NFBC Will Expand To Tampa In 2006

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:37 am

Okay, I'm very close to making this official, but the NFBC will be expanding to a fourth city in 2006. We have a deal in place with the Tampa Hyatt Downtown to host the Saturday main event there on March 18th, starting at 1 p.m. EST. I currently have space for four leagues and will take 60 teams for Saturday's event on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a chance to expand beyond four leagues, but the additional space is on temporary hold for another event. We'll see if it becomes available later.

I do have space temporarily reserved for Auction Leagues on Friday, March 17th, but I was unsure if there was enough interest for more than 1-2 leagues there. I'm asking for input from people who may attend Tampa what their preference would be. Should we try $650 Mixed Auction Leagues in the morning with $650 and $1,250 NL Auction Leagues, and then shoot for $1,250 and $650 AL Auction Leagues in the afternoon/evening? Is there enough interest to offer all of that or just one set of auction leagues? Let me know if you have a strong desire to go to Tampa as I can offer anything, but I'll need to secure the space ASAP for Friday.

We'll update the signup page and the home page once this is official, but I'm 95% sure we'll do this for 2006. We have the staff in place to pull this off and I believe it will allow us to reach our goals for the main event in 2006 at a reasonable additional expense. I'm ready if you guys are.

Just as an FYI: The downtown area is booked already for a big convention the week of March 13-19 in Tampa. The Hyatt Downtown has rooms available, but they are $259/night. I'm not going to reserve a block there, so everyone heading to Florida is on their own to find lodging. I trust you guys will do just fine on your own, but let me know if you need help. And don't wait until the end as it would be smart to secure your travel and lodging ASAP. Good luck with that.

Shoot your feedback here and let's see if we can finalize the plan for our first NFBC event in Tampa. Thanks everyone.

Corkedbats · Post by **Corkedbats** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:18 am

Plenty of hotel rooms if you cannot get a room downtown the surrounding areas have plenty of room for a lot less money. I suggest trying CLEARWATER, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar etc, all about 15-20 mins from downtown. Best "adult establishment" for the money is PINK PONEY only 5 minutes from Raymond James Stadium. You will not see another place like this, besides you can go to the parking lot and pound a few beers and reenter without paying another entry fee. Saving your hard earned dollars for the ladies instead of the watered down drinks most clubs serve.

Also worth seeing....

If your in town on March 17th come to the Ice Palace and watch the defending Stanley cup champions the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING trounce the Flyers at 7:30pm. A great venue to take in a hockey game.

p.s. Anyone know if Chris Throop aka spyhunter is still alive? He needs to square up a wager he made with me.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:52 am

I will take your word for it but Mons Venus is pretty darn good too.

Any Yankee fans should try to grab a reservation at the Raddison at the Airport. Reasonbly priced rooms and Steinbrenner owns the hotel. During spring training the last few years Mattingly, Reggie, Gossage, Ford, and Yogi all stay there.

There is also an Annual Yankees luncheon that the Boss requires 100 percent attendance at- that benefits the Boys Club or YMCA- last year it was on the Friday before our drafts in Vegas.

I will try to find a link to the luncheon if anyone beats me to it- please post it.

Latham · Post by **Latham** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:33 am

Nice job with Tampa Greg! Combining the draft with spring training should be a blast! Looking forward to Tampa and a "Thome Free" team in 2006!

Randy

SlackerDan · Post by **SlackerDan** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:17 am

Greg,

SlackerBrothers will be signing up for Tampa when it is ready to go! Great job!

SlackerDan

LV9 - 2nd place

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:29 am

Originally posted by SlackerDan:

Greg,

SlackerBrothers will be signing up for Tampa when it is ready to go! Great job!

SlackerDan

LV9 - 2nd place It's there when you click on Register. You would be our first official signup ever in Tampa!!! I'll have the events link posted soon, but the signup page should be good to go. Thanks.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:59 am

There, four signups for Tampa in the first day, making it our second most popular draft site so far. I like it! Keep 'em coming and you'll force me to buy more meeting room space at the Tampa Hyatt Downtown!

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:08 am

Good news to report about Tampa: It looks like we will be working with Ron Shandler in March at the Tampa Hyatt Downtown on a First Pitch Forum that he will bringing to the area. This First Pitch Forum will likely take place on Thursday morning, March 16th, followed by a spring training game (if there are tickets) in the afternoon and an experts league draft or seminar that evening. It will continue on Friday morning, March 17th and we'll likely offer auction leagues on Friday afternoon and evening before the main event on Saturday, March 18th. So we're on schedule to turn this location into a spring training event that includes more than just the draft.

We should have more details as Ron and I work together to coordinate the two events soon.

Ron's schedule of First Pitch Forums include stops in New York and Chicago before the Tampa stop, I believe. Go to www.baseballhq.com for a Schedule of Events. Good luck everyone.

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:54 am

I have booked my reservation at the Belleview Biltmore resort and spa.(727-373-3000) $169 thursday $189 friday and saturday for the junior suite.Looks nice and by the beach for the family.But,they said it is a half hour from the tampa downtown hyatt.Just,wanted to let everybody know that this hotel is available with plenty of rooms.Dave

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:36 am

With AAA card room rate for the Belleview Biltmore went down to $144 thursday $161 friday and saturday.For the junior suite. The standard rooms are less.Dave