2014 NFBC Diamonds, Ultimates & Supers

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's never too early to start the discussion involving next year's schedule, especially when it comes to our private leagues. Last year we grew our private leagues like never before, finishing with 2 NFBC Diamond Leagues, 2 NFBC Ultimate Auction Leagues, another Ultimate League and 5 Super Leagues. We've never had so many high-dollar leagues like that before.

We are hoping for a similar response if not a greater response going forward, so let's get the ball rolling. Once again, we'll allow everyone who was in last year's Diamond, Ultimate and Super the first shot at retaining their spots for 2014. Everyone in each of these leagues has until Nov. 30th to just contact me at [email protected] to secure their spot in any of these leagues. Everyone who competed in 2013 gets first dibs on the 2014 spots through Nov. 30th. After that it's first-come, first-serve on the open spots.

Let's first talk about the NFBC Diamond Leagues. We have a strong group of 15 owners who have been in the NFBC Diamond League every year since 2010 and that group is tentatively set again for Sunday, March 30th at 10 am PT. Last year we also filled a second Diamond League on Saturday night and that is tentatively scheduled for March 29th in Las Vegas. Both pay out four spots and the top prize is $75,000. However, there was a discussion with one of these to maybe pay fewer spots and to grow the first place prize to $100,000. I will email both groups this week about a few things and one of them will be about the league payouts and if there is a consensus for change.

I love the Sunday morning Diamond League and we want to keep that league intact going forward. That being said, there was a discussion last year about a Platinum League or something higher than $10,000 per entry. Would there be interest in a $20,000 league with at least $150,000 for first place? Or even a $25,000 entry with first place being $200,000? I'll email the group and see what the feedback is. Again, I don't want to affect the current Diamond leagues, but it's early enough to see if the demand is there for anything bigger than the Diamond League.

Also, someone has said that there might be enough demand for an NFBC Diamond League on the First Weekend in Las Vegas. If so, I'll gladly schedule one on Sunday, March 23rd. We have an Ultimate League planned for that day and an NFBC Super League, but we'll make a higher dollar league work if the demand is there. Let me know via email or post here to get the ball rolling because right now it's not on Registration, but a few emails have stated that there is demand for an early Diamond League.

We will again host NFBC Ultimate Auction Leagues on the Second Weekend in Las Vegas with one set for Saturday night, March 29th and one concluding the live events on Sunday, March 30th. Yes, we know a Sunday night game will be starting at the time we host this last auction, but we'll allow everyone to set their Week 1 starting lineups AFTER that game. There's no other way to do it and everyone will have the same info and advantages/disadvantages. Again, our NFBC Ultimate Draft League is set for Sunday, March 23rd.

We had our first NFBC 12-Team Super League last year and I was planning on that being held again on Friday, March 28th at the Bellagio in our Executive Hospitality Suite. It's a great setup and I'm looking forward to everyone enjoying that night. But is there demand for that to go from a Super to an Ultimate?? I have it as a Super League right now, so let me know.

As for the 15-Team Supers, we have them planned throughout both weekends and we hope to fill them all again. I assume we are again having the MTM New York Super League on Friday night, but let me know there. Thanks.

Here's a look at the tentative schedule for these private leagues. Am I missing anything?

NFBC NEW YORK - TBA

Friday, March 21, 2014
6 PM ET: NFBC MTM New York Super League

Saturday, March 22, 2014
7 PM ET: NFBC Super


LAS VEGAS - Bellagio
First Weekend

Saturday, March 22, 2014
4 PM PT: NFBC Super (with Online)

Sunday, March 23, 2014
10 AM PT: NFBC Ultimate (with Online)
4 PM PT: NFBC Super (with Online)


LAS VEGAS - BELLAGIO
SECOND WEEKEND

Friday, March 28, 2014
8 PM PT: NFBC 12-Team Super or Ultimate League

Saturday, March 29, 2014
4 PM PT: NFBC Super
5 PM PT: NFBC Ultimate Auction
6 PM PT: NFBC Diamond

Sunday, March 30, 2014
10 AM PT: NFBC Super
10 AM PT: NFBC Diamond
4 PM PT: NFBC Ultimate Auction

I'll keep a running list of owners who want to retain their spots next year, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. Once we get the official 2014 Signup List started we'll add everyone's name there. Thanks all.

