NFBC Message Boards

We are having our first discussion with our Rookie players today and starting with the most basic of issues - understanding the rules.



Most of it is pretty basic stuff - but their are some quirks to the NFBC format that new players could miss or fail to understand.



Obviously the new Friday substitution rule is the biggest change this year - and I'm sure everyone is thinking about how that will effect how they manage and draft their teams this year. We have touched on this - and will probably try to dig deeper into it as it's the biggest change in the contest this year. However - we are trying to make sure that owner's have a firm grasp of the basic rules of playing in an NFBC league. So I'll ask this community to throw out some questions/answers as well. Most long time players have a firm grip of the rules - but new players take a little time to get up to speed.



Do any new players here have any questions regarding the Rules of the game that they are unsure about?



Do any of the veteran players have any advice for new players on rules they might focus on understanding heading into their drafts?

I would like to ask about insight, strategy and approach regarding free agent auction. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I know we are going to talk about FAAB strategy at some point - but I will let you in on one "unspoken" rule regarding it here.



Be careful talking about players who are entering the free agent pool for the coming week. It's generally frowned upon. I found out the hard way my first year when I asked when Max Scherzer was going to added to the pool. I wasn't in the Main Event that year - and I got blasted for bringing his name up. (Yes that was me) It's one of the reason's we're discussing some things off these boards in season.



I think everyone has to kind of assess the FAAB habits of whatever particular league they are in. Every league is different when it comes to FAAB. Last year in my Main Event league - we had a lot of first timers (I was one) and I deduced pretty early that no one was really embracing the "bid early and often" approach to FAAB. This led to some pretty nice buying opportunities in FAAB in that league. Greg posts the results here every week - so you can compare the prices of players from league to league.



I would say make sure you understand HOW FAAB works before you worry about how to structure your bids. You have a finite amount of money to use - and the NFBC doesn't use the Vickery system - so whatever you bid on a player is what you get him for - even if you outbid the next guy by $100 - so that's important to understand. Go back and read the rules regarding conditional bids as this is essential to attacking faab correctly.



[ February 25, 2010, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: Ryan Carey ]

Originally posted by Ryan Carey:

I know we are going to talk about FAAB strategy at some point - but I will let you in on one "unspoken" rule regarding it here.



Be careful talking about players who are entering the free agent pool for the coming week. It's generally frowned upon. I found out the hard way my first year when I asked when Max Scherzer was going to added to the pool. I wasn't in the Main Event that year - and I got blasted for bringing his name up. (Yes that was me) It's one of the reason's we're discussing some things off these boards in season.

Ryan,

I've seen the other side of the coin in regards to bringing up FAAB names on the MB. Usually the poster does it to produce FEEDING FRENZY type inflation for a free agent he really has minimal interest in. Guess that owner feels there is more to the FAAB game then just inputting your bid.



[ February 25, 2010, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Gekko ]

Yeah - I actually had people accuse me of doing that - even though I wasn't in the Main. Hey - we all know that the gaming element comes into play more and more the closer we get to draft day.

i have often thought that a rule change . alowing $ 0 bids . would be a nice thing . what do you think ?

Originally posted by JAGUAR:

i have often thought that a rule change . alowing $ 0 bids . would be a nice thing . what do you think ? Well - you've got $1000 to spend - not $100 - which are the leagues I've seen use the $0 bids - so I do not see the need - there has to be some incentive for an owner to manage his FAAB budget. And there should be a "punishment" for the owner who doesn't.

Zero bids basically means if you blow all of your money you get to keep picking up free agents. Nah - unlimited pickups is not a good thing in this contest IMO.



[ February 25, 2010, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Ryan Carey ]

Originally posted by Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by Ryan Carey:

I know we are going to talk about FAAB strategy at some point - but I will let you in on one "unspoken" rule regarding it here.



Be careful talking about players who are entering the free agent pool for the coming week. It's generally frowned upon. I found out the hard way my first year when I asked when Max Scherzer was going to added to the pool. I wasn't in the Main Event that year - and I got blasted for bringing his name up. (Yes that was me) It's one of the reason's we're discussing some things off these boards in season.

Ryan,

I've seen the other side of the coin in regards to bringing up FAAB names on the MB. Usually the poster does it to produce FEEDING FRENZY type inflation for a free agent he really has minimal interest in. Guess that owner feels there is more to the FAAB game then just inputting your bid. [/QUOTE]I think your the only i seen do that. That is frowned upon too but has never stopped you.

Notice I said BE CAREFUL ... I didn't say you couldn't do it.

Obviously the new Friday substitution rule is the biggest change this year - and I'm sure everyone is thinking about how that will effect how they manage and draft their teams this year. We have touched on this - and will probably try to dig deeper into it as it's the biggest change in the contest this year.



Can you please provide any information to the Friday substitution rule?



Does this rule apply to certain leagues or all of them?



Thank You.

This is taken directly from the Rules page here on the NFBC website:



Team owners also are allowed to remove a pitcher (or pitchers) who is officially on the DL from their starting lineup and replace him with a pitcher from their reserve roster on Fridays by 5 minutes before the scheduled start time of the first game of the day. Pitchers must officially be on Major League Baseball's DL list according to Fanball and the NFBC by 12:01 AM ET on Friday for this move (or moves) to take effect for the weekend games.



NEW for 2010! NFBC team owners are allowed to switch out any hitter (or hitters) from their starting lineup and replace him with a hitter from their reserve roster on Fridays by 5 minutes before the scheduled start time of the first game of the day as long as position eligibility for their team remains legal.



Pretty certain this is in effect for ALL NFBC leagues.