NOTE: We are entering the final rounds as we begin with round 20. We start 22 players so its important that we draft 22 rounds and all starting positions are accounted for. If, let’s say, by Thursday, we finish round 22, we will halt drafting and enter the draft results on the fantasy baseball webpage. Then, we will open up the final 3 selections as a "Free For All" which means you can select your 3 bench players without waiting for anybody else to make a selection. It becomes a "First Come First Serve" as players are available. We have to have the league fully setup prior to Saturday so that on Saturday, all fantasy players can setup their lineup for the following day of games, or, in Sunday’s case, the one game that is on the schedule. Remember, Yahoo does NOT allow you to make same-day roster changes (Dropping, Picking Up, and even changing your starting lineup). What you do today goes into effect the following day of games.

Also, its been mentioned that some owners feel that 3 bench players is not enough. Our league has only 8 owners so based on majority vote, I can increase the bench spots from 3 to 5 players but I would like feedback from each owner before making that change.

Lets please try our best to complete the 22 rounds before I leave town. Yount’s Youth is a co-worker of mine and has volunteered to pick up the slack while I’m out of town. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated…

ROUND 20:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: BRIAN FUENTES RP/COLORADO ROCKIES
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: CHRIS REITSMA RP/ATLANTA BRAVES
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: BRADY CLARK OF/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
4. BOB UECKER: PRINCE FIELDER 1B/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
5. DWADE’S: A.J. BURNETT SP/TORONTO BLUE JAYS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: SCOTT KAZMIR SP/TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: RYAN DEMPSTER RP/CHICAGO CUBS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: CURTIS GRANDERSON OF/DