Fantasy Baseball 2007

by JD Arney on Sep 25, 2006 6:33 PM EDT in News

Fantasy Baseball

I know it's a little early to be talking about this, but I just want to throw it out there now so that people can have it in the back of their minds.

I was thinking recently that I'd like to start a fantasy league that I could consider my "main" league, that could potentially run for many years. Here's what I've come up with, and what I'd like to do if I can gather enough people:

I would like to rent out a conference room at a hotel somewhere in Cincinnati, and make the day of the draft an all day affair. Plan for at least 5-6 hours and go at it. The benefits of a conference room would be wireless access and room to spread out, plus I think it'd just be fun.
Draft would be auction style. I think that fantasy baseball requires much more strategic thinking with an auction draft as opposed to serpentine drafts. If you're confused by what an auction draft is, then read this. I might tweak the rules (or not), but that's it in a nutshell.
Price of the league would be somewhat steep. I'm thinking somewhere in the $150-$200 range. This isn't just to build a huge pot for the prize winners, it's also to ensure that people will treat this as their main league (or one of their main leagues) and it'll also ensure that people will pay attention throughout the season. I've also got other ideas on how to keep people interested through September (keeper league, running three or four year point championships, etc.) but those are some of the small details that can be worked out later.
I'd host and operate a website for the league. There'd be a message board that would hopefully become active, and there'd be a newsletter posted every week with league news and roundups, either written entirely by me or with member submissions.

So that's essentially it. I know I can get a few people together that would be in, but I'm hoping that the bulk of the (12-14 member) league will come from Red Reporter.

Obviously this isn't something that needs firm commitments right now, since if this happens I imagine the draft wouldn't take place until February or March. But I want to get people's opinions on the idea.

I've also been thinking of putting together an Out of the Park league for Red Reporter, so if you have thoughts on that feel free to chime in there as well.

Let me know what you think in the comments, and if you're definitely interested at this early date then shoot me an email.

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Comments

Not a big fan of OOTP 2006...

I'm used to the old format. The new game seems hard to manuever around. I haven't played it enough to see if it still has all the features of the old game.

Also, does anyone know of a roster pack with correct stats? I like AngelFan's roster, but, I don't if he'll ever update to fix the stats.

by sledridge on Sep 25, 2006 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

would we have ot abide by the old stats?

Forgive me for being sabernerdy, but a lot of the stats that are used for most fantasy leagues are outdated. Couting stats like wins/losses for pitchers and RBIs for batters dont really tell a very accurate story of how good a player is. Is there any way (and would anyone want to do this) to realy more heavily on obp than ba, more on whip and era than wins/losses, etc.?

at any rate, i think the whole idea is a grand one. i would be willing to consider it.

Fynal Cut... Get skewered

by boobs on Sep 25, 2006 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

lmao

based on RR Fantasy this year I don't want any more value put on ERA and WHIP than already is. I totally sucked in those two categories.

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

but I'm in

just let me know the rules and when and where

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Format is up for debate. Slyde and I were discussing this, and I'm fairly sure the stats used will lean more in the sabr direction, and there'll probably be some weighting.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. --Oscar Wilde

by JD Arney on Sep 25, 2006 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

if Slyde and stats are involved

I know I am so far in over my head it isn't funny. But I'll still draft and try to be competitive. I'm really not very good at these things anyway

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm in

but only if it's not a Rotisserie league. I'd much rather do a points based league with weighting on the stats that matter. I've never understood a league where you can lose because you were in 6th place in batting average instead of 5th. I'd much rather do it where the goal is to have the best overall players, not just a lot of each kind of stat.

by Slyde on Sep 25, 2006 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, points are better.

Which reminds me that I have to post a diary regarding a quandary I'm facing in my keeper league. Keep an eye out...

More more more ....... how do you like it?

by Gapper on Sep 25, 2006 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

rotisserie

Sort of like how a team in 8th place can win the money at the end of the year because he seized the last playoff spot and had a great week and a half. I hate when leagues play a full season and the top team isn't credited with a win. Why not just start the "tournament" on opening day?

by Brian B on Sep 26, 2006 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

You mean....

like my keeper league, where I went 20-2, won the regular season by 4 games, had a 12 game winning streak and a 4 week points leader streak going to the playoffs, then lost Zambrano, Clemens, Billingsley, and Mike Gonzalez, and got beat by the #4 seed in the first round?

