[IBL] IBL: Something has to change

[Chris Hartjes]

Ah yes, I too remember the days where we got deep into the 2nd round (and once into the 3rd IIRC) before going to lists.

I wanted to share two things about this year’s draft. 

First, yes, I did sit on my pick at 1-5 for 13 days. I did not intend to do that. I had two guys (Rosario and Crawford) left on my list who I was happy to pick but they were at a position where I didn’t really need any help. I could use stuff at other positions but using 1-5 on that seemed like a huge reach so I put out the email.

I figured if someone wanted a SS bad enough, we could work something out. Christmas holidays came and went, nobody offered me anything close to want I wanted so I made my pick and that was it. Sorry to those who want a faster draft.

Some of you might remember that in the past I was the commissioner of this league. I spent a lot of time chasing a lot of people to get things done on time. I built the league web site and automated a lot of manual stuff. Helped Sean build a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff that runs the league. Got told by at least one former owner they left the league because they thought I was an asshole. It is a tough thing to get 23 other people to do what you want when there are no big consequences for failing to comply other than outright quitting.

Eventually chasing people got old and I got wound up about it and said a bunch of stuff I shouldn’t have and then decided to just be an owner. I feel way less stressed about the league now. It is an enjoyable hobby for me that now goes into it’s 21st season.

So let’s all just take a deep breath, remember that even though some of us are ultra-competitive in this league it is still a hobby. It would be great if we had owners waiting to get into this league, but we don’t and we need to start thinking of the league as a community to keep together rather than 24 people competing against each other.

There is a reason I have been to see Sean at his home in Detroit every year since 2005.

—
Chris