NFBC 12-Team Super League
Friday, March 28, 8 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Jeff Dobies, Farmingville, New York
2. Gaetan Lavoie, Dorval, Quebec
3. Joe Berg, Fullerton, California

NFBC Super
Saturday, March 22, 4 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Donald Warner, Wayzata, Minnesota
2. Donn Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia

NFBC Super League
Saturday, March 29, 4 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas/Online
1. Gaetan Lavoie, Dorval, Quebec

NFBC Ultimate Auction League
Saturday, March 29, 5 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Jeff Dobies, Farmingville, New York
2. James Stanard, Edwards, Colorado
3. Jon Stadtmueller/Josh Honeycutt, Little Rock Arkansas
4. Michael Stevens, Wood River, Illinois
5. Jim Ferrari, San Diego, California (new entry)

NFBC Ultimate Auction League
Sunday, March 30, 4 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Will Tyrer, Beverly Hills, California
2. Jim Ferrari, San Diego, California
3. Glenn Lowy, Farmingville, New York
4. Jon Stadtmueller/Josh Honeycutt, Little Rock Arkansas
5. Michael Stevens, Wood River, Illinois
6. Ken Norred, Ashland, Alabama
7. Dan Semsel, Fairborn, Ohio (new entry)
8. James Stanard, Edwards, Colorado (new entry)
9. Stephen Jupinka, Waldwick, New Jersey (new entry)
10. Robert Particelli, Berwyn, Pennsylvania (new entry)

NFBC Diamond League
Saturday, March 29, 6 pm PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Scott Fleming, Totowa, New Jersey
2. John Lemke, Brooklyn, New York
3. Glenn Schroter, Whitestone, New York (new entry)
4. Robert Particelli, Berwyn, Pennsylvania
5. Mike Massotto, Caldwell, New Jersey

NFBC Diamond League
Sunday, March 30, 10 am PT
Bellagio Las Vegas
1. Will Tyrer, Beverly Hills, California
2. Robert Particelli, Berwyn, Pennsylvania
3. KJ Duke, San Diego, California
4. Stephen Jupinka, Waldwick, New Jersey
5. Peter Berall, Montreal, Quebec
6. Rick Thomas, Lewes, Delaware
7. Glenn Schroter, Whitestone, New York
8. Glenn Lowy, Farmingville, New York
9. Donn Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia
10. Scott Fleming, Totowa, New Jersey (new entry)
11. John Lemke, Brooklyn, New York (new entry, would do both Diamonds)
12. Mike Massotto, Caldwell, New Jersey (new entry)
13. Jeff Dobies and Ante Meich (new entry)

[poopytooth]

Any chance for 12 team online Super or Ultimate? I know you have a lot of options that you are still sitting through but thought I would put it out there.

[Gates]

Greg
Write me down for the Friday Super 12. I'm back.

Gaëtan

[Donnie Baseball]

Hi Greg, I must attend first weekend at Bellagio next year. Count me in on one Super along with Auction Championship,XII and Main Event. May also do Ultimate depending on how online involvement works. Thanks for another great year in 2013. Congrats to all the big winners including Dan Semsel,a great guy. So count me in March 21-23. Don

[Deadheadz]

Given sufficient demand, does NFBC have the capability of doing an online auction?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Hi Greg, I must attend first weekend at Bellagio next year. Count me in on one Super along with Auction Championship,XII and Main Event. May also do Ultimate depending on how online involvement works. Thanks for another great year in 2013. Congrats to all the big winners including Dan Semsel,a great guy. So count me in March 21-23. Don

Sounds good. Just post your name and I'll start adding to the list. Thanks.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Given sufficient demand, does NFBC have the capability of doing an online auction?

We do not have our own auction online software.

[Hells Satans]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

[Greg Ambrosius]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Are you sure you want to repeat as Diamond League champion AND win the Ultimate Auction all in the same day? Oh boy, this Sunday night gig is starting to get busy. Time to get another room, I think.

[Quahogs]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Are you sure you want to repeat as Diamond League champion AND win the Ultimate Auction all in the same day? Oh boy, this Sunday night gig is starting to get busy. Time to get another room, I think.

Ok, looks like its time to put football away and start with baseball prep. Auctions are not your thing Particelli - they have 35 FAAB periods. I know how you love faab so please reconsider

[Glenneration X]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Jeez, I finally win something in these contests and all the pros come looking for the easy money!!
Where the hell's my shark repellant?

[Cocktails and Dreams]

Out on all of these.

[Quahogs]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Jeez, I finally win something in these contests and all the pros come looking for the easy money!!
Where the hell's my shark repellant?

Mad props Mr Lowry on an impressive ULT Auction win. You and Dobies. I don't know what's in the water out there in western LI (aside from pathogens, calcifides, chlorinators and arsenic) but I gotta get me some !

[Glenneration X]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Jeez, I finally win something in these contests and all the pros come looking for the easy money!!
Where the hell's my shark repellant?

