We have had people from as far away as California and New York say they would attend a Strato convention in Kalamazoo. However, as of yet, not enough have sent in affirmation responses to get one going. We have done more research though, the Pepsi Cola Company has agreed to donate some Pepsi for our liquid refreshment if our convention does become a reality.

To narrow things down, so that you could better plan to attend such a happening, it would be held in August. So far, we have not had too much response from the Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio areas. Since it would be easier for these fans to attend, we are particularly interested in whether you could make it or not.

We wish to repeat, it depends on your response as to whether we get this going or not. The Review would provide the meeting place and you would have to provide your own transportation, lodgings, and meals. This would be a great chance for two or three Strato fans to come together. By the way, you would not have to be a subscriber to attend.
 

First SOM Convention A Hit

From the moment Brad Furst of Spencer, IA, arrived with his sleeping bag and game after hitchhiking, until the final moment, when Ken O'Bryan, Dayton, ON and Don Nadeau, Chelsea, NJ, were crowned football and baseball Champions respectively, the first annual National Strat-O-Matic Convention was marked by success.

All told, over 70 people from all over the midwest and as far away as Jackson, MS,
in the south, New York and New Jersey in the east, Kansas and Iowa in the west, came by car, bus and plane to attend the initial convention held at Comstock North Elementary School (near Kalamazoo, MI) on Saturday. August 12.

Chelsea had the largest single-city turnout, with eight including baseball king Don Nadeau. Other familiar names in the Strat-0-Matic world who were in attendance included Don Miller, 53-year-old Deputy Director of Mississippi's Head Start program; J.G. Preston, the 15-year-old whit from Port Washington, NY, founder of the popular Metropolitan Baseball Association; Steve Keplinger, Baltimore, MD of the Mid-Coastal Football League; avid Review collector Robert Henry, Detroit, MI, who orders three copies of each issue, and many, many others.

Brad Furst, hitchhiking, polled into Kalamazoo on Thursday from Spencer. IA, signaling the start of the arrivals. Most arrived Friday afternoon or evening and likewise left Kalamazoo early Sunday.

Review co-editors Mike Allison and Del Newell sponsored the event and, from the size of the turnout and enthusiasm generated, it appears the convention can definitely be classified a an "annual" happening.

And, making the day even more memorable, was the fact that Steve Barkan, an executive at the game company itself (Port Washington, NY) was in attendance, playing in the football tournament and conducting an enlightening 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.

Harold Richman, Strat-O-Matic's owner, was not able to attend because of an illness in his wife's family. Steve, who has been with SOM for over four years, was an able replacement, however. After driving straight through--over 13 hours-and catching, as he put it, "about three minutes sleep," his hectic weekend began Friday with "talk sessions" with other SOM conventioneers. The tourneys on Saturday followed, lasting throughout the day and finally, as the clock inched toward 9 PM, the last of the trophies, for baseball, was presented by Steve and the first Strat-O-Matic convention was history.

The day started with a single-elimination football tourney. And, for some, the day ended with SOM football, as survivors of early play continued their advance, eventually playing in the finals late Saturday evening.

Ken 0' Bryan, 10, a student at the University of Kentucky, emerged an the football champion after guiding the 1967 Los Angeles Rams through an upset-minded field. Ken had a mighty close call in the semi-finals, edging Ted Bafford (Baltimore, MD) and his 1970 Cincinnati Bengels, 24-19, to advance to s championship showdown against Ken Garber (Southfield, MI) and his 1970 San Francisco 49ers, who had ousted Brad Furst's 1969 Baltimore Colts, 26-24, in a semifinal thriller.

O'Bryan and his '67 Rams turned the championship game between the two coast teams into a rout, however, as LA rolled up a 45-3 score. Roman Gabriel passed to Jack Snow for three touchdowns and Dick Bass ran for a pair of six-pointers to spark the Rams to victory. A 12-yard field goal by Bruce Gosset, with 3:15 left in the third quarter and trailing 35-0, was the only 49er scoring.

In baseball, 13-year-old Don Nadeau, with the large Chelsea following cheering him on, took the 1969 Baltimore Orioles to the championship in a tourney pitting 1960 and post-1960 teams.

Nadeau's foe in the championship series (best two-of-three games) was Jim Bridson of Lansing, MI, who had run roughshod over much of the tourney field with the power-hitting 1961 Yankees, featuring the "MM boys," Roger Maris (61 homer) and Mickey Mantle (54 homers).

After coming through the double-elimination meet unscathed, the two met for the title. It turned out that Nadeau's pitching-rich Orioles were too much for the Yankee power as first Jim Palmer and then Dave McNally blanked the New Yorkers, both by identical 3-0 counts. Palmer had a six-hitter and Frank Robinson singled twice and drove in two runs in the opener, while McNally also notched a six-hitter and Paul Blair clouted a two-run, first-inning homer in the finale. Bridson's Yanks incidentally, had earlier averaged over five runs a game, plus in one tilt had walloped five home runs.

The crowd wasn't an all-male gathering either, an a sprinkling of girl friends and wives were in attendance. Ors woman, accompanied by her husband, had driven 400 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, so her sons could participate in the tourney.
Barkan's question and answer session was another tourney highlight. When questioned, he emphasized that a fielder's rating was determined both by his fielding percentage and, more importantly, by his range. Thus some outfielders, who didn't commit an error over an entire season, still deserved a "3" or '4" rating because of their lack of range.

One outfielder, Steve mentioned, usually moved about one inch to his left and one inch to his right, plus he played so deep (often over 400 feet) that nothing could
be hit over his head and stay in the ball park. That me an example or an outfielder
who didn't have much range.

A special thanks for the convention's success should also go the Game Co. for furnishing the trophies for the tourneys, plus Pepsi-Cola of Kalamazoo provided soft drinks free of charge. Even the Kalamazoo Gazette, a daily newspaper, took an interest in the dice-tolling happenings, sending a reporter and photographer to cover the convention. The first small step was unquestionably a successful one as far as the convention. Next year's, hopefully a giant leap forward, promises to be even bigger and better.

To correspond with the "Wolfman" feel free to send him an email at:
wolfmanshapiro@gmail.com

To view the leagues that the "Wolfman" is competing in, feel free to visit:

THE CBA (www.cba-bb.net  -- check out the Skokie Wolfmen)
THE PSBL  (www.psbl.us ---- check out the Skokie Cubs, 2005-2006 seasons)