Better to be 'Live' Than the Alternative

[DOUGHBOYS]

Each year, I get contacted by new NFBC players that want to know more about the NFBC. They'll ask about players, strategies, good drafters, bad drafters, DC's, Auctions...anything of interest that they want to know more about.
Everybody asks about one subject without fail.
The Main Event.

New drafters have drafted in home leagues and online and have never been to a 'Live Draft' the way we know a 'Live Draft'.
First, if you are thinking about going....GO!
I'll repeat this as we get further in this post.
First, the Chicago and New York drafts are a cross between your home draft and the drafts in Las Vegas.
There will be several people at both places, all darned knowledgable about fantasy baseball.
Some folks think that these are easier venues. Don't listen to them. These guys are every bit as savvy as the drafters in Las Vegas. And pound per pound, probably even more so.
If living closer to Chicago or New York and it's cheaper...GO!
It's an awesome experience, and you will not regret it.

I'll focus this post on Las Vegas, since I've gone there nine of the last 10 years or 10 of the last 11. Hey! I'm old, I forget things! I don't have Alzheimers, but I do have Sometimers, alright?
Anyway, let me tell you about my first experience in Las Vegas....and believe me, its only gotten better since.
I walked into this BIG Drafting room. I believe it was at the Rio Hotel then.
The room seemed huge with rich, colorful carpets and tables with draft boards for as far as my senses could handle.
I thought I had died and gone to fantasy Heaven.
A few people said 'Hello' to me and carried on their conversations about drafts and players.
My wife was beside me, she may have said a few things, but I didn't hear.
Finally, she grabbed my arm, turned me around and said, "Did you hear what I said?!"
Sheepishly, I said "No".
She said, "I said "OMIGOD, THESE GUYS ARE JUST LIKE YOU!!!!"
And they were.
She left within five minutes, knowing that I wouldn't leave that room for many, many hours.

For this old sombitch, it was Mecca...whatever mecca is, but it sounds good.
I came an hour early, so that I can study and know the players I was about to take.
I never looked at my list. Never opened up my Big Chief Pad.
It was so enthralling talking with people like me that I got lost in conversation.
Back home, when I'd talk like this, I would get rolling eyes and people shifting feet, wishing they were anywhere but in front of me talking about baseball.

I met a lot of good folks. I don't drink, so I gave my drink tickets to Brian Oakchunas who was drafting next to me.
I did well in the draft as it turns out.
But during the draft and before the draft, I got bit by an inferiority mosquito.
You know that bug. I drove nine hours to get to Las Vegas knowing I was gonna kick ass....then once in that room, that mosquito bit me and I wasn't so sure of myself.
It's humbling.
A little like being Big Man On Campus until graduating.
Then, you're just like everybody else and that was how I felt in that room....And, I liked it.

The Drafts all start at the same time. The nerves, for the most part, go away after the first pick. It begins tobe all business after that.
One drawback is that there are other tables within loud talking distance around you. You will hear other names from other drafters being called out.
It sucks.
You may cross a name off your list that was taken inthe draft beside yours, and not yours.
Or, you may hear a coveted player being taken in a nearby draft. You'll ll curl your lip and hope he is still there when you draft, knowing everybody has his name on the tip of their tongue.
This problem still has not been alleviated, so be ready WHEN you go.

We have two breaks. One for eating, drinking, pissing, and studying.
The other for eating, drinking, pissing, studying and patting yourself on the back for a good team or mentally slapping yourself for a bad one.
The food is foo foo food. My pallet is more Taco Bell and cafe type food.
This food is salad type stuff or fancy type food that everybody else seems to enjoy.
To tell the truth, a big bag of Doritos and Diet Dr. Pepper would do me for the draft.

After the drafts are over, the draft boards are converged on and opinions start flying.
Some will say, "Look at THIS team!" Others will say, "What the fuck was this guy thinking?"
It's awesome.
Nobody really knows a good team from a bad one. Not a pitch has been thrown.
BUT, that doesn't stop anybody.
I just like to step back and listen to everybody.
Back home, that is what I sound like.
To me, it's sweet music to my ears. Stupid people back home!

After the Main Event is over and the room is cleared, there are other drafts going on. I used to be afraid to step in on one of these drafts.
Go ahead.
If you've stepped into a place where nobody wants you, they'll tell you.
But usually, if being quiet and just listening, you become part of the wall to drafters.

After years have passed, these guys actually become friends. Every March, I can't wait for KJ to tell me, "It looks like you've lost weight!"
In that way, I am the CC Sabathia of the NFBC, I've lost weight every year and every March, I am in the best shape of my life!
I want to mention others in the NFBC too. It is like a big, damned family.
Only different because it is a Family Reunion that you will look FORWARD to attending!
If you are thinking about going, just GO!
There are other people like you.
Maybe your wife or friend needs that verification.
Mine did.
She's incredulous of how it grows each year and that there are even more people like you and me.
GO.

[Brock]

I don't know you Doughy but that was a great depiction of what it's like to be a new guy. So many other fantasy baseball addicts out there with great skill sets that is so challenging to compete against but you will feel a great sense of satisfaction if you're lucky enough to do well. I enjoy your musings Doughy and thanks for your contribution here. As Doughboy says drafting live is a great fun experience and meeting the guys and making new friends with our common interests is awesome. Good luck everyone.

[Atlas]

Here's a visual from NY five years ago.
Remember Citi Field?

http://www.wsj.com/video/the-ultimate-f ... 9530BDCA42

[Sack]

Great job, Doughy = like the Geico commercial my friend: "Nailed it"

Hope to see you in Vegas.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Hope to see you as well, Ken.
We were there before, and I made a mental note to introduce myself, and it never happened.
My loss and I will make sure that doesn't happen this time around.
See you there.

