Yesterday, I had the TML BBS phone lines turned off. The TML BBS
served us very well, bridging the gap between the U.S. Postal Service
(when we used to mail disks back and forth) and going entirely to the
Internet. With Mike Short's invaluable help, I have "cloned" the
entire TML Web Site on to Time Warner's Road Runner. You can find the
"new" TML Home Page at the following url:
http://home.nycap.rr.com/tmlam
You should bookmark this new page. From there, it will seem the
same. I will be sharing the roughly $40 per month Road Runner bill
with the TML 50/50. This is less than the $30+ bill per month in
maintaining the two TML BBS phone lines. Best of all, we will not
have the fear of computer or modem failure. After I copy and ship
out the 1999 & 2000 TML Yearbooks (which I promise *will* be finished
before the 2001 TML Rookie Draft), I will reasess the TML bank account.
My guess is that I will be able to offer everyone a "rebate" when it
comes to collecting dues for TML 2002.
On the TML Home Page, you will notice a to CONTACTS. It
is here that you will be able to "point & click" the e-mail address
to send notes to me (Commish), stats to me (Statisician) and trade
reports/waiver claims to Mike Short (Trade Reporter). You can also
use the League Directory to "point & click" to send auto-managers
and result "zip" files to your visiting managers. Just "attach"
the appropriate files to your e-mail message. I have already tried
this and it works!
I want to take the time to publicly thank Mike Dickinson for
setting up the original TML web pages and for Mike Short's "face
lift" to the overall appearance of the pages. It mirrors the
"class" that the TML has always had. Thanks guys!
CRIMEA AND MANSION HILL TO MEET IN TML WORLD SERIES!
The Mansion Hill Mudslingers, behind the leadership of Mike Cempa,
have pitched their way into the TML World Series. The Mudslingers
came from behind twice in their semi-final series with Toxic Waste,
winning Game 7 in extra innings. They went on to manhandle division
rival Ghostwood, who had breezed past Rockford, to take the Atmospheric
Conference Title. The Crimea River swept past Southern Cal and went
head to head with Walla Walla, who had swept their way past Mudville.
The series went six games, with Crimea taking the series on an unlikely
game-winning homer by Greg Myers.
Mansion Hill will be trying for their first TML Championship,
while Crimea attempts to become the first TML franchise to win four
Championships. The series is tentatively being planned for Dec. 15th.
All of the stats for the TML Playoffs can be found on the TML
web site under the NUMBERS section.
INFORMAL TML MEETING ON SATURDAY, 12/2
An informal TML meeting was held at "TML Central" last Saturday.
The first topic of discussion was the switch from the TML BBS over
to the Internet (see above). The next order of business was the
four vacant teams (LL,CK,M9,TD). We will make every attempt to fill
all four teams as soon as possible. Here's the catch ... if all four
teams are still vacant on March 1st ... the TML will be reduced to a
20-team league immediately for the 2001 season, with no plans of ever
expaning again. In this case, it is most likely that Toxic Waste
will shift from the Gehrig to the Ruth and Pensacola will move from
the Ruth to the Robinson. This will create four 5-team divisions.
If we do find one, two or three managers for the vacant teams, then
we will play a 24-team schedule for 2001 and drop back to a 20-team
league thereafter, again with no future expansion. Obviously, if we
fill all four teams, then we continue with "business as usual."
By the way, if you know anyone who may be interested in joining
us, have them contact me before December 21st. I am willing to
offer a one-time introductory dues of $15, plus the 2000 TML Yearbook.
This will soften the blow in having to purchase the game itself, along
with the new card set.
It was decided that Diamond Dreams Baseball (DDB) will remain as
the TML's game of choice. It was pointed out to us by Mike S. that
Chris Krebs needs to sell at least 65 card sets in order to make this
worth his while. I will be contacting other DDB league Commissioners
to see that we as a DDB "community" offer to buy any remaining card
sets to insure that the 65 set goal is reached. I am sure that this
will be no problem.
The final item on the agenda was to re-open discussion on
bringing back the cash system and the Rookie Bidding Draft. It seems
as though the TML could use the added excitement and the cash always
stimulated trading. You would also have your draft picks for the
following year available in the spring before the season begins, since
you would be "earning" cash instead of Bonus Points. Jim Pertierra
has been nice enough to agree to re-open the discussion, so please
wait until you receive an e-mail from Jim before responding to this
topic. We spent some time at the meeting recounting stories of past
Rookie Drafts in which players did or did not go for large sums of
money. It was a fun part of our history and any final proposal will
be voted on by the membership for approval. It will not be mandated.
That's about it from here. Please get your Yearbook Info form
sent in before Dec. 15th. Have yourself and your family a safe and
happy holiday season!
ML
