What would be nice...

[Deadheadz]

...in the Draft Champions experience is for the ability to choose from a variety of DCs not just ask oneself "do I want to go into the one currently registering, even though I don't recognize half the names?"

After a stellar DC 1 it seems like all we hear about are league which have half the managers champing at the bit to make a pick while the other half is made up of managers who either don't want to pick more than once or twice a day or see it as a casual activity where it's okay to check in once or twice every 24 hours and only stay online long enough to make a pick if it happens to be their turn.

They tell us "the rules say we get upto 8 hours per pick."

On the forum we talk about "like minded" drafters. Why not have a signup for "like minded drafters" who want the draft to last 30 days? And another who want it to last about 14 days. Maybe another where the managers want to finish in only 10.

How do you get like minded drafters when there's no choice of leagues other than a list of names, take it or leave it?

I've decided to leave it.
After DC 11 you should expect to not see me doing any more drafting until March 2014.

Since DC 1 it's all been going downhill.

[Outlaw]

its impossible to know all the NFBC players, there are just too many. If you go back on the msg board list you will see the same complaints every year when the DC's start. Generally its new players who have no idea or are just learning. I moaned a littel bit too when I first started, but the fun and drafting far outweighs a few new players using a lot of clock or always holding the draft up. s=Some get done in 15 days, others in 30. Nature of the beast. As you said you hold the ultimate card, if you dont like the experiance, then don't join/play.

[mbendar16]

Keep in mind it's only December. The prize pool is based on over 100 leagues and many, including myself, want to wait until 2014 to draft. That is when the Express leagues, "like minded drafters" options like Dan's (Doughboys) leagues and 4 hr clocks will give you more choices. My advice would be to stop DC leagues for the rest of the year and decide if you want to resume when more options are available in January and February.

[Deadheadz]

I had planned on going into a new DC every two weeks until the season started but except for DC 1 they've been quite disappointing as far as the banter and camaraderie you'd expect from a draft with good pace.

When some managers stay logged into the draft room and then suddenly disappear when their turn is next or when they are on the clock and don't come back for several hours it negatively affects the mood and rather than a fun chat you get people bitching and leaving so there's virtually no banter at all.

Now I think I may do one last DC closer to spring training but only if it's an express or if I see the list is filled with names of managers I know to be of a like mind.

[papa's nine]

hi, if you recognize the name you know that I was also in dc1. by the time I took to make some of my picks you would not know that I am also of like mind. being this is your first year you may not understand that things happen that can delay a pick and even be timed out. during this draft not only was it thanksgiving week, but being Jewish it was also Chanukah, both of which you celebrate with your friends and family. also I had a kidney stone during the draft. the doctors told me that the only pain that is greater is giving birth. if I had to go thru that pain to give birth I would not have any children. I had four days of that pain and spent two days in the hospital. dc draft rules are eight hours. I hate the time but I still enter 3 dc per season. it is a great way to learn all the new players and managers. if you cant take the time frame then stop complaining and wait until February. love and kisses, hopefully your friend marty.

[DOUGHBOYS]

hi, if you recognize the name you know that I was also in dc1. by the time I took to make some of my picks you would not know that I am also of like mind. being this is your first year you may not understand that things happen that can delay a pick and even be timed out. during this draft not only was it thanksgiving week, but being Jewish it was also Chanukah, both of which you celebrate with your friends and family. also I had a kidney stone during the draft. the doctors told me that the only pain that is greater is giving birth. if I had to go thru that pain to give birth I would not have any children. I had four days of that pain and spent two days in the hospital. dc draft rules are eight hours. I hate the time but I still enter 3 dc per season. it is a great way to learn all the new players and managers. if you cant take the time frame then stop complaining and wait until February. love and kisses, hopefully your friend marty.

Mr. Lowy,
I feel your pain....literally. I've had seven episodes with kidney stones. Twice hospitalized.
Most severe pain I've had in my life...each time.
It makes us realize how mortal we are.
So happy you are talking about it in the past.
Take care.

