Why I love the NFBC

[Chest Rockwell]

My entire life I have known more about baseball than anyone I would meet. That changed here. I welcome as do most of us who face the exact same situation. I would rather be respected here for my baseball acumen than revered elsewhere for it.

I love the friendships. I love the interesting people. I love how Beverly HIlls meets a pig farmer in Idaho. Baseball brought us together, but who we are as human beings unites us.

We are not perfect, but we are a family. I have written things on this board that I regret yet I still have a lot of friends here. Gekko, MTM, Kevin, Dobies, the list could go on for days. We are not perfect. We make mistakes. Friends forgive and see the best in others.

I would propose the gold standard for behavior being acceptable versus unacceptable is one in the end Greg must make. I politely suggest the bar being set at one simple question. What motivates your behavior? If you wish to hurt others and your primary goal is to start trouble then you are not welcome. If your goal is to enjoy baseball and be welcomed by a big ole dysfunctional family that ranges from multi multi millionaires to regular joes, skinny to fat, blue collar to white collar then come on in. You don't have to be perfect you just have to love baseball and have a desire to make it a better place. I know my main goal here has never been to hurt. I lost my way once or twice. The interesting thing is I have also never thought my "opponent" in that debate's goal was to harm me or hurt me either. The last couple of days is the only time I have seen that behavior. It makes me sad and mad. I don't like to see my friends belittled. I also don't want to see anyone pushed away too soon. No one is as good as their best day or as bad as their worst. I look forward to a few Vegas buffets, a couple of beers, a pair of jeans with no belt, talking baseball for hours with Neal and Andy and most of all a hug from Dan Kenyon who I admire more than words can say. Sorry to be long winded.

[Fourslot40]

Agreed. There simply isn't a better fantasy baseball experience. We need to promote that more on these boards. Too much negativity being brought in by a few folks that is impacting the core and class of the vast majority of players. Without this outlet, there would be such an enormous hole. My wife thinks I'm crazy when it comes to fantasy sports. The live events and hanging with fellow crazy folks is the best part of my year. The NFBC is the elite outfit in this industry.

[DOUGHBOYS]

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME post and thread, Kent!
The NFBC has been the source of so many joys for me. I look forward to seeing you, Andy, Rog, Wayne, and oh man, you're right, the list can go on for miles.
The NFBC has brought so many great moments that the last two days seem like a penny to it's 100 dollar bill.

Friendships have been life long. Not just a once a year league. The bonds formed in the NFBC are like those of a family.
The common bond for us, being baseball and the NFBC.
The older I get, the more I cherish the NFBC. Greg and Tom should be proud of all the steps taken and every decision made.
They are to be commended for bringing so many dorks together and making it work.
I'm proud to be a part of it. And proud to be your friend and the friend of many, many others met here.
If that all sounds sappy, so be it.

[Baseball Furies]

Great post, Kent. You will be missed up in NY this year for the MTM. Would love to have you back anytime...as a matter of fact, how about this year? We're short one as of yesterday. Good to hear from you.

[Yah Mule]

I've only been here for a few years, but the NFBC is so much better than any place I played previously. The reason why starts right at the top. Greg and Tom have created something really special here. They're two of the most genuine people I've ever met. They made me feel welcome and like my opinions mattered from day one. Because our opinions do matter around here. Greg and Tom realize they've put together a place that has attracted some of the best baseball minds around and they haven't wasted that resource. They've always been open to suggestions and that's why they're constantly fine tuning what is already the best game in the industry, as well as offering innovative new products on a steady basis. I can't see myself ever playing anywhere else.

[morons]

Agree. The people are great- from Greg and Tom at the top, the guys and gals who staff the live events, and the rest of the NFBC guys who play.

My girlfriend heads to Vegas each spring with me for baseball drafts and again in fall for football (and she's a reigning champ of her nffc football league, btw). I wish more guys had the experieince of sharing the fun of the drafts and baseball season with their wife/GF instead of so many who get no support, who have wives who think its silly, or its a waste of time/money.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

Not sure exactly what happened on these boards over past day or two but it sounds like we had some negative BS going on.

Unlike many of you I've never done a live event, but I feel the same way as some of the postings here. I've always been a 'sports geek', and as I get older there just aren't many others who are. My wife does watch a little football, but she could clearly be put in the category of "this hobby is silly and it's a waste of time and money". And most of the rest of America seems to be worried about keeping up with the Joneses, and going to the mall, buying their kids some sneakers with lights in them, to borrow a line from George Carlin.

So to keep my sanity I play my couple of NFBC and NFFC events every year and I read the boards at least a few times a week. All I can say is that having this outlet makes life a little more interesting and gives me something to look forward to besides the never ending 40 hour per week grind.

Thanks.