** Interview with Ryan Morris **

I was born in Utica, and then I went to college semi-locally (at Colgate and Binghamton). Then I was able to find a good job here in this area. It is very relaxing.

Wolfman:  When you were younger - did you actually play baseball and if so what was your best position?

Only through Little League did I play. I was ranked as a C-1 (-3) e1 pb-1 T-1-2 but was just an ordinary hitter.

Wolfman:  What about which MLB team did you root for when you were younger and are you still a fan of this team?

I liked Oakland when I was as a front running little kid in the late ‘80s. Then, when I read the book "Moneyball" in college, it reinvigorated my interest in baseball and the A’s.

Wolfman:  How did you hear about SOM Baseball? When did you first begin to play the game?

I was 8 when I started. My dad found his 1974 NL East teams when he was cleaning out my gramma’s house. We would play with these teams and I hit a lot of HRs w/ Willie Stargell in this set. Then once, when we were in Kay Bee Toys the following year, we bought the entire 1991 season. My play has ebbed and flowed since then.

Wolfman:  What is your history participating in leagues (face-to-face or computer based)? Have you ever played in any tournaments?

This is my first league I have ever played in. I have not participated in any official tournaments (yet). I’ve mostly played against my friend Joe over the past ten years. We used to play eight double elimination tournaments a year, each one based around a theme – like the World Series Winners; or teams with under 70 Wins; teams from the 1980s; Near Miss Team (teams who just missed the playoffs); Close But No Cigar and whatever else we could think of. Then we would take those eight winners who would advance to another eight team Tournament of Champions. We also play a soccer cup-style tournament with each individual year of cards that we own using single elimination with a new drawing each round.

Wolfman:  How did The Dave Cash League come into existence? Where did the name come from for your league?　 Why did you decide to create a face-to-face league? Did all your members already know each other and you just decided to have a league?

We added a second league (Ted Lepcio League) using AL teams that won’t be a keeper league. Ted Lepcio was an Infielder mostly w/ Boston in the 1950s and he also went to our high school. We used five 2015 AL teams this year and plan on rotating it in future years; probably using 2009 AL East next year and we might have a draft instead of an auction.

Wolfman:  How many times does you league meet, how many games do you play per meeting and for your season?

The Cash League and the Lepcio League were both 48 game seasons (we play the other four guys 12 times each). Play one three game series per week with a bye every five weeks or so. The Cash League is getting a sixth player (with the SF Giants roster) next year so we’ll go to 50 games (10 times against team).

Wolfman:  What is the name of the team you manage?

Wolfman: Can you describe the structure of your league and how the playoffs work?

Two five team leagues. The Cash League goes February through June/July; The Lepcio League goes July through December. Winners meet in a best of seven for the James S. Sherman Cup (Vice President under Taft, native Utican).

Wolfman: How do you create your teams? Please discuss the rules of your league and how you build your teams (players you keep from year to year and who your draft with trades perhaps).

All face to face w/ cards, dice, and scoresheets.

Wolfman: Have you ever tried to contact other face to face league in your area of NY to have league champions play each other?

I don’t know of another league nearby but would love to play others.

Wolfman: What is your life as the commissioner of The Dave Cash League like? How much time
does it take, what are your duties? Do you have other officers in your league?

I update a spreadsheet to track usage and email it out every week – the leagues allow players 35% of their usage (our season is 29% as long as full MLB season). Most of the games take place in my living room and I’m usually around the house for rules clarification as others play.

Wolfman:  What type of team did you have this first year and what type of team do you like to manage?

Marcy ended up beating Cornhill 4-2 for the Sherman Cup in a big upset. They got outscored by 30 runs during the regular season but won it all.

Wolfman:  How is the relationship of your members amongst each other? Do you ever do public activities together like go to professional ballgames?

Three of us (and others) went on a Cleveland-Pittsburgh baseball trip over Labor Day weekend. It was the reunion of the ’71 Pirates WS winner team but Dave Cash was not in attendance. We have some lively text message threads day in and day out.

Wolfman:  What special strategies do you use to build your team? And also, what are your goals and strategies that you implement when playing your games?

I want everyone at the right price and no one for the wrong price. I think I’ve built both of my teams very evenly balanced although they came up short. Joe is doing a Bill James Abstract ‘Manager in a Box’ feature on me soon so I’ll find out what my tendencies truly are. Fort Schuyler has a lot of quality players coming back next year and I’m co-favorites for the Cash League title at this time.

Wolfman:  Continuing on this line of questioning, we always ask those we interview if they have any tips or advice for our members that could help them with success with their own game playing?

Know the rules inside and out for your game playing and make sure everyone is clear on them as well. That’s it because it’s only been one year and we’re still learning quite a bit.

Wolfman:  Have you ever tried to play in the on-line baseball leagues that Strat-o-matic offers, other leagues (face-to-face or via the internet)?

I have not played online. I’m not that interested (in this form of SOM baseball) and also because I have a Mac over the past few years, so this is not an option.

Wolfman:  What do you like about The Dave Cash League?

A face to face keeper league is the ultimate in Strat, in my opinion.

Wolfman: Have you had any special experiences (certain games that stand out in your mind that you played or series you played) being a manager in The Dave Cash League that were amazing or very unusual games, or maybe some important accomplishment you are proud of for your team like a key trade ...

The one game playoff loss in the Lepcio League will be with me forever

Wolfman: Why do you personally like playing SOM - did you try other baseball games like SOM?

The depth and completeness of Strat are what keeps me involved. For example: – the pitcher's holding, the OF arm, running speed, etc. I look at other fantasy sports games and can’t understand the appeal – using stats like SB and Walks isn’t interesting to me. Strat can also be a walk back in time. Plus, I love when obscure heroes are made in Strat – Marwin Gonzalez, Jim Sundberg, Darrell Whitmore, Robbie Thompson, Tom Veryzer, Bob Walk – I’ll talk about these games forever with my friends.

Wolfman:  Finally is there anything else you would like to share with our members that I didn't ask you before that you think is important to let them know about about The Dave Cash League?