NFBC In 2008

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:59 pm

Still like the Easter Weekend Thur/Sat idea, but doesn't seem to be a consideration.

29th would be my CDM crew vote, speaking as one person as I cannot speak for the rest. No appeal to a 2500 mile trek with no hoops and wouldn't partake in 5K Ultimate(s)from NYC.

Rototitan · Post by **Rototitan** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:22 pm

Everyone is a whiner. Me me me.... What about the other leagues? All this talk about LV, and no discussion on how this affects those in NY, Chi or Tampa. I would believe that holding the draft on the 29th would mean a lot less for those in Tampa, as most of ST is over by that weekend. Therefore they will have little incentive to attend as well. You might lose the entire city.

And, this appears to be a one year deal, and we will revert back the following year. Start thinking bigger picture folks. March Madness is still going on and the ponies still run, so what is the big deal with the 15th? Let's keep the tradition, and keep it two weeks before the season starts. Once you change the concept, people will want to change it each year to suit their purposes. Whether a player gets injured two weeks before the real games start or on day 1, what is the difference. Injuries unfortunately happen in sports. The best managers get over it and deal with it. In season management is just as important as the draft. Anyway, just my 2 and 1/2 cents on the matter.

[ March 23, 2007, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Rototitan ]

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:51 am

In keeping with the easter theme.Amen.

Team Herron · Post by **Team Herron** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:26 am

Unfortunately, my sentiment almost exactly parallels SACK. Frankly, its the Easter Thurs - Sat or bust for me. The trip West is significantly less appealing and its the only place Id do the Ultimate.

Unfortunately, it might mean a one-year hiatus from the NFBC. Good Luck boys.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:24 am

The more I read this thread, the more I realize that in 2008 Greg A will not be able to please everyone.

It's not my doing, so blame the equinox or the full moon or the new moon or whatever caused the stars to align for this one year.

All I can say is that I'm thankful Quahogs told me about this before I booked Easter weekend at four different hotels. That could have been a killer.

My take has changed three times in the last 24 hours. I love March Madness as much as anyone, but I just can't see hosting the NFBC during Easter weekend. Too many folks would have too many conflicts for us to even equal this year's numbers. Family vacations, church conflicts, Jewish holiday, etc., it's just too big of a risk. Even the Thursday to Saturday schedule wouldn't be ideal.

The 15th would keep with tradition, but would make Las Vegas less appealing. Still, the only thing missing from past years is a slate of basketball games in Las Vegas. It could hurt Sin City's participation, but overall it shouldn't hurt the NFBC's final numbers too much. I'd do it at this date, but right now having ConExpo in Las Vegas at the same time is the one negative that makes this date less appealing to me as that conference just takes over Las Vegas.

The 29th is doable and would probably help the NFBC's overall numbers with the later draft date. It's still March Madness, it's right before Opening Day and most folks would understand why we can't do it the week before. It would create a lot of work for us on site on Saturday night, but honestly it can be done and STATS is ready for us to do it this way if needed. Again, it's not ideal and I'm not sure I'd want to do it this date every year, but I would consider it for 2008.

That's my take. Everyone has their opinion and right now we'll work with the hotels and see what works best. We have plenty of time to make this work, so stay tuned. Oh, and keep the opinions coming. It's all good.

Nutty Scrats · Post by **Nutty Scrats** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:14 am

I'm just curius how many Tampa would lose (if any) since camps usually break that last week in March as the teams head north? For people going to Tampa for the drafts and spring training games the last weekend in March would be less appealing. On the flip side Chicago and New York may spike a little as people stay up north? Some things that just make you go hmmmmmm? LOL

rob276 · Post by **rob276** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:25 am

Rotoition you crack me up man. Thanks for answering your own question before I even had a chance to. You also complain about everyone whining me, me, me when the only whining I seem to see is you, you, you. Greg asked for opinions which is what everyone else is giving.

So first you say you don't want to set your roster at the draft because of a Furcal happening. Later you chastize someone else who doesn't want to draft early because of a Furcal injury by saying injuries are part of the game and the good managers work around it. Hmm maybe its time you follow your own advice there buddy. Also, you shouldn't get stuck with playing a player who's injured because you should already know about it. I have two words for you...internet cafe. Always check the internet for the latest news or you could be drafting someone who just had a season-ending injury the day before. You shelled out $1300 to be in the NFBC isn't it worth it to spend $10 more to be kept up on the latest news?

