Live Chat Today With Greg Ambrosius At 3 p.m. EST

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:32 am

Originally posted by nydownunder:

quote:Originally posted by viper:

anyone else out there an believer in SGP?? Just curious Sorry, I spent 6 yrs in the country of acronyms (australia), but I do not know that one. [/QUOTE]Standard Gained Points --- similar to the ESPN Player rater I guess. Not a Todd Zola favorite but even he admits it has some merit. I'm not sold on his way so I guess we are even. Then, he is an industry expert - whatever that really means - and i am just an occassional writer.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:32 am

Originally posted by Moneymaker:

Greg,

Two questions:

Is there going to be an official NFBBC this year?

Can you believe I'm only leading by one point in the current NFBBC? What's up with that??!! That league you're in is incredibly tight. Looks good.

I would only do an NFBBC if the NBA licenses me and last year they said no. I probably would only do it if STATS has a basketball commissioner service as I like the continuity with our other events. I'd love to do a full-blown NFBBC, but I don't think the NBA likes the idea.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:33 am

Greg, it appears that we are still able to change our KDS picks. Have you guys received the data that appeared in the Stats website as of 12:00 PST this morning?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:34 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

What do you think the future of the WBC is, if anything? I think Bud has to be ecstatic with the way the Latin teams have drawn rabid fan bases to their games. The atmosphere is exactly what Bud envisioned. I think the final rounds will be fun to watch, exciting for the world and a great promoter for the game of baseball.

That being said, if even just ONE superstar gets hurt during this it will put the whole event in question going forward. But since this is just once every four years, I think it will survive and thrive. I didn't like it at first, but now I see some merits to it. If nothing else, MLB is selling lots of USA merchandise.

nydownunder · Post by **nydownunder** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:36 am

Originally posted by viper:

quote:Originally posted by nydownunder:

quote:Originally posted by viper:

anyone else out there an believer in SGP?? Just curious Sorry, I spent 6 yrs in the country of acronyms (australia), but I do not know that one. [/QUOTE]Standard Gained Points --- similar to the ESPN Player rater I guess. Not a Todd Zola favorite but even he admits it has some merit. I'm not sold on his way so I guess we are even. Then, he is an industry expert - whatever that really means - and i am just an occassional writer. [/QUOTE]My system assumes the floor for each category in your league (ie 1 point)is your average player (882 runs / 14 batters = 63). Anything over and above that gives your team points in the league up to 15 for each category. For example, if 63 runs is my floor, and John Doe is projected for 83, and for every 10 runs your team get anothe rpoint in the standing, then this player has +2 for Runs. I do this for all 10 categories. This way, my players point values match up with the points avilable in our leagues (75 for Pitching and another 75 for Batting). It's not perfect, but close enough.

Here's a pitcher slected in rounds 5-10:

W S K ERA WHP TOTAL

3.2 (0.6) 1.9 1.8 2.0 8.4

[ March 09, 2006, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: nydownunder ]

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:39 am

I am really rooting for Mexico to beat Canada by a 2-1 score. I enjoy the games but wonder how things would go if the USA was out of it. I'm not anti-USA but I would like to see Bud panic. The spin doctors would have a field day.

And the new owner in DC will be?

And Soriano's position in Washington will be?

And the final count on NFBC teams will be?

And the number of migrain tablets Greg took last night was?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:42 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

quote:Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:

I hate to jump into this but how exactly was my response to Gordon unprofessional and rude. I replied to the question with the correct answer. I think people here know that I'm neither unprofessional nor rude on these message boards. Honestly, to think that based on my response stuns me.

If Gordon has a problem with my answer he knows he can always talk to me personally. He and I have a very good relationship and I'd like to believe he knows I wouldn't be rude to him or treat him in an unprofessional manner.

Tom is correct. We have a good relationship. I’ve spoken to him many times about fantasy football/baseball, and even the X-Files.

As for Tom’s post yesterday, I don’t believe it was unprofessional or rude. However, I wholeheartedly disagree with the contents of his post and the KP direction being given.

As for what KP is actually going to do if full leagues aren’t met, I will have to wait and see just like everyone else. I have 100% trust in KP that they will do the right thing. [/QUOTE]You can disagree with our plans for this, but it is consistent with what we've done in 2004 NFBC, 2004 NFFC and 2005 NFFC. If you snooze you lose. Nobody questioned this in football, so hearing some of the same guys in that event suddenly call us unprofessional now is a bit puzzling.

We'll finish with 22 or 23 leagues and they'll be formed professionally and properly. Now, if six of you want to fly to Tampa.....

