2012 Over – Same – Under Proposal

To My BBA Colleagues: This post is being sent out to the BBA Leadership, Chapter Presidents and the bloggers I have established relationships with. I’ve also placed the link on our BBA Facebook page.

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Play Ball 2011. Last March I invited some of my baseball cronies to voice their opinions on a series of predictions pertaining to the San Francisco Giants 2011 season. This took the form of responding to a series of statements with one of three choices, “under,” “the same” or “over.” For example, one statement said Tim Lincecum will strike out 223 batters. I was certain as the resident baseball expert that I would do very well, and possibly have the highest number of correct prophesies.

Ouch. Instead of winning, I came in ninth out of ten players. Only my good friend Ricky, a baseball rookie whose team won all the marbles in 2010, scored lower than I did. Some expert! Instead of besting my gang, I pulled a “1962 Honorary New York Mets.” This was very embarassing, and let me assure you, I got feedback. You don’t have to guess too many times to determine its exact nature.

Redemption Sought. It’s a new season and I’m back, ready to play once again. This time I mean business! I’m a man with something to prove. That’s where you come in, fellow bloggers. I suggest that we hold an over – same – under competition among ourselves. I’m open to whatever form this might take. Members of team chapters may wish to hold their own, team-centric contest, administering it themselves. But for those of us who take a macro rather than a micro view, a contest, league wide in scope, can be developed. One way to do this is for each chapter to submit a question or two pertaining to their team.

It’s Early. I know it’s too soon to develop meaningful statements. Now is a good time to introduce the idea to the membership, however. Spring Training is coming, and during those six weeks a great many story lines will be answered. Many of the issues teams face will be settled by the third week in March. For the major-league wide contest, this may be the best time to submit statements. They can be sent to a member of the BBA who is willing to put a document together and have it sent out by March 23rd. This would give all those interested the weekend to mark their choices and return them, before the season begins on March 28th.

Grubby’s Strenth. I am a good administrator and am willing to take this project on, although if anyone wants to join me I’m certain something can be arranged. I’m throwing this idea out like a pebble that’s tossed into a pond; let’s see where the ripples go. If any of you are interested in pursuing this idea, for now, please share your thoughts in the Grubby Glove comment section. Perhaps the chapter presidents can send this to their members, too, since I’m only sending it to about 35 to 40 bloggers. Maybe we’ll switch over to Google+, or our FB page sooner or later. Perhaps our leadership can weigh in on that. Thank you, and best wishes from the city by the bay.