Building Leagues in the NFBC

[DOUGHBOYS]

A lot of NFBC folks have gotten in touch with me about a couple of threads on the Main Boards. Some do not understand about building leagues.
Here's the thing....
Greg has a wonderful policy about building leagues. If the NFBC can't get together a league or does not have the inclination to start a league, we can ask Greg for permission to try and build a league ourselves. If granted, we are free to build a league under the NFBC banner.

I have started many leagues. I started faster paced drafts when we had the eight hour clock. Very popular.
Now that the clocks have come down to two and four hours, Mike Massotto has taken the reins and started even faster DC's.
I also started the PreMature drafts. One of 30 rounds. One of fifty rounds.
In the PreMature Leagues this year, we retained 29 of 30 drafters. Love it.

These drafts were there to feed the urge to start the next drafting season as early as possible. It was also used as a guideline for the default in the NFBC draft room and as a little bit of a guide for early drafters. The Mia League in honor of Roger Martin and his daughter Mia who had brain surgery in the midst of a DC Draft we were having. That draft was supposed to be of the fast variety. Instead, all 15 drafters became Dad's of Mia and we just wished for her recovery.
KJ Duke has started a few leagues. One is the Contract League where players are selected by the size of their contracts. It is a damned good league and so much fun.

The threads asked about involve Mike Massotto who started an Ultimate League in New York and a Midnight League in Las Vegas.
Both were started years ago and have run without a hitch.
Some are questioning the time he should have his league and who and how he brings in as drafters for his league.

The number one question I have been asked about these threads is, "Why don't they start their own league?"

Starting leagues are a lot of hard work. We have to be in constant communications with many, many drafters. We have a give and take over what are the best times and places to have these drafts.
In short, it is darned difficult pleasing 15 drafters.
It's a satisfying feeling in building your own league.
Especially when all 15 drafters are happy.
In starting these leagues, the league builder has always filled leagues by their own methods.
This has never been questioned, till now.


Anyway, I hope I answered most of your questions.
And PLEASE, to the folks that have dominated those threads (Mike, Mark, Glenn), no need to post here. This was merely informational for those not understanding of such leagues in the NFBC.

[King of Queens]

I’m not going to soil this thread with endless posts and pictures, but I do have one question for the leagues that you have had a hand in building (PreMature, Mia, etc.):

There were an initial group of 15 people that agreed to participate in these leagues. Over time, 1 or 2 or maybe more of those 15 have moved on. My question is regarding how the replacements are determined. Is it first-come-first-served? Some sort of a wait list? I would imagine with a smaller dollar entry fee, that it’s much easier to recruit a replacement directly. However, when trying to fill a private Ultimate League, most people do not have access to personally recruit individuals willing to put up 5K to enter a baseball league. That’s where the NFBC message board and registration process comes into play. At that point, it should be fair game for everyone.

I also wonder if someone who was first up on your waiting list wanted to participate in one of your leagues, would you have the stones to deny them admission because you found them “unworthy,” didn’t trust them, or just simply didn’t like them? In Mike’s case, I already know the answer. I would be interested to hear your perspective on this specific issue.

I do agree that these leagues are part of what make the NFBC (and NFFC) special. I think part of the problem is how the league organizers view these leagues. I can’t imagine you or KJ applying your names to these leagues — I would guess that’s because you view them as a public (or at least league-wide) trust and not YOUR LEAGUE, YOUR RULES.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Glenn, there is a responsibility in starting leagues.
There are three major things to consider once a league has been built.
1. What is best for that group of drafters.
2. What is best for the NFBC.
3. What is best for the builder of the league.

You may think number three is selfish and it may be to a degree. BUT, if the league builder is not happy, it's a sure shot that others in the league will not be happy as well.
I can't speak for Mike, but I take these three things in mind each time I need 'new blood' in a league.
Last year, I recruited Lindy Hinkelman and Bob Mazur for the PreMature Leagues before anybody else knew there was an opening.
I know them, I know they're responsible drafters, I know they have great resumes, and I know they are wonderful fantasy players.
As a league builder, I want to have the right to recruit who I like into a league.
League Builders know the right fits for leagues. Lindy and Bob met all three criteria for me.
Why should I be a slave to whoever may be next on some waiting list?
At the same time, I needed one replacement for those two leagues this year. I didn't have anybody in mind and Greg Blankenship applied first.
I knew Greg to be a fine drafter and one who would be perfect for the league.
He was, and it worked well.
So, I do both. Recruit names and take the top name on the waiting list.

You asked this question...
"I wonder if someone who was first up on your waiting list wanted to participate in one of your leagues, would you have the stones to deny them admission because you found them “unworthy,” didn’t trust them, or just simply didn’t like them? "

And the answer is... You're darned right I would!
Especially for a live league where you want everybody enjoying themselves.
And it doesn't take 'stones'.
I try to get along with all NFBC'ers but have resigned myself to the fact that I cannot.
Particularly, one individual.
I will never play in a league with that individual. I tried and it failed.
I would deny him access all day long.
And unlike yourself and Mark, he is a dreadful fantasy player.
If he were next up on any waiting list, I would not hesitate in saying, "NEXT!?"
It doesn't take stones.
It's what is right for me and the league and the NFBC.
If the NFBC encroached and ordered me to let that individual in my league, I would step aside and let the NFBC have the league.
And I'm betting that KJ, Mike, and any other League Builders would feel the same way.

[King of Queens]

Solid response, Dan. As always, thanks for keeping it civil.

[KJ Duke]

Agree Dough, well stated.

[Thurman15]

Excellent post Dan. It helps big time. And for myself, I like the way you "recruit" for your leagues. Which is why I stated (on the main board) that I understood and agreed with what Mike was doing. We want fun, not fighting, in all the NFBC pools/leagues. It DOES matter to me what goes on in pools that I am not even in. I like to see the posts, the fun, the teasing about these pools. I hate to see arguing. This post was needed Dan, and very informative, so thanks again. This is my 4th year and like a lot of you guys, I do a few drafts on line and I always come to Vegas for live auctions. Probably New York as well this year.

Mike, hit me up when you are doing one of your "fast drafts" Mike's are the only ones I go in because I love to Rock and roll. 4 Hours is way too long for me. And I'm big on auctions.

KJ (or Dan or whoever) if you ever need a participant for a "Contract league" I would love to join.

Dan, keep your posts going, on your board as well as the main board. On top of being interesting, it helps guys understand the NFBC even more.

[Baseball Furies]

Dan, my apologies for being so absorbed on the General Message Boards and facilitating the draft we are currently doing for not checking out your stuff on this topic sooner. I was not aware that you had written something up on it over here. All I wanted to say is thank you for perfectly stating my sentiments exactly. I could not have said a single word better myself, and truthfully, it was probably best coming from you. I hope everyone who reads what you wrote finally gets it, and we can move on. Thanks as always for all that you do for the NFBC and all of us who are a part of it and love this game so much.