SABR

[DocLuna7]

I couldn't find this posted earlier on the site, but perhaps I missed it. In any event I am considering joining SABR and was wondering if anyone on the boards has an opinion on the group. It seems like a really interesting group to join and I am looking forward to reading the publications which come with a membership. I am under 30 so the membership is $45. Does anyone here currently subscribe, and is it worth it?

 

Thanks in advance.

[jschris]

I've been a SABR member since 1998 or so. You get what you put in to it, I guess. I'm more a fan of the stories than the numbers, but there is room for both in SABR. The books are excellent and the discussions (via List-serve) are similar to most here at Brewerfan--informed, insightful, and rational. And I'm what you would consider a shut-in in that I have never attended a chapter meeting (though I did contribute to the Borchert Field history project by interviewing Bert Thiel about his no hitter there).

 

SABR provided a platform for me to realize a life-long dream of being published. After one of my stories ended up in their book, I was contacted by an editor to write a book on my own. It never was on the NYT Best Seller list, but it has sold around 1,200 copies. SABR can count me in as a lifetime member because of that opportunity.

[DocLuna7]

Thanks for the post jschris. That really is a great story. How are the publications that come with membership?

[jschris]

We used to get at least two books a year: The National Pastime and The Baseball Research Journal. The former focused on the stories and the latter had a lot of statistical analysis. Recently they've combined these into one book, but we also usually get the program from the National Convention, which focuses more on stuff that has to do with the location of the convention. Every once in a while we would get a bonus book, usually a biography, but it's been a while since I've seen one of those. The University of Nebraska Press probably still has back issues of several SABR titles for close out prices--you might want to check there for an example. Or shoot me a PM and I can let you borrow what you need.

 

The contacts you have in SABR are endless. I haven't met one SABR person that wasn't willing to share their research or even go out of their way to help you. It also doesn't matter that you are a "newbie". Bob Buege, who put together the Braves Eulogy book and worked with Eddie Mathews on his autobiography, simply volunteered to help me out with my first article. It had to be difficult since that first draft was some kind of train wreck! Didn't matter--he wanted to help a new guy publish some material that would maybe benefit other researchers someday. And just a couple years ago I wrote an article on Burleigh Grimes but it needed a better ending. A fellow in the Twin Cities went to the library and dug through microfiche for a few hours getting me some info on Grimes' time with a semi-pro team in 1912.

 

SABR is like a big team, with the goal of accurately documenting the history of our national pastime. You don't need to contribute new research, but it's obviously a great place to start if you plan on doing some.

 

Shoot me a PM if you want to talk anything specific and I'd be glad to help.

[rluzinski]

I joined for one year about 5 years ago. I saw next to nothing with regard to actual sabermetric analysis in their publications. What I saw was mostly historical data research, if that makes sense. I know the SABR conventions feature orginal research but I didn't see that anywhere else.

 

BTW, to sell 1,200 of anything is pretty damn cool!

[jschris]

Pardon the bump of an older thread. That's a great point about the focus being on historical data research. I'm sure there are factions that do focus on current stuff, but I can't speak to that as I'm not involved.

 

The main reason for the bump, though, is that the next SABR meeting will take place this Saturday and the featured speaker will be Doug Melvin. Might be a good opportunity to check SABR out and see if it interests you. Here's more info:

 

NEXT MEETING

 

Our next Ken Keltner Badger State Chapter meeting will take place on Saturday January 29, 2011, 11 AM SHARP at Long Wong's Chinese-American Sportsbar located at 5230 West Bluemound Road in Milwaukee. Our Guest Speaker will be Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin. We all hope the Brewers have a successful 2011 season, and Mr. Melvin will talk about the transactions that have been made,and his thoughts on the upcoming season. We THANK Mr. Melvin for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak at our meeting, and Paul Wong and his staff for providing the venue, and the food and drink. Buffet meals cost $15, which include a beverage and gratuity The January meeting is being held as a part of SABR Day 2011, as SABR Chapters are holding meetings to get-together and break up the long winter.

 

AGENDA

 

I received a communication from Mr. Melvin's secretary that he will be at the meeting at 11 AM, so he will obviously be the first speaker.

 

Presentations include:

Bob Buege: Anybody Can Play First Base

Larry Granillo:Peanuts Baseball A Comprehensive look at the wins,losses and others stats of Charlie Brown&the Gang

Dennis Degenhardt: Pictorial Re-Cap of SABR 40 held in Atlanta last August.

We will also have a 50/50 raffle, and will "pass the hat around" donation with the monies collected being donated to the Brewers Community Foundation.

 

Chapter Business will be discussed including the Milwaukee Public Library meetings planned for May, and a meeting in LaCrosse scheduled for July 16th

 

BREWERS EXHIBIT

 

The Milwaukee Public Library will be exhibiting rare memorabilia about the minor league Milwaukee Brewers. Special Thanks to fellow SABR member Paul Tenpenny for loaning the materials! We also plan on assisting at a number of programs to be held at the Milwaukee Central Library next Spring. Our Chapter would provide presentations related to the Milwaukee Brewers from 1901-1952. Please contact me if you're interested in doing a presentation.

[greeg35]

They should do a Melvin Q+A just about Betancourt