Off-Topic Forum

This is going in the off-topic forum, because it is most certainly off-topic as far as trading cards go (well, pretty much). Some of you may know this, but even if you all don't, I wanted to take a minute to talk about something near and dear to me. After playing from 2010-2013, my dad took over our local American Legion baseball program in 2014, and I joined his staff. We've coached together since then, minus the half season I missed last year due to still being in Missouri. I would come home over the summer from playing, and give my body a physical break while keeping my mental game sharp. This is our fifth year coaching the Three Oaks (Michigan) American Legion Post 204 baseball program together. Here's the great thing about our program - we charge a grand total of $0 to our players. Now, this makes it sound like a Rec League, but in reality, we usually take two overnight trips a year, as well as playing a competitive schedule of about 30 regular season games. This program has become mine (and our!) pride and joy.

All of what we do costs our players nothing except a commitment to be at every game (as much as possible; we're all human, and if something comes up and you can't make our Wednesday night doubleheader, well, that's why we carry 18 players!) - that includes hotels, meals, uniforms, everything. In the past few years, we've traveled for tournaments in Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois. This coming season, 2019, however, is probably our greatest honor and most daunting task.

There are 3500 American Legion programs in the country. Of those, 10 are selected each season to compete in a tournament at the United States Military Academy (West Point). In 2019, we will be one of those 10. It's a very expensive trip (hence the reason we are only taking this as one overnight trip this year), but well worth it. Our players are excited, our Post is excited, heck, I'm excited! We will compete against some of the best talent in the Northeastern Region of the country, and we couldn't be more excited!

Here are the two things I'm driving at. One, with starting a new job recently, it's come to my attention just how little I reveal about myself to other people. That said, I wanted to take the opportunity to tell one of the most important communities that I'm a part of a little about myself. The second point here is that one of our fundraisers for each season is a silent auction of sports memorabilia taking place during our Spring Poker Game in late March. Usually, my dad and I donate a good chunk of items from our own personal collection, including trading cards (see how I brought that back around?), but a few years ago a gentleman approached us with a box of goodies. Among them was a mini helmet signed by a handful of members from the 1972 Miami Dolphins, including Larry Csonka. I can get a lot more money for our program in Miami than I can in Three Oaks, Michigan (population 1800) and although that sounds selfish, it's about raising money for our program.

Does anyone know a reputable dealer in the Miami area that I could get in contact with about unloading this helmet? I'm not looking to make a fortune, but at least a decent amount. If you've got any way to help me, I would appreciate it.

And as one more aside, if you're on social media, I maintain quite a Post 204 baseball prescence on both Twitter and Facebook.

www.facebook.com/oakersbaseball

Twitter: @oakersbaseball

Boy, if you've made it this far, I applaud you. Thanks for reading my rambling, and have a great night. Go Post 204!

Jason