Who Is Coming To The 2005 NFBC And Where?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:43 am

We're glad to welcome our first new member to the NFBC, someone who didn't play in our main event last year. Sal Giaimo of Staten Island, New York couldn't make the draft last year because it occurred on the same weekend as his local league draft, but he watched our league from afar and quickly signed up this year once I contacted him via e-mail. Sal will be drafting alone on Saturday, March 19th at the New York Hilton in the NFBC's main event. Welcome to our growing NFBC family, Sal, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:35 am

Okay, let's keep the welcome light on for past NFBC members. We're happy to welcome back the tag team of Joey Liner of Baltimore, Maryland and Lee Pollack, who last year competed in New York League 3. The Balto.Boys battled injuries all year long to finish 12th in NY 3, but they're back to improve on that finish in 2005 and will join us on Saturday, March 19th at the New York Hilton for the main event. Joey is also competing in the NFFC and he has his Jones Falls Terrace team first in New York League 6 in points and among the overall leaders in our football contest. Thanks again for your loyalty and trust, guys, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:42 am

We're honored to welcome our first member from the National Fantasy Football Championship to sign up for the NFBC for the first time. Brad Feinberg of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania joined us in Las Vegas in September for the NFFC and is having so much fun in that contest that he's coming back for more in March for our baseball event. Brad currently has his Athens Assassins NFFC team in first place in Las Vegas League 2, so we wish him best of luck the rest of the way in that contest. We look forward to doing it again at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 19th as Brad will be teaming up with co-manager Scott Marx. Thanks for trusting in us again, guys, and welcome to our growing NFBC family. Oh, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:37 am

It's good to have another loyal patron back with us in 2005 as Rick Thomas of Franklin, West Virginia has agreed to return to Las Vegas in March for the NFBC's main event. Rick led his ROIDRAGE NFBC team to a third place finish in Las Vegas League 2 last year, but is coming back and hoping for an even bigger check in 2005. Rick said he can't believe how much more sleep he's getting these days now that the NFBC season is finished, but he's glad to hear that he wasn't the only one who started each morning around 6:00 with a cup of coffee and a look at the NFBC standings. He's looking forward to 26 more weeks of that routine in 2005!!!

Rick also deserves credit for convincing me to stagger the AL and NL Auction Leagues in 2005 so that people can do both as he made that suggestion in September at the NFFC event. He has also backed up his suggestion by signing up for the $650 AL-only Auction League in Las Vegas and the $650 NL-only Auction League. So Rick is doing all three in Las Vegas on March 18-19 and will be mighty busy with us. Rick also is competing in the NFFC's main event and the NFFC's Draft Champions League, so we thank him for his incredible loyalty and trust. The first beer is on me, Rick, in Las Vegas, so thanks again for rejoining us and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, $5,000 league prize and the two Auction League prizes. See ya in March.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:01 am

We love it when our customers are so happy with last year's event that they "up-size" in 2005. Norm Kent of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida falls under that category as had so much fun last year that he has just signed up for the NFBC's main event in Las Vegas and added the NL-only Auction League ($1,250 entry fee). Norm asked me to be on his Ft. Lauderdale radio show last March when he learned how big the fantasy sports industry was getting and how unique the NFBC was, and within a few days he was booking a flight to Las Vegas and joining my Fantasy Sports Trade Conference show and the NFBC. He led his Fort Lauderdale Tides to a seventh place finish in Las Vegas League 4, but was just eight points out of second place in a very tight finish for the money spots. But he also won the Experts League in the Fantasy Sports Trade Association's NL-only Auction League, thus giving him inspiration to try both NFBC events in 2005. Thanks for your trust and loyalty, Norm, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, $5,000 league prize and $7,500 Auction League prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:13 am

We're glad to welcome another loyal NFBC member back to the fold as Michael Lewis of Winsted, Connecticut is returning in 2005. Michael was our third official signup in 2004 and he's once again among the early ones in 2005. Michael competed in Las Vegas League 5 last year and finished fourth, one-half point out of the money behind sackofpotatoes. He's coming back to not only get into the money in 2005, but to battle again for the overall title. However, Michael is drafting in New York this year at the Hilton on Saturday, March 19th. Welcome to our growing NFBC family, Michael, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:19 am

The signups keep coming in, which is crazy since it's only October. Let's give it up for James Bores of Flemington, New Jersey, who will be returning to the NFBC's main event at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 19th. James led his MotownPhilly team to a sixth place finish in NFBC New York League 1 last year, the same league that produced our overall champion. This year he's looking to win the league and overall title himself! James is also participating in our National Fantasy Football Championship and is 5-1 through the first six weeks and atop his league in points. Good job there, James, and keep it up. Welcome to our growing NFBC family, James, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:23 am

