NFBC Las Vegas Returns To The Bellagio March 24-28

[Greg Ambrosius]

This March marks the 19th straight year that the NFBC will host live events in Las Vegas. We started at the Rio for a few years, moved to the Stardust for a couple of years, landed at the Flamingo for a year and then found a home at the Bellagio starting in 2010.

We've enjoyed many years at the Bellagio as we hosted our baseball live events there consecutively from 2010-2018. In 2019 their Convention Center was full with another conference, so we moved to Park MGM in 2019 and actually had space there in 2020 as well before Covid wiped out those live events. We returned to the Bellagio in 2021 and had the beautiful Grand Ballroom as we were one of only a handful of conventions that the Bellagio hosted last March.

But things have picked up again in Las Vegas and space is extremely tight this March on The Strip. I actually reached out to Park MGM first in October and their space was already completely full. Same with Aria. The Bellagio had a big convention coming in, but my sales rep did her best to keep some space for us. We weren't able to sign the contract until about 30 days ago, but we do have enough space now to host everything from Thursday, March 24th through Monday, March 28th.

We will have the DaVinci Ballrooms 1 through 4 every day and we've added Raphael Ballrooms 1-3 for Saturday. These ballrooms are right next to the Spa Tower, so if you are staying at the Bellagio please stay in the Spa Tower. You'll never regret it!! If you are in the Guest Tower, you have to walk all the way to the other end of the Convention Center to find the DaVinci Ballrooms. It's a nice walk, but a long one each day.

If you are staying at Park MGM or The Aria or Cosmopolitan, just take the Tram to the Bellagio, walk down the escalator and take a left into the Convention Center. DaVinci 1-4 is right there to your left. So easy to find and get to from the Tram. If you come from another location and enter through the Bellagio Lobby, just head toward the Flower Room (to the left of the casino) and follow the signs to the Convention Center. You will walk past the Flower Garden, past two restaurants/shops, past the Spa Tower elevator and the DaVinci ballrooms will be right there as you walk into the Convention Center.

Okay, so we have the location down. We will have separate ballrooms for all of the Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday events and the setup will be similar to what it was in 2019 (not double the space; normal U's with 5 teams on each side). On Saturday for the Main Events, we will have 4 leagues in the DaVinci Ballrooms with the walls down and 3 leagues in the Raphael Ballrooms with the walls down. I wish we could get all 7 leagues in one big ballroom, but we're just lucky to have space there this year. It will work fine and we'll have the buffet in the foyer between the ballrooms. We will welcome our past champions and Hall of Famers -- and get speeches from 2021 Main Event champion Philippe Dussault and new Hall of Famer John Pausma -- in the DaVinci ballrooms starting at 10:45 pm PT. Don't be late.

I can't wait to see everyone again and to host these live events. As I will say in my speech, let's NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER take this for granted again. Covid took it away from us. The return of Covid last year took it away from some of us. The stupid MLB lockout almost took it away from us. Those of us who are lucky enough to get together once a year and enjoy this great hobby just can't take it for granted ever again. We need to relish and enjoy every moment together because this is a really, really special group of like-minded baseball fans and people.

Okay, now onto the schedule. Here's what we have and where you can find us in two weeks. See you there:

Thursday, March 24:
4 pm PT – NFBC Main Event DaVinci 1
4 pm PT – NFBC Main Event DaVinci 2
4 pm PT – NFBC Auction Championship DaVinci 3

Friday, March 25
10 am PT – NFBC Auction Championship DaVinci 1
10 am PT – NFBC Auction Championship DaVinci 2
10 am PT – NFBC NL Auction DaVinci 3
10 am PT – $750 Online Championship Live DaVinci 4

4 pm PT – NFBC Auction Championship DaVinci 1
4 pm PT – NFBC AL Auction DaVinci 2
4 pm PT – NFBC Ultimate Auction DaVinci 3
4 pm PT - $750 Online Championship Live DaVinci 4

