NFBC Message Boards

This year, I netted $1,000 more than what I paid for my teams in the NFBC. I say this, not to brag to others that didn't make money or to demean by myself for making less than other folks. Just a fact.
When casual friends ask how much money I made playing fantasy baseball, and I tell them, they think I've won some sort of jackpot. I guess $1,000 would seem like a lot for playing, what is in most of THEIR eyes, a stupid game.

My best friend asked how I did, and after being told, he whipped out a paper, pen, and started to scroll.
After 10 minutes, he shouted, "I've got it!"
I had to ask. "Whaddya got?"
"Here's what I got.
You start studying and drafting before the last season ends. Plus, I know that even when not studying or drafting during the off-season, you are still thinking about baseball almost continuously. And, I already know that the two months leading up to the season is ALL about drafting or studying every possible bit of information you can. Besides all this, during the season, you are watching players, broadcasts, sites, anything to try and help along your team.
SO, here is what I come up with....
Between the computer, the tv, the radio, and your baseball brain, I am going to be conservative and say that you put four hours into this hobby each day. If it sounds like too much, ask yourself this question....When do you stop thinking about it?"

I had to give him that. Plus he had no idea how much I contribute on these very Boards, so I didn't argue with him.
My only response was the brilliance in this comeback....
"So what?"
"So what?!", he says. "So what? I'll tell you so what!
For all that studying, drafting, and thinking about fantasy baseball, you made the measly sum of .69 cents an hour!"
"Seven year old kids in China are making more than you!"
"That bum on the corner asking for food is making more than you!"
"My Grandma makes more than you with Bingo!"

He was right. At the same time, it doesn't matter. Baseball would probably occupy my mind anyway.
We're men.
We're always thinking of something.
Besides the 'real life' stuff of our families, our friends, and our work. Our minds are filled with 'shiny things'.
Like the good looking girl who just walked in front of us.
Tonight's Monday Night Football game.
Or who would be a good pitcher to take in the 29th round of a draft.

Real life stuff can get mundane or even boring. Who'll win the election in a week? Who cares?
We know in two weeks we'll go back to not caring.
BUT, we do have control over which pitcher we take in the 29th round....Well, as long as somebody doesn't snake him.

$0.69 an hour?
I'll take it.
Hell, some years I've paid more than that amount for the privilege of getting my ass handed to me.
Plus, I'm secure in knowing that the Chinese Kid, the Bum on the street, or even my best friend's grandma are not getting the joy I get when 'working' for that money during the year.

Excellent post, Dan. Here's another way to look at things. I did four NFBC leagues this year. I won runner-up money in two of the leagues and just missed a pay-out in a third league. Overall, I wound up down a few hundred dollars. Under your work analogy, you could say that I was paid perhaps a negative $1 for each hour I devoted to fantasy baseball (preparing, drafting, managing, following my players, etc.) before and during the season. Not a desirable "salary" by any measure.

On the other hand, if you look at fantasy baseball purely as recreation, as I do, it becomes a helluva bargain. There's not many recreational activities you can do for about $1 an hour. I recently took my two oldest kids to a pro football game. Between the tickets, the parking, food, t-shirts, tolls, etc., it was close to $500 for the day. Don't get me wrong - I have no regrets about spending a wonderful day with two of my kids watching football and I'd glady do it again next season. But in terms of "bang for the buck," my one-day sponsorship of the NFL was far more costly than playing in multiple fantasy baseball leagues over a seven-month period.

Mike

Mike wrote:Excellent post, Dan. Here's another way to look at things. I did four NFBC leagues this year. I won runner-up money in two of the leagues and just missed a pay-out in a third league. Overall, I wound up down a few hundred dollars. Under your work analogy, you could say that I was paid perhaps a negative $1 for each hour I devoted to fantasy baseball (preparing, drafting, managing, following my players, etc.) before and during the season. Not a desirable "salary" by any measure.

On the other hand, if you look at fantasy baseball purely as recreation, as I do, it becomes a helluva bargain. There's not many recreational activities you can do for about $1 an hour. I recently took my two oldest kids to a pro football game. Between the tickets, the parking, food, t-shirts, tolls, etc., it was close to $500 for the day. Don't get me wrong - I have no regrets about spending a wonderful day with two of my kids watching football and I'd glady do it again next season. But in terms of "bang for the buck," my one-day sponsorship of the NFL was far more costly than playing in multiple fantasy baseball leagues over a seven-month period.

Mike

BINGO Mike!
Perfect.