Well, How Did The First Weekend Live Drafts Go?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:27 am

Well, from all reports the first weekend of live drafts and auctions was a pretty good success. I say that because there are no bitching threads on the Message Board, so it must have been good, right?

How did things go in St. Louis, Atlantic City and Las Vegas, if you don't mind telling me.

I heard that my gang of friends who ran St. Louis did a SPECTACULAR job. I also heard that Kay kept things moving there on Saturday and you folks finished in less than four hours. SWEEEEEEEEET. And I trust Tom kept things rolling in Atlantic City, too, right?

I personally want to thank all of our customers in Las Vegas for being so damn good. I mean, when every single person is seated and there for the Main Event 10 minutes before kickoff you have to feel good. All 12 people on the phone for LV4 were also there by that time. It was unreal to see everything go so smoothly that day at the Bellagio, in a nice room that was perfect for four leagues.

Kudos also to everyone in the Super and Ultimates yesterday. I'm always very nervous about teleconference leagues because you never know if you're going to have a phone glitch or if someone won't be able to see the big draft board online, but those three leagues couldn't have gone any better. Everyone on the phone was on time and very astute and the guys here in Las Vegas were fantastic. We had two rooms that kept us tight and close, but I wanted that rather than a spacious room with 15 or so folks. I think both rooms worked very well and we definitely had more food and drink than we could handle.

What a great, great day of high-dollar drafts. Good luck everyone now.

And the auction went well with Rex at the helm and the Live Double Plays were fun too. This weekend we'll cruise through those Live Double Plays with snacks and drinks as those are done in three hours before anyone even works up an appetite.

Plan accordingly for those Live DPs. Thanks.

Okay, my job today is to get all of the Las Vegas rosters entered before I have to go bet on some NIT games. I have a lot of data entry ahead of me, but give me some feedback here about the live events and I'll figure out what we can improve on for this weekend. Thanks all and continued good luck this week.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:58 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Kudos also to everyone in the Super and Ultimates yesterday. I'm always very nervous about teleconference leagues because you never know if you're going to have a phone glitch or if someone won't be able to see the big draft board online, but those three leagues couldn't have gone any better. Everyone on the phone was on time and very astute and the guys here in Las Vegas were fantastic. We had two rooms that kept us tight and close, but I wanted that rather than a spacious room with 15 or so folks. I think both rooms worked very well and we definitely had more food and drink than we could handle.

What a great, great day of high-dollar drafts. Good luck everyone now. We finished the second Ultimate draft in under 3.5 hours. Consider:

1) not everyone was in the same room (some were in Vegas, while others were on the phone)

2) Tom had to enter the picks on the draft site while dealing with screwy WiFi at Bally's

3) we took two full breaks after the 10th and 20th rounds

Just want to say that Rex and everyone involved did a terrific job. Well, everyone except for the guy drafting 15th...

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Vegas this Friday!

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:35 am

Bull! The guy drafting 15th was a thief and a snake for half of the draft!

Legend7 · Post by **Legend7** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:44 am

Greg,

Big thanks for creating the On-Line option for the Main and the Live Double Play. I'd really would have liked to have attended one of the sites to draft and meet the fellow owners, but that just was not possible this year. I simply would not have been able to compete without it. The On-Line draft experience was excellent and I like the fact that if you choose to you can have two teams in the Main Event. I think this insures that the NFBC will be here for a long time.

I do have some constructive criticism for you which I have discussed in an earlier E-mail. The message board should be more organized. I think there should be one link for the Main, Live Double Play, Double Play, Satellites, Auctions, High Roller Leagues. You should be able to click on say the Main link which opens up a sub link to Dates/Times specifically to the Main event. Another sub link to report draft orders only for the Main event, another sub link for general information such as how many have signed up for week 1 or 2 and of course another sub link title General Contest Info again specifically for the Main event.which would be a place where you get people excited/motivated to join in/fill up certain leagues and give contest info on. Now do that for each... Double Play, Live Double Play...Satellites, Auctions and High Rollers no more confusion It is very confusing to find out information about your leagues on the message board after you join.

