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In the last 2 weeks I've reached out to all 15 owners in the NFBC Diamond League to talk about their plans for 2013 and whether they would return to this league or not. I always give last year's participants first dibs on securing their spots for the next season since they helped to build this event. This year I asked them whether they would like to draft on the First Weekend in Las Vegas or the Second Weekend, and whether they would be returning in 2013 or not.

Interestingly, all 15 owners said they wanted to return in 2013, but they still wanted to discuss the draft date. That's fair enough. We also have two other owners who at one time participated in this league asking to be put on the reserve list for 2013 if anyone drops out. I don't think we'll have enough interest for two Diamond Leagues, but if we get more interest in this format maybe we will offer this format on two different weekends. We'll see.

Of those owners who responded about the draft date, 9 wanted March 24th, 3 wanted the Second Weekend and 3 didn't state a preference. There were a few owners who said they couldn't do the Second Weekend if we chose that date, including one of the reserve owners.

It's great that we may be SOLD OUT for the NFBC Diamond League already, but let's resolve the Draft Day together and go from there. We can do this internally via email and I'll email all 15 owners plus those in reserve this week to discuss the two options. Hopefully we can all get on the same page and make this happen for all of the owners who want to compete at this level.

Look for the email this week and let's discuss. Thanks all. Those saying they would return include:

1. Rob Silver
2. Stephen Jupinka
3. Glenn Schroter
4. Donn Johnson
5. KJ Duke
6. Peter Berall
7. Glenn Lowy
8. Robert Particelli
9. Will Tyrer
10. David DiDonato
11. Rick Thomas
12. Kevin Kirves
13. Jim Ferrari
14. Chad Schroeder
15. Nick Cassavetes

Again, this is dependent on the Draft Date, so nothing is guaranteed. We'll know more shortly, but this is definitely a record sellout or close to sellout for the NFBC Diamond League. Thanks all.

A second Diamond League is also being considered now on Saturday, March 23rd at 6 pm PT at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Here is the tentative list for that one:

NFBC DIamond League
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Saturday, March 23, 6 pm PT

NFBC DIamond League
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Saturday, March 23, 6 pm PT
1. Dan Kenyon & Andy Nolan
2. Mike Massotto
3. Scott Fleming
4. John Lemke
5. Chad Schroeder
6. Glenn Schroter
7. Andy Robinson
8. Dave Potts
9. Jim Ferrari
10. Rob Silver
11. Will Tyrer
12. Robert Particelli (tentative)
13. Kevin Schiller
14. Kevin Kirves (tentative)
15. Derek Pierson
16. Kris Carroll
17. Donald Warner (would move from Ultimate Auction if spot opens)
18. Donn Johnson

Interestingly, I sent out an email to the 15 Ultimate Auction League owners from last season as well and 8 owners have already said they would return in 2013. This Draft Day, however, is not a slam dunk. There are some owners who do this league AND the NFBC Diamond League and are asking if there's a way not to have both of these private leagues on the same date. I'm in favor of that if we can find an open slot that busy weekend, so let's discuss.

Anyway, there are some creative options there, whether that be Monday morning on the First Weekend or staying on Sunday night or moving it to Second Weekend. Lots of options out there. We can discuss that via email as well and discuss First Weekend vs. Second Weekend once we have more commitments. If you are interested in returning to the NFBC Ultimate Auction League, please shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll put you on the list. Last year's participants have through November to secure their spots.

And since Auction Leagues are so popular, I will look at adding a Super Auction League that would be tied into the Auction Championship. We've never offered a $2,500 auction league and it's time to fill the void from $850 to $5,000. I don't have a date for that event yet, but it makes sense to offer it in Las Vegas and maybe even New York. Stay tuned.

Just some things we're working on now before we update the NFBC site for our 10th anniversary. Thanks all.

Maybe you can look at a 12 team Diamond league next year in addition to the traditional 15 team competition.

Money wrote:Maybe you can look at a 12 team Diamond league next year in addition to the traditional 15 team competition.