As far as Greg losing Tampa. That won't happen. Let's even say worst case scenario he does lose a lot of Tampa customers. From a business perspective he has to determine the impact the draft date will have on the city which has the most members which is Vegas. Which city would hurt the NFBC the most if it lost a huge chunk of members?

FYI - I'm not complaining, I'm just keeping it real!

Brilee's Brigade · Post by **Brilee's Brigade** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:59 am

Originally posted by Team Herron:

Unfortunately, my sentiment almost exactly parallels SACK. Frankly, its the Easter Thurs - Sat or bust for me. The trip West is significantly less appealing and its the only place Id do the Ultimate.

Unfortunately, it might mean a one-year hiatus from the NFBC. Good Luck boys. Is the long list of drafts particapted in suppose to mean you have a "biiger" say in what goes on? I believe the 15th works best, if not for the fact that there is more "guess work" in who is starting/closing or anything else and makes those precious FAAB $$$$ worth even more.

Rototitan · Post by **Rototitan** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:46 am

WOW, the NFBC provides internet cafes at their sites? I must have missed that. BTW who is this rotoition person? I haven't seen any posts from this person.

BTW, I am keeping it real as well. Have the draft any time, day or week for all I care. Just give me time to determine my starting roster so that if I drafted an injured player, that I would at least have a chance to remove him from my starting line-up.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 6:17 pm

Thanks for leaning toward the latest possible date, Greg!

Once you hammer out any problems...it could become THE NEW TRADITION!!!

Draft...party...stats!!!

I can see this as a new tradition...and am happy!

~Lance

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:03 am

Um, why not run it over two weekends and really jack up the participation levels? The religious bunch who don't want to go on Easter weekend can go to another cit on another weekend.

Let me try and deflect the most obvious objection to this -- that the people drfting on the later weekend have a so-called advantage. Horsehockey. Sure, if you're drafting today you know Figgins is hurt, Mauer has a stres condition (whatever the hell that is) and Papelbon is the closer. People who drafted two weeks ago wouldn't know that...

...but everyone else sitting around your draft table knows it too! In YOUR 15-man league the landscape has changed, but everyone's still on the same footing inside your league.

And if you drafted early and you drafted Figgins, ouch, but if you drafted Papelbon in the tenth, and saw a couple of your later round 'risks' fall into starting job, isn't it a wash, really?

Or, to hell with it, if you think drafting later is better, go on the later weekend.

Go to Vegas for Easter Weekend and those who want to be there will be there. Those who want to wait a week because they think it'll give them an edge, will wait a week.

You pies yer money and tykes your choice.

bucks66 · Post by **bucks66** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:17 am

I think the problem with your argument is that it doesn't take into account the $100,000 grand prize. Sure, you're on even ground with the 15 in your league but what about the others that you're competing for the $100,000 grand prize with? I think you're never gonna make everyone happy, so go with the majority. I, for one, will be there regardless of the weekend, so it makes no nevermind to me.

Nutty Scrats · Post by **Nutty Scrats** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:23 am

If the NFBC events are the last weekend in March why not start the main event earlier and then run the Ultimates late Saturday afternoon or evening? This way web site input could be done late Saturday and Sunday? Just a thought.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:34 am

Originally posted by bluenose:

Um, why not run it over two weekends and really jack up the participation levels? The religious bunch who don't want to go on Easter weekend can go to another cit on another weekend.

Let me try and deflect the most obvious objection to this -- that the people drfting on the later weekend have a so-called advantage. Horsehockey. Sure, if you're drafting today you know Figgins is hurt, Mauer has a stres condition (whatever the hell that is) and Papelbon is the closer. People who drafted two weeks ago wouldn't know that...

...but everyone else sitting around your draft table knows it too! In YOUR 15-man league the landscape has changed, but everyone's still on the same footing inside your league.

And if you drafted early and you drafted Figgins, ouch, but if you drafted Papelbon in the tenth, and saw a couple of your later round 'risks' fall into starting job, isn't it a wash, really?

