Who's Coming To The 2012 NFBC And Where?

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome another new member to the NFBC Main Event this year as we're now closing in on our 13th full league. Vince Kremer of Erie, Pennsylvania will be joining the Main Event for the first time and will be drafting Online on the First Weekend. Vince competed in an NFBC $500 Satellite League last year and finished 6th, and now he's stepping up his game this year with a Main Event entry. Welcome aboard Vince and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's good to see some pretty old faces back in the NFBC Main Event in 2012. One of them belongs to Rob Giese of Shelby Township, Michigan, who returns for his 7th straight season of competition. Rob would love to draft live, but for now he's entered into the Online Main Event on Saturday, March 31st. Rob is ecstatic about the Tigers signing Prince Fielder this week and last year he even named his NFBC team after the Tigers. His Tiger Slappy team finished 5th in Online League 1 of the Second Weekend with 89.5 points, while placing 131st overall with 2,220.5 points. Welcome back Rob and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome back another NFBC veteran back to the 2012 live event. James Li of New York City has competed with us for several years and he's returning to Las Vegas on Saturday, March 24th for the Main Event at the Bellagio. He's drafting on the First Weekend after drafting on the Second Weekend last year. The Gobots finished 7th in Las Vegas 5 last year with 84.5 points, while placing 165th with 2,061.5 points. Welcome back to Sin City James and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have more than 190 teams entered in the NFBC Main Event for 2012 thanks to a double entry by Rob Silver of Toronto, Ontario. Rob is a long-time NFBC player who is already signed up for the Diamond League in Las Vegas and today he grabbed Main Event spots Online for March 24th and in Las Vegas on March 31st. Rob had some frustrating finishes in 2011 as his Brooklyn Deckers finished 4th in Online League 1 of the First Weekend with 104.5 points (90th overall) and 4th again in Las Vegas League 3 of the Second Weekend with 89.5 points (126th overall). But he just had a good NFFC season with us and he's ready for the same type of success in baseball. Welcome back Rob and best of luck in the hunt for those league prizes and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 8 teams signed up for the NFBC XII in Chicago on Saturday, March 31st at 6 pm CT. That looks to be a good doubleheader for our Windy City participants. David Van Der Stuyf of Willow Springs, Illinois just locked in a team for that night after he'd already signed up for the Main Event and the Auction Championship in Chicago. Dave competed in the Live Double Play in Chicago last year and is excited about the new 12-team Main Event this year. Welcome aboard Dave and best of luck in the hunt for all 3 league prizes and the $165,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's great to welcome back another defending league champ as Phillip McDonald of Huntsville, Alabama will be back in St. Louis for two live events. Phillip is an NFBC Charter Member who won the St. Louis Main Event last year for $5,600 and who had a great NFFC season as well. Team McDonald finished first with 118.5 points and placed 25th overall with 2,862.0 points to win $5,600. Great job Phillip. Team McDonald also finished 6th in the St. Louis Live Double Play last year with 71 points. Phillip is back with us at Pujols 5 Grill for the Main Event and NFBC XII on Saturday, March 24th and we wish him best of luck in the hunt for the league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 9 teams signed up for the Chicago NFBC XII on Saturday, March 31st at 6 pm CT as the tag team of Tom Zarogiannos of Las Vegas, Nevada and Jared Namenson have grabbed one of those spots before that first league fills. Tom and Jared were already signed up for the Main Event in Chicago and they just booked their flights and hotels with both leagues in mind. Welcome aboard guys and best of luck in the hunt for the league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm happy to announce that our debut NFBC overall champion, Artie Rastelli of Hoboken, New Jersey, is returning to the NFBC's Main Event for a 9th straight season. Artie and his dad, Artie Sr., are happy to jump into the Mahwah Main Event on the First Weekend. Artie said he's been to the Sheraton Mahwah many times and thinks it will be a great venue for the NFBC. His Triple A team won our 2004 $100,000 grand prize when we had only 195 teams in the competition, but it was a great race that saw Artie and Aaron Seefeldt TIED for the overall lead with just two days left in the regular season. Artie prevailed and won $105,000. His Triple A team struggled in New York League 2 last year, but the Rastelli's are ready to take another run at it this year. Welcome back CHAMP and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're glad to welcome back another NFBC veteran to the 2012 big dance as Joseph Anello of Howard Beach, New York is returning to the New York City Main Event at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 31st. Joseph led his Blades n Bones team to a 9th place finish in Atlantic City 1 last year with 76.5 points (220th overall), but this year he's looking for a money finish in Manhattan. Joseph is an NFBC veteran who has played with us for several years. Welcome back Joseph and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

The NFBC Main Event is now officially half full as we took our 195th signup today. That means we have exactly the same number of teams we had in our debut season of 2004!! We now have ONLY 195 SPOTS LEFT!! Robert Zidonik of Cedar Park, Texas is our 195th Main Event owner as he returns to Las Vegas on the First Weekend, Saturday, March 24th at the Bellagio. Robert competed with us in the Main Event for a couple of years until taking last year off, but he's already competing in Slow Draft Leagues now and excited to return to our big dance once again. Great talking with you Robert today and best of luck in the hunt for this years $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

