Calling Notes in a section below
• The guys thought more coaches should know about a possible even if there was no room for 2025. On October 22nd, on the advice of a couple of coaches, Barron sent out an email to 35 coaches that had sent all-star players in the past. It described a new Legion initiative, contact me if you have any questions. One coach had questions. With a full test roster of teams for a proposal, Barron did not call or solicit any of the 35 coaches. There was nothing to hide or keep secret. Barron had every expectation that some coach would contact Randy and ask - What the hell is this? Now there is "club Legion"? 
• The  development of a test group took about two weeks. Randy could ask for the proposal and one would be delivered. End of "Zip Code" development.
• November 1st - The Cease and Desist letter tells the first story: That the All-Star program and its founders were illegally constituted; They never had a permission letter.; That they stole the Legion brand to promote some outside wildcat all-star program that never should have used the Legion name and logo. It was like Rip Van Winkle awoke after five years with some new alternative reality.
• November 6th - The State Director pushed the C&D letter narrative to Mr. C.  Director Schaub first presented and defended it. Then he just abandoned Story  #1 as the false story that it was.
• November 6th to the 19th - the State Director introduced the "real" reason all-stars was killed: they were "caustic" and feeling were hurt. Story #2. But maybe that could be cleared up and a fresh  new  beginning cojld happen. Nope.

Out Came An All New Party Dress Story #3 on November 14th

Well, necessity is the Mother of Invention isn't it.

• November 1. Story One was false. It had been distributed to the entire baseball board to explain what we now believe were the actions of the board officers and a few of their board members considered to be the inner core. Did any board members seriously consider Story #1 to be for real? Story One failed the smell test and was quickly debunked by Mr. C. Randy gave it up. 
• November 6. Story Two was a charade. Randy used the smoke screen to string out Mr. C in some deadend game of Apology Ping Pong. The decision makers had no intention of back tracking and that showed loud and clear. 

Sent out November 14th, Story #3 was developed to replace the first two stories. 

• Why did Randy and his officers need another storyline to send out to a Legion Post Commander audience that would have little to no knowledge of baseball issues? That is hard to say. 
• Did the broader board member crowd need something that appeared to be a little more substantive that a strange claim that All-Stars stole the Legion brand from the very beginning without even a permission slip and the founders were frauds fro the beginning?
• Did the broader board member crowd need something that appeared to be a little more substantive to share with people that had questions than some guys feelings were hurt by those "caustic guys"? How about they were going to steal players away with a new league! That would get the troops riled up!

On November 20th - A Legion post commander sent us a copy of the email and attachm,ent with the comment: "What the hell is this all about?"

Its been good.

It has been aligned with the mission and vision of Minnesota American Legion Baseball.

Yay! 

• Thank you Mister/Ms. Author. 
• Thank you Randy and Slick and Brandon.
• And even thank you to Tim if you had a hand in writing these kind words.

As It Is Written - In The Secret Letter Story

Secret Letter Quotes:

"... the All Star Series, which has been held at the end of the season for the past four years.This event was organized by the MN Legion Prospect Series, a dedicated group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to showcase talented players and celebrate the summer season of American Legion Baseball."

"When the All Star Series was first introduced, its mission and vision were aligned with those of Minnesota American Legion Baseball. The series successfully highlighted the skills of the players while celebrating the season as a whole. Over time, the event expanded to include multiple teams and players from both the metro and outstate areas."

What Sense Did It Make to Kill the Program That They Praised?

• Observation - All Stars Aligned Four Four Years With an Even Better 2025 Planned
• Was there any reason to claim or believe 2025 would be any less aligned?
• All Stars was moving along in its proper lane. 
• Did the board members, in particular the officers Randy and Slick and Brandon who killed the all-star program, have any views or expectations that the "Mission and Vision" of All-Stars and the board had somehow become mis-aligned or less aligned for 2025?
• Of course not!

Take the Challenge  Show the Courage

WE CHALLENGE EVERY BOARD MEMBER AND RANDY AND SLICK AND BRANDON TO EXPLAIN WHY ALL-STARS HAD TO BE KLILLED? 

• HOW DOES YOUR ACTION TO END ALL-STARS BENEFIT AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL
• HOW DOES YOUR ACTION TO END ALL-STARS BENEFIT AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL FAMILIES AND PLAYERS?

This killing All-Stars has the look and feel of something very personal. It sure feels very Angry adults taking out their vengance on other adults  and m,aking the kids pay for it.