Or, to hell with it, if you think drafting later is better, go on the later weekend.

Go to Vegas for Easter Weekend and those who want to be there will be there. Those who want to wait a week because they think it'll give them an edge, will wait a week.

You pies yer money and tykes your choice. LMAO! I'll bet Greg and Tom and crew are just itching to go through that process twice!

Hangtown · Post by **Hangtown** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:53 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

The 29th is doable and would probably help the NFBC's overall numbers with the later draft date. It's still March Madness, it's right before Opening Day and most folks would understand why we can't do it the week before. It would create a lot of work for us on site on Saturday night, but honestly it can be done and STATS is ready for us to do it this way if needed. Again, it's not ideal and I'm not sure I'd want to do it this date every year, but I would consider it for 2008.

That's my take. Everyone has their opinion and right now we'll work with the hotels and see what works best. We have plenty of time to make this work, so stay tuned. Oh, and keep the opinions coming. It's all good. The 29th seems like the best option, but as someone earlier mentioned, Tampa would suffer...

Any ways, since it's Vegas for me, I'm willing to help enter data and offer up my room for that purpose if necsesary, just sign me up! I'm in!

[ March 24, 2007, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Hangtown ]

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:10 am

I don't think Greg and Tom want to go through it all twice, no. But it's not complete depulication either. Each city still only nees to be set up once. If they really want to grow the event in 2008, I think this is the way to do it.

About the grand prize: if a person thinks he has a better chance if he drafts later, he goes to the second weekend. It's his choice.

Just trying to please more of the people more of the time.

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:25 am

Originally posted by bluenose:

I don't think Greg and Tom want to go through it all twice, no. But it's not complete depulication either. Each city still only nees to be set up once. If they really want to grow the event in 2008, I think this is the way to do it.

About the grand prize: if a person thinks he has a better chance if he drafts later, he goes to the second weekend. It's his choice.

Just trying to please more of the people more of the time. This would never work. Did you think of the costs associated to run these drafts?

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:10 am

Originally posted by Red Sox Nation:

quote:Originally posted by bluenose:

I don't think Greg and Tom want to go through it all twice, no. But it's not complete depulication either. Each city still only nees to be set up once. If they really want to grow the event in 2008, I think this is the way to do it.

About the grand prize: if a person thinks he has a better chance if he drafts later, he goes to the second weekend. It's his choice.

Just trying to please more of the people more of the time. This would never work. Did you think of the costs associated to run these drafts? [/QUOTE]More costs, access to avg draft positions for half the drafts for the later people, and a lot more info for the later folks while still competing for the grand prize. Drafting an A ball catcher and this are both very bad ideas. Drafting Valentine or Redmond and not killing your batting avg- there you may be on to something. Good luck in your satellite in 07 and like most you will soon be joining us in the main event in 08.

Ted's Cracked Head · Post by **Ted's Cracked Head** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:19 am

I will be playing next year and it seems that the closer to the start of season would be better for the game, even if it is some sort of holiday.

For those that travel and play, is it a deal breaker if the drafts were to be held on a Thursday and Friday?

That would allow everyone to get home in time for the holiday. Those who could care less about that holiday would have the weekend to party in Vegas.

The one downside is that flying over a holiday weekend is more difficult and costly because of the numbers of folks traveling but that is better than being in Vegas during that show.

This might make everyone burn another day or two of vacation but isn't it worth it? You have a year to request the time and make your plans.

This quandry is likely going to cost the NFBC a few players no matter what dates are chosen so shouldn't they do what is best for the game itself? Isn't the best thing to have the draft as close to the start of the season as possible? I know that they have had the 2 week window since it's inception but maybe this is the chance to right that ship and give all of the players the best chance to start the season at full strength?

Just my 2c.

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:30 am

Red Sox Nation...

the "cost" argument, I really don't get. Where is the necessary cost difference between:

"All four cities same weekend"

and

"X cities one weekend, (4-X) cities next weekend".

I see no difference at all. In fact, depending on whether conventions are in town for any given city any given weekend, it might be cheaper. Please advise.

