Fantasy Baseball III : A New Beginning ?!

[Uncle Joe]

I'm down wit dat.

[Lucky]

The Rat's are in on this too! No needlepoint here either I'm afraid...

[Kevin]

Actually, no. I've done football once, but never baseball. I do have a few questions:

1. How many players do we choose, or how many draft rounds are there?

2. In the pre-rankings, does it make more sense to rank, say 1-25, the most valuable players regardless of position, or rank by position? I just don't get how you end up with a full team. Do I rank two first basemen before ranking an outfielder? Does it matter?

I think I just need a quick explanation of how the draft works, and how you fill out your team. Thanks in advance.

RE:#1 : There are 21 positions to fill , and so we'll be drafted 21 times each . The positions to fill are : c, 1st ,2end, 3rd , ss , OF x3 , a utility position ( any fielding pos.player can go here ) , 2 Starting pitchers , 2 relievers , 3 pitching positions for either type , and 5 bench positions( any pos. can go here ) . The system automatically drafts based on your choices then a default system takes over . All positions will be filled , so if your turn comes up in the draft then , you will be given the next highest ranked player regardless of his position - if , and only if , there is a space for him in your roster . If not , you will get the next highest ranked player in a position you do have room for . I would suggest that you maybe not try for 3 or 4 of the same position ( or team even ) , though - unless you intention is to trade some later .

#2 . Yes , tactically , you likely should rank the best players you want regardless of position . So two hot 1st basemen ranked high would be better than trying to fill all your positions by your roster positions first . The odds improve that you'll get at least one of those 1st basemen , and as metioned in #1 , the system will cover your other positions anyway . So , as I mentioned earlier , ranking between 25-50 guys should do the trick . After those have been passed over or dealt out in the draft , you are going to get the best available ( by Yahoos ranking ) anyway , and beyond your picks , usually the players are of lesser interest to everyone ( unless they surprise later ) and will do the trick for now . You can then drop and pickup from whoever remains - or trade .

Hope that helps out .

[daslied]

Excellent, Kevin - thanks! I think I've got a handle on it now.

I'll contribute a prize, since I'm not going to win. I'm in the South, so you can either have grits or Nascar memorabilia. Your choice, Carl.

[RonJonSurfer]

Team Meats and Cheeses has made an appearance.

As always, a Songfacts T-shirt goes to the winner. Since I'm putting up a prize, I'd like to see the other participants do so as well - preferably something we can't get here in Connecticut in the off chance I win. Maybe some homemade brownies or a needlepoint with the Songfacts logo. At the end of the season, everyone mails the bounty to Songfacts headquarters, and I'll send it in a package to the winner (don't worry, I never win fantasy baseball - it's football where I'm dangerous).

I can arrange for the winner to sleep with the fish...that kind of combines the best of Jersey and the SF logo.

[miamisammy29]

I'll contribute pictures of Kevin in a provocative situation with a sheep and a large bowl of green Jell-O. I believe him when he says, "Those pictures are perfectly innocent", but the winner of the league can decide for him or herself.

[RonJonSurfer]

We all have those pictures already....

[miamisammy29]

Alrighty then...I'll find something even cooler than that during the season, and I'll announce it when I find it.

[Kevin]

... and they are perfectly innocent ! It was highschool , and our class was invited to a 4-H picnic , if I recall ... Yeah ! That was it .

I'll send something , too - though just what it will be depends on just who wins ...

[Uncle Joe]

I'll send something. You can bet on it.

[Kevin]

Next on the agenda : This season's scoring categories and points for them . Feel free to comment/ question / advise /bitch/ whine etc.

Batters : R (1), 1B (0.5), 2B (1), 3B (2), HR (3), RBI (1), SB (2), BB (0.5), GIDP (-0.5), E (-1), / Pitchers : W (8), CG (10), SHO (15), SV (4), BB (-.333), K (1), GIDP (1), HLD (2)

The only changes I've made so far are adding grounding into a double play (-0.5 ) for batters and bumping up a hold from 1 to 2 to increase the scoring potential of middle relievers and make them more of an option when the closers are all gone or yours just suck or never seem to get a chance to save cause their team is so bad . 1 point just didn't seem to appeal to anyone , but now it's worth 1/2 a save - often ( but not always ) for about 2 innings work which seems reasonable to me .

[Uncle Joe]

Pitching is pretty heavily weighted already. I liked the scoring set up at the beginning of last season, before it was changed. Then again, for the first two months my pitching sucked.

[Kevin]

Well , do remember , Joe , that the potential for those big points only come around once every 5 days or so , with most SP's averaging around 8 for that effort . A batter can make that in 2 days easily ( 1 even - you saw it ) , and even the dregs can make it in 5, usually - or you should cut 'em .

I just think that the ' Gold Rush ' for closers is a bit of a drag for those left out or who get short-changed over a long season . Why not let us eye up a good middle-reliever to make up for the difference - although it takes a bit longer than a hot closer ?

[Kevin]

Who sez we ain't higbrow ?! ( Ptooie ! )

Tinker To Evers To Chance

Published: New York Evening Mail (July 10, 1910)

These are the saddest of possible words:

"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,

Tinker and Evers and Chance.

Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,

Making a Giant hit into a double-

Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:

"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

Casey At the Bat

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;

The score stood four to two with but one inning left to play;

And then, when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,

A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go, in deep despair. The rest

Clung to that hope which "springs eternal in the human breast;"

They thought, If only Casey could but get a whack at that,

We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn procede Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,

And the former was a no-good and the latter was a fake;

So, upon that stricken multitude grim meloncholy sat,

For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,

And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball,

And when the dust had lifted and men saw what had occurred,

There was Jimmy safe at second, and Flynn a-huggin' third.

Then from five thousand throats and more threr rose a lusty yell,

It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell,

It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,

For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face,

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the croud could doubt `twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

Five thousand tounges applauded as he wiped them on his shirt.

Then, while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there,

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped --

"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm waves on a stern and distant shore.

"Kill him; kill the umpire!" shouted someone from the stand;--

And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."

"Fraud," cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered "Fraud,"

But one scornful look from Casey, and the multitude was awed.

The saw his face grow stern and cold; they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip; his teeth are clenched in hate;

He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.

And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light.

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville -- mighty Casey has Struck Out.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Nelly Kelly loved baseball games,

Knew the players, knew all their names,

You could see her there ev'ry day,

Shout "Hurray" when they'd play.

Her boy friend by the name of Joe

Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go,"

Then Nelly started to fret and pout,

And to him I heard her shout.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

Nelly Kelly was sure some fan,

She would root just like any man,

Told the umpire he was wrong,

All along, good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Nelly Kelly knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the game sing this song.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

[RonJonSurfer]

What's the official draft day?

[Kevin]

Hmmm . The 21st -Spring Equinox ?

[Uncle Joe]

I usually dance naked in the park on that day but....ok.

[Kevin]

I've always suspected you were just an old streaker waiting for it to come back into vogue ! Well , this is for you , then :

The Streak

Hello everybody, this is your action news reporter

With all the news that is news across the nation

On the scene at the super market

There seems to have been some disturbance here

Pardon me sir, did you see what happened?

Yeh, I did...I was standing over there by the tomatoes

And here he come

Running thru the pole beans, thru the fruits and vegetables

Naked as a jay-bird

And I hollered over at Ethel...Isaid don't look Ethel

It was too late, she'd already been incensed...

Chorus

Here he comes, boogie-dy, boogie-dy

There he goes, boogie-dy, boogie-dy

And he ain't wearin' no clothes

Oh yes, they call him the streak

Fastest thing on two feet

He's just as proud as he can be

Of his anatomy

He's gonna give us a peek

Oh yes, they call him the streak

He likes to show off his physique

If there's an audience to be found

He'll be streakin' around

Invitin' public critique...

This is your action news reporter once again

And we're here at the gas station

Pardon me sir, did you see what happened?

Yeh, I did...I was just in here gettin' my tires checked

And he just appeared out of the traffic

Come streakin' around the grease rack there

Didn't have nothing on but a smile

I looked in there and Ethel was gettin' her a cold drink

I hollered...Don't look Ethel

It was too late...She'd already been mooned

Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers

Chorus

He ain't rude, boogie-dy, boogie-dy

He ain't lewd, boogie-dy, boogie-dy

He's just in the mood to run in the nude

Oh yes, they call him the streak

He likes to turn the other cheek

He's always making the news

Wearin' just his tennis shoes

Guess you could call him unique...

Once again, your action news reporter in the booth at the gym

Covering the disturbance at the basketball playoffs

Pardon me sir, did you see what happened?

Yeh, I did...half-time, I was just going down there

To get Ethel a snow cone

Here he come right our of the cheap seats

Dribblin'...right down the middle of the court

Didn't have on nothin' but his PF's

Made a hook shot and got out thru the concession stand

I hollered up at Ethel, I said don't look Ethel

It was too late...She'd already got a free shot

Grandstanded...Right there in front of the home team

Here he comes...look...who's that with him?

Ethel, is that you, Ethel?

What do you think you're doing?

You get your clothes on!

Ethel, where you going?

Ethel, you shameless hussy

Say it isn't so Ethel

Ethel..................

Written by: Ray Stevens

[RonJonSurfer]

I like to think of UJ as a "young" streaker.

[Uncle Joe]

Streak my a$$! I merely pay homage to the Vernal Equinox. We will even offer up a human sacrifice.

Know of any volunteers?

[RonJonSurfer]

Let me make a list...

[phil]

Joe, my sister-in-laws phone # is ....

I like the points for holds. Sometimes getting saves are tough.

[Kevin]

Ok , thanks Joe and Phil for some input- some things to mull over . Personally , my feeling is that most people being creatures of habit and prefering a chance for 4+ points rather than 2+ will still rush for the closers , at first , anyway .

I thought that if one does find themselves short of closers ( or ones of quality ) at some point - and because they are usually very tough to trade for , this is another option to try to catch up to or stay ahead of the competition , rather than stay in a rut . Middle relievers generally will play maybe twice a week and probably never more than 3 times so they won't be gaining huge points .

Anyone else ? Other thoughts on other categories ?

[Kevin]

Gettin' pumped up watchin' the Ken Burns series " Baseball " ... ( unfortunately it ends around '94-'95 ) .

" Who is THIS ' Baby Ruth ' ... and what does she do ? " - George Bernard Shaw

[daslied]

I'm a rookie at this, so I'll just go along with whatever you guys think.