Mad props Mr Lowry on an impressive ULT Auction win. You and Dobies. I don't know what's in the water out there in western LI (aside from pathogens, calcifides, chlorinators and arsenic) but I gotta get me some !

Thanks Mr. Juprinka. However, the reality is you and Mr. Dobries deserve some of the credit. I got slaughtered on my first Ultimate Auction try last season. Then one train ride into NYC with Mr. Dobries where we spent a few moments discussing Auction strategy and one brief pre-Auction conversation with you sharing some thoughts on how to spend a pitching budget and voila.....I win the whole damn thing.

Like I always say, the best strategy in life is to always listen to those smarter than you are. Thanks guys.

[Hells Satans]

If Jupinka is in for the Ultimate Auction, then so am I. I mean, Lowy won this year didn't he? How hard can it be?

Are you sure you want to repeat as Diamond League champion AND win the Ultimate Auction all in the same day? Oh boy, this Sunday night gig is starting to get busy. Time to get another room, I think.

Ok, looks like its time to put football away and start with baseball prep. Auctions are not your thing Particelli - they have 35 FAAB periods. I know how you love faab so please reconsider

You actually made me check the FAAB rules. What a jerk.

This is free money for the rest of you. Embrace it.

Also, count me in for Sunday Diamond of course.

[Quahogs]

"Hells Satans"

You actually made me check the FAAB rules. What a jerk.

This is free money for the rest of you. Embrace it.

Also, count me in for Sunday Diamond of course.

Not what I read. 9 extra FAABs that correlate with your 9 weeks of vaca during the summer.

Free $ yah, you always find a way to build a better mousetrap...

[KJ Duke]

Sunday Diamond. Check.

[751542]

CK, IN!, EVERYONE ELSE IN THE LEAGUE WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED, FREE MONEY!

[Greg Ambrosius]

CK, IN!, EVERYONE ELSE IN THE LEAGUE WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED, FREE MONEY!

I know it's only mid-October, but look at the list above and I think we're going to have fun on the Second Weekend in Las Vegas!! Thanks to all who have responded and let's get ready to rock this season in Las Vegas and New York.

[Texas Connection]

Sign Stadtmueller/Honeycutt combo up for both Ultimate Auctions. How about a Super Auction 1st weekend? How about a 20 team draft league the Thursday before the 2nd weekend action to kick off the 2nd weekend? Again I would like to humbly suggest 3rd round reversal for all draft formats. Lets even out the kds options a little bit. Jon

[Greg Ambrosius]

Sign Stadtmueller/Honeycutt combo up for both Ultimate Auctions. How about a Super Auction 1st weekend? How about a 20 team draft league the Thursday before the 2nd weekend action to kick off the 2nd weekend? Again I would like to humbly suggest 3rd round reversal for all draft formats. Lets even out the kds options a little bit. Jon

The Razorbacks are on the list for both Ultimate Auctions!!

In football we have a very unique Kickoff Gridiron that KJ devised and we host that draft before the NFL Viewing Party up in our Executive Suite. It's the perfect kickoff to the football season. I'm all for creating something special on Thursday at noon before the NCAA Viewing Party and giving folks a reason to come in early and start the Second Weekend off right. Maybe that's a Super Auction that is included in the NFBC Auction Championship. Maybe it's your crazy 20-team draft. Maybe it's a 15-team Diamond Gridiron like KJ ran for football where you bid actual dollars on the first two rounds. I don't know what it is, but I agree with you that we should look at the First Weekend to have a special event (maybe it's a Super Auction and I'm all for that) and then let's have something early Thursday to entice folks to come in early before the fun begins. I'm with you on all of the suggestions above Jon.

Any thoughts from others?

[Baseball Furies]

Saturday and Sunday Diamonds for now, and of course the MTM Super, but would like to speak with you first, Greg. Thanks.

-MTM

[Deadheadz]

Given sufficient demand, does NFBC have the capability of doing an online auction?

We do not have our own auction online software.

I suppose it wouldn't be kosher to set up an online league, collect the money and run the in-season league at NFBC but run the auction itself over at ESPN and then copy the results over here? ESPN wouldn't like it at all.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Saturday and Sunday Diamonds for now, and of course the MTM Super, but would like to speak with you first, Greg. Thanks.

-MTM

Sounds good Mike. I'm with family all weekend in Green Bay, but will call Monday. Great job this year.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Given sufficient demand, does NFBC have the capability of doing an online auction?

We do not have our own auction online software.

I suppose it wouldn't be kosher to set up an online league, collect the money and run the in-season league at NFBC but run the auction itself over at ESPN and then copy the results over here? ESPN wouldn't like it at all.

That's not legal.