Dan

[Baseball Furies]

Here's a visual from NY five years ago.
Remember Citi Field?

http://www.wsj.com/video/the-ultimate-f ... 9530BDCA42

Great post, and great venue. Miss drafting there. Wish we could go back. Manhattan is great, but nothing like drafting at a major league ballpark. Can't believe the back of my head was actually featured prominently in the piece. Who knew? I think that was the year that I met Glenn Lowy for the first time and we were thrust on the air together for a couple of infamous questions with Sirius XM. It's been all down hill since then as I cannot shake the guy now. Actually all kidding aside, if you attend these live events, it's definitely all about facing your competitors in person, and the friendships you make. I myself have had the pleasure of meeting so many great guys over the years who continue to pretend to be my friends ever since...at least as far as I know.

[Cobb]

Great post Dough as always. I was on the fence as to whether I can leave the little one this year to head back out to Vegas, but then thought "No Live Draft This Year?...not going to happen!" Besides, what would you do if I wasn't there to bullshit with you all the way to the revolving doors!

[Edwards Kings]

Nailed it Dan! It is amazining what a sense of community has grown up around these events. So many friends I would never have had the opportunity to meet. Worth the price of attendance on its on. It sucks sometimes being an adult with all the sacrifices we make for all the right reasons, but this is one treat I cannot deny myself.

In short, the live drafts/auctions cannot get here soon enough and will all be over too damn quickly.

[gsjanoff]

There simply is no experience like this for an avid fantasy baseball player.

I second everything that has been stated. Just make the decision and go. It's well worth it.

[Tom Kessenich]

From my perspective as the game runner and event host I gotta say nothing replaces the live experience or even comes close. I definitely understand the ease of Online drafting and I think it's wonderful but in my opinion if you're going to truly dive into the high stakes world you have to draft live. For me, it's become a family reunion seeing so many familiar faces every year. But it's also great meeting new people and seeing how much they enjoy the experience.

We certainly have a lot more going on now than in the old days when we'd run the Main Event, a few auctions and call it a day. But the one thing that remains the same is how much fun it is to be in a room where a live event is going on. Whether it's a draft or an auction or whatever, nothing can beat that live event experience. I understand that making the trek to Vegas, New York or Chicago isn't possible for everyone but I really think people are missing out if they don't draft live. Nothing beats it and like many here have said, the friendships you make often are ones that will last a lifetime.

[Atlas]

Here's a visual from NY five years ago.
Remember Citi Field?

http://www.wsj.com/video/the-ultimate-f ... 9530BDCA42

Great post, and great venue. Miss drafting there. Wish we could go back. Manhattan is great, but nothing like drafting at a major league ballpark. Can't believe the back of my head was actually featured prominently in the piece. Who knew? I think that was the year that I met Glenn Lowy for the first time and we were thrust on the air together for a couple of infamous questions with Sirius XM. It's been all down hill since then as I cannot shake the guy now. Actually all kidding aside, if you attend these live events, it's definitely all about facing your competitors in person, and the friendships you make. I myself have had the pleasure of meeting so many great guys over the years who continue to pretend to be my friends ever since...at least as far as I know.

I actually sat next to Glenn for this draft. My son and I make a couple appearance in this piece. I remember seeing the camera on us from a distance and asking him "Is that camera on us?" I was afraid it was my ex-wife following us. I think the name of my team that year was "Don't tell my ex if we win"

[76erfan]

From my perspective as the game runner and event host I gotta say nothing replaces the live experience or even comes close. I definitely understand the ease of Online drafting and I think it's wonderful but in my opinion if you're going to truly dive into the high stakes world you have to draft live. For me, it's become a family reunion seeing so many familiar faces every year. But it's also great meeting new people and seeing how much they enjoy the experience.

We certainly have a lot more going on now than in the old days when we'd run the Main Event, a few auctions and call it a day. But the one thing that remains the same is how much fun it is to be in a room where a live event is going on. Whether it's a draft or an auction or whatever, nothing can beat that live event experience. I understand that making the trek to Vegas, New York or Chicago isn't possible for everyone but I really think people are missing out if they don't draft live. Nothing beats it and like many here have said, the friendships you make often are ones that will last a lifetime.

100% agree. There are many here that arent what I would call my online friends or even my baseball friends........they are just friends. You dont get that anywhere but at the live drafts.

[Tom Kessenich]

I think it's pretty cool to see the number of partnerships that are formed as a result of people meeting in the NFBC and/or NFFC. You spend a few years competing against some people that go to the same location every year, you become friends and the next you know you team up together for a league or two. Those are the types of things that are hard to duplicate online, if not impossible to do. That really comes from seeing people at the live events and getting to know them. It's a great off-shoot of everything we've done in both contests.

[Greg Ambrosius]

In recent years we've tried to extend the time we spend together in Las Vegas by hosting an NCAA Viewing Party on Thursday night. We went all out the first year in a downstairs ballroom and it was fun, but it was more than we needed for a group that comes and goes on that night in Las Vegas!! The last couple of years we rented a Penthouse Executive Suite in the Spa Tower and hosted a friendly gathering of 40 or so people for drinks, food, hoops and camaraderie. We'll do that again this year on Thursday, March 26th, so plan your trip accordingly. There's no cost as Fanduel will sponsor this party again!!

That Thursday Night Viewing Party is a good way for new players to meet the veterans and for the veterans to catch up with good friends. The room is HUGE and I have two separate rooms this year because I'd love to host the Auction Championship in the 2nd room. I think that could be a lot of fun, so let's fill up the Thursday Auction Championship and you guys will have your own separate party.

Anyway, plan to attend this if you're coming to Vegas because it's a great way to kick off the baseball weekend. Even if you're not thirsty or hungry, come for the friendships. You'll love it.