Joe, I do think that higher dollar private 12-team leagues is something we need to look at in the future. We could add 12-Team Supers, Ultimates and Diamonds soon, but I also want to fill up the NFBC XII Main Event this year, too. We had 252 teams last year with a goal of 300 and I want a sellout this year. Lots to talk about with the 12-team format.

To the 15 NFBC Diamond owners from 2012: Please check your email and respond to my poll question about the potential draft date and the Minimum Innings Pitched total for the Diamond League. Both questions are very important.

To summarize, I'm asking if all 15 owners would still participate if this event were held on Sunday, March 24th at 10 am PT at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. That's been the consensus date so far. We have 21 owners already who have indicated a desire to compete in the NFBC Diamond League this year, so let's work through the draft date together.

Also, here are your choices for the IP limit in the Diamond League:

a) 1,000
b) 1,100
c) 1,200
d) Higher or lower than that (fill in your number)

Email me your response and I'll consider the options for this league. It does not matter if this league has a different IP limit than the national contests. It's important that we get it right for this group. Thanks all.

Well, several good things came out of Friday's email to the Diamond League members. They include:

1) Everyone is on board for drafting on Sunday, March 24th at 10 am PT

2) A strong consensus for the Diamond League to have 1,200 IP minimum if not more. Nobody is advocating it being lower, although one person did say it's boring to all be playing the same way. That being said, everyone responded and
11 said 1,200 IP
1 said 1,100 or 1,200
1 said 1,000, followed by 1,100 then 1,200
2 said they could live with 1,200 but would like open strategies

2) 5-6 owners are in favor of a 2nd Diamond League and would play in a second one. We have 5 other owners on a waiting list, so stay tuned about this. I don't have an ideal draft date for this yet, but we'll figure it out. It would definitely be the last possible draft of the season and could even be AFTER the Sunday, March 31st opener. Stay tuned.

Here's one more rules proposal for the Diamond League:

Is anyone interested in picking the draft spots live in Las Vegas on the morning of Sunday, March 24th? We would randomly pick the names there, let you pick the spot you want to draft from and then start the draft a few minutes later. Anyone up for that?

I would need a few minutes to set up the league online, so maybe we'd gather at 9:40 that morning, pick names out of a bin and let you guys sit in your preferred spots as they remain available. You'd have 15-20 minutes to prepare for your draft spots while I get the computer set up.

Thoughts?

Greg Ambrosius wrote:Well, several good things came out of Friday's email to the Diamond League members. They include:

1) Everyone is on board for drafting on Sunday, March 24th at 10 am PT

2) A strong consensus for the Diamond League to have 1,200 IP minimum if not more. Nobody is advocating it being lower, although one person did say it's boring to all be playing the same way. That being said, everyone responded and
11 said 1,200 IP
1 said 1,100 or 1,200
1 said 1,000, followed by 1,100 then 1,200
2 said they could live with 1,200 but would like open strategies

2) 5-6 owners are in favor of a 2nd Diamond League and would play in a second one. We have 5 other owners on a waiting list, so stay tuned about this. I don't have an ideal draft date for this yet, but we'll figure it out. It would definitely be the last possible draft of the season and could even be AFTER the Sunday, March 31st opener. Stay tuned.

I'd be interested in a 12 team diamond league.

With the calendar not even November yet, and 5-6 owners already on the Diamond waiting list, I wonder if there is enough interest for a 2nd Diamond League in Vegas on Sunday, March 24th?

Or maybe even Saturday afternoon after refueling with food and drink Post-Main.
Everything should be done to make this a 'live' league.

Joe Sambito wrote:With the calendar not even November yet, and 5-6 owners already on the Diamond waiting list, I wonder if there is enough interest for a 2nd Diamond League in Vegas on Sunday, March 24th?

We have 5 owners who aren't in the first Diamond League who would do it on the 24th. If we can find 10 more owners who want to do it then, I'll host it. But there are another 5-6 from the first Diamond League who said they will do a second one. Heck, if you want to stick around and do it on Monday morning, I'll do it. If you can convince everyone to do it on Saturday night, I'll do it. I'm game for any of it live.

