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Getting
Started:
With the popularity
of fantasy baseball increasing every year, it is estimated over 25 million
Americans are involved in fantasy sports, it is no wonder you were
bitten by the fantasy bug. As the media gives us exposure to players
on the opposite coast as readily as in our own backyard it is impossible
not to develop interests in players on other teams. Fantasy baseball
provides the fan the ultimate opportunity to root for individual players
while not compromising the integrity of rooting for a favorite team.
With so many options open in playing fantasy baseball the first decision
one has to make is what kind of league is right for you. After deciding
on whether a cumulative or head to head league best suits our interests,
you must next decide on an AL/NL combined or an AL or NL only. Finally,
decisions need to be reached on participants and number of teams.
(It is recommended that you know who your competition is before agreeing
to enter a league. It wouldn’t be uncommon for a group of so called
novices to quickly reveal two or three experts out to make a quick buck).
Therefore, it could be said that researching your competition could be
as important as assessing the players.
Let’s assume
you’ve settled on the popular AL/NL combined 5 x 5 league. 5 x 5
refers to five statistical categories, (Batting Average, Runs, Home Runs,
RBI’s and Stolen Bases for hitters and Wins, Strikeouts, Earned Run Average,
WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched) and Saves for Pitchers).
4 x 4 leagues generally omit Runs and WHIP respectively.
In order
to get started you will need to:
(1.)
Round up between 10-12 baseball fans for an AL/NL combined. For less
than 10 teams we recommend using only one league to avoid all star type
teams.
(2.)
Decide on whether to have an auction or serpentine draft. Auction
drafts tend to take longer and generally used by players who are experienced
fantasy players and have an understanding of how to budget
money
to insure getting the most for your money. It is recommended that
if you are entering a league that used an auction draft that you attend
another draft as an observer prior to your own draft to acclimate yourself
and get a feel for how the draft unfolds. Serpentine draft has a
set order 1-2-3 …12 to end the first round and 12-11-10….1 to complete
the second. 1-2-…12 for the third and so on.
(3.)
Generally a roster will generally be made up of between 23-25 players.
The breakdown as follows: 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS, 1 Corner Infielder
(1B or 3B), 1 Middle Infielder (2B or SS), 2 Catchers, 5 Outfielders, 9-10
Pitchers, and either a Utility Player a Designated Hitter or both.
(4.)
Position Eligibility: players are generally allowed to play a position
only after appearing in a minimum number of games, most leagues use
20 games during the previous year or 10 games in the current year for hitters
and 10/5 for pitchers. Using totals less than this will result in
players eligible at positions they don’t frequently play and are invariably
the source of conflict among league members. Using totals higher
than this will result in undervalue of players who should qualify for more
than one position.
(5.)
Trades can be frequent and include as many players as decided but the roster
must always remain balanced. Example, trading a shortstop for a pitcher
may be just what your team doctor ordered but keep in mind you will have
to make room by releasing one of your current pitchers.
(6.)
Free agents are generally acquired on a first come first serve basis, but
some leagues use a waiver system where teams at the top of the list are
given first priority to these players. The waiver order can be either
the reverse order or draft or reverse standings once the system is put
into place. Once selecting a player, a team would move to the bottom
of the list.
(7.)
Scoring for the cumulative league (assuming 12 teams) assigns 12 points
in a category for the first place team and down the list to 1 point for
last. Teams tied would share the point. Therefore in
a 12 team 5 x 5 league the maximum number of points would be 120 and the
minimum 12.
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