I think you should ask each league in Week #1 of the Main Event if they want their draft results published or NOT. Majority rules on whether the board will be put out for all to see or NOT. Personally I feel it should NOT be...as it could be an advantage to the 2nd week drafters to know where the players are generally going in a given round. Publishing all leagues after Week 2 completes their draft is more appropriate.

One last comment... it would be nice (in the future) if you would put the date and time that your draft is for the team that you purchased (On the customers team page). Example, I have a Live Double Play draft tonight. I was panicking over the time the draft takes place and was searching all over the message board to find out what time the draft was. I should have written the time down when I signed up but I didn't. Also if you have multiple teams it would really help to put the time on the team page.

Greg big no huge kudos for you and Tom and Team NFBC for having such a successful year to date...here is a toast of my Corona for all of you!

[ March 21, 2011, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Legend7 ]

Hells Satans · Post by **Hells Satans** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:16 am

The drafts were great in AC. Our ME draft was longer than expected due to a couple guys (5 hours) but not a big deal. Hopefully, my proximity to the defending champ at the draft table resulted in some type of osmosis-brain-wave effect that increased my drafting capabilities, but after looking at my team, I'm afraid that's not the case.

Also, kudos on the Ultimates. The moderator was fantastic.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:48 am

Greg,

To me the bottom line is you got back to your roots and what your core customer desires this year. It was a terrific success. I get to catch up with people who now after 7 years have become friends some really good friends like Andy, Chris, Neal, Charlie and Dan. I get to talk baseball with friends like Shawn, Kevin, and RT. I get to say hello to generally nice people like Doug Atkins, Chris Garcia, Lopi Asch and many more. I also get to make new friends.

I just wish my boy Oakchunas could have been there. It is not Vegas without Oakchunas worked up about someone making a stupid pick.

The best part of the weekend was seeing a young man walking up and asking his fantasy baseball idol Shawn Childs for an autograph. Shawn is pretty new to the autograph game and did not know to inscribe HOF 2011 on it.

Any Bears fans out there- Neal, Andy, Charlie and I got to meet Dick Butkus after the draft. It was pretty cool.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:29 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Greg,

To me the bottom line is you got back to your roots and what your core customer desires this year. It was a terrific success. I get to catch up with people who now after 7 years have become friends some really good friends like Andy, Chris, Neal, Charlie and Dan. I get to talk baseball with friends like Shawn, Kevin, and RT. I get to say hello to generally nice people like Doug Atkins, Chris Garcia, Lopi Asch and many more. I also get to make new friends.

I just wish my boy Oakchunas could have been there. It is not Vegas without Oakchunas worked up about someone making a stupid pick.

The best part of the weekend was seeing a young man walking up and asking his fantasy baseball idol Shawn Childs for an autograph. Shawn is pretty new to the autograph game and did not know to inscribe HOF 2011 on it.

Any Bears fans out there- Neal, Andy, Charlie and I got to meet Dick Butkus after the draft. It was pretty cool. Kent, it did feel like home again last weekend, didn't it? And when you told me you'd never seen me so relaxed, it made me feel good. I've never felt this relaxed or comfortable running live events before and maybe it's because now I'm even more hands on than ever before. Nobody would believe that it was just me and Dennis (a family friend, not an employee of ours) running this whole Vegas show. It's become so second nature to me now that I'm enjoying all of it like never before. And it's because I have customers I can count on to be prepared, be on time, be courteous of me and Dennis, be fun to be around. I love the whole experience again, I really do.

Dan Kenyon is about as genuine and nice a man as there is in this contest and I really enjoy it when he comes to our live drafts because I feel how much fun he is having. I know a lot of people love this, but Dan is baseball through and through and this is FUN for him. On Saturday when he came up to me and said I must feel proud looking over everything I've created (as he said), he saw right through me. I was thinking that exact thing. How proud I was of the moment and thinking that this same moment was going on in St. Louis and Atlantic City. And again next week in Las Vegas, Chicago and New York. And Dan saw that and shared the moment with me. It was great timing on his part.