I'm good for a 12-team Diamond League as well. We should probably try a 12-team Ultimate or Super League first, but I'm good with any of it. Finding the right time is going to be the key this year, unfortunately.

I have a fish to fry in the Diamond League this year.
(Shawn Childs and KJ Duke just suffered heart attacks)
This is dependent on whether we can get a second Diamond League as a go.
Drafting 'live' is the only way to go for a league like this.
The Diamond League that got together last year has a draft scheduled for Sunday, I believe.

I would be hoping to draft a couple of hours after the Main on Saturday, March 23. This will give some folks the chance to eat lunch and tool up for another draft.
To tell the truth, I haven't looked at other events on Saturday and don't know how much this would impede on those events, but I think it would be a good time to see the richest (not me)and maybe best owners (again, except me) the NFBC has to offer.
Again, this is for a second Diamond League, not messing with the first one.
How about it?

If folks are interested in a Saturday night Diamond League, we'll definitely host it. We could do this starting anytime that evening. We have an NFBC XII and NFBC Super planned for 4 pm PT as the Main Events will be done at 2:30 or so. A second Diamond could easily be started in Primetime at 5, 6 or 7 pm PT. We have several folks interested and maybe even some who would do a second one. Space is no problem for such a fine event as this.

If demand warrants it, we will host it.

[quote="Greg Ambrosius"]If folks are interested in a Saturday night Diamond League, we'll definitely host it. We could do this starting anytime that evening. We have an NFBC XII and NFBC Super planned for 4 pm PT as the Main Events will be done at 2:30 or so. A second Diamond could easily be started in Primetime at 5, 6 or 7 pm PT. We have several folks interested and maybe even some who would do a second one. Space is no problem for such a fine event as this.

If demand warrants it, we will host it. :

DOUGHBOYS wrote:I have a fish to fry in the Diamond League this year.
(Shawn Childs and KJ Duke just suffered heart attacks)
This is dependent on whether we can get a second Diamond League as a go.
Drafting 'live' is the only way to go for a league like this.
The Diamond League that got together last year has a draft scheduled for Sunday, I believe.

I would be hoping to draft a couple of hours after the Main on Saturday, March 23. This will give some folks the chance to eat lunch and tool up for another draft.
To tell the truth, I haven't looked at other events on Saturday and don't know how much this would impede on those events, but I think it would be a good time to see the richest (not me)and maybe best owners (again, except me) the NFBC has to offer.
Again, this is for a second Diamond League, not messing with the first one.
How about it?

I will definitely take the plunge (and of course the Diamond will never be the same again as a result ) if you have a second one on Saturday night sometime after the Main. I have spoken to a few people that would do it including those already in for Sunday. Saturday is best because it would also not interfere with the Ultimate Auction the night of the Sunday Diamond, and those of us who need to get back home on Sunday for work the next day. Greg, just start the list. There will be 15 of us on board in plenty of time for you to make the call to set up the hosting arrangements for that night. Start the list with me, Dough, Scott Fleming, and perhaps Joe Berg to get him off his 12-team Diamond obsession , and you'll get the guys that are standing by or would like to do a second on board before you know it. What do you say? There is no harm in doing this. Let's get the momentum going. Anyone else want in? I will make myself available for pictures, I promise.

I'll gladly start a second Diamond League list if it helps fill this one up on Saturday night. Let's shoot for a 6 pm PT start so that everyone has time to relax between the Main Event and the Diamond League. If we need to move that up or down an hour, we can do it. But let's see if this idea flies, even with Mikey's name on the list!!!

Here we go:

NFBC DIamond League
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Saturday, March 23, 6 pm PT
1. Dan Kenyon & Andy Nolan
2. Mike Massotto
3. Scott Fleming
4. Scott Keikoan
5. John Lemke (tentative)
6. Chad Schroeder (tentative)
7. Glenn Schroter
8. Andy Robinson

I think that's the starting point. We welcome one and all to this fantastic feast of a competition!! Let's keep pushing and if anyone is interested just let me know and we'll make it happen. Thanks folks for pushing this.

Now you've just piqued Chad's interests!!

Greg Ambrosius wrote:Now you've just piqued Chad's interests!!