Kind of like that?

I'm not bitter, though.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Sep 26, 2006 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

On behalf of Michael.

He says that the scoring categories should be:

Negative points for strikeouts.
Hitting with RISP.
Batting average.
Batting average.
Intangibles.
Stolen bases/hustle.
Savvy.
Veteran leadership.
Stolen bases/hustle.
Negative points for solo HR.
Hitting with RISP.
Intangibles
Negative points for soft walks.
Stolen bases/hustle.
Negative points for strikeouts.
Negative points for solo HR.
Veteran leadership.
Savvy.
Negative points for soft walks.
Batting average.

Little voices are people too.

by Mini Michael on Sep 25, 2006 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

You left a ton out....

Getting the runner over
Focus
Commitment
Batting Average

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Sep 26, 2006 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Bonus points

for running out to your position...

"No, no, no. It's "step, pivot, step, pause." Are you TRYING to piss off the volcano god?" - Peter Griffin

by Ash on Sep 26, 2006 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh. Sorry. Also forgot...

Sacrifice flies.
Batting average.

Little voices are people too.

by Mini Michael on Sep 26, 2006 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

You left out the biggies

Heart
Sticktoitiveness
Intangibles
Batting average
The look in his eyes
Just knowing in your gut

Fynal Cut... Get skewered

by boobs on Sep 26, 2006 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

33. Batting Average

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Sep 26, 2006 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd definitely join an OOTP league.

I'm not a big fan of 2006, but I've been in several 6.5 leagues. I'm sure I could quickly adjust to 2006, and I'm pretty much an OOTP addict. And I'd kick all your asses.

by Geki on Sep 25, 2006 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

I'd be up for getting my ass kicked.

by Slyde on Sep 25, 2006 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

anyone here?

phillies have 2 on 2 out scoreless game bottom of 4

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

bases loaded 2 out

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

no score end of 4

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

top of 5

astros have bases loaded 1 out

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

astros 1 phillies 0

bases loaded 2 out, top of 5

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

wow

anyone watching Monday Night Football pregame??
Awesome

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

hell yeah

U2 rocks. you can download the studio version on rhapsody.

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

MNF pre game

usually I do not like all the hoopla prior to the "big games". But tonight is different. U2 was unreal. What a great night. Very emotional and I am glad they did it. Welcome Home Saints!

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

guess it's the live version

i just downloaded it.

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

U2

Nobody shows up and plays to the audience like U2. Remember when they played the superbowl after September 11, and Bono had that American flag jacket with the names of the deceased scrolling on and behind him? And then he goes overseas to a different forum and trashes the US.

by Brian B on Sep 26, 2006 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

It was a tribute to New Orleans' musical heritage

And nobody says "New Orleans" like U2 and Green Day.

by Red Menace on Sep 26, 2006 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions

bono has never trashed the US

sorry, dude, but that would hurt his cause, as he needs bush in his fight for africa. if by trashing you meant criticizing US policy in Iraq, he did it here, too, in DC, in front of a crowd that included condi rice, rick santorum, and a few other politicos.

not to mention every time they played love and peace followed by bullet the blue sky.

oops, is this a baseball blog?

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 26, 2006 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

baseball

but we drift off course once in a while. :)

I think every one is starting to wonder about Iraq policy, even those who support being there.

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 26, 2006 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

we'll have to drift a lot

if the reds can't win four more and the cardinals don't lose five.

any policy that can be reduced to a slogan (stay the course) is no policy at all. it's nice to see people finally getting away from their television sets to think for a minute, regardless of what side they're on.

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 26, 2006 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

SD up 5-1 over StL in 3

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

HooHa!

I don't trust boobs.

by sukr on Sep 25, 2006 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

philly up 4-2 over houston in 7!

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Narron-LaRussa

Just think where we'd be if K could have traded Jerry for Tony

by HokieRed on Sep 25, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

probably the same place

although the cardinals just tied the game at 5 in the bottom of the fourth. d'oh!

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

and now houston has taken the lead

5-4 over philly in 7.

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 25, 2006 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I would be interested...

However, I would not be interested in spending that kind of cash.

Believe me when I say that cash outlay does not equal interest. A case in point might be this year's free league, which has been pretty darn competitive for the most part.

My fantasy league has been going now since 1986, and we play for next to no money at all, comparitively. (if you would like me to go on at length about my league, just ask...I'd be happy to start blathering)

I would be interested in getting together with folks and drafting, and I would be interested in an auction (never done one of those).