I also shared this with Dan at that moment: My wife kiddingly asked me earlier this month why I still do this since my family never sees me through the month of March. Why do I still take all the calls during dinner and emails and all this? She wasn't questioning my career path, just wondering why I still do this after all that we've been through. And she asked that question when I was laying out all of the badges on the living room floor and asking the kids to put them alphabetically by city, which they thought was fun. And I said to her, all of those badges -- 700+ -- are people who are counting on us to do this right and to make baseball more fun. And every single one of those badges are unique individuals who are counting on us to put on a good Christmas morning and continue Christmas through six months of the season. And I enjoy that challenge and relish the moment when I accomplish it.

As Dan knows by just talking with me -- and you know as well Kent -- I am so confident that we will accomplish this moment this year. I have no doubt that we will accomplish that now that we are STATS.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:17 pm

Greg, AC was a blast as always. Honestly, I've had a great time at every Live Event I've done with your contests.

The Live Events for me is much more than the excitement of drafting in person, though that always adds to the enjoyment. Much more enjoyable is the people who you get to meet and chat with at these events. Great people that you may interact with on the boards, in PM's, in E-mails, but always prove to be even cooler people in person.

Tom, as always it was great seeing you again (though once again, next time bring Kaye with you ).

It was also great seeing & chatting again with Mike Edelman, Craig Kielinski, Mark Bendar, Dan Mitlof, John Hogan, Steve Jupinka and others, as well as meeting for the first time & getting to chat with Ken O'Brien, Andy Saxton, Ken Magner, Robert Particelli, and yes even Mike Massatto.

Great people, one and all.

I was also one that drafted the Ultimate from my hotel room via teleconference. As you and Tom know, I was a little concerned how it would work out. Turned out my concerns were for naught as it ran without a hitch (well outside of all my targets being snagged moments before I'd pick them ). By the way Greg, that was a two-pack minimum draft.

All in all Greg, Tom.....great job. I'm sure next week will be just as cool. Can't wait.

[ March 22, 2011, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Glenneration X ]

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:37 pm

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

Greg, AC was a blast as always. Honestly, I've had a great time at every Live Event I've done with your contests.

The Live Events for me is much more than the excitement of drafting in person, though that always adds to the enjoyment. Much more enjoyable is the people who you get to meet and chat with at these events. Great people that you may interact with on the boards, in PM's, in E-mails, but always prove to be even cooler people in person.

Tom, as always it was great seeing you again (though once again, next time bring Kaye with you ).

It was also great seeing & chatting again with Mike Edelman, Craig Kielinski, Mark Bendar, Dan Mitlof, John Hogan, Steve Jupinka and others, as well as meeting for the first time & getting to chat with Ken O'Brien, Andy Saxton, Ken Magner, Robert Particelli, and yes even Mike Massatto.

Great people, one and all.

I was also one that drafted the Ultimate from my hotel room via teleconference. As you and Tom know, I was a little concerned how it would work out. Turned out my concerns were for naught as it ran without a hitch (well outside of all my targets being snagged moments before I'd pick them ). By the way Greg, that was a two-pack minimum draft.

All in all Greg, Tom.....great job. I'm sure next week will be just as cool. Can't wait. Anyone else besides me shocked that he had good things to say about Tom and Greg? Some guys in Vegas were hammered and said they play a drinking game when Glenneration X compliments Tom and Greg they have to take a shot. One of them was going ahead and signing up for a liver transplant...........

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:40 pm

There's nothing wrong with compliments Kent. In fact, they feel pretty good to hear!! You should try giving some sometime. It will make you feel good!!

Glenn, I told you that was a no-smoking Ultimate League. We'll get the usher to throw you out next time!!

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:55 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Anyone else besides me shocked that he had good things to say about Tom and Greg? Some guys in Vegas were hammered and said they play a drinking game when Glenneration X compliments Tom and Greg they have to take a shot. One of them was going ahead and signing up for a liver transplant........... Ha Kent, let me know if you need a doner. I'm sure there's a huge line waiting to keep your grumpy a** alive & kicking.

After the year these two guys just went through with so much focus on the negative, nothing wrong with giving them a thumb's up when deserved. It's deserved.

Chesty, have another shot on me Bud.