Chest:

The "drafting later gives an advantage" argument is also, I believe, fallacious. It's like these guys sitting around the roulette wheel with pencil and paper saying "OMG! The last four numbers have all been Black! Black is hot! I'm betting Black" -- and the wheel comes up 32-red and they say "Oh. I guess I should have realised Red was due!" BUT, again, if you think drafting later helps you, go to a city which drafts later and pat yourself on the back for being clever. I make my living in this world trying to grab any edge I can get. I respect you for thinking about it.

I really don't know what the owners of this contest want to do with it. I don't know what the target for entries is next year. 375 again? 450? 600? "As many as possible"? But if the owners are concerned that whatever week they pick next year will dampen turnout, one way around it is to spread stuff out over two weekends to make things more accessible.

Personally, although I appreciate Greg and Tom's deep concern for and request of imput from loyal players, I don't think enrolment-wise it matters a rat's arse which weekend they pick. This thing is just going to get huger and huger for them as they get exponential organic growth. Five years from now they could have this thing at an industial park in Bulgaria on a Thursday in February at 2am, and they's still draw a hundred entries.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:14 pm

Originally posted by bluenose:

Red Sox Nation...

the "cost" argument, I really don't get. Where is the necessary cost difference between:

"All four cities same weekend"

and

"X cities one weekend, (4-X) cities next weekend".

I see no difference at all. In fact, depending on whether conventions are in town for any given city any given weekend, it might be cheaper. Please advise.

Chest:

The "drafting later gives an advantage" argument is also, I believe, fallacious. It's like these guys sitting around the roulette wheel with pencil and paper saying "OMG! The last four numbers have all been Black! Black is hot! I'm betting Black" -- and the wheel comes up 32-red and they say "Oh. I guess I should have realised Red was due!" BUT, again, if you think drafting later helps you, go to a city which drafts later and pat yourself on the back for being clever. I make my living in this world trying to grab any edge I can get. I respect you for thinking about it.

I really don't know what the owners of this contest want to do with it. I don't know what the target for entries is next year. 375 again? 450? 600? "As many as possible"? But if the owners are concerned that whatever week they pick next year will dampen turnout, one way around it is to spread stuff out over two weekends to make things more accessible.

Personally, although I appreciate Greg and Tom's deep concern for and request of imput from loyal players, I don't think enrolment-wise it matters a rat's arse which weekend they pick. This thing is just going to get huger and huger for them as they get exponential organic growth. Five years from now they could have this thing at an industial park in Bulgaria on a Thursday in February at 2am, and they's still draw a hundred entries. Blue nose, You are new right? It will be interesting to see if next year you see this the same way. These guys you are playing against are really, really good- you do not want to give anyone any type of advantage. If you knew Mauer had a stress reaction and I did not advantage you.

Rototitan · Post by **Rototitan** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:33 pm

I am with Chester. You can't do the draft over two weekends. Regardless if your league is all on the same footing, those vying for the Grand Prize would be at a distinct disadvantage if they are drafting earlier than others. That is why every league - LV, CHI, NY and TB all start at the same time, so as not to provide any time advantage to any one single person.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:33 am

All good suggestions, but we won't go over two separate weekends. If we can get hotel space in Las Vegas as expected, we may stick with the current format of drafting two weeks before Opening Day and hosting the NFBC the weekend of March 15th. It's not ideal, but it's consistent with years past despite not having March Madness that weekend. It would not interfere with local leagues drafting just before Opening Day and it would allow FAAB pickups on the same schedule as this season. ConExpo in Las Vegas minus March Madness makes life a little easier out there.

That being said, we are looking at the 29th as well. We'll see what this week brings, but both options are still doable at this point. Easter weekend isn't an option anymore as I just foresee WAY too many problems with doing it over that holiday weekend. Thanks everyone.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:39 am

"The "drafting later gives an advantage" argument is also, I believe, fallacious."

It should be clear to see that a team drafting Figgins or Furcal two weeks ago now has at least one major hole in his roster.

A team drafting today would not have the same degree of hole due to drafting the same player later in the draft.

Players getting hurt serving in the regular season (and thus serving our fantasy squads) is reality.

Players getting hurt in "pre-season/practise" is something we should try to avoid with a later draft date.

~Lance

rmaysey · Post by **rmaysey** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:16 pm

March 15 indeed. Nothing you can do. Easter falls way early.