It's fun when you can add two signups in one swoop and that's exactly what we're able to do here. We're glad to welcome George Kleeman of Palatine, Illinois back to the NFBC as George and his son, Michael, led Lake Shore Drive to a second place finish in Chicago League 3. George was one of our final signups in the NFBC last year as he read about our event in the Chicago Daily Herald and signed up just days before the deadline. He has been a loyal customer as he also is currently competing in our National Fantasy Football Championship. But he admits that he LOVES the NFBC and enjoyed starting every day by checking out his team results and league standings. He has just signed up for the NFBC's main event at the Embassy Suites Chicago-O'Hare on Saturday, March 19th and Michael has also signed up for his own team in Chicago on the 19th. This duo was dynamite together last year and now we'll see if they run dynamite teams separately. Thanks for the loyalty and trust, guys, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prizes!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:19 am

Unofficially, Kyle Baldwin of Arlington, Texas was our first NFBC signup of 2005. Kyle e-mailed me in September after our National Fantasy Football Championship draft and said that he had so much fun that he DEFINITELY wanted in on the baseball event. Since our signup period didn't start until the 2004 regular season ended, I didn't officially sign him up and then kind of "forgot" to do it right away. Sorry about that Kyle!!! But it's official now and Kyle will be drafting in the NFBC's main event at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 19th for the first time. Kyle found out about the NFBC too late last year and had trouble finding an affordable flight to Sin City at the last minute, so he passed on the NFBC last year but made it to Las Vegas for our NFFC draft in September. He's now part of the NFBC family and here to stay it looks like. Welcome aboard Kyle and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Leaderboard Sports · Post by **Leaderboard Sports** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:42 pm

Nope, doesn't count. I'm still number 1 You can't sign up before the official 2005 NFBC registration starting time. If that's not the case, I'm officially entering for the years 2006-2026

. Since I'm already 53 years old I just can't commit to more than 20 years

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 4:01 pm

Good one Ken! You're officially number one for 2005 and always No. 1 in my book!

Oh, but as long as I have your credit card on file, you don't mind if I just charge you the $1,250/year fee for 2006-2026, do you?

Man, I just hope both of us are still around to laugh about this in 2026!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:05 am

We hate to cause divorces, but I must admit that I don't mind them when they lead to twice the number of entries!

Jim Christie of Rochester, New York was a co-manager of Jim Ruland's "What's the rumpus?" team that won Chicago League 3 in the NFBC last year and now Jim is ready to set out on his own. Jim has just signed up for the NFBC's main event at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 19th and we're glad to have him on board. Welcome to our growing NFBC family, Jim, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Jim was also a co-manager with Dohn Terrell in the AL Auction League last year, but unfortunately that PIGGY team didn't cash out, finishing 11th in the league. I have a feeling Jim may check out the AL Auction League in New York as well, but so far he's not showing his cards!

See ya in March, Jim, and hopefully for both days!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:59 pm

It's good to welcome another new member to our growing NFBC family as Brian Oakchunas of Alameda, California has just signed up to compete in the NFBC's main event at the Rio Hotel & Casino on Saturday, March 19th. Brian is representing athomeplate.com and is competing this year after learning about the NFBC too late last year. He followed our contest last season and now is ready to compete for the grand prize. He asked for some testimonials last week on the Message Boards (bjoak) and he apparently liked what he saw. Welcome aboard, Brian, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:34 am

It's great to introduce ANOTHER new member to our growing NFBC family as Carl Greer of Gaithersburg, Maryland has just signed up to compete in the AL-only Auction League ($1,250) in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, March 18th. Carl becomes the sixth official signup to this league, meaning we already have half a league filled for this contest. Carl didn't join the NFBC last year, but it's obvious that he was watching the proceedings and didn't take long to jump in for 2005. Welcome aboard Carl and best of luck in the hunt for the $7,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:57 am

The new members keep joining our NFBC family as our latest signup marks the third straight new signup in the last 24 hours. Let's give it up for Lawrence Rothstein of Haworth, New Jersey, who just signed up for the NL-only Auction League in New York. Lawrence didn't compete in the NFBC last year, but he obviously saw our contest and wanted to get the momentum going this year for an NL-only Auction League in New York. We didn't get enough signups last year to form an NL Auction League in New York, although we did have half the league filled, but we sure hope to get it done in 2005. Thanks for trusting in us, Lawrence, and welcome to our NFBC family. Oh, and best of luck in the hunt for the $7,500 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 4:40 am

It's good to welcome another loyal member back to the fold as Jim Hoffstetter of Alton, Illinois is returning in full force to the NFBC in 2005. Jim has just signed up to compete in the NFBC's main event at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 19th, and he also signed up for the $1,250 AL-only Auction League and the $1,250 NL-only Auction League, completing the weekend trifecta!

