Looking For Feedback On First Weekend East Coast Location

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:56 am

As we've stated before, we are not returning to Atlantic City on the NFBC's first weekend this year. We still feel that the East Coast is worthy of a first weekend location and I strongly believe we can top last year's numbers with the right location. So we looked closer to New York City and had a few good venues that might work.

Fortunately, NFBC veteran Mike Massotto runs conventions in that area and worked his magic with one of the venues to possibly host the NFBC on that first weekend. We have what we think is a pretty good option, but before closing the deal I wanted to get some feedback from those on the East Coast.

The location is the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel in Mahwah, New Jersey. Here's the link to the site and pictures of the hotel:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/ ... ATANumber=

The property seems to be close for a lot of our NFBC veterans and reachable for a lot of people coming from north of the city. It's also only 27 miles from LaGuardia for anyone flying in. The property looks very nice and I think we can get rooms at around $119/night along with free parking. There's a good bar there that would house the gang after Friday night's drafts and Saturday night's drafts.

We're definitely taking a serious look at this location, but let's hear from you guys first. Is this a location that makes sense and would work for us on March 23-25? Are there drawbacks to hosting it here? Let us know what you think.

Here's the tentative Schedule of Events for that weekend:

Friday, March 23, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

5 p.m.: NFBC Auction Championship

Saturday, March 24, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC 15-Team Main Event

7 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

Sunday, March 25, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC Super League

1 p.m.: NFBC Auction Championship

1 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

1 p.m.: NFBC Ultimate League

7 p.m.: NFBC Ultimate League

7 p.m.: NFBC Super League

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:13 am

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area?

BEF · Post by **BEF** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:31 am

I live about 12 miles from that hotel and know the area pretty well. First, you're going to need a car. It's about a 25 mile trip to Manhattan and is a bit isolated. There are plenty of restaurants/bars not far away on Route 17 in Bergen County, NJ or on Route 59 in Rockland County, NY (Mahwah is exactly on the NY/NJ border). It's also about 10 miles from Nyack, NY, which has a very nice downtown. And about 8 miles from the Palisades Center, one of the largest malls in the country. But if you're looking for any kind of exciting action, you'll have to head elsewhere.

There's a fairly new Sands casino right over the state line in Pennsylvania, which is probably about an hour away. And you're almost exactly halfway between AC and Mohegan Sun / Foxwoods up in CT, but both are about 150 miles.

So if your main interest is the draft itself plus some nice restaurants/bars within a 10 mile radius that you can drive to, then this is a good spot and that's a great price. If you're looking for action, well, that's another story...

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:59 am

"exciting" AC drew all of 2 leagues last year. I guess most weren't turned on much by the $400+ rooms . The option to day trip it was readily available too - again only 2 leagues filled.

I know the Crossroads(Sheraton)has a decent bar and rest. in the place and some kind of nightclub open only on Sat nights.

The closest thing to excitement around there would be ...AC only 2 hours away

What this place offers is a reasonably priced room (I'm assuming..) and the proximity of a decent bar right in the place. If you are going there to draft what more do you really need right ?

[ November 18, 2011, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: Quahogs ]

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:22 am

I agree with Steve, that local has everything I need...and I don't have to go into the city.

Good job Mike.

1st beer on me...next 2 on Jupinka!

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:43 am

Originally posted by Cobb:

I agree with Steve, that local has everything I need...and I don't have to go into the city.

Good job Mike.

1st beer on me...next 2 on Jupinka! You missed your shot last year Joe ! I think you had to run home to the wife if I recall... oh man

:

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:54 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:

"exciting" AC drew all of 2 leagues last year. I guess most weren't turned on much by the $400+ rooms . The option to day trip it was readily available too - again only 2 leagues filled.

I know the Crossroads(Sheraton)has a decent bar and rest. in the place and some kind of nightclub open only on Sat nights.

The closest thing to excitement around there would be ...AC only 2 hours away

What this place offers is a reasonably priced room (I'm assuming..) and the proximity of a decent bar right in the place. If you are going there to draft what more do you really need right ? is this a nine iron or driver away from your house? Would this be too much of a HOME court advantage for you?

