Better to be 'Live' Than the Alternative
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:53 pm
Each year, I get contacted by new NFBC players that want to know more about the NFBC. They'll ask about players, strategies, good drafters, bad drafters, DC's, Auctions...anything of interest that they want to know more about.
Everybody asks about one subject without fail.
The Main Event.
New drafters have drafted in home leagues and online and have never been to a 'Live Draft' the way we know a 'Live Draft'.
First, if you are thinking about going....GO!
I'll repeat this as we get further in this post.
First, the Chicago and New York drafts are a cross between your home draft and the drafts in Las Vegas.
There will be several people at both places, all darned knowledgable about fantasy baseball.
Some folks think that these are easier venues. Don't listen to them. These guys are every bit as savvy as the drafters in Las Vegas. And pound per pound, probably even more so.
If living closer to Chicago or New York and it's cheaper...GO!
It's an awesome experience, and you will not regret it.
I'll focus this post on Las Vegas, since I've gone there nine of the last 10 years or 10 of the last 11. Hey! I'm old, I forget things! I don't have Alzheimers, but I do have Sometimers, alright?
Anyway, let me tell you about my first experience in Las Vegas....and believe me, its only gotten better since.
I walked into this BIG Drafting room. I believe it was at the Rio Hotel then.
The room seemed huge with rich, colorful carpets and tables with draft boards for as far as my senses could handle.
I thought I had died and gone to fantasy Heaven.
A few people said 'Hello' to me and carried on their conversations about drafts and players.
My wife was beside me, she may have said a few things, but I didn't hear.
Finally, she grabbed my arm, turned me around and said, "Did you hear what I said?!"
Sheepishly, I said "No".
She said, "I said "OMIGOD, THESE GUYS ARE JUST LIKE YOU!!!!"
And they were.
She left within five minutes, knowing that I wouldn't leave that room for many, many hours.
For this old sombitch, it was Mecca...whatever mecca is, but it sounds good.
I came an hour early, so that I can study and know the players I was about to take.
I never looked at my list. Never opened up my Big Chief Pad.
It was so enthralling talking with people like me that I got lost in conversation.
Back home, when I'd talk like this, I would get rolling eyes and people shifting feet, wishing they were anywhere but in front of me talking about baseball.
I met a lot of good folks. I don't drink, so I gave my drink tickets to Brian Oakchunas who was drafting next to me.
I did well in the draft as it turns out.
But during the draft and before the draft, I got bit by an inferiority mosquito.
You know that bug. I drove nine hours to get to Las Vegas knowing I was gonna kick ass....then once in that room, that mosquito bit me and I wasn't so sure of myself.
It's humbling.
A little like being Big Man On Campus until graduating.
Then, you're just like everybody else and that was how I felt in that room....And, I liked it.
The Drafts all start at the same time. The nerves, for the most part, go away after the first pick. It begins tobe all business after that.
One drawback is that there are other tables within loud talking distance around you. You will hear other names from other drafters being called out.
It sucks.
You may cross a name off your list that was taken inthe draft beside yours, and not yours.
Or, you may hear a coveted player being taken in a nearby draft. You'll ll curl your lip and hope he is still there when you draft, knowing everybody has his name on the tip of their tongue.
This problem still has not been alleviated, so be ready WHEN you go.
We have two breaks. One for eating, drinking, pissing, and studying.
The other for eating, drinking, pissing, studying and patting yourself on the back for a good team or mentally slapping yourself for a bad one.
The food is foo foo food. My pallet is more Taco Bell and cafe type food.
This food is salad type stuff or fancy type food that everybody else seems to enjoy.
To tell the truth, a big bag of Doritos and Diet Dr. Pepper would do me for the draft.
After the drafts are over, the draft boards are converged on and opinions start flying.
Some will say, "Look at THIS team!" Others will say, "What the fuck was this guy thinking?"
It's awesome.
Nobody really knows a good team from a bad one. Not a pitch has been thrown.
BUT, that doesn't stop anybody.
I just like to step back and listen to everybody.
Back home, that is what I sound like.
To me, it's sweet music to my ears. Stupid people back home!
After the Main Event is over and the room is cleared, there are other drafts going on. I used to be afraid to step in on one of these drafts.
Go ahead.
If you've stepped into a place where nobody wants you, they'll tell you.
But usually, if being quiet and just listening, you become part of the wall to drafters.
After years have passed, these guys actually become friends. Every March, I can't wait for KJ to tell me, "It looks like you've lost weight!"
In that way, I am the CC Sabathia of the NFBC, I've lost weight every year and every March, I am in the best shape of my life!
I want to mention others in the NFBC too. It is like a big, damned family.
Only different because it is a Family Reunion that you will look FORWARD to attending!
If you are thinking about going, just GO!
There are other people like you.
Maybe your wife or friend needs that verification.
Mine did.
She's incredulous of how it grows each year and that there are even more people like you and me.
GO.
Everybody asks about one subject without fail.
The Main Event.