[Glenneration X]

hi, if you recognize the name you know that I was also in dc1. by the time I took to make some of my picks you would not know that I am also of like mind. being this is your first year you may not understand that things happen that can delay a pick and even be timed out. during this draft not only was it thanksgiving week, but being Jewish it was also Chanukah, both of which you celebrate with your friends and family. also I had a kidney stone during the draft. the doctors told me that the only pain that is greater is giving birth. if I had to go thru that pain to give birth I would not have any children. I had four days of that pain and spent two days in the hospital. dc draft rules are eight hours. I hate the time but I still enter 3 dc per season. it is a great way to learn all the new players and managers. if you cant take the time frame then stop complaining and wait until February. love and kisses, hopefully your friend marty.

Being the one that took you to the hospital and spent the day there with you, I can state that you probably spent more time worrying about getting back home to make your pick and not hold up the draft than the kidney stones you were dealing with. I can also state that you left a message with a fellow drafter that you were heading to the hospital and also wanted to call Tom to just put you on auto until I talked you into at least waiting until finding out if you were going to be kept overnight or not.

I think you proved your concern for your fellow drafters even if the issues people sometimes face in life affected your ability to draft in a timely fashion. I believe that's all that anyone's asking of those who don't have that same concern.

I've kind of strayed away from DC's over the years. Not the only reason, but certainly one of them, is my personal lack of patience for those drafters without concern for others.

[KJ Duke]

Maybe we can get Larry Schecter to write another book ... Slow Draft Etiquette ... with input from Doughy, Mouth, myself and both Lowys!

[Bronx Yankees]

hi, if you recognize the name you know that I was also in dc1. by the time I took to make some of my picks you would not know that I am also of like mind. being this is your first year you may not understand that things happen that can delay a pick and even be timed out. during this draft not only was it thanksgiving week, but being Jewish it was also Chanukah, both of which you celebrate with your friends and family. also I had a kidney stone during the draft. the doctors told me that the only pain that is greater is giving birth. if I had to go thru that pain to give birth I would not have any children. I had four days of that pain and spent two days in the hospital. dc draft rules are eight hours. I hate the time but I still enter 3 dc per season. it is a great way to learn all the new players and managers. if you cant take the time frame then stop complaining and wait until February. love and kisses, hopefully your friend marty.

Marty, I was in DC 1 with you and recall that you were extremely courteous to others. Although you may have taken longer than YOU would have liked to make some selections, I do not recall you slowing things down at all. You did everything one could hope for from a fellow drafter - you picked timely, occasionally used auto, and, most importantly, communicated to others in the chat room. From what I remember, after you advised that you had to go to the hospital or something to that effect, everyone else was very patient in between your picks.

The fact that you didn't slow things down at all (DC 1 finished in about 10-11 days and has been cited as a great DC draft by others), notwithstanding dealing with a painful medical issue, in a way highlights why Deadheadz, and many others (including myself from time to time), can get really frustrated with certain owners in DC drafts. Unfortunately, there are others who have little or no consideration of others, repeatedly take forever to make picks, never use Auto Draft, and never communicate when they will be unavailable (thereby leaving 14 other owners in a lurch, repeatedly checking and waiting for a pick to be made). Barring unexpected circumstances, it takes so little effort to post in the chat room when you are going to be tied-up and unavailable to pick. While long delays sometimes can be frustrating, other owners almost always can understand and accept them graciously when the delayed owner communicates and demonstrates some basic consideration of other drafters. It is the folks who don't give a crap that piss everyone else off and can ruin a draft virtually single-handedly (complete torture if you get more than one of these Others in the same draft).

So far, I've been pretty lucky, I guess. DC 1 was great, and my current draft, while slowing down some lately, generally has been very good. Last year, I had four pleasurable DC drafts and two painful ones. Sadly, all that's needed is basic consideration of others - something everyone in DC 1 demonstrated (particularly you given the circumstances).

Finally, as someone who once had a kidney stone about a decade ago, you have my extreme sympathy and best wishes that you never have to go through that again.

Mike

[Greg Ambrosius]

...in the Draft Champions experience is for the ability to choose from a variety of DCs not just ask oneself "do I want to go into the one currently registering, even though I don't recognize half the names?"

After a stellar DC 1 it seems like all we hear about are league which have half the managers champing at the bit to make a pick while the other half is made up of managers who either don't want to pick more than once or twice a day or see it as a casual activity where it's okay to check in once or twice every 24 hours and only stay online long enough to make a pick if it happens to be their turn.

