Message to all the fans of the NAHHBL

[bigphesta]

In 2000, a stary eyed new father and new college grad got his first computer. It wasn’t long after that until he got his first game (Madden 2001) and found this awsome idea – running online leagues. Madden 01 morphed into Madden 02, and in the process the young buck found a game called High Heat. After spending about a season running a high heat league, the young commish got frustrated with the limitations of the game and stumbled across a game called OOTP3.

The Year was 2001 and a new era of online greatness began. That greatness was known as the NAHHBL. It didn’t take long for the league to fill, in fact, about half the league were people who bought the game because of the commish’s rep for his league in High Heat (in fact, NAHHBL originally stood for the North American High Heat Baseball League). The year was 2001, but in NAHHBL time it was 1980 and things looked good.

After the end of the first season, a few owners quit and the commish hadn’t built up the rep of the league in the OOTP community, and at that time, we were competing against leagues like the CDL and XBL for online player’s excitement. So, the league contracted by two teams, went to a three division setup, and the rest is history.

Over the past 25 seasons (that’s FIVE real years) I have had the HONOR of running the NAHHBL. During that time I have had another child, started and completed law school, moved four times, lost two grandparents, got divorced, - the list could go on for ever - but the one constant was the NAHHBL. Through the league I have met some incredible people, some of whom I wholeheartedly intend to keep in touch with through other leagues and simple AIM chats. Some of which I will have to wait until I get to heaven to chat with again.

Whether it be Emy-proofing the league, bringing down the Evil Empire, or simply finding a stable owner for the now defunct Phillies, the NAHHBL has been at the forefront of my life for five years. It pains me to see it go, but my life must move on. We will finish out the 2005 season, crown the Yankees champ for one last time, then the doors of the league will close forever.

I wish the best to everyone. I thank you for the time you’ve put into the league over the last five years. A few of you are still here from the start. A few others are pretty close. A few more have been here, left, and come back. I truly thank you all.

[rem]

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

You did well, phesta.

[RBLwebguy]

I did two small tours of duty in NAHHBL and it was one of the first places I got my feet wet after stumbling upon OOTP4. Well run and hats off to Phesta for running it. Best of luck man!

[Khan]

The NAHHBL was my 1st online league.

Sadly I was never able to topple the Evil Empire.... well barring a major comeback in this last season.

Best of luck!

[bigphesta]

Thanks everyone

[Presto20]

Sorry to see the league ending Phesta. I was a member of the league when it moved from High Heat to OOTP. This was the league that got me hooked to the game. I still play OOTP but haven't been in an online league since NAHHBL. I still have fond memories of my Orioles playing great all regular season, then losing to Emy and the A's in the playoffs.

[Storgers]

Yeah I was there in the early days. Well run league, sad to see it go.

[Draft Dodger]

I guess when I left, you guys just couldn't bear to go on. sorry!