A Fork in the Road

[KC15 340]

Sometimes you don’t know the depth of your feelings for a particular path until you are well down another one.

 

I knew that I enjoyed sim league management. In the hockey world, towards the end of its eventual demise I was GM of the Buffalo Bison of the GOMHL. I held that position for about two seasons, the league ran another 2-3 seasons or so and then folded. Seems like the sim league world really cannot support three different hockey leagues: VHL, SHL, and GOMHL. Or perhaps there were other reasons for its folding – I will let those who have personal experience of that league decide.

 

I have also been a GM in two different stints in the PBE – well, three really if one counts the one season as co-GM where the GM and I had not come up with what my duties really would be. A few lineups submitted. A little chat in the LR. Occasional advice on a draft or trade decision. Not much really.

 

The real experiences were when I drafted an expansion team in the minors, guided the branding process and piloted the team for about 5 seasons. Then I moved up to the big leagues and repeated the process with another expansion team. That team won the World Series last season, a season after I had stepped down (or was it two?). We are in the playoffs again this season.

 

So, I figured it was time to try my hand at GMing in the VHL. That’s when the posting went up for an AGM for the Moscow Menace under @Spartan as GM. Trusted VHL friends confirmed that Spartan would be an excellent person to gain experience under as I geared up for an eventual VHLM GM position.

 

I applied and though we had some good conversations in the application process, I was completely surprised when I won the position. I entered the Moscow LR and started to meet the squad. I began posting Press Conferences and pinging about other opportunities to earn TPE. I upgraded my version of STHS and downloaded the league file and was just barely beginning to look at our strats to chat with Spartan about them when it happened.

 

Out of absolutely nowhere, a GM contacted me about a potential opening for co-GM of a minor league team back in the PBE. I had been thinking I might like to get back into the world of minor league GMing. I loved my time in the majors, but I found I really preferred helping the new guys learn the league and have fun in the minors as they started their brand new careers. So, I opened up some conversations in the application process and we really clicked. We had known each other in the league for some time and liked and respected each other. I was getting really excited about the potential hire and then suddenly - the opening closed. The prior co-GM decided not to resign after all. Good for the team, the GM and the league, but for me … bummer.

 

But I realized how much I really wanted back into the PBE minor leagues. And in the brief time I had to think about it, I realized I just don’t have the personal bandwidth to be in management in two different leagues. I also realized that my first love is baseball and the PBE.  So, though I really hate to leave a position before it’s really time, I let Spartan know that I was stepping down to be ready for the next opportunity in the PBE. It might not happen very soon, but it will happen and I want to be ready.

 

I had hoped that at least stepping down early would be better than waiting and waiting and potentially needing to step away suddenly and at a crucial time for the team and I feel so very grateful for how gracious my former GM was about the whole situation.

 

So, sometimes you don’t know the depth of your feelings for a particular path until you are well down it. But now I know.

 

I want to thank Spartan and all of the Menace players for the opportunity and how welcome I was made to feel. If you ever find yourself with a chance to play or work for this fine franchise, I would heartily recommend it!

[Hank 67]

Good write-up overall. Well worded and descriptive. Maybe add a picture if possible, and a few bolded or italicized words here and there.

8/10

[OrbitingDeath 3,234]

Still happy i put in my recommendation for you KC and I hope you will find your desired spot over there