Saturday, March 26
11 am PT – NFBC Main Event using DaVinci 1, 2, 3, 4, Raphael 1, 2, 3

4 pm PT – NFBC $1500 Auction Championship DaVinci 1
4 pm PT – NFBC $2500 Auction Championship DaVinci 2
4 pm PT – NFBC Platinum League DaVinci 3
4 pm PT - NFBC Super League DaVinci 4
4 pm PT - $750 Online Championship Live Rafael 1

Sunday, March 27
10 am PT – NFBC Auction Championship DaVinci 1
10 am PT – NFBC Main Event DaVinci 2
10 am PT – NFBC Diamond Auction DaVinci 3

4 pm PT – NFBC Main Event DaVinci 2
4 pm PT – NFBC Diamond League DaVinci 3

Monday, March 28
5 pm PT - NFBC Main Event (tentative room)

Hope that helps. See you there.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I've been hosting live events in March in Las Vegas every since 2000 and I've seen every mix of weather possible. A few years ago the airport was shut down by high winds and way back in the day during a February Trade Conference I hosted it snowed so hard that just about every foursome except the one with me and Brady QUIT. Again, not us!!

The good news is that the forecast for next week looks ideal. Sunny and 80's is the forecast. Let's hope it holds up.

Here you go:

Tue 22 80°/55°
Mostly Sunny

Wed 23 83°//58°
Sunny

Thu 24 85°/58°
Sunny

Fri 25 87°/58°
Sunny

Sat 26 84°/57°
Mostly Sunny

Sun 27 82°/56°
Mostly Sunny

Mon 28 79°/52°
Sunny

[Ultrarunner]

Perfect weather to get in a trail run or a round of 18


And I blow out my knee

[Edwards Kings]

Damn Dan...sorry to hear that. But knowing you, you will figure a way to have fun with your walker!

[Ultrarunner]

Damn Dan...sorry to hear that. But knowing you, you will figure a way to have fun with your walker!

Gonna miss seeing you out in Vegas, Wayne. In the words of my doctor, “they did an extensive reconstruction of my knee.” No running the Strip at 0500 before the start of the drafts this year.

[Greg Ambrosius]

WOW!!!! What a kickoff to the NFBC live events!!

The Bellagio was ELECTRIC last night!! Anyone who was in the ballrooms for the first Main Event leagues of the season knows what I'm talking about. There was an energy in the room and an excitement to see each other that I'm not sure I've experienced before. It was fun and great as everyone seemed genuinely appreciative of being back at the live events again with so many great friends. I know I felt that way, too.

And the first three rounds of the drafts were something to see. Las Vegas usually follows New York and Chicago in the drafting order, so it was great to see the Las Vegas drafters setting the tone for the upcoming ADPs. So great. I can't wait until Saturday's Mains to begin.

But today we have five auctions and a 12-team draft at the Bellagio. And then there's a little party upstairs with about 65 of the finest in the NFBC!! Should be a full day on what is shaping up as a fantastic weekend in Las Vegas.

Good luck all and THANKS for a memorable evening.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We still have one more day of live events at the Bellagio, but I just want to say that yesterday was a WOW kind of day!!!

Seven Main Event leagues, a great Hall of Fame acceptance speech by John Pausma, a heart-felt speech from Philippe Dussault on his 2021 Main Event and Auction Championship titles, and just a whole lot of smiles to go around.

Now that's what we work so hard for. Let's have another great day today at the Bellagio.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time and effort to come to Las Vegas for a weekend of competition and camaraderie. It couldn't have been a better weekend.

Oh, and let's not forget the MTM party on Friday night. You guys filled that suite and extended the camaraderie and enjoyment to the limit. That's a great addition to the entire weekend of fellowship and fun. Well done MTM.

[mbendar16]

Agreed Greg. The team put on a first class event as usual. Thanks for the efforts for a super fun day and echo the same for the MTM event on Friday.

Mark