They tell us "the rules say we get upto 8 hours per pick."

On the forum we talk about "like minded" drafters. Why not have a signup for "like minded drafters" who want the draft to last 30 days? And another who want it to last about 14 days. Maybe another where the managers want to finish in only 10.

How do you get like minded drafters when there's no choice of leagues other than a list of names, take it or leave it?

I've decided to leave it.
After DC 11 you should expect to not see me doing any more drafting until March 2014.

Since DC 1 it's all been going downhill.

Honestly Chris, no NFBC Draft Champions League is lasting 30 days and in fact this year's DCs are moving faster than any previous year. Those first 4-5 DCs were done in less than 20 days each and some were done in 14 days. If you look at the current DCs right now you can see that most of these are on pace to be done in 20 days or less:

Dec. 3rd start - Currently in Round 47 (47 rounds in 13 days)
Dec. 3rd start - Currently in Round 24 (24 rounds in 13 days)
Dec. 6th start - Currently in Round 38 (38 rounds in 10 days)
Dec. 9th start - Currently in Round 19 (19 rounds in 7 days)
Dec. 11th start - Currently in Round 17 (17 rounds in 5 days)
Dec. 12th start - Currently in Round 18 (18 rounds in 4 days)
Dec. 14th start - Currently in Round 7 (7 rounds in 2 days)

We are seeing more owners using 1 Round Auto than ever before. We are seeing more respect given to other owners within the Chat, providing times when they'll be back in the draft room and even cell phone numbers. We are seeing on average 3 or more rounds of picks per day. And remember, this is through the Thanksgiving holiday in the early drafts and now through early December for these DCs and with Placeholders before last week. I'm extremely proud of the early drafters.

While I understand folks coming on the boards and stating any frustrations they have, the numbers don't lie. Folks are doing a great job and if you can do 50 rounds in less than 20 days that's a good experience. Every league is different -- heck just look at the two that started on Dec. 3rd -- but we're getting through drafts in 14 to 20 days and that's awesome. This is good stuff.

And yes, for those who can't handle even this pace, we'll offer Draft Champions Express Leagues any Friday or Sunday night you'd like. We currently have them starting on Feb. 7th, but will host them sooner if needed. It's all good, so let's keep the DC's rolling. Again, thanks to everyone drafting so diligently so far and keep it up.

[Greg Ambrosius]

hi, if you recognize the name you know that I was also in dc1. by the time I took to make some of my picks you would not know that I am also of like mind. being this is your first year you may not understand that things happen that can delay a pick and even be timed out. during this draft not only was it thanksgiving week, but being Jewish it was also Chanukah, both of which you celebrate with your friends and family. also I had a kidney stone during the draft. the doctors told me that the only pain that is greater is giving birth. if I had to go thru that pain to give birth I would not have any children. I had four days of that pain and spent two days in the hospital. dc draft rules are eight hours. I hate the time but I still enter 3 dc per season. it is a great way to learn all the new players and managers. if you cant take the time frame then stop complaining and wait until February. love and kisses, hopefully your friend marty.

Kudos to Marty, who would call me from the hospital to help him make a pick because he didn't want to hold up the league. Now THAT'S DEDICATION!! He's a perfect example of these early drafters and I hope nobody ever has to go through what he's going through. Thanks for fighting through the pain Marty and best of luck the rest of the way.

[Deadheadz]

DC 6 Nov 28 start currently round 42.

[joshguy]

DC 6 Nov 28 start currently round 42.

Im in that one and the one that started on December 6. Funny enough, at this exact moment both leagues are on pick 6 of the 42 rd.

I dont even worry about the clock anymore, I always try to be timely and hope others are as well. Beyond that its out of my control so no need to even worry about it.

[ikenbaseball]

i'm in the process of acquiring that skill. Patience grasshopper. Patience. I took another owners advice and signed up for 2 drafts close in proximity to take some of the edge off.

[Greg Ambrosius]

DC 6 Nov 28 start currently round 42.

Again, every league is different. You have done 42 rounds in 20 days or a little over 2 rounds per day. At that pace you'll be done in 24 days or so and be done before Christmas. Then you still have 3 months to go before setting that Week 1 starting lineup!!

