Well, it’s that time of year again. One of my favorite times of the year, when the calendar hits Aug. 1 and we know summer is starting to wind down and the kids are going back to school in less than a month. Yes, it is nice to have the kids back on their early bedtime routine so the Mrs. and I can have some more alone time.

However, it’s not the only reason I love when the calendar turns to August. It means football is right around the corner! More importantly, it’s time to start preparing for my fantasy football team. I begin to load up and listen to my fantasy podcasts and begin flipping through my fantasy football magazines, looking through all the previous years’ stats and gaining some knowledge on the rookie class entering this year.

When we pulled numbers from a hat to determine the draft order for this year’s extravaganza, guess who has the No. 1 pick? You guessed it! This guy right here. Every year, we always start draft day with a nice, relaxing afternoon out on the golf course with close friends and family. We love to stir the pot a bit out on the course and the trash talking is in full effect.

The negotiation process begins with questions such as, “Who are you taking for the first round? You want to trade draft positions?” “You’re taking him? He’s awful; I would never take him.” These shenanigans continue for several hours while on the course and before you know it, golf is over and now the main event begins.

We all arrive at the draft, which is usually held at a good friend’s backyard. The large 8-foot by 6-foot draft board with all our team names listed is tacked up under the lighted gazebo. The commissioner’s podium is off in the corner and the championship belt is displayed on a silk-draped end table front and center. Everyone begins to file in, holding their tablets, chargers, folders and binders with colored labels sectioned off for each position.

Before we know it, the foot-long Italian combo, pizza and chips are almost devoured, the drinks are served and we begin to pick out our lucky seats. At this point, many people are in the zone and are flipping or scrolling through their material deciding on their No. 1 picks. “Who do I take? This guy here was a beast last year. Can he repeat this year and put up those numbers again?” I would ask myself over and over, as many others all do the same.

No one can honestly predict who’s going to be the stud for the year and who will be the breakout rookie but it sure is exciting to think we all do. Before the draft begins, our commissioner goes to the podium and welcomes everyone to the new fantasy football year. He then congratulates last year’s winner and the clock starts. “Good luck everyone! Let’s begin!”

Fantasy football is a ton of fun; however, when it comes down to it, it’s exactly what it says, fantasy. Grown adults are doing extensive research on pro athletes and pretending to be NFL owners selecting their future players. I often think about the process and ask myself “Is this silly?” The answer is yes! But I love it!

I also find myself thinking, “What if there was a way plumbing contractors and owners could do research, watch video and collect stats on rookie apprenticeship and even free agents that left other companies?” That would be pretty helpful. Many of us wish for the very same thing. A lot of plumbers I’ve talked to about hiring help all seem to be running into similar problems.

They find someone who’s a friend of a friend who shows some interest in the trade or needs a summer job. They hire the individual, and, in a month or so, he quits or he’s let go. This has happened several times to me when hiring new help in the past and it becomes very frustrating. It seems as if the younger generation doesn’t want to get their hands dirty to earn a dollar. Now, I’m sure that’s not entirely true as I’m exaggerating a bit here, but it does certainly feel like it sometimes.

So, I want to ask all of you out there, what sites, apps or techniques are you using to find help? And have they been successful? I know there are apps such as Indeed and Zip Recruiter, but do they give you the best results? What about calling your local trade schools and asking if they have any students they feel would make a good apprentice? I would love to hear everyone’s feedback as I’m sure we all struggle with this area. If only it were as easy as the Fantasy World of Football. l

Sean McCormack is co-owner of BMC Plumbing and Heating Inc. He can be reached by Email at seanmccormack99@yahoo.com; Phone 845-596-7770; Twitter @seantheplumber1; and Periscope @seantheplumber. Visit Sean’s website at www.seantheplumber.com.