Who's Coming To The 2012 NFBC And Where?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Also signing up for the St. Louis Main Event last night was George Puhl of Metamora, Illinois. George is an NFBC veteran who competed in St. Louis last year, leading his CHI GEO DIG team to an 8th place finish with 81 points. CHI GEO DIG finished 206th overall with 1,860.5 points. I think we'll see George in St. Louis and in Chicago again this year as he's ready for the NFBC doubleheader weekend. Welcome back to St. Louis for starters George and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome another NFBC Charter Member and defending Main Event league champion to the 2012 event today. The tag team of Andy Nolan of Bellingham, Massachusetts and Christopher Stevenson have been among our most consistent and successful Main Event participants since the event started in 2012. But that Main Event title seemed to elude them each year, even though they had money finishes almost every year. But last year their good fortunes turned just a bit as they won the Las Vegas League 1 title by 1 point -- down to the last pitch and last hit I heard. Welcome To Stevieland finished with 105 points to win LV1, while placing 76th overall with 2,547.5 points. CONGRATS guys. Andy and Chris also drafted in New York on the Second Weekend, where Stevieland, Stevieland finished 8th in New York League 4 with 81 points (159th overall). Andy and Chris are back for two Main Events again in 2012, drafting in Las Vegas again on the First Weekend at the Bellagio and this time going Online the Second Weekend. Congrats on that Main Event league title guys and best of luck in the hunt for two more league titles and the $100,000 grand prize in 2012.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I just posted this on the St. Louis thread, but it deserves a spot here as well:

Okay, NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME FUN IN ST. LOUIS!!!

I assume he's coming to St. Louis because Charlie Wiegert is going to be there, but we are happy to welcome Ken Magner of Freehold, New Jersey to St. Louis. Ken just grabbed a spot in the Main Event at Pujols 5, giving us 13 teams now for that Main Event. I have spots left FOR ONLY TWO MORE TEAMS!! After that, I don't know what I'm going to do. Ken is also taking two NFBC XII teams: Friday night and Saturday night at Pujols 5.

Kenny won a Main Event League title on the First Weekend last year in Atlantic City, winning AC1 with 127.5 points and finishing fourth overall with 3,200.0 points. GREAT JOB KEN. Now he's coming to St. Louis to compete for a Main Event League title there. Ken is also signed up for the Auction Championship at the Bellagio Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1st, where Chip and our overall champ Lindy Hinkelman will lead the team. He returns to that contest after not playing in the Auction last year. Welcome back guys and best of luck in the hunt for the league prizes and the $165,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Ken Magner is getting his 2012 schedule set and I LIKE IT!! Ken just signed up for two Supers and the Main Event in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31st. Ken and Jim Christie will be teaming up for the Supers and want to avenge last year's three near misses. Sack of Lunatics I placed 6th with 89.5 points in the March 20th Super League last year; Sack of Lunatics II placed 8th with 85 points in the March 26th Super; and Sack of Lunatics III finished fourth with 104 points in the March 27th Super League. Ken and Jim will draft one Super League in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, April 1st and he's the first signup for our newly added Super Online on Tuesday, April 3rd. His second Main Event team last year didn't win a league title, but did finish second in New York 2 with 107.0 points, placing 54th overall with 2,688.5 points. GREAT JOB Ken and best of luck this year in the hunt for all of these league prizes, the $40,000 in Super prizes, and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We had a bunch of signups over the weekend, so I'll do my best to get the Welcome Wagon caught up today. Let's welcome our newest member of the growing NFBC family to the 2012 event as William McMahon of Oregon City, Oregon will be joining us at the Bellagio Las Vegas on Saturday, March 24th for the Main Event. William is a BaseballHQ.com subscriber who said he's always wanted to compete in the NFBC and this year the first weekend works out best for him. We're glad to have him on board and we wish him best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We filled up our first full league for the Main Event in St. Louis on Saturday, March 24th and we'll try for a second league if demand is there. Kent Stermon of St. Augustine, Florida took one of the final spots as he's back for an eighth season with us. Kent joined the NFBC in 2005 and has been with us through good days and bad -- both for him and the NFBC!! Last year his team struggled in Las Vegas League 2 of the First Weekend, but he's back this year and looking for a second Main Event title for his career. Welcome back Kent and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Filling up that St. Louis Main Event League was Don Brady of Rogers, Arkansas. Don has competed in St. Louis each of the last two years with his brother Doug and he's doing the Main Event doubleheader again this year, going to ST. Louis on the 24th and then going to Las Vegas on March 30-31 for the Main Event. He's also competing in the debut NFBC XII in St. Louis on March 23rd. Last year, Team Brady struggled to a pair of 11th place finishes in the Main Event and a 7th place finish in the Live Double Play, but Don and Doug are going after money finishes in each league this year. Welcome back guys and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

