Be warned people. I might actually attend the Philly convention next year.

I am missing this years. Next year in Philly is a slam dunk.

If any of you nerds wants to indulge in my other nerdery next year the day before the convention, Gettysburg is only about 2½ hours from Philly.

Other nerdery? Like playing the Game of Thrones Board Game or what?

Yeah, we're missing you, Chris.

There isn't a GoT card game?

Put me down for next year in Philly!

See you there, Bruce!

So, how are things going in Minny, Steve? Who's done the best presentation?

Yeah, we're missing you, Chris.

Foghorn Leghorn = ??

Dial

A SABR convention without Dial is really not quite the same. Though I am getting a lot more sleep.

So, how are things going in Minny, Steve? Who's done the best presentation?

You mean besides mine? ;-p

Giacalone delivered a great one on the complex intertwined dynamics of the franchise relocations and expansion in the late 1960s. But probably the best I've seen so far was from Mark Armour on the rise and fall of artificial turf in MLB. He concisely tied together multiple threads, including the overlap between MLB and the NFL in the multipurpose stadia of the 1960s/70s, and the economic, technological, and aesthetic issues. It was excellent content, entertainingly delivered.

Last evening we had a highly enjoyable time at the ballgame at Target Field. It's a wonderful park, very comfortable, reminds me a lot of Petco Park in San Diego.

Following the game we ambled back to our hotel, just down the street from the ballpark, and retired to the bar for a nightcap. There several of us noticed some hightly attractive young ladies hanging around -- not exactly your typical SABR groupies. Then someone figured it out: those young men over there are Kansas City Royals players. They're staying at this hotel too.

Ohhh.

Oh, and Armour figured out a way to work in not one, but two Brady Bunch slides into his Powerpoint deck. That's worth extra credit points right there.

I'm definitely going to try to make next year's.

I was at a planning meeting for the Philly convention last weekend. I'll probably be a volunteer for it. Hope to see everybody there.

Philly? I think I can convince my wife on that one.

Which hotel is it going to be at in Philly? Anyone know?

They've narrowed the hotel choices to four, all in Center City.

just out of curiosity, how many female SABR members are there? I know there are a few actual female members

They've narrowed the hotel choices to four, all in Center City

Which ones? I've either worked for them or know them pretty well.

I don't remember. I can say that Friends Select School at 16th and Ben Franklin Parkway will host the presentations.

That's kind of weird. I used to work on 17th and Sansom. Fun little area.

I can say that Friends Select School at 16th and Ben Franklin Parkway will host the presentations.

Embassy Suites, Four Seasons, and I think a Wyndham are right near by. I'll be there for my first.

I've been considering a SABR membership for a while, and I get a discount being less than 30 and everything. For those who are members, or have been members, or for those who aren't but think they know something - is it worth it? I almost certainly won't be planning to go to any meetings or anything let alone the convention, and I probably won't be doing research on my own, but the literature, etc., that comes from it, is it worth it?

Short answer (having belonged to SABR for nearly 30 years): Yes.

The publications themselves are worth the membership, and you also get free access to the entire Sporting News archives online (caveat: its search engine is not the greatest) and the PDF to the annual Emerald Guide to Baseball. And if you can make a regional meeting every so often, I think you'll be impressed by the originality and depth of the presentations and the general camaraderie.

SABR is well worth the money. It's been a few years since I've attended the convention. Each year I regret not finding a way to attend, especially when I see pictures of all the great people hanging out. Hopefully, since it's a relatively short drive next year, I will be able to make it to Philly.

I will be able to make it to Philly.

I'll be on my corner. Pick me up.

Philly is practically around the corner, and I'm not even in NYC any more. I'll be going for my first time.

Plus Philly has a casino now.