Okay, 13 full Main Event leagues now, and room for 13 more. It's only Jan. 26th, but our owners mean business this year. Don't delay if you want to compete for this year's $100,000 grand prize. Hopefully these final spots will go fast. Thanks all.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 61 owners who are competing in both NFBC Main Events this year now that Jeff Dobies of Farmingville, New York is back with us in New York. Jeff was already signed up for two Auction Leagues in New York City and now he's jumping in for the Main Event Doubleheader at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 31st. Jeff is an NFBC Charter Member who has been with us every year since 2004. His ALL-IN team struggled in New York League 4 last year (13th) and in the New York Live Double Play, but he's a past NFBC league champ who is ready for a money finish this year. Welcome back Jeff and best of luck in the hunt for all of these league prizes and the $165,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here we come St. Louis!!! We just started our second Main Event League in St. Louis today and will do everything we can to fill it fully. If not, we'll hook up online or with another city to complete the full league. Thanks to John Pausma of Tinley Park, Illinois for starting this second league as he's looking forward to another trip to St. Louis. John won a national title in 2010 with us in the NFFC and he's looking for the same success now in baseball. Last year his Dutch Mafia team finished 5th in Chicago League 1 with 93.5 points, while placing 103rd with 2,401.0 points. Welcome back John and best of luck in the hunt for the $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm glad to welcome back another NFBC veteran who is doing both ends of the NFBC Main Event doubleheader this year. Jace Reed of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania has just returned to the NFBC Main Event Online on Saturday, March 31st and he will also compete in the NFBC XII Online on Friday, March 30th. Jace tied for a Live Double Play league title in Las Vegas with 82 points last year and finished 127th out of 780 teams in the Online Championship with 5,241.5 points. Jace is a veteran NFBC player who also competed in the Atlantic City Main Event last year, leading his SmallTown USA squad to an 8th place finish in AC League 2 with 81.5 points, while placing 179th overall with 1,984.0 points. Jace is now our 62nd owner to have teams in both Main Events. Welcome back Jace and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 6 owners signed up for the Mahwah Auction Championship League on Friday, March 23rd at 5 pm at the Sheraton Mahwah. Hey, we're going to fill this one up, so plan accordingly. In fact, today we welcome back the defending champion of the Atlantic City Auction League as Brian Zirlin of Short Hills, New Jersey is defending his title in Mahwah. Brian led Team Zirlin to a first place finish in Atlantic City last year with 115 points, while finishing 4th in the overall race with 1,058.5 points. CONGRATS Brian and best of luck in the hunt for this year's league prize and the $15,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We now have 10 signups for the Ultimate Draft League on Sunday, March 25th as we welcome John Zimmick of Madison Heights, Michigan back to the NFBC. John competed in Chicago League 2 last year and led his sewer rats to a 3rd place finish with 101.5 points, while placing 100th overall with 2,423.0 points. John is now stepping up to the Ultimate League and will be drafting on Sunday, March 25th at 1 pm ET Online. We now have 4 owners signed up at that time and 6 owners at 7 pm ET. Let's keep things rolling for both of those time frames and fill 'em both up just like we did last year. Welcome aboard John and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $40,000 league prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're getting closer to a second full league in the Main Event for Las Vegas on the First Weekend as we welcome another NFBC veteran to the live event. Emo Bonaminio of Chicago, Illinois has been with us since 2005 and he returns to our First Weekend Main Event once again at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Last year Team Bonaminio struggled to a 12th place finish in Las Vegas League 2, but that won't stop Emo from coming back in 2012 and giving it another shot for the $100K grand prize. It's always good to have you back Emo and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I am VERY excited about the number of new members joining the NFBC this year, whether it's in Slow Drafts, Satellite Leagues or live events. There is no doubt in my mind that we will have more new members this year than ever before. It's already early in the season and our list is filling up with new members. Let's welcome our newest member to the growing NFBC family as Johnny Galvis of Miami, Florida signed up last night for the Main Event Doubleheader at the Hilton in New York City on Saturday, March 31st. Johnny is excited to be part of the NFBC and he's jumping in with a gusto, grabbing a Main Event team and an NFBC XII team in New York City. Welcome aboard Johnny and best of luck in the hunt for both league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're now working on our 5th Main Event league in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31st as welcome another veteran team to the big dance. Let's give it up for the tag team of Bill Macey of Houston, Texas and his co-manager Jon Izenstark as they will be joining us at the Bellagio Las Vegas on March 31st. Bill competed in Las Vegas last season and led his Slot Machines to a 6th place finish in Las Vegas 5 with 88 points, placing 175th overall with 2,007.0 points. Welcome back guys and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We're closing in on our first full Main Event league at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare as we welcome another new member to the growing NFBC family. Tim Miller and Steve Liedtke of Chicago, Illinois are claiming home field advantage for this contest as they'll be drafting at the Hyatt on Saturday, March 31st. We're glad to have you guys on board and we wish you best of luck in the hunt for the $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize. Now, let's keep this moving in the Windy City and get 3-4 full leagues there for our Main Event.