Cobb · Post by **Cobb** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:17 pm

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by Cobb:

I agree with Steve, that local has everything I need...and I don't have to go into the city.

Good job Mike.

1st beer on me...next 2 on Jupinka! You missed your shot last year Joe ! I think you had to run home to the wife if I recall... oh man

:

[/QUOTE]Man that's cold! But your memory must be tied up in stats...it was my buddy and fellow NFBC'r Kelly who had to run home to the wifey!

I'll be there this year, so be ready...

Since we'll be so close, maybe I'll stop by the Jupinka Estate and check out those floors I helped pay for!!

76erfan · Post by **76erfan** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:43 pm

wasnt anything much to do in citifield either other than draft..so this isnt that much different?

only other east coast place i can think of is delaware park in newark, DE. its got horse racing, gambling and tons of restaurants and hotels near by.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:36 pm

Originally posted by Quahogs:

What this place offers is a reasonably priced room (I'm assuming..) and the proximity of a decent bar right in the place. If you are going there to draft what more do you really need right ? If I'm commuting (as I did for Citifield), yeah I'm with ya. The live draft is more than worth it. However if I'm overnighting it, I'm going to need something besides just heading from my room to the draft then back to my room. With the three kiddies and crazy work schedule, I don't get away as much as I used to. It's cool, but doubt I'll personally travel to and stay overnight in an "isolated" area as BEF described it. I'll really miss the live draft experience, but hey that's what online's for.

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:22 pm

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Don't worry yourself there, Lowy. You just get yourself there, and I will make sure that you and everyone else is entertained

This a perfect, easy access venue which is close to a lot to do. Yes, you will need a car, but unless I'm mistaken, that is how most all of us made it down to A/C. And besides, you are committed to drafting LIVE at the First Annual New York Metropolitan League "Mike the Mouth" Invitational Super Event to be held tentatively that Friday night. I am hosting the party for you bums that day/night as well. So start making your travel plans!

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:30 pm

Originally posted by Cobb:

I agree with Steve, that local has everything I need...and I don't have to go into the city.

Good job Mike.

1st beer on me...next 2 on Jupinka! Thanks, Joe! Look forward to seeing you up here in my neck of the woods. By the way, if you are up for it, I am hosting a live, NFBC sanctioned Super Event which I alluded to in this thread in a post back to Glen. May have sent you a personal invite on it a long time back. If you want more details, I can send them to you. I would love to have you. It's primarily a bragging rights league of some of the best of the best in the NFBC who are pretty much from this area. I am hoping to make it an annual event with a progressively increasing buy-in each year. There are eight of us committed so far, so looking for seven more. Haven't started promoting it yet on the forum, but when we do, it will fill up. Let me know.

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:40 pm

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

As we've stated before, we are not returning to Atlantic City on the NFBC's first weekend this year. We still feel that the East Coast is worthy of a first weekend location and I strongly believe we can top last year's numbers with the right location. So we looked closer to New York City and had a few good venues that might work.

Fortunately, NFBC veteran Mike Massotto runs conventions in that area and worked his magic with one of the venues to possibly host the NFBC on that first weekend. We have what we think is a pretty good option, but before closing the deal I wanted to get some feedback from those on the East Coast.

The location is the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel in Mahwah, New Jersey. Here's the link to the site and pictures of the hotel:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/ ... ATANumber=

The property seems to be close for a lot of our NFBC veterans and reachable for a lot of people coming from north of the city. It's also only 27 miles from LaGuardia for anyone flying in. The property looks very nice and I think we can get rooms at around $119/night along with free parking. There's a good bar there that would house the gang after Friday night's drafts and Saturday night's drafts.

We're definitely taking a serious look at this location, but let's hear from you guys first. Is this a location that makes sense and would work for us on March 23-25? Are there drawbacks to hosting it here? Let us know what you think.

Here's the tentative Schedule of Events for that weekend:

Friday, March 23, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

5 p.m.: NFBC Auction Championship

Saturday, March 24, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC 15-Team Main Event

7 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

Sunday, March 25, 2012

1 p.m.: NFBC Super League

1 p.m.: NFBC Auction Championship

1 p.m.: NFBC 12-Team Championship

1 p.m.: NFBC Ultimate League

7 p.m.: NFBC Ultimate League

7 p.m.: NFBC Super League Great to hear this, Greg!