One owner who we already announced for the Main Event in St. Louis is making it a doubleheader with Chicago. George Puhl of Metamora, Illinois is signed up for the auction and Main Event in each city. I love it George. Last year in Chicago League 2 of the Main Event, George's SNT GEO PHL team finished 7th with 86 points, while placing 170th overall with 2,046.0 points. His CHU PA CAB RAS team finished 12th with 71 points in the Chicago Auction League. We're glad to have you back for the ultimate doubleheader George and we wish you best of luck in the hunt for the league prizes and the $115,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Okay, I know who's buying drinks in Las Vegas this year!!! After winning $100,000 in football this year, HE CAN AFFORD IT!!

Just kidding, but it's good to welcome Dave Clum of Pembroke Pines, Florida to our 2012 NFBC event. Dave is coming off a fantastic football season where he won $105,000 and the overall title of our 12-team NFFC Primetime Main Event. He had a fantastic final weekend to vault from 10th to 1st, a move that resulted in the $100,000 grand prize and the national title. GREAT JOB DAVE!!! Dave is also an NFBC Charter Member who is returning for our 9th season of action. He will be back for the Main Event at the Bellagio Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31st and will do the Friday doubleheader of the Auction Championship in the morning and the NFBC XII on Friday evening. Should be a lot of fun. Last year, Dave's Diamond Kings finished 5th in Las Vegas League 2 wiht 92 points, while placing 140th overall with 2,187.0 points. His Buddy Auction team finished 11th with 62 points and his Ashley Bears finished out of the money in the Live Double Play. But he's feeling MUCH more confident about his chances this year and could make history by becoming the first person to ever win our NFBC and NFFC overall titles. Congrats again Dave and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $165,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's good to welcome another NFBC Charter Member to the 2012 events. In fact, you might want to have this guy in your league this year...for a number of reasons!!! Wayne Edwards of Duluth, Georgia had won of his best seasons in the NFBC last year, but more importantly he was part of two national championships. He was in the same league as Lindy Hinkelman as he won the $100,000 grand prize and he was in the same NFBC Auction League as our overall champions, Rich Gordon and Charles Levitz. Ol' Wayne is like a good luck charm!!! Although Lindy won Las Vegas League 4, Wayne emerged second to win $2,800, finishing with 109.5 points and 31st overall (2,810.0 points). Edwards Kings also placed 4th in the Auction Championship (LV 4 pm) with 97.5 points. Wayne will be joining us again at the Bellagio Las Vegas on March 30-31 for the Auction League and the Main Event and we wish him best of luck in the hunt for both league prizes and the $115,000 in grand prizes.

[Edwards Kings]

Not to belabor the point, but I also got clobbered by Jupinka in 2010 when he won it all! That is losing to three national champions in two years. Somebody want to buy me a stiff drink?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Although this is the debut of the NFBC XII, we kind of have a defending overall champ. The tag team of Patrick Gagne of Sutton, Quebec and Emmett Ruland of Haymarket, Virginia won last year's Live Double Play and the $20,000 prize with their March 27th team that won a league title with 108.5 points and finished first overall with 1,955.5 points. Dos Gringos Dos also finished 6th overall in the Online Championship with 6,670.5 points. Emmett and Patrick also led their Dos Gringos Live Double Play to a second league title with 90.5 points (March 22nd Live DP), while placing 58th overall with 5,779.5 points. Patrick and Emmett are going ALL IN on our new 12-team format as they are taking one NFBC XII team on the first weekend in Las Vegas and two NFBC XII teams in Las Vegas on the second weekend. I like it guys. Congrats on a great, great 2011 season and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $50,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

