STACY CORRADO – HALL OF FAME SPEECH – DRAFT COORDINATOR

Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Stacy Corrado:

Good afternoon everyone. I’m John “Stray” Corrado – Commissioner of the Mid-West Baseball League & it is with a tear in my eye that I am here to introduce to you, with a very big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, my wife, my Beauty, & my support system, Stacy Corrado.  How about a big round of applause as we welcome her into the Mid-West Baseball League’s Hall of Fame.

Stacy has been my strength & support system for the last 17+ years.  She’s been the ear I bend when I need to talk.  The rock I need for support.  She’s been it all, and then some.  Not only as my wife but as part of this passionate thing I commission called the Mid-West Baseball League.

She had her first Draft Day experience back in 2006 in a tiny cramped apartment as Scott & Sergio talked movies, Miz being as crazy as he always is, Davey asking who’s up next, the phone ringing with someone’s pick from out of state & me the Commissioner trying to do eight different functions to keep the draft running smooth, but neglecting my team’s drafting needs in the process.   That Draft Day was 10+ hours of grueling hell for yours truly.   Stacy watched & waited.   As soon as it ended, she said “You look exhausted”.   I then told her of the 20-25 plus hours it would take me to catch things up and get the league ready for opening day in 2-3 weeks.  She said a few things.  Number one was, “That’s the last Draft Day you will ever run as long as I am around”.   Number two was, “What’s next, how can I help & let’s do this”.   She’s been around ever since.

In 2007 Stacy ran her first Draft & at that time it was done with excel.  A lot of cut copy & paste in 10-12 hours was just too much.   She said “We need to have this move faster & streamline the operation of the draft”.  Thus by the end of the year, Steven Cornfield was brought in to create a new tool for Draft Day.  More on that later.  With the MWBL Info Center in place in 2008, each year’s Draft Day since then has gotten more streamlined & every year it gets better & better thanks to Stacy.  She keeps 28 little boys about to open their Christmas Presents in line, giving everyone a fair & timely opportunity to make a selection when it’s their pick.   Don’t get me wrong, she cusses like a sailor when Brian Devine & Paul Roe take too long on their picks.  She’s called out Deputy Commissioner Steve Cutler for being an ass at the draft (Steve’s been great ever since), & she can surely yell from room to room when we’ve had 10+ League members in the house on Draft Day.   You can rest assured each one of them whips their head around & says “Yes Ma’am – I’m ready” when it’s their turn to pick. 

Our Draft Day is now over within 8 hours, & many a time we’ve done it in just over 7 hours.  Think about that 336 Picks, 7 Hours.  This lady gives up here Saturday to let us be little boys for 8 hours & keeps us all in line.  She truly is remarkable.  How many wives or girlfriends would do that?

Then when it’s all over.  She sits down with yours truly & starts the grueling after Draft Day finalization to get us ready for Opening Day.  We’ve now cut the after Draft work down to about 10 hours.  Again how many wives or girlfriends would do that?

I cannot say enough about how great she is with & for the Mid-West Baseball League.  Many times she talked me down off the ledge about calling it quits & reminds me of how much I do love the league, the members & the friendships it has brought me or kept along the way.  

Stacy now has 15+ years as the Draft Coordinator, & let’s hope for many many more.  I’m truly a lucky man in this aspect of having my wife share my hobby with me.  Today the Mid-West Baseball League is proud to call Stacy a Hall of Famer & reminds her of just how lucky we are to have her as the MWBL Draft Coordinator.  It is with my honor, please welcome my wife, a true Mid-West Baseball League lifer & a 2022 inductee to the Mid-West Baseball League’s Hall of Fame – the Mid-West Baseball Leagues Draft Coordinator Stacy Corrado.

John “Stray” Corrado – Commissioner of the Mid-West Baseball League

Stacy Corrado’s  Speech:

Thank you Mr. Commissioner,

“I’m extremely happy & I take a lot of pride in being the first female elected into the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame. It’s a big compliment, not just being the first female elected isn’t what makes it special for me, it’s just the honor of making it into the Hall of Fame itself.”

Many years ago I watched my first Mid-West Baseball League draft & was astonished at the amount of dedication to this league the managers demonstrated. I also vowed that my now-husband would never run another draft. He simply just didn’t get to enjoy the day & focus on his team as he should have.

I have run the Mid-West Baseball League draft for several years (15+ now) & hope my contribution to the Mid-West Baseball League has made Draft Day a little more enjoyable for all of you but especially your Commissioner my husband.

I have met several of you in person at our home or on road trips through the years & it has been such a pleasure. This is a truly uniquely wonderful group of men.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that women are to be included in the future of the Mid-West Baseball League. When that first qualified woman comes along to take ownership of a Mid-West Baseball League Franchise she does so knowing that it is time to make it a reality & that this group of men will welcome her in. I’ve set the bar high. The league deserves that. The dedication from all the managers throughout the years never ceased to amaze me.”

I am honored that you continue to welcome my (occasionally terrifying) role as Draft Coordinator & appreciate all the hard work you put into preparing for your draft each year. I welcome the ongoing friendships & look forward to meeting more of you in person in the years to come.

Never stop fighting for what you believe in. Your efforts will always be rewarded.”