I think you should take the "Field of Dreams" mentality on this one: If you promote it, they will come. This place is as nice a venue as AC minus the casinos and noise. It's called the "Crossroads" because of its proximity to the juncture of several major highways which can get you to numerous places for things to do within 30 minutes or so either going north into NY, or south into Bergen County, NJ, which is where all the money is (figures that this is where Jupinka happens to live ) It's also in the middle of major population, so you will draw from NY, NJ, and CT quite easily. Even Boston is only about four hours away. Very excited. Let's make it happen!

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:43 pm

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Almost forgot. Two words for Glenn: WOODBURY COMMONS. Have your wife look it up. Should keep her busy and very happy for awhile while you're drafting

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:36 am

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

"exciting" AC drew all of 2 leagues last year. I guess most weren't turned on much by the $400+ rooms . The option to day trip it was readily available too - again only 2 leagues filled.

I know the Crossroads(Sheraton)has a decent bar and rest. in the place and some kind of nightclub open only on Sat nights.

The closest thing to excitement around there would be ...AC only 2 hours away

What this place offers is a reasonably priced room (I'm assuming..) and the proximity of a decent bar right in the place. If you are going there to draft what more do you really need right ? is this a nine iron or driver away from your house? Would this be too much of a HOME court advantage for you? [/QUOTE]I've seen you play so maybe 9 drivers and a long long cart ride for you. No advantage in NY/NJ I tell you. Those boys come to play. No laid back west coast 50meter heats and bad horse beats for them.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:45 am

Originally posted by Baseball Furies:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Almost forgot. Two words for Glenn: WOODBURY COMMONS. Have your wife look it up. Should keep her busy and very happy for awhile while you're drafting

[/QUOTE]Having the wife drop an ENTRY FEE at Woodbury Commons doesn't sound like much of a selling point there MTM !

Glenn, what did you do in AC but hang around the draft boards for 5 hours - can do that anywhere ! lol.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:14 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by Baseball Furies:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Almost forgot. Two words for Glenn: WOODBURY COMMONS. Have your wife look it up. Should keep her busy and very happy for awhile while you're drafting

[/QUOTE]Having the wife drop an ENTRY FEE at Woodbury Commons doesn't sound like much of a selling point there MTM !

Glenn, what did you do in AC but hang around the draft boards for 5 hours - can do that anywhere ! lol. [/QUOTE]Ugh! As if my wife doesn't do enough shopping.

As far as AC, I do love the tables. I enjoy poker, blackjack, & craps almost as much as a fantasy baseball draft.....almost. There's also plenty of other things available to do in any casino hotel you stay at or within a short drive to keep you occupied if you want. I just enjoy the experience.

Who knows though, I still may go to Mahwah...bleech. You're right that I do enjoy my 5-hour reviews of the draft boards and I did "sort of maybe I think or so Massotto claims" promise that I'd be a part of the 1st annual Mikey the Mouth Super.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:23 am

Everybody knows Glenn is a 'Gloomy Glenn' and just states negative thought after negative thought.

He just gets monotonous, doesn't he?

Glenn, bring the kids, never missing a trick, the Jupinka's will be providing day care in order to make even more money from NFBC'ers.

We won't tell Steve that this money doesn't count towards his lifetime earnings.

Steve, are you feeling more pressure?

AC bookies already have you as the favorite next year with the big home field advantage!

Sarcasm and needling doesn't translate well in posts, so just in case it's all in fun.

I wonder if we'll get a sarcastic graemlin on the new Boards?

I'm not much for cussing but....

#&^%&^$# you,flood protection!!!!!!

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:45 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Sarcasm and needling doesn't translate well in posts, so just in case it's all in fun.

I wonder if we'll get a sarcastic graemlin on the new Boards?

I thought this was the sarcastic graemlin.

By the way as far as flood protection, I agree. %(&%$

No sarcasm intended.

Fourslot40 · Post by **Fourslot40** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 3:27 am

What about Dover Downs in Delaware? They have the lodging and meeting room area (not sure how big). A full casino and you can legally wager on the NCAA games.