[ March 22, 2011, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: Glenneration X ]

ScottieBaseball · Post by **ScottieBaseball** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:17 pm

One of the main reasons I continue to do these contests is because of the trust I have in Greg and Tom. They did a great job in getting this all together in a short period of time and putting up with all of our questions and I know I appreciate all your efforts guys.

I only did the Double Play Live this past Friday in Vegas, and had a ball, other than the fact that I couldn't eat meat because it was on a Friday during lent, but that's ok since I took a burger to my room for the next day!

I think the DP Live draft went well this past Friday. I know I can be a little quicker when drafting and I will continue to work on that. I just don't like to be rushed into making a pick because I like looking up any last minute information I need to know on the player before I make the final choice.

SS

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:22 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

There's nothing wrong with compliments Kent. In fact, they feel pretty good to hear!! You should try giving some sometime. It will make you feel good!!

Glenn, I told you that was a no-smoking Ultimate League. We'll get the usher to throw you out next time!!

Old school wrestling announcer Gordon Solie, GA and Glenn team up on Chest and are giving him a beating of a lifetime. Oh wait a minute who is that coming to Chest's rescue the crowd chants Walla, Walla, Walla

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:48 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

Greg, AC was a blast as always. Honestly, I've had a great time at every Live Event I've done with your contests.

The Live Events for me is much more than the excitement of drafting in person, though that always adds to the enjoyment. Much more enjoyable is the people who you get to meet and chat with at these events. Great people that you may interact with on the boards, in PM's, in E-mails, but always prove to be even cooler people in person.

Tom, as always it was great seeing you again (though once again, next time bring Kaye with you ).

It was also great seeing & chatting again with Mike Edelman, Craig Kielinski, Mark Bendar, Dan Mitlof, John Hogan, Steve Jupinka and others, as well as meeting for the first time & getting to chat with Ken O'Brien, Andy Saxton, Ken Magner, Robert Particelli, and yes even Mike Massatto.

Great people, one and all.

I was also one that drafted the Ultimate from my hotel room via teleconference. As you and Tom know, I was a little concerned how it would work out. Turned out my concerns were for naught as it ran without a hitch (well outside of all my targets being snagged moments before I'd pick them ). By the way Greg, that was a two-pack minimum draft.

All in all Greg, Tom.....great job. I'm sure next week will be just as cool. Can't wait. Anyone else besides me shocked that he had good things to say about Tom and Greg? Some guys in Vegas were hammered and said they play a drinking game when Glenneration X compliments Tom and Greg they have to take a shot. One of them was going ahead and signing up for a liver transplant........... [/QUOTE]Pretty sure if Kay Adams had made the trip Glenn wouldn't even have known I was there and wouldn't have remembered Greg had anything to do with the NFBC.

FPA - Scott Atkins · Post by **FPA - Scott Atkins** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:36 pm

Hearing nothing but great reports from the live drafts. Congrats to Greg/Tom and the entire NFBC staff for a great start. The players so far appear to be having a great time, especially VEGAS!

To all the players, best of luck in your quest to be crowned this year's champ!

Since I couldn't be out there, I would absolutely be thrilled to get some feedback from any of the players at the drafts. Anything! What are some surprises you're seeing in the drafts? How are the Food/Beverage? comments on customer service, photos/Pictures, praise/comments, smack talk, draftboard discussion etc.

Feel free to PM me to discuss or shoot me an email:

[email protected]

FPA - Scott Atkins · Post by **FPA - Scott Atkins** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:02 pm

Somebody please take some pics of the inaugural class of the NFBC Hall of Fame.

Thanks!

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:33 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

Greg, AC was a blast as always. Honestly, I've had a great time at every Live Event I've done with your contests.

The Live Events for me is much more than the excitement of drafting in person, though that always adds to the enjoyment. Much more enjoyable is the people who you get to meet and chat with at these events. Great people that you may interact with on the boards, in PM's, in E-mails, but always prove to be even cooler people in person.

Tom, as always it was great seeing you again (though once again, next time bring Kaye with you ).

