Greg and Tom Will Host Live Chat Thursday 10 AM ET

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:09 am

Originally posted by ScottieBaseball:

Greg, many thanks to you and Tom for keeping this thing going. I know we all appreciate your efforts and know that you have been working your butts off but those Coronas are coming soon!

My question is in preparing for the upcoming Auction drafts, what was the highest dollar player bid on last year? Just trying to get an idea where the range was for the top tier players compared to the mid range players. Also, the draft for the "leftovers" at the end of the auction draft is really interesting. Do you think guys will hold off on some players hoping to draft them later to save their free agent money?

Thanks! I have two mixed league boards in front of me from last year. Top players were:

Albert Pujols: $41, $46

Hanley Ramirez: $41, $45

Ryan Braun: $40, $42

Carl Crawford: $39, $37

Mark Teixeira: $38, $35

Prince Fielder: $35, $36

That gives you an idea.

No I don't. Those seven reserve picks are VERY important and folks who win know how to fill out their rosters there. You can find 2 or 3 diamond in the rough at times there, so I don't anticipate anyone letting guys go so they can get them later in free agency.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:15 am

Originally posted by crazytown:

Guys,

A couple of auction values/questions.

Would you pay more than $30 for Utley?

How high would you go on Greinke?

Would you pay more than $20 on Posey? Well, Utley scares me a little because the injuries are starting to add up. He's 32 and it seems like he's getting more nicks and small injuries. If you think he's a Top 15 overall player, then yes bid $30. He went for $40 and $35 last year in the two leagues I'm looking at and I suspect he will go for over $30 this year if he's healthy. $30 for someone who can hit .285-30-100-15-100 is a bargain. So yes.

Depends on how much you like an ace. Would I go $25 in a mixed league? Maybe. I think that's the area where he'll go. Felix Hernandez went for around $26 last year and I see Greinke getting some of the same love Felix got last year. So I'd say $22-$26 and be ready.

It scares me to bid $20+ on catchers, but if you really think it's worth it to get a top-flight catcher than go for it. But there's enough concerns there for me that I wouldn't be doing it.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:19 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

Greg, do you have any surprises in store for Shawn?

Tom, any passion and energy planned for the weekend? Hah, I think the question should be posed to Shawn!!

I'm so out of touch with player values right now that he's definitely driving this train this weekend. I've been too busy trying to put all of this together to even do a Cheat Sheet this year. It's a shame considering I've been doing one first out of the gate for the last 21 years, but next year I'll be your content guy.

Shawn and I are hooking up with Mike O'Connor and Steve Fiore and Larry Schechter and maybe Chris Schinker and Glenn Colton and many others this weekend at ballgames. It should be a blast. Jeff Erickson will be there, too. I'm really looking forward to seeing some baseball and having beers with some good NFBC friends and industry friends. I think they'll see a much more relaxed Greg Ambrosius this weekend.

Now Shawn, let's go win us some LABR titles!!

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:20 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Hey, Atlantic City isn't overwhelming us at this point Hey!!!!!! Don't mess with AC Greg.

Also, thanks for being so transparent on the STATS purchase issue.

One thing I was thinking about recently, why no Super Auction? You have an Ultimate Auction & Super Drafts, why not follow suit on the Auction format? Might be easier to fill.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:21 am

Originally posted by Likewhat17:

When do you anticipate players drafting the 2nd weekend of the main will receive their draft slots? We will try to have the same amount of time for draft pick preparation both weekends. I would say the KDS deadline will be Tuesday, March 15th and you'll get your draft picks on either Thursday or Friday, a good 8-9 days before the drafts. Should be fun.

We're still working on a possible way to videotape the league selections. I need to find a new bingo machine, though!!

That didn't come in the asset acquisition and I'm disappointed in myself for not asking for that. But we might still be able to pull this off. Stay tuned for more details there.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:24 am

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Hey, Atlantic City isn't overwhelming us at this point Hey!!!!!! Don't mess with AC Greg.

Also, thanks for being so transparent on the STATS purchase issue.

One thing I was thinking about recently, why no Super Auction? You have an Ultimate Auction & Super Drafts, why not follow suit on the Auction format? Might be easier to fill. [/QUOTE]I won't mess with AC if you get me three full Main Event leagues, a full Auction and two full Live Double Plays!!!

It's not easy to run that location and for years folks told me to move from Manhattan to AC and I'd fill the joint up. I don't think so. We'll try to get into Manhattan for football and do all we can to move back there next baseball season.

Auctions need to be done in one city and I'm not sure the demand is there for a Super Auction League. I guess we can find out, but it could cut into the one Ultimate Auction League we have and could hurt the Auction Championship. But if demand is there, I guess we'd do it. I'm just not sure we'd have a chance of filling it anywhere other than Las Vegas on the second weekend.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:27 am

Originally posted by Babe Ruthless:

Thanks for the great job you did to get the NFBC going this year.

Are you or Tom in a baseball leagues? This year I wasn't invited to many industry leagues, so I have a manageable total. People must have thought I was leaving the industry or something.

I'll be in the AL and NL LABR Auctions and I'm in Ron Shandler's keeper league, the XFL, which drafts in November. I need to look at that team again to see what I have. I miss a good industry redraft, but maybe I'll be in one again next year. So just three leagues for me after having about 8 or 9 two years ago.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:30 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Likewhat17:

When do you anticipate players drafting the 2nd weekend of the main will receive their draft slots? We will try to have the same amount of time for draft pick preparation both weekends. I would say the KDS deadline will be Tuesday, March 15th and you'll get your draft picks on either Thursday or Friday, a good 8-9 days before the drafts. Should be fun.