Every DC is different. They take on a life of their own. I agree that the DCs that are the best average 3 or more rounds per day and even have some night times where everyone is in the draft room and the banter goes on for hours. Those are memorable DCs. But not every one of them goes that way. Still, to paint all DCs as bad because this one is averaging 2 rounds per day isn't accurate. There are many more DCs averaging 3 or more rounds per day.

Enjoy all. Baseball is less than 100 days away....from the Australia opener!!

[EWeaver]

DC 6 Nov 28 start currently round 42.

Again, every league is different. You have done 42 rounds in 20 days or a little over 2 rounds per day. At that pace you'll be done in 24 days or so and be done before Christmas. Then you still have 3 months to go before setting that Week 1 starting lineup!!

Every DC is different. They take on a life of their own. I agree that the DCs that are the best average 3 or more rounds per day and even have some night times where everyone is in the draft room and the banter goes on for hours. Those are memorable DCs. But not every one of them goes that way. Still, to paint all DCs as bad because this one is averaging 2 rounds per day isn't accurate. There are many more DCs averaging 3 or more rounds per day.

Enjoy all. Baseball is less than 100 days away....from the Australia opener!!

I'm in DC 6. I do about five DCs per year (as myself or with co-mgrs), and have done so for the last four years. So I have 16-20 DC drafts to compare this one to. And this is the ONLY draft I'd say that has been a legit bad experience. And in part it's been a bad experience because the other 16-20 I've done, while they've had some hiccups and some slow drafters/picks, were overall pretty fun (and some have been great) and give me a baseline of what to expect.

But DC6 is just terrible. Technical pace aside (and it will end up being slower than two rounds per day, for sure, unless 8-10 of the slower drafters learn about the auto-pick function and/or stop timing out/taking 6.5 hours to pick now that we hit the 40s), it's a bad draft, and has not been fun, and it's not just the pace, and I say that with some level of experience. And that's nothing against the other drafters as people, just as drafters who fit my preferred style of drafting...

That said, I love the format, enjoy it (apparently 19 out of 20 times), and will continue to do around five a year into the foreseeable future...don't give up deadheadz, for every DC6, you'll have 14 pretty damn good drafts, and five DC1s...

[papa's nine]

first I want to thank everyone for caring about my health. it was very heart warming. again thanks.

from previous experiences this years dc1 was a Christmas miracle. and most of this years drafts are much better then any of the drafts that I was in before. last year in two of my drafts there were several time out and two managers who would not make a pick in less then 7 hours. their reason being that it is an 8 hour draft and could take all the time they want. (Not needs). it got so bad that my son said he would never be in a dc again and I also made a promise to myself not to enter anymore dc drafts. of course as all know that promise lasted until DC1. I think I was the second to enter. I found that drafting is so much fun that If I wanted to continue and have fun I would have to understand that some managers are just pri-ks and just forget about them and work with the other managers. again thanks and have fun. see you in the next dc.
.

[Deadheadz]

People have been asking me in PM to share the names of slow drafters.

I'd like to study the data (draft email) to come up with average time per pick and then post them all, good and bad.
Right now I've got data only for those leagues in which I drafted.

It would be helpful to have more data but I'm not sure if NFBC has a rule against sharing the full list of drafted players with managers not in the league.

[Greg Ambrosius]

People have been asking me in PM to share the names of slow drafters.

I'd like to study the data (draft email) to come up with average time per pick and then post them all, good and bad.
Right now I've got data only for those leagues in which I drafted.

It would be helpful to have more data but I'm not sure if NFBC has a rule against sharing the full list of drafted players with managers not in the league.

Chris, you've been in 3 DCs this year, one of which was a dream DC and the other one in which you are in Round 23 after 6+ days and folks are PMing you for a naughty list?? All because of DC6?? I know this is the first time you've ever done these DC's with us, but if 3+ rounds per day isn't up to speed for you feel free to check out the DC Expresses where you get 1 minute per pick. Maybe that's a better format for you.

[DOUGHBOYS]

People have been asking me in PM to share the names of slow drafters.

I'd like to study the data (draft email) to come up with average time per pick and then post them all, good and bad.
Right now I've got data only for those leagues in which I drafted.