A little bit of a longer drive, but more to do similar to Vegas and AC. Just an idea.

crazytown · Post by **crazytown** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:11 am

Just don't see the New Yorkers driving to Delaware. Might as well do AC again if that is the location.

Fourslot40 · Post by **Fourslot40** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:32 am

Wagering on the NCAA games and the live horse track is the difference there. The idea is juggling the cost of hosting live drafts/ lodging with value of doing things outside of the drafts. Just an idea... AC is apparently not cost effective.

[ November 19, 2011, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Fourslot40 ]

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:57 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Glenn, bring the kids, never missing a trick, the Jupinka's will be providing day care in order to make even more money from NFBC'ers.

We won't tell Steve that this money doesn't count towards his lifetime earnings.

Steve, are you feeling more pressure?

AC bookies already have you as the favorite next year with the big home field advantage!

Great Dough, that said King o Queens just threw up another day care franchise next door, now I have competition.

AC has it right Dough. Home field and my latest subscription to National Hog Farmer magazine... I don't know how I can be beat !

Baseball Furies · Post by **Baseball Furies** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:29 am

Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by Baseball Furies:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Almost forgot. Two words for Glenn: WOODBURY COMMONS. Have your wife look it up. Should keep her busy and very happy for awhile while you're drafting

[/QUOTE]Having the wife drop an ENTRY FEE at Woodbury Commons doesn't sound like much of a selling point there MTM !

Glenn, what did you do in AC but hang around the draft boards for 5 hours - can do that anywhere ! lol. [/QUOTE]Ugh! As if my wife doesn't do enough shopping.

As far as AC, I do love the tables. I enjoy poker, blackjack, & craps almost as much as a fantasy baseball draft.....almost. There's also plenty of other things available to do in any casino hotel you stay at or within a short drive to keep you occupied if you want. I just enjoy the experience.

Who knows though, I still may go to Mahwah...bleech. You're right that I do enjoy my 5-hour reviews of the draft boards and I did "sort of maybe I think or so Massotto claims" promise that I'd be a part of the 1st annual Mikey the Mouth Super.

[/QUOTE]I did "sort of maybe I think or so Massotto claims" promise that I'd be a part of the 1st annual Mikey the Mouth Super. [Big Grin]

Yea, ya kinda did, my friend

And needless to say that I have a tendency to frown on people who puss out on me

Besides, where else are you going to have such an opportunity to showcase your skills while spending some quality time with such wonderful people such as me for an extended period of time?

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:46 am

Originally posted by Baseball Furies:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

quote:Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by Baseball Furies:

quote:Originally posted by Glenneration X:

The reason I liked AC was that the location provided other things to do around the drafts. I could make a full weekend out of it. Mike, what's there to do in the Mawah area? Almost forgot. Two words for Glenn: WOODBURY COMMONS. Have your wife look it up. Should keep her busy and very happy for awhile while you're drafting

[/QUOTE]Having the wife drop an ENTRY FEE at Woodbury Commons doesn't sound like much of a selling point there MTM !

Glenn, what did you do in AC but hang around the draft boards for 5 hours - can do that anywhere ! lol. [/QUOTE]Ugh! As if my wife doesn't do enough shopping.

As far as AC, I do love the tables. I enjoy poker, blackjack, & craps almost as much as a fantasy baseball draft.....almost. There's also plenty of other things available to do in any casino hotel you stay at or within a short drive to keep you occupied if you want. I just enjoy the experience.

Who knows though, I still may go to Mahwah...bleech. You're right that I do enjoy my 5-hour reviews of the draft boards and I did "sort of maybe I think or so Massotto claims" promise that I'd be a part of the 1st annual Mikey the Mouth Super.

[/QUOTE]I did "sort of maybe I think or so Massotto claims" promise that I'd be a part of the 1st annual Mikey the Mouth Super. [Big Grin]

Yea, ya kinda did, my friend

And needless to say that I have a tendency to frown on people who puss out on me

Besides, where else are you going to have such an opportunity to showcase your skills while spending some quality time with such wonderful people such as me for an extended period of time?

[/QUOTE]You do bring up valid points.

Now if we can just get past this Mahwah (bleech) obstacle.