Thanks for your support, Jim, and I promise we'll stagger those starting times on Friday to allow everyone a bit of a break inbetween the two Auction Leagues. Best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, $5,000 league prize, $7,500 NL Auction League prize and the $7,000 AL Auction League prize.

By the way, Jim led his Wiz's Leaderboard Sports team to a sixth place finish last year in Las Vegas League 4, finishing just 5.5 points out of second place. He also finished sixth in the NL Auction League last year and he's currently battling for a league title in Las Vegas League 6 of the National Fantasy Football Championship. We're glad to have a dedicated player like Jim on board.

We now have seven fully paid entries for the AL Auction League ($1,250) and seven for the NL Auction League ($1,250) in Las Vegas, so don't delay if you still want to get into one of those auction leagues on Friday, March 18th. See ya there.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 9:57 am

The Auction Leagues in Las Vegas are starting to get plenty of attention as we now have seven official entrants in the AL Auction League ($1,250 entry fee) and seven in the NL Auction League ($1,250 entry fee). Our latest returning owner is Kevin Dukesherer of San Diego, California, who has just signed up for the NL Auction League. KJDuke finished second last year in the NL Auction League, one point behind cheapthrills. Kevin is coming back this year with an eye on the first place $7,500 prize. Good luck Kevin and welcome back. Although he hasn't signed up his Crazy Zefurs team yet for the main event (he's still smarting from that 13th place finish last year in LV 5), I know we'll see Kevin back for that one as well. We'll hold a spot for you!

Kevin is also competing in the NFFC's main event, the NFFC's Auction League and our mid-season league. Thanks for the loyalty, Kevin, and we'll see you in March.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:22 am

I apologize for being out of touch these last five days, but I was in Phoenix at Ron Shandler's Arizona Fall League Symposium. That was a great event that included 125 participants talking about rankings, ratings and strategies five months before the next baseball season. I even learned a few things there that will help me win LABR this year!

We also saw three AFL games and saw Rickie Weeks go yard and Jeremy Brown (from Moneyball) go yard!!

There weren't a lot of top prospects, but it was good to see guys like J.D. Durbin, Delmon Young and Rickie Weeks in person.

Okay, back to the signups. I'm glad to welcome back Laurence Edelman of Ossining, New York, who is returning to the NFBC's main event at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 19th. Laurence competed in New York League 3 last year and even though his "Heads" team finished 10th in that league, he's coming back for a better season. Laurence drafted second in 2004 and his picks of Alfonso Soriano, Tim Hudson and others didn't pay off like he thought they would. But we're glad he's coming back for more punishment in 2005. Welcome to the growing NFBC family, Laurence, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize and $5,000 league prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:33 am

We're glad to welcome back another returning NFBC member as George Beason of Chattanooga, Tennessee is returning to Las Vegas for the AL Auction League ($1,250 entry fee) in 2005. George and his Wildwood Weeds team struggled through injuries last year, finishing 10th in the AL Auction League, but he definitely wants to return in 2005 and give it another shot. We're glad to welcome you back to the fold, George, and best of luck in the hunt for the $7,000 league prize.

George also competed last year in the NFBC's main event in Las Vegas (League 2) and he will likely come back to compete in that as well. In fact, he's looking at the NL Auction League as well, but hasn't decided if he wants to do the $1,250 league or the $650 league. There's this little thing about buying a new house first to keep the other half happy!

We certainly understand and will keep a spot warm for you George until you finalize all of that!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:52 am

It's an honor to welcome back the tag team of Bruce Barnard of Manassas, Virginia and Meat Loaf to the NFBC's NL Auction League ($1,250) in Las Vegas. Bruce and Meat Loaf ran into all kinds of injuries last year and their Bats Out Of Hell team finished 12th in the NL Auction League. They are determined to make up for last year's rough showing and will return to the Rio Hotel & Casino on Friday, March 18th. Meat is currently auditioning for a big acting gig that might prevent him from coming to Las Vegas, but at this point he's part of this dynamic duo and hoping to attend. Welcome back, guys, and best of luck in the hunt for the $7,500 Auction League prize.