New drafters have drafted in home leagues and online and have never been to a 'Live Draft' the way we know a 'Live Draft'.
First, if you are thinking about going....GO!
I'll repeat this as we get further in this post.
First, the Chicago and New York drafts are a cross between your home draft and the drafts in Las Vegas.
There will be several people at both places, all darned knowledgable about fantasy baseball.
Some folks think that these are easier venues. Don't listen to them. These guys are every bit as savvy as the drafters in Las Vegas. And pound per pound, probably even more so.
If living closer to Chicago or New York and it's cheaper...GO!
It's an awesome experience, and you will not regret it.
I'll focus this post on Las Vegas, since I've gone there nine of the last 10 years or 10 of the last 11. Hey! I'm old, I forget things! I don't have Alzheimers, but I do have Sometimers, alright?
Anyway, let me tell you about my first experience in Las Vegas....and believe me, its only gotten better since.
I walked into this BIG Drafting room. I believe it was at the Rio Hotel then.
The room seemed huge with rich, colorful carpets and tables with draft boards for as far as my senses could handle.
I thought I had died and gone to fantasy Heaven.
A few people said 'Hello' to me and carried on their conversations about drafts and players.
My wife was beside me, she may have said a few things, but I didn't hear.
Finally, she grabbed my arm, turned me around and said, "Did you hear what I said?!"
Sheepishly, I said "No".
She said, "I said "OMIGOD, THESE GUYS ARE JUST LIKE YOU!!!!"
And they were.
She left within five minutes, knowing that I wouldn't leave that room for many, many hours.
For this old sombitch, it was Mecca...whatever mecca is, but it sounds good.
I came an hour early, so that I can study and know the players I was about to take.
I never looked at my list. Never opened up my Big Chief Pad.
It was so enthralling talking with people like me that I got lost in conversation.
Back home, when I'd talk like this, I would get rolling eyes and people shifting feet, wishing they were anywhere but in front of me talking about baseball.
I met a lot of good folks. I don't drink, so I gave my drink tickets to Brian Oakchunas who was drafting next to me.
I did well in the draft as it turns out.
But during the draft and before the draft, I got bit by an inferiority mosquito.
You know that bug. I drove nine hours to get to Las Vegas knowing I was gonna kick ass....then once in that room, that mosquito bit me and I wasn't so sure of myself.
It's humbling.
A little like being Big Man On Campus until graduating.
Then, you're just like everybody else and that was how I felt in that room....And, I liked it.
The Drafts all start at the same time. The nerves, for the most part, go away after the first pick. It begins tobe all business after that.
One drawback is that there are other tables within loud talking distance around you. You will hear other names from other drafters being called out.
It sucks.
You may cross a name off your list that was taken inthe draft beside yours, and not yours.
Or, you may hear a coveted player being taken in a nearby draft. You'll ll curl your lip and hope he is still there when you draft, knowing everybody has his name on the tip of their tongue.
This problem still has not been alleviated, so be ready WHEN you go.
We have two breaks. One for eating, drinking, pissing, and studying.
The other for eating, drinking, pissing, studying and patting yourself on the back for a good team or mentally slapping yourself for a bad one.
The food is foo foo food. My pallet is more Taco Bell and cafe type food.
This food is salad type stuff or fancy type food that everybody else seems to enjoy.
To tell the truth, a big bag of Doritos and Diet Dr. Pepper would do me for the draft.
After the drafts are over, the draft boards are converged on and opinions start flying.
Some will say, "Look at THIS team!" Others will say, "What the fuck was this guy thinking?"
It's awesome.
Nobody really knows a good team from a bad one. Not a pitch has been thrown.
BUT, that doesn't stop anybody.
I just like to step back and listen to everybody.
Back home, that is what I sound like.
To me, it's sweet music to my ears. Stupid people back home!
After the Main Event is over and the room is cleared, there are other drafts going on. I used to be afraid to step in on one of these drafts.
Go ahead.
If you've stepped into a place where nobody wants you, they'll tell you.
But usually, if being quiet and just listening, you become part of the wall to drafters.
After years have passed, these guys actually become friends. Every March, I can't wait for KJ to tell me, "It looks like you've lost weight!"
In that way, I am the CC Sabathia of the NFBC, I've lost weight every year and every March, I am in the best shape of my life!
I want to mention others in the NFBC too. It is like a big, damned family.
Only different because it is a Family Reunion that you will look FORWARD to attending!
If you are thinking about going, just GO!
There are other people like you.
Maybe your wife or friend needs that verification.
Mine did.
She's incredulous of how it grows each year and that there are even more people like you and me.
GO.
I think that was the year that I met Glenn Lowy for the first time and we were thrust on the air together for a couple of infamous questions with Sirius XM. It's been all down hill since then as I cannot shake the guy now. 
Actually all kidding aside, if you attend these live events, it's definitely all about facing your competitors in person, and the friendships you make. I myself have had the pleasure of meeting so many great guys over the years who continue to pretend to be my friends ever since...at least as far as I know. 