And if you want some ideas about how to keep peeps interested, I can prolly add something there, too.

Yeah, I'm old. :)

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Sep 25, 2006 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

padres up 6-5

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 25, 2006 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

why is hoffman not closing?

Fynal Cut... Get skewered

by boobs on Sep 25, 2006 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Because he's made

appearances in three straight before today... No matter, Linebrink gets the save, Cards lose!

"No, no, no. It's "step, pivot, step, pause." Are you TRYING to piss off the volcano god?" - Peter Griffin

by Ash on Sep 25, 2006 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

after the shittiest month, like, ever...

we're only 3.5 back with 6 games to go. Houston's only 2.5 back, so stl is feeling the pressure. Marlins Marlins Marlins, Pirates Pirates Pirates. Just saying...

Fynal Cut... Get skewered

by boobs on Sep 25, 2006 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

Ahem

Let us mention it as little as possible.

"No, no, no. It's "step, pivot, step, pause." Are you TRYING to piss off the volcano god?" - Peter Griffin

by Ash on Sep 25, 2006 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Questions abound

"Bloops" would be an excellent category, if Grande would define it to Stats, Inc.

* I'm more apt to participate in a draft where there is a mandatory consumption minimum. Makes me feel smarter, and everyone else seem funnier. It's a win/win.

*Id like to see 24 partipants for 12 teams. Match up longtime or consistent posters with a lurker.

*I think there might well be multiple RR fantasy baseball leagues next season. I'd like to be included in whichever league is coed. (Been a rule of mine since college intramurals, when I finally realized my 60 mph heater wasn't Ricky Vaughn-esque)

*i must admit I fear Slyde in any top shelf fantasy bb league. Until Sat, I was the sickest baseball nut I know. No more. He knew, pretty well I might add, some guy nicknamed Puddles in the Reds HOF. I'm pretty sure DVOA/DIPS/EQA/etc work to his strengths.

*I think Caleb should nickname any fantasy club he manages *BOHICA.

"Hats for bats". Pedro Cerrano

by ohiobobcat on Sep 25, 2006 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

Those are bold statements, ohiobobcat.

More more more ....... how do you like it?

by Gapper on Sep 26, 2006 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions

HA!

by Slyde on Sep 26, 2006 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Dude

It was Bubbles Hargrave. Puddles is what we sat in on the bleachers.

by Slyde on Sep 26, 2006 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

fantasy baseball

I just can't spend that much money on fantasy baseball. I am not bad at fantasy baseball, but not good enough to spend 150-200. If anyone puts together a cheaper or free league then I am in for that.

Visit The Olde 320 Pub! (my blog)

by SpaethC on Sep 26, 2006 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

fantasy baseball

i'm still living in the fantasy world that comes with being 3.5 games out of first.

"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." ~ Sparky Anderson

by Daedalus on Sep 26, 2006 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

no kidding

with 1 week to go, who'd a thunk it?

"Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes." - Crash Davis

by Caleb on Sep 26, 2006 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm probably interested

Depending on the details. I've been wanting to join a league like this for a long time.

Redleg Nation: a support group for Reds obsessives.

by Chad @ Red Reporter on Sep 26, 2006 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

FB '07

I would have interest one league or the other but I live in NY, so I have no way of making a live draft.

Also, have you looked at Diamond Mind vs. OOTP??

by TenYearsGone on Sep 26, 2006 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Live draft

I'm also too far to make it to a live draft, but this sounds interesting.

It sounds like people favor the rate stats over counting, but I've always liked counting stats because it forces you to account more for factors beyond the individual player, such as their team strength, batting order, etc.

by ken on Sep 26, 2006 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Diamond Mind Baseball

I play in a Diamond Mind league and really enjoy it. I haven't played the other simulation softwares, so I can't fairly compare to deem one "the best."

by rojosoto on Sep 26, 2006 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

A little bit pricey

but I'd probably be in. The OOTP thing seems kind of interesting too, I'd be willing to give it a try.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose

by BK on Sep 26, 2006 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

OOTP is awesome as long as the league is active.

And I doubt that'll be a problem here. Though I do think there'll be some pretty rough competition when it comes to determining who gets to take the Reds.

by Geki on Sep 26, 2006 3:40 PM EDT reply actions