SPECIAL REPORT: AGM Recap

INTRO

Well, this is it. 

Over 30,000 hits to the BLOG....
44 BLOGs....
30 New songs... AND
235 reader's comments later; its over.  The BLOGging season is finished (some may say, FINALLY!) for 2010 and we finish, appropriately, with a review of the AGM.

However, before we do that, just to draw this out a little more....here is what happened this day in baseball history:

• Judge Kenesaw "Mountain" Landis was born in 1866.  He was the first commissioner of Major League Baseball and was brought in after the "black-sox" scandle of 1919.  He was generally thought to be tough as nails, but Billy Brown (who used to room with him) claims he was just misunderstood.
• 1884 - The National League agrees to allow overhand pitching, but rules that pitchers must keep both feet on the ground throughout their pitching motion in order to reduce the velocity of their pitches. They still must throw the ball at the height requested by the batter. In addition, teams are now required to supply a separate bench for each club at their park to limit inter-team fraternization.  (Someone should propose this at next years AGM - but it probably won't pass)
• 1888 - The Joint Rules Committee reduces the number of balls for a walk from five to four, establishing the four balls/three strikes count that remains in effect more than a century later. It also eliminates an out on a foul tip if the catcher catches it within 10 feet of home plate.  (Rob Farah is still upset about going from 5 balls to 4.  He voted against this change) 

For those of you following along at home, I happen to think that the AGM is important.  If you read the Chris Ross interview, you'll see that he thinks its important.  If you've seen the attendance in the last couple of years you'll see that the captains and executive think its important too.  The AGM belongs to everyone who participates in the league.  It is our opportunity to both initiate or support change; or safeguard the compontents of the league that you think are integral and should not be tampered with.  

The AGM is important for another reason too.  Its the transition point where we at last put to bed the 2010 season.  We thank the executive and volunteers and acknowledge the work they've done.  We congratulate the winners for a final time and remember our successes as an organization over the last year.  To that particular point, we can not understate the successes, value and impact of our organization.  Not only have we maintained a very positive social organization for our members; but we have a very competent and influential voice in our community that has initiated change.  Look no futher than the improvements at Keogh Park for evidence of that. 

To complete the transition, we look ahead optimistically to 2011.  You can almost anticipate the spring as we welcome our new executive and volunteers.  You can envision play while rule changes are discussed and you picture your team coming together when draft day is set. 

If only there was a way to skip winter!

So, enough of my wistful, semi-poetic lamenting.  Lets get to the principle parts of the AGM.

I'm going to try something a little different for this review and you'll need speakers for it.  Don't worry, there isn't anything that'll get you in trouble.



Closing

I would have to say that from my point of view the turnout at the AGM was pretty disappointing.  We had, by my count, 52 people.  Now the 52 were vocal, participatory and involved and thats great!  We also had a number of people who were unable to attend for various reasons and that is of course understandable.  I am not sure sure exactly what my expectation was, but I was at least hoping to see an improvement over last year.  Oh well. 

The BLOG is teetering on retirement.  We will see how things go over the winter. 

Cheers.