What'd I tell ya? This thing will be filled by December. You should hire me as your marketing director.

Baseball Furies wrote:

Greg Ambrosius wrote:Now you've just piqued Chad's interests!!

What'd I tell ya? This thing will be filled by December. You should hire me as your marketing director.

WhatchootalkinaboutWillis!! We're filling this league up DESPITE having you at the top of the list!!

Greg Ambrosius wrote:

Baseball Furies wrote:

Greg Ambrosius wrote:Now you've just piqued Chad's interests!!

What'd I tell ya? This thing will be filled by December. You should hire me as your marketing director.

WhatchootalkinaboutWillis!! We're filling this league up DESPITE having you at the top of the list!!

I disagree Greg. Anyone who saw Massotto's performance in the MtM last season would realize that his participation alone makes this Diamond far easier (though louder) than the original. I'm thinking of switching to this date solely for that reason.

I disagree Greg. Anyone who saw Massotto's performance in the MtM last season would realize that his participation alone makes this Diamond far easier (though louder) than the original. I'm thinking of switching to this date solely for that reason. [/quote]

Listen Lowy, like you never had a shitty year?! Oh wait, I forgot about the half dozen drafts we have been in together over the last couple of years that you have sucked wind in and finished out of the money. Note to all would-be competitors in this second Diamond: I beg you to please not take me seriously. And all of you better start working on improving your barely adequate psychic defenses. This aint going to be your mother's Diamond, girls. As a matter of fact, F*CK it, let's make this $20,000 and call it the "Hope Diamond" or something. Apropos title for a draft Lowy would be interested in, since "hope" is all he's got! And Greg, you're missing the boat, big time, if you don't get radio and even t.v. coverage for this thing a la the "World Series of Poker". Would be huge publicity for you, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Baseball Furies wrote:Note to all would-be competitors in this second Diamond: I beg you to please not take me seriously.

I'm pretty sure begging won't be necessary.

This promises to be a VERY entertaining draft once it fills out

Baseball Furies wrote:I disagree Greg. Anyone who saw Massotto's performance in the MtM last season would realize that his participation alone makes this Diamond far easier (though louder) than the original. I'm thinking of switching to this date solely for that reason.

Listen Lowy, like you never had a shitty year?! Oh wait, I forgot about the half dozen drafts we have been in together over the last couple of years that you have sucked wind in and finished out of the money. Note to all would-be competitors in this second Diamond: I beg you to please not take me seriously. And all of you better start working on improving your barely adequate psychic defenses. This aint going to be your mother's Diamond, girls. As a matter of fact, F*CK it, let's make this $20,000 and call it the "Hope Diamond" or something. Apropos title for a draft Lowy would be interested in, since "hope" is all he's got! And Greg, you're missing the boat, big time, if you don't get radio and even t.v. coverage for this thing a la the "World Series of Poker". Would be huge publicity for you, in my not-so-humble opinion. [/quote]

We're waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of you Mikey, WAY ahead of you!!

Greg Ambrosius wrote:

Baseball Furies wrote:I disagree Greg. Anyone who saw Massotto's performance in the MtM last season would realize that his participation alone makes this Diamond far easier (though louder) than the original. I'm thinking of switching to this date solely for that reason.

Listen Lowy, like you never had a shitty year?! Oh wait, I forgot about the half dozen drafts we have been in together over the last couple of years that you have sucked wind in and finished out of the money. Note to all would-be competitors in this second Diamond: I beg you to please not take me seriously. And all of you better start working on improving your barely adequate psychic defenses. This aint going to be your mother's Diamond, girls. As a matter of fact, F*CK it, let's make this $20,000 and call it the "Hope Diamond" or something. Apropos title for a draft Lowy would be interested in, since "hope" is all he's got! And Greg, you're missing the boat, big time, if you don't get radio and even t.v. coverage for this thing a la the "World Series of Poker". Would be huge publicity for you, in my not-so-humble opinion.

We're waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of you Mikey, WAY ahead of you!! [/quote]

Well it's about, friggin' time, Ambrosius! For once it's not all on me! Geez.