After our baseball draft, I felt I had a nice balance of players, good pitching, and overall a roster that could compete. The problem was – after working some spreadsheet magic – one team on paper was a glaring example of what I came aboard to fight – imbalanced rosters. I was having a hard time staring at the facts before me.
The league coordinator called me. They too had noticed it, but it was felt there was nothing that could be done at this point. Then, a parent on my team called to also highlight this fact. I then reached out to the coach of the team who drew the short straw to get their thoughts. I did see a possible trade that could balance things a little better, so I talked to one of their players’ parents who I have kept in contact with since being an elected official. Everyone was on board with a trade, so I proposed the idea to our division convenor.
After a couple of days of back and forth, things were approved but I had apparently done this out of order, never mind the fact that I shouldn’t have been involved at all. The good inventions were there, but in the end I caused confusion and a feeling that I disrespected the procedures of our executive.
I knew going into today’s uniform pickup that I was going to have to face the wrath, so I went early. I apologized, and went about the business of greeting families and handing out jerseys, before having to face the league convenor afterwards. He was understandably upset and felt disrespected and I can appreciate why they would feel that way. This person has been involved with this association from its inception and the hard work and passion his team have put in over many generations of our league’s existence, speaks to the many ways the executive and all of the volunteers over the years have gotten it right.
There are still tweeks to the drafting process needed. I know now that it will never be perfect, but proper channels should still be followed to ensure that change comes through natural evolution of working closely together to get it right.
I may have screwed myself getting rid of an A pitcher, but I do feel better knowing that I did something about what I saw as a gross imbalance. I’m just regretful of the chaos and confusion I caused through good intention.
These mistakes make me want to turtle and give up. Why do I continue to mess up like this? Why haven’t I learned? I know what this feels like. I hate it. Intent or not, there is no excuse.
Maybe you can’t play the game with such passion and determination, without these more consequential missteps?
We don’t have to like the rules, but they are there for a reason.
There is consequence to our best intentions.