All-Star process to be reviewed

Much like the NHL, the PBL seems to take a reactive rather than proactive approach to rules and processes. President Steve Pahl hinted last year that the all-star pitcher process needed to change, but was cast off by most of us, including myself, at the time.

Now it’s in issue. And it’s mostly because one or possibly two of the top three voted pitchers cannot attend.

Some will point to the newly minted process of ranking pitchers from 1-3 and doling out points. This was proposed by past president Larry Lewsaw. However, the method worked like a gem in preventing a tie and we had a clear three, although maybe debatable by some whom they were, it was a distinct three. No ties, no debating or adding a fourth pitcher.

Until the absentee issue that is.

Now we sit running down the list trying to determine who should go. Should those who received more than one vote go? Should it be up to the manager Steve Pahl? And so on and so on.

The fact of the matter is, according to current processes as agreed to by all six teams to start the year, Marcel Lesoway deserves to go. From there it gets a little muddy.

In terms of votes, the only two other pitchers to get more than one vote were Scott Peterson and Steven Pahl. Pahl has to coach and has asked not to pitch if possible. If Jon Anstey cannot pitch (which seems to be debatable right now), it seems Pahl (even though he’s hesitant) and Peterson are shoe-ins for the game.

Feel free to bash me, but here’s where we stand due to the current system of other teams voting for players who cannot attend.

Next year, a new process will likely take place. Pahl and others have called for it to be addressed at an upcoming meeting.

I propose seeing a process where each team makes a case for 1 pitcher each, who are willing and able to pitch, to the league committee (managers – 1 per team) and a vote is held based on those 6 hurlers. Team reps can bring stats, perform a skit or have final statements on behalf of the players. A team could make the case for 2 pitchers if the committee allowed it.

In the end, this should avoid a lot of the issues and provide the league with a solid list of pitchers who will attend if selected, and are considered by their team as most valuable to the midway point of the season.

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Jason Buzzell