It would be helpful to have more data but I'm not sure if NFBC has a rule against sharing the full list of drafted players with managers not in the league.

The 'data' would show you little. Some drafters really have a hard time, but are doing the best they can. They'll communicate through chat and tell others the problems they're enduring and fellow drafters will understand.
Then, there are the selfish drafters. The one's that won't communicate. They'll leave when it is their turn. They'll take many hours on the clock, just because they can. They think the eight hours on the clock is THEIR eight hours.
It's pure selfishness. But, we encounter that in real life as well. We adjust. We know that draft won't be the kind of draft we like.
And it only takes one drafter to do this.
The good thing is, I can list 100 good drafters for every two of these selfish drafters. Good drafters are out there.
I put together four 'fast slow' drafts last year. They were done in five, six, six, and seven days. You can only do that when all 15 drafters are terrific drafters and share responsibility and character.

Chris, I can put together a draft that you will thoroughly enjoy in January. Let me know. There are great drafters everywhere in the NFBC.

[BK METS]

People have been asking me in PM to share the names of slow drafters.

I'd like to study the data (draft email) to come up with average time per pick and then post them all, good and bad.
Right now I've got data only for those leagues in which I drafted.

It would be helpful to have more data but I'm not sure if NFBC has a rule against sharing the full list of drafted players with managers not in the league.

You cant be serious with this. I get you are frustrated but its DECEMBER!!!! In many instances there are reasons why people are slow... work, sickness, kids, holidays, new drafter not understanding slow draft courtesy, etc. For you to post everyone's draft average is absurd. I agree with Dan that there are people who are not courteous and make things difficult on everyone, but you are taking it WAY too far. If we were closer to the season, even in Spring Training, it would be one thing, but be a little patient and wait for the DC express drafts and/or the 2/4 hour time clock drafting in March. For you to come on here and threaten to expose names and average draft times is pathetic. Greg was way too nice in his response..

[Outlaw]

People have been asking me in PM to share the names of slow drafters.

I'd like to study the data (draft email) to come up with average time per pick and then post them all, good and bad.
Right now I've got data only for those leagues in which I drafted.

It would be helpful to have more data but I'm not sure if NFBC has a rule against sharing the full list of drafted players with managers not in the league.

You cant be serious with this. I get you are frustrated but its DECEMBER!!!! In many instances there are reasons why people are slow... work, sickness, kids, holidays, new drafter not understanding slow draft courtesy, etc. For you to post everyone's draft average is absurd. I agree with Dan that there are people who are not courteous and make things difficult on everyone, but you are taking it WAY too far. If we were closer to the season, even in Spring Training, it would be one thing, but be a little patient and wait for the DC express drafts and/or the 2/4 hour time clock drafting in March. For you to come on here and threaten to expose names and average draft times is pathetic. Greg was way too nice in his response..

Well Said BK!

[Deadheadz]

For you to post everyone's draft average is absurd.

Then perhaps it's absurd people have been asking me to let them know who the slow or bad drafters are so they can avoid leagues with those names in them.

Before reading your post today I decided I didn't care to go to the trouble of making a spreadsheet which would show the average draft times. It's not worth the effort even if some people would like to know.

The original intent was to point out to STATS that some people (including myself) would be reluctant to spend their money for these bad experiences. Rather than 10+ DCs this year I will likely stop at 3 or maybe 4. If they aren't worried about losing potential revenue, then I won't worry either.

[mbendar16]

Deadheadz wrote:
The original intent was to point out to STATS that some people (including myself) would be reluctant to spend their money for these bad experiences.

It's important to note that what may be a bad experience for you may not be for others. I'm sure there are some, courteous drafters that prefer to only have a few rounds per day instead of a sprinter's pace. I've been a part of both and know going in to sign up the likely speed of picks. Everyone signs up for these for different reasons, and it's impossible for STATS to make everyone happy in this format, at least when 15 random people are signing up for each league. The popularity of these drafts last year and that there are almost 20 this season before the new year starts suggests that people are willing to deal with the possibility of these drafts taking anywhere from 1-2 weeks to 4-5 weeks.

There will be leagues in January and February that will fit to the style of drafting you want in this format.