We're still working on a possible way to videotape the league selections. I need to find a new bingo machine, though!!

That didn't come in the asset acquisition and I'm disappointed in myself for not asking for that. But we might still be able to pull this off. Stay tuned for more details there. [/QUOTE]no bingo machine? Isn't there an app for that ?

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:31 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

I won't mess with AC if you get me three full Main Event leagues, a full Auction and two full Live Double Plays!!!

It's not easy to run that location and for years folks told me to move from Manhattan to AC and I'd fill the joint up. I don't think so. We'll try to get into Manhattan for football and do all we can to move back there next baseball season.

Auctions need to be done in one city and I'm not sure the demand is there for a Super Auction League. I guess we can find out, but it could cut into the one Ultimate Auction League we have and could hurt the Auction Championship. But if demand is there, I guess we'd do it. I'm just not sure we'd have a chance of filling it anywhere other than Las Vegas on the second weekend. Are you saying you're thinking of moving to Manhattan for both NFBC weekends or just the 2nd weekend? I love the AC weekend, I hope it remains.

I'd bet a Super Auction would do great in NYC. Looks like you're going to fill three Auction leagues there including the $1300.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:34 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

Any thoughts on getting a first mover January rag on the market ? I always thought it was a good vehicle to carry the event to the uninformed.

With any luck, we'll still have time to do a football magazine in 2011 and find a way to put your pretty mug inside. [/QUOTE]Don't we get to see Jupinka's mug enough everytime we log onto the website?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:39 am

Don't worry Q, I know we can find another bingo machine. There's enough Catholic churches around here to rent one from!!

Manhattan would only be the second weekend. Wow, we can barely afford one weekend there. We definitely wouldn't do two.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:43 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

Tom, any passion and energy planned for the weekend? For this weekend or the two NFBC weekends? I'll probably be using this weekend to gear up for the rest of the month. It's going to be a wild ride.

As far as AC and NY, there's also going to be plenty of passion and energy planned for those weekends. And New York in particular could have something VERY exciting if we can make it happen.

Stay tuned.

Chevy · Post by **Chevy** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:56 am

my sat 125 top 3 league on 3-12 at 5et was one of first leagues to fill up so can we get our kds set early. and when r u hitting credit cards

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:58 am

Originally posted by Chevy:

my sat 125 top 3 league on 3-12 at 5et was one of first leagues to fill up so can we get our kds set early. and when r u hitting credit cards We'll get to that league real soon Donny. You can set your KDS now and enter your payment info and you'll be all set. Thanks.

Chevy · Post by **Chevy** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:04 am

i know where ray, kyle, kay r, how bout charlie weigert. whats he up to

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:11 am

Originally posted by Chevy:

i know where ray, kyle, kay r, how bout charlie weigert. whats he up to Charlie is currently enjoying retired life. I believe he's still basking in the warm sun out in Hawait. But one of the positives about us no longer working for Fanball is people like Charlie and Seth Trachtman can return to our events. Charlie is signed up for the Live Double Play in St. Louis and I can promise that will be a very fun draft for everyone.

Chevy · Post by **Chevy** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:17 am

i loved fanball mags, do u recomend one that i can start reading. and also if u had to look at one set of projections would u pick bill james or ron shandler.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:28 am

Originally posted by Chevy:

i loved fanball mags, do u recomend one that i can start reading. and also if u had to look at one set of projections would u pick bill james or ron shandler. I think both Bill and Ron do great work so I don't think you can go wrong either way. If you're looking for a strong baseball mag, RotoWire is a great one to pick up. We published their magazine for years before we were sold to Fanball and those are some strong baseball guys who put that magazine together.

TParsons · Post by **TParsons** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:33 am

Any plans for an online auction format in the future?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:44 am

Originally posted by TParsons:

Any plans for an online auction format in the future? It's possible. We can talk to our tech guys and see how much of an undertaking it would take to build that type of site. We know there's a demand for online auctions so it's certainly something we can look into and see if we can develop.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:57 am

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

Any thoughts on getting a first mover January rag on the market ? I always thought it was a good vehicle to carry the event to the uninformed.

With any luck, we'll still have time to do a football magazine in 2011 and find a way to put your pretty mug inside. [/QUOTE]Don't we get to see Jupinka's mug enough everytime we log onto the website? [/QUOTE]How'd you like to look at that in the mirror every day pal! You get to breeze by hardly paying a glance on the way to your winning teams. I think Lindy should stay up there until someone topples his check .

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:07 am

If the Overall prize for Slo Drafts go well this year, any chance that we start the same contest for satelite fast drafts next year?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:10 am

I haven't checked the rules, but once the first game started on Friday last year, our lineups were final.

Is Friday like Monday was last year,we can still change our lineups till 7pm, est for players who have not started a game as yet?

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:27 am

Greg,

Tell us the major differences we will see from Fanball's IT to STATS IT.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:34 am

Too soon for this season obviously. But thinking along the creative line - Simple, fast, fun to follow.

An online contest.

League prize and overall.

A live draft, 12 or 15 tms

Fill out a roster of 8 players, 1 for each position.

Draft works like a standard NFBC draft

1 category: Home runs. Most home runs wins.

Draft and go. No faab no roster moves.

A total of 120 players are taken

Draft on avg over in an hour and a half or so

No fixed overall prize, instead its a % of total entrants. This eliminates risk on NFBC part.

Just needs some programming. Sound interesting ? Just something fun to follow during the season.