The NFBC season hasn't even officially started yet and already Steve Wells of Las Vegas, Nevada has won a league title. Steve won the first All-Time league that Shawn started and with it came an entry into the 2012 NFBC Main Event. Steve is a long-time NFBC member who will gladly come back to the Bellagio for the Main Event on the First Weekend and again on the Second Weekend. Last year, Steve led the Las Vegas Ratpack to a fourth place finish in Las Vegas League 4 with 103 points, just finishing out of the league money and placing 72nd overall with 2,585.5 points. Now he's back for two shots at the overall title as we currently have 100 teams signed up for the NFBC's Main Event. Welcome back Steve and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's always good to welcome back a former NFBC Main Event champion and we get to do that today. David DiDonato of Smithfield, Rhode Island won the 2006 NFBC grand prize of $100,000 and he's been trying for a second overall title ever since. David is second behind Lindy Hinkelman on our all-time Career Money Winning list with prizes of over $262,000. He's closing in on a Hall of Fame spot, but he needs a few more titles to get there. Last year his vinnies team finished fourth in Las Vegas League 3 with 111 points, placing 41st overall with 2,760.0 points. His bustouts cashed in the NFBC Diamond League by placing 3rd with 100.5 points. David is back for a Main Event in Las Vegas, the Diamond League in Las Vegas and two Online contests the first weekend: Main Event and the debut NFBC XII. Welcome back CHAMP and best of luck in the hunt for all of those league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's good to welcome back another defending NFBC Main Event champion to the 2012 event as Robert Particelli of Berwyn, Pennsylvania is ready to join us in Las Vegas on the weekend of March 30-April 1. I actually didn't realize we had so many first place ties in the Main Event last year. Bob led The Pale King to a first place tie in Online League 3 of the Second Weekend with 112 points and finished 26th overall with 1,638.0 points. He also led The Pale King to a 4th place finish in Atlantic City 2 with 104 points, placing 77th overall there with 2,544.5 points. Bob will be in Las Vegas to compete in the Main Event, NFBC XII and Diamond League. He had good success in the big money private leagues last year, leading the Umbilical Syllables to a 2nd place finish in Ultimate League 2 with 107 points to win $15,000, while his Cinghiale di Blanco team finished 2nd in the March 27th Super League with 111 points. In his only attempt in the 12-team format, Bob's Infinite Jest team finished 2nd in the Atlantic City Live Double Play with 96 points, placing 37th overall with 5,993.5 points. GREAT, GREAT JOB Bob last year and I look forward to meeting you this year in Las Vegas. Best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes, $75,000 Diamond League prize and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome another new signup to our debut NFBC XII event as Ron Spurgeon of Osage Beach, Missouri has grabbed a spot in the Sunday, March 25th Online draft. Ron has teamed up with Michael Cameron the last several years to win a few Main Event league titles and he will be with Mike on the Second Weekend in Las Vegas for the Main Event and other live drafts. But he's doing the Online NFBC XII on his own. Welcome aboard Ron and best of luck in the hunt for this $4,000 league prize and the $50,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's a day for returning Main Event league champs!!! Let's welcome back Leonard Ringle of New York City to the NFBC's Main Event as he just signed up for the Online Main on the First Weekend and he will be with us in New York City March 30-31 for the $1,300 Auction Championship and the Main Event. Leonard is an NFBC Charter Member who first won a Main Event League title in 2004 and then added his second one last year. Leonard led Lucca II to a first place finish in New York League 1 with 121 points and finished 5th overall with 3,189.0 points. NICE JOB LEONARD. Lucca I finished 4th in Online League 1 of the First Weekend with 92 points, placing 128th overall with 2,243.5 points. His Downtown Auction Championship team finished 12th in New York, but that won't happen again, right Leonard!! Congrats again on the second Main Event League title and best of luck this year in the hunt for all of these league prizes and the $115,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're also glad to welcome back NFBC veterans Pat DePirro of Chicago, Illinois and Doug Cassidy to the 2012 Main Event. They will be drafting in New York City again on Saturday, March 31st after leading F Jerry to a 3rd place finish in New York League 3 last year with 95 points. F Jerry finished 101st overall with 2,404.5 points. Welcome back guys