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:43 am

Originally posted by nydownunder:

Greg,

It's round 20, your deficient in both SB's and AVG, but can only address one of these. Which one do you address and why? By that time, you're probably dead in BA. Go for steals.

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:45 am

NY - my ranking is essentially the same. I use zero as average. The sum of the "top" 195 players is forced to zero. I only use 195 and not 210 for various personal reason but think of it as a ranking minus a UTIL player. My rankings force 30 catcher even though the final 15 catchers are the worst rated players. Anything above zero should represent points over the category average for hitting. Getting the proper DELTA is the key I suspect. My pitching methods are very different.

Top Dawg · Post by **Top Dawg** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:45 am

Originally posted by Two 84Gators and Son:

Hi Greg.

I am drafting in Tampa. How long do you think the draft will last? Gator, not drafting in Vegas?

I got to meet you son at the "other" draft in Vegas and figured to return the jesture by introducing my son at this draft in Vegas.

Enjoy the Tampa draft. - Pete

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:48 am

Greg,

The satellites were well done - MDC, you and Tom make a great team. It did seem like demand exceeded supply as we got into spring training. It seems like the only thing holding you back from adding more is the availability to monitor them (which im sure makes for a lonnnnng day). I'm sure you feel you owe it to your customers to be on hand to douse any flame of discontent. In any event they are quite enjoyable and I hope you plan on building out this segment without driving yourself to an early grave.

nydownunder · Post by **nydownunder** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:49 am

Originally posted by viper:

NY - my ranking is essentially the same. I use zero as average. The sum of the "top" 195 players is forced to zero. I only use 195 and not 210 for various personal reason but think of it as a ranking minus a UTIL player. My rankings force 30 catcher even though the final 15 catchers are the worst rated players. Anything above zero should represent points over the category average for hitting. Getting the proper DELTA is the key I suspect. My pitching methods are very different. What I like about mine is that it can foot to your actual points in standings. Last year was my first go at this system, and I checked the floor and deltas against teams finsihed stats. It still has flaws, as would anyone's, but it has streamlined my whole process. I can track everyone's progress during the draft.

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:52 am

biting my tongue a bit as I avoid yesterday's topic . .I figure you deserve a break today and maybe even tomorrow.

The current "count" post shows 330 spots but I thought I saw other posts indicating some new additional signups. Are all the new additional signups being maintained on a conditional basis?

BTW, you deserve some type of award for making yourself available so freely. I can't imagine that from many other sites. I may not like how things turn out but I do feel you will have made the decision you feel is best for the tournament as a whole.

Recall I offered to go to Tampa - you just have to foot the bill for me and my son

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:52 am

Greg, In a snake-draft, do you preset the number of pitchers you would draft in the first ten rounds (i.e. two of my top ten picks will be pitchers)?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:55 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

Greg, it appears that we are still able to change our KDS picks. Have you guys received the data that appeared in the Stats website as of 12:00 PST this morning? I've been told they are locked. They are running them for us now and we'll have the Excel document soon. I know of two owners who don't have access to KDS now because we had a mixup with their usernames and passwords, but we just called both owners and have them now. If we decide to do this tomorrow, we should have the information from the 330 owners we have. But we have many decisions to make first.

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:55 am

at the draft and whatever socializing occurs before and after, everyone should have name tags with their Chat name on them. I could care less what GG's real name is but his chat name is another thing.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:59 am

Originally posted by viper:

I am really rooting for Mexico to beat Canada by a 2-1 score. I enjoy the games but wonder how things would go if the USA was out of it. I'm not anti-USA but I would like to see Bud panic. The spin doctors would have a field day.

And the new owner in DC will be?

And Soriano's position in Washington will be?

And the final count on NFBC teams will be?

And the number of migrain tablets Greg took last night was? No idea on the new owner.

Soriano will NOT be in Washington.

330-345.

None. I don't take pills. Now, the number of beers I had after I got home at 10:30 was....

Honestly, I had a HUGE headache last night, but when I got home and saw that the NFL had accepted the NFLPA's proposal, I was ecstatic. Everything was good again because that was HUGE for all of our businesses. I slept four good hours, got up at 4:30 and then began worrying about everything again.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:00 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

Greg, it appears that we are still able to change our KDS picks. Have you guys received the data that appeared in the Stats website as of 12:00 PST this morning? I've been told they are locked. They are running them for us now and we'll have the Excel document soon. I know of two owners who don't have access to KDS now because we had a mixup with their usernames and passwords, but we just called both owners and have them now. If we decide to do this tomorrow, we should have the information from the 330 owners we have. But we have many decisions to make first. [/QUOTE]I just checked -- they are indeed locked now. Thanks for the update.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:06 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:

Greg,

The satellites were well done - MDC, you and Tom make a great team. It did seem like demand exceeded supply as we got into spring training. It seems like the only thing holding you back from adding more is the availability to monitor them (which im sure makes for a lonnnnng day). I'm sure you feel you owe it to your customers to be on hand to douse any flame of discontent. In any event they are quite enjoyable and I hope you plan on building out this segment without driving yourself to an early grave. I will agree with you on all of this. MDC has done a GREAT job and they've become a GREAT partner of ours. The satellites have run smooth and all of the NFBC guys have been there on time and ready to draft. We could easily do more of those.