A Second Revelation - Story #3 Admits Story #1 Was a Lie 

Now we know the principle people behind the decisions this whole mess.

The Secret Letter unmistakably states that the All-Star program and its operators were in complete alignment with the baseball board and Minnesota Legion baseball. This positive alignment existed from the very beginning.

Story #1, apparently concocted by the officers or "leadership" of the baseball board, first claimed that the All-Star operation operated without permission and without proper authorization, This was  from the very beginning of the project. The founders were frauds. They stole the Legion brand and used it. They had no right to it.

Well, the Secret Letter, which was developed by those very same "leaders", praised the clear alignment between the ALl-Star project and its volunteers and the baseball b oard (the owners of Legion baseball in Minnesota).

This is a total contradiction.

Story #3 told the truth thus exposing the phony claims they made in Story #1.

You can't have it both ways!

A baseball board member we will call "Mister Unknown" blurted something out at the spring 2025 board meeting that finally triggered a reaction that led to the telling of our story and our experiences. 

To paraphrase: 'The Prospect Series guys were going to steal our top tier Legion players and start their own league to compete with us.'

Did We Get This Right?

• Barron and Perry are Legion talent predators? 
• They were out to steal the best Legion players?
• They were starting their own league to compete with American Legion Baseball?
• So All-Stars had to be kllled and shut down to protect our best Legion kids against this ominous threat?

Wow. So this involves what we term the "zip code" team concept or an in-season mini all-star program that Bruce Barron had recommended for the baseball board to consider. It was an idea praised by the State Director Randy Schaub. He asked Former State Director Mike Perry to generate an actual proposal since Barron had just presented the idea verbally. 

From Idea to Proposal to Presentation to Decision

A proposal is something that, in the normal order of things, an idea is developed into a proposal. The proposal is built. A presentation complete with handouts is scheduled on the board's agenda. The proposal is made to the entore board. Then you have discussion.  Then the board makes its decision. The decision might be a -go ahead now. It might be a form no. It might get tabled for a future consideration. That's how its done.

What Are You Talking About Mr. Unknown?

Stealing Players? Building a rogue league to compete with Legion? Seriously?

Bruce Barron and Mike Perry are two principle founders of Legion All-Stars or the Legion Prospect Series. They have over 80 years of combined service to American Legion baseball in Minnesota. They were going to continue ALl-Stars but use the platform as talent predators snatching the best Legion kids to compete with Legion ????????????

Who told you that story? We know.

 Response to Mr. Unknown

• Hogwash. Utter hogwash. 
• If you believe that you must have a cabin on fantasy island.
• Its pure Fiction. After-the-fact explamation. Its a smoke screen and a coverup.
• It is totally false and intentionally false. Some might call it a pack of lies.
• You people should know better. Get you heads out of the sand or wherever its positioned.
• Such wasted energy. Such crazy hostility. Such wasted opportunity.

Billy had a reputation of doing secret things to pick on people at school. 

• He always blamed others for  his own actions and, as some said, his own short comings.
• This time Billy the Bully verbally and physically assaulted a couple kids at school.
• Down to the principal's office once again. It wasn't the first time.
• Mom had to come pick up Billy the Bully. And that wasn't the first time, either.

Mom wanted an explanation.

• Billy: Those kids took my stuff. They stole my homework. I had to defend myself.
• Mom: Billy, you told that to the principal. He said that was not true at all. Stop lying.
• Billy: They called me names They were mean to me. I had to stand strong and hit back.
• Mom: Billy, Come on. The prioncipal said you were calling names and being mean, too. Its only words, Billy. Attacking people is bad. We all sit down together and we work things out together. Stop lying and blaming others.

Frustrated that the first two lies and excuses didn't fly with Mom (she saw through them), it was time for a whopper. Maybe the third time would be a charm.

• Billy: Those other kids were going to steal my lunch. They were going to steal my lunch money, too. Hey, they were even going to steal my gym shoes and new baseball cap. They made me beat them up. Its their fault.
• Mom: How come you never told the principal that story first? 
• Mom had enough. She dragged Billy the Bully back to the woodshed.

Funny how things work. Try one false story. That gets debunked. So a new story gets developed. Oopps. That was a weak one.  So then it becoims time for the Biggest and Best Story - The Whopper: I had to Do What I Did Because They Gave Me No Choice.

Adults can act the same way. One false story often leads to another.