“This is the FIRST year that I’ve seen or heard about delegates even being contacted”
Of course, depending on your age you may not remember. When is the last election when we had a contested convention? The 70’s. Forty years ago. Last time, in 2012, Romney had the majority of delegates all wrapped up by the Texas primary, and I felt like I had no say in choosing a candidate in the primary. All we have seen at National conventions since 76 were coronations and just a formality because we went into them with the majority already being wrapped up.
Contacting unbound delegates in a contested convention is all part of a well-planned ground game.