That being said, I feel it's important that Tom and I also monitor those and dive in to keep the banter going. I can monitor four at once and converse in all four. Tom does multiple ones, too. Sometimes we need to be there to break up some disputes, like what happened the other night (small one). We feel that you guys seeing us in those draft rooms gives you some assurance that we care about this, that we're spending our nights with you and that these are as professionally run as the live drafts. But it's killing our social lives!!

I may do more next year, but we might also do less as there is a stipulation in my deal that I must adhere to. So we'll see. But overall they've been a very pleasant surprise.

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:07 am

Living in DC area, the Soriano situation is going to get big. I hear they shopped him all over and no one wants him as a 2B.

From his perspective, a poor fielding but great hitting 2B has lots more value than a poor fielding and average hitting OF on the open market. He is a FA next year and has announced he will be leaving DC.

Moneymaker · Post by **Moneymaker** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:07 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

I'd love to do a full-blown NFBBC, but I don't think the NBA likes the idea. Make it happen, Cap'n!

viper · Post by **viper** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:09 am

the satellite leagues are a great way for potential players to get their feet wet. It could be marketed that way but it may cut into main event entries. A 2-edged sword.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:12 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

You can disagree with our plans for this, but it is consistent with what we've done in 2004 NFBC, 2004 NFFC and 2005 NFFC. If you snooze you lose. Nobody questioned this in football, so hearing some of the same guys in that event suddenly call us unprofessional now is a bit puzzling. to be honest, i was aware of the phone leagues (not a problem) in the past, but I don't believe I was aware they were made up of the last few sign-ups (is this true?).

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:14 am

Originally posted by viper:

biting my tongue a bit as I avoid yesterday's topic . .I figure you deserve a break today and maybe even tomorrow.

The current "count" post shows 330 spots but I thought I saw other posts indicating some new additional signups. Are all the new additional signups being maintained on a conditional basis?

BTW, you deserve some type of award for making yourself available so freely. I can't imagine that from many other sites. I may not like how things turn out but I do feel you will have made the decision you feel is best for the tournament as a whole.

Recall I offered to go to Tampa - you just have to foot the bill for me and my son

The list shows the first 330 official signups. I'm not sure everyone's credit card will go through and I have reserves ready to step in, so we'll see how this plays out. I'm also not sure those are the 330 that will get in as the breakdown doesn't work ideally. I am not posting any of the new signups we've taken today or stating what cities they are in and those people have been told that they are on the waiting list for now. Only Tom and I know what we're going to do.

As for coming on here, trust me, you should have seen Tom's face when I told him I was hosting a live chat today.

I knew I was going to do it all morning as I've never hidden from anything and I wanted to make sure EVERYONE knew that we were on top of the situation and ready to fill this up the best way we know how. We're not hiding anything, we're not shying away from anyone, we're not up to no good. We knew that going to four cities was a risk, but no greater risk than Chicago in 2004. The Windy City had 33 signups in 2004 and I was told not to go back there. I didn't listen to that for a second and football and baseball have had 3-4 full leagues each year since. It needs to be part of the NFBC or otherwise many folks would have no chance to compete in our event.

One of the biggest reasons I was upset yesterday was the assumption that the last nine signups in Tampa were dead money. I'm surprised none of those owners got on the boards and told everyone to stick it. Last year's second overall finisher was a newbie who drafted with his wife in Las Vegas against Dyv, John Menna and a whole lot of other veteran players in a very tough league and led from start to finish. Please don't EVER underestimate your competition.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:16 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Greg, In a snake-draft, do you preset the number of pitchers you would draft in the first ten rounds (i.e. two of my top ten picks will be pitchers)? Not really. You sure can feel when it's time to get a starting pitcher and when you need to jump into the closer's run, but I have no set number. I normally take maybe three pitchers in the first 10 rounds, but this year I have had more pitchers than in the past for some reason. But when you do 13 drafts, I guess you do crazy things once in a while.