Bruce and Meat each had NFBC teams as well last year and will likely be back with separate teams in 2005. We'll announce their participations in the main event when they officially sign up. As for the $1,250 Auction Leagues in Las Vegas, we officially have eight signups for the AL and eight for the NL with several more guys from last year close to signing up. Don't delay if you definitely want to compete in one of those Auction Leagues. See ya there.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:23 am

It's good to welcome back another NFBC member, although this will be the first time he actually gets to draft live with us! Lindy Hinkelman of Greencreek, Idaho was unable to attend last year's draft in Las Vegas because of illness, but he teamed up with Robert Mauri (who drafted the team) to run his NFBC team and just finished out of the money. Lindy promises to make it to the NFBC's main event in person on Saturday, March 19th at the Rio Hotel & Casino and he may actually team up with Robert Mauri again. Lindy is a top CDM Fantasy Sports player and we welcome him back to the NFBC family. Best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, Lindy, and the $5,000 league prize in 2005.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:33 am

It's always good to welcome a Wise Guy to the NFBC and I'm happy to report that the main Wise Guy is coming back in 2005. Gene McCaffrey of Fort Collins, Colorado and the author of Wise Guy Baseball is returning to the AL Auction League ($1,250) in Las Vegas. Gene becomes the ninth owner to sign up for that league, leaving us with three spots left (although we'll definitely begin taking applications for a second league). Gene's Wise Guy Baseball AL Auction League team finished fifth last year, just 2.5 points out of the third place money. Welcome back, Gene, and best of luck in the hunt for the $7,000 Auction League prize.

Gene will be partnering with John Menna in the AL Auction League and he has also added the $650 NL Auction League to his weekend of fun. It looks like Gene and possibly Lindy Hinkelman will team up for that NL Auction League. We're glad you're doubling your fun in 2005, Gene, and we'll await the official word to add the NFBC to your Sin City fun!

I KNOW you're coming back for that big prize. Anyway, thanks again for your trust and best of luck in the hunt for the $3,800 NL Auction League prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:39 am

Let's keep the fun coming as John Menna of Fort Collins, Colorado -- another Wise Guy Baseball member -- is returning to the NFBC in Las Vegas. John's Wise Guy Baseball NL Auction League team finished ninth last year, but he does have the honor of beating Meat Loaf in that league and in Las Vegas League 1 (for what that's worth

). John is teaming up with either Ken Magner or Lindy Hinkelman in the NL Auction League ($1,250) this year and has just signed up for the AL Auction League ($650) with one of those two partners. Either way, you can count on John competing in both Auction Leagues at the Rio Hotel & Casino on Friday, March 18th and he will eventually sign up for the NFBC's main event as well. Trust me on that!

We're glad to have you in the Auction Leagues for now, John, so best of luck in the hunt for the $7,500 NL Auction League prize and the $3,500 AL Auction League prize.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:44 am

Our NFBC members from 2004 are coming back strongly and their appetite seems even bigger as they sign up for 2005's events. A perfect example is Todd Zola of Framingham, Massachusetts, who competed in the AL Auction League and the NFBC's main event last year, who is now adding a third event to his list this yer. His Mastersball.com team finished third in the AL Auction League last year to win back $750 of his entry fee. Now he has his sights on a better finish in the AL Auction League and a much better finish in the NFBC as he just signed up for both events in Las Vegas. Todd becomes the 10th owner in the AL Auction League ($1,250), leaving us with just two spots left in the first AL Auction League. Todd has also signed up for the $650 NL Auction League and will be bidding twice on Friday, March 18th at the Rio Hotel & Casino, before competing in the main event on Saturday, March 19th. Thanks for your support, Todd, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, $5,000 league prize, $7,000 AL Auction League prize and $3,800 NL Auction League prize!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:00 am

Okay, now it's getting fun. It's only Nov. 4th and we're one spot away from filling up the first AL Auction League ($1,250) in Las Vegas and we're closing in on our second full NFBC league. Let's welcome a new member to the growing NFBC family as Ron Kraus of Medfield, Massachusetts has just signed up for the trifecta at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Ron has signed up for the NFBC's main event, the AL Auction League ($1,250) and the NL Auction League ($1,250). We now have 11 teams in the AL Auction League (one spot left) and 9 teams in the NL Auction League (four spots left). Welcome aboard, Ron, and best of luck in the hunt for the $100,000 grand prize, the $5,000 league prize, the $7,500 NL Auction League prize and the $7,000 AL Auction League prize.

Thanks also to Shawn Childs of CC's Desperados who recommended the NFBC to Ron. We appreciate the vote of confidence and the word-of-mouth advertising.