It was also great seeing & chatting again with Mike Edelman, Craig Kielinski, Mark Bendar, Dan Mitlof, John Hogan, Steve Jupinka and others, as well as meeting for the first time & getting to chat with Ken O'Brien, Andy Saxton, Ken Magner, Robert Particelli, and yes even Mike Massatto.

Great people, one and all.

I was also one that drafted the Ultimate from my hotel room via teleconference. As you and Tom know, I was a little concerned how it would work out. Turned out my concerns were for naught as it ran without a hitch (well outside of all my targets being snagged moments before I'd pick them ). By the way Greg, that was a two-pack minimum draft.

All in all Greg, Tom.....great job. I'm sure next week will be just as cool. Can't wait. Anyone else besides me shocked that he had good things to say about Tom and Greg? Some guys in Vegas were hammered and said they play a drinking game when Glenneration X compliments Tom and Greg they have to take a shot. One of them was going ahead and signing up for a liver transplant........... [/QUOTE]Chest, what's actually most shocking is that Glenn said something nice about me despite my merciless ball-busting at times throughout TWO drafts that I was shackled in with him on Saturday

All kidding aside, it was great to hang out after the draft and just talk shop for about two hours with a group of great guys who really know their stuff and share the same fanaticism for this game as I do. Looking forward to NY this weekend boys

Cocktails and Dreams · Post by **Cocktails and Dreams** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:57 pm

Gotta hand it to Rex. He does a great job running those things. I was fortunate enough to have him in charge of the auction, my main event league and the ultimates. His help was superb also. Greg did a hell of a job with the Vegas help. Even with some of the guys being listed at wrong positions etc, on the stickers the staff never missed a beat. As Rex could tell you, the only thing slowing it down was me on my picks. Very tough crew over at this place to draft against.

FPA - Scott Atkins · Post by **FPA - Scott Atkins** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:38 pm

Originally posted by FPA - Scott Atkins:

Somebody please take some pics of the inaugural class of the NFBC Hall of Fame.

Thanks! Bump

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:17 am

Greg,

Thanks for all the kind words earlier in this thread. It was great to see you once again. You were only missing one of the componants of 'tanned, relaxed, and ready', but Las Vegas should help the lagging feature.

Take time again this weekend again, with an even bigger crowd, and see how much joy and how many friendships your brainstorm has created. Feel proud, you deserve it.

Scott, there will be pictures of the HOF'ers, I'm sure. But, there's no need to bump the thread, they just ain't that pretty.

[ March 24, 2011, 07:18 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Jim Christie · Post by **Jim Christie** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:32 am

Heading to NYC in a few hours; I am sure I will have a GREAT time, especially with that bum Magner hanging around; but will surely miss Las Vegas

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:03 am

How many connections before you arrive in LaGuardia Mr Christie? How much did you save?

You will be soooooo tired from all of this travelling you'll be an easy target at the auction table on Friday morning.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:31 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Scott, there will be pictures of the HOF'ers, I'm sure. But, there's no need to bump the thread, they just ain't that pretty.

- no looking at the note-cards Childs, c'mon, make it snappy !

Here's a pic. Note: I'm the young one on the right

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:59 am

Originally posted by FPA - Scott Atkins:

quote:Originally posted by FPA - Scott Atkins:

Somebody please take some pics of the inaugural class of the NFBC Hall of Fame.

Thanks! Bump [/QUOTE]I have an ace photographer hired. Pictures will be available of the HOF Class of 2.

Sebadiah23 · Post by **Sebadiah23** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:42 pm

Originally posted by FPA - Scott Atkins:

Hearing nothing but great reports from the live drafts. Congrats to Greg/Tom and the entire NFBC staff for a great start. The players so far appear to be having a great time, especially VEGAS!

To all the players, best of luck in your quest to be crowned this year's champ!

Since I couldn't be out there, I would absolutely be thrilled to get some feedback from any of the players at the drafts. Anything! What are some surprises you're seeing in the drafts? How are the Food/Beverage? comments on customer service, photos/Pictures, praise/comments, smack talk, draftboard discussion etc.

Feel free to PM me to discuss or shoot me an email:

[email protected] Hey Scott, I took a view pictures but so far this is the only one I've posted on the web so far, mostly due to privacy concerns. This is from Atlantic City.