and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 10 teams in the New York City March 30th 10 am Auction Championship League, leaving us with ONLY FIVE SPOTS LEFT. The tag team of Emilio and Craig Cutaneo of Freehold, New Jersey are the latest owners to grab spots not only in the 10 am Auction Championship but the 5 pm $1,300 Auction Championship as well. They competed in Atlantic City and New York City last year, with BillyBatsBoys finishing 12th in NYC. They have won an auction title in the past, so they are back for a money finish in 2012. Welcome aboard guys and best of luck in the hunt for both league prizes and the $15,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're moving toward full Auction Championship leagues in New York on Friday, March 30th as we have only 4 spots left in the 10 am league and only 6 spots left in the $1300 4 pm New York League. The tag team of R.T. Davis of Wichita, Kansas and Chris Throop of Old Greenwich, Connecticut will be back for both auctions in New York. It's the ultimate Friday auction doubleheader, right guys? Last year they teamed up to finish 14th in the morning auction and 7th in the $1,300 auction, but this year they are planning for money finishes. Both guys have been with the NFBC since 2005 and we wish them best of luck in the hunt for the league prizes and the $15,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're also getting real good interest in our auctions in Las Vegas. We now have just 6 spots left in the Sunday, April 1st 10 am Auction Championship at the Bellagio Las Vegas and just 7 spots left in the $1,300 NL Auction League on Friday, March 30th at 9 am PT. Dustin Wagner of Katy, Texas took a spot in each event and will be back with us again at the Bellagio. Dustin competed in the Auction Championship last year in Las Vegas, and even though his team finished 14th in that league he's back for more punishment!! In fact, he's doubling his pleasure. Welcome back Dustin and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $15,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 7 owners signed up for the $1,300 NL Auction League in Las Vegas on Friday, March 30th at 9 am with the return of Brian Ogan of Chicago, Illinois. Brian joined the NFBC last year for the first time and really had a good time in the NL Auction League and the Live Double Play. He led his One Man Wolfpack to a 4th place finish in the $1,300 NL Auction League last year with 75 points and is expecting a money finish this year. Welcome back Brian and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $8,100 league prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have just three spots left for the $1,300 NL Auction League and only 6 spots left for the $1,300 AL Auction League in Las Vegas on Friday, March 30th thanks to the arrival of Gregory Churchill from Victoria, British Columbia. We met Greg at the Bellagio two years ago when he was playing poker next to Shawn and he started to inquire about this fantasy baseball draft that was there. He stopped by to watch the AL Auction League and said he was going to play the next year. He jumped into a Double Play in 2010, but skipped a year before jumping into both of these auctions and an Auction Championship on April 1st at the Bellagio. I like the three auctions and I'm sure you will too Greg. Welcome aboard and best of luck in the hunt for all three league prizes and the $15,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome our old friend Scott Keikoan of Las Vegas, Nevada back to the live events in 2012. Scott has been with the NFBC every year since 2005 and he's claiming home field advantage at the Bellagio on both weekends. Scott will compete in both Main Events and both NFBC XII's on March 24th and March 31st. I like the 4-pack Scott!! Right now Scott is killing the competition in weekly fantasy football contests -- not ours, but it's okay to make money elsewhere!! -- but he's determined to dominate in baseball as well. Last year his Cinderella Man finished 8th in Online 1 of the Second Weekend Main Event and 12th in Online 3 of the First Weekend Main Event. He's now coming back live for those Mains and hopes to take home the $75,000 cash bonus in the process. Welcome back Scott and best of luck in the hunt for these league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I don't think I have enough time today to catch up on all of this week's signups, but I'll try my best. We filled up the New York Auction Championship on Friday, March 30th at 10 am and actually have a start on a second league. One of the returning members is Tom Sudol of Floral Park, New York as he returns after leading his Powerhouse team to a 6th place finish in the March 27th New York Auction League last year with 89 points. Welcome back Tom and best of luck in the hunt for the league prize and the $15,000 grand prize.