[Greg Ambrosius]

We had a bunch of new signups this weekend and I'll do my best to get to most of them today. Let's start off by welcoming back NFBC Charter Member Larry Schechter of Rexford, New York back to the 2012 live events. Larry has been with us since 2004 and will be drafting once again at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 31st. Larry is doing the Main Event Doubleheader as we now have 65 teams doing both Mains in 2012. Last year, Larry led Air Lar to a 3rd place finish in a very tough, close New York League 2 with 105 points, while placing 78th overall with 2,535.5 points. Larry also competed in the New York Live Double Play, but Air Lar finished out of the money with 61.5 points. Welcome back Larry and best of luck in the hunt for both league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes!

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's great to welcome back another defending Main Event league champion to the 2012 event as Chris Plouffe of Tallahassee, Florida is back for another shot at the $100,000 grand prize. Chris won a Super League title in 2010 and last year he came to Las Vegas looking for a Main Event league title. He did just that, leading The Chameleons to a first place finish in Las Vegas 1 of the Second Weekend with 121 points, while finishing 8th overall with 3,129.0 points. GREAT JOB CHRIS AND CONGRATS!! That's a heckuva run at the big prize. His Crazies Hell team also finished 6th in the Las Vegas Auction Championship with 88.5 points, while placing 55th overall with 739.5 points. This year he's back for the tripleheader in Las Vegas on the First Weekend, competing in the Auction Championship at the Bellagio on Friday, March 23rd, the Main Event on the 24th and the Super League on Sunday, March 25th at 4 p.m. PT. We now have 10 owners for the Friday morning Auction Championship, so let's fill that one up. Welcome back Chris and best of luck in the hunt for all of these league prizes, the $20,000 Super League prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's great to welcome another NFBC veteran to the NFBC Main Event as we now have more than 210 signups with two months to go. I'd say we're definitely on pace for an 8th straight sellout. Let's welcome back David Geisinger of Brookfield, Illinois to the Main Event at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago on Saturday, March 31st. Dave has been with us from the very beginning and we're glad to have him back in 2012. Last year, his Mr. Dalrae Unchained finished 12th in Chicago League 1 with 66 points, but Dave is determined to win a league title this year. Welcome back Dave and best of luck in the hunt for this year's $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Another very encouraging sign for 2012 is that we have a lot of veteran NFBC owners who for whatever reason didn't compete in the Main Event last year returning in 2012. I won't speculate as to why some people didn't return after 2010, but I will say that I am VERY glad to have them back in 2012. I'm happy to welcome one of those owners back right now as Bobby Brendler of Rockville, Maryland is going to be joining us again for the Main Event at the New York Hilton on Saturday, March 31st. Bobby has been with us since the very early years, but last year he was limited to three satellite leagues. Now he's returning to the live events and in the Big Apple no less!! Welcome back Bobby and best of luck in the hunt for the $5,600 league prize and the $100,000 grand prize.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm glad to see a good friend back in the NFBC for 2012 as Scott Fleming of Totowa, New Jersey will be returning after a triumphant 2011 season. Scott finished 2nd in the Diamond League and 2nd in the Ultimate Auction League as he battled to the last pitch for titles in both high-dollar private leagues. He took a little time off after those intense races and now he's ready to return, but both events are full. We'd love to get him back out to Las Vegas that second weekend, but right now he's concentrating on the First Weekend action in Mahwah. Scott signed up for the Main Event and NFBC XII on Saturday, March 24th and he's going to be in Mikey's Super League on Friday night as well. Last year, Scott competed in Las Vegas 4 where Lindy won the $100,000 grand prize, but his MINGALING had to settle for 7th place with 76.5 points. He also competed in the Live Double Play in Las Vegas on March 26th, with that team finishing 3rd with 91 points. Ouch. Welcome back Scott and CONGRATS on a great, great 2011 campaign. Oh, and best of luck in the hunt for all of these league prizes and the $150,000 in grand prizes.

[Greg Ambrosius]

It's great to welcome another old face back to the 2012 live event as Mike Wheeler of Greenville, Wisconsin -- just down the road here from Iola -- will be joining us again after a couple years away. Mike has always enjoyed competing in our Auction Leagues and he usually competed in Chicago. This year he's going to be in Las Vegas the week of our First Weekend and has just jumped into the Auction Championship at the Bellagio on Friday, March 23rd at 11 am. We now have 11 owners for that Auction League, meaning we HAVE ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT!!! Welcome back Mike and best of luck in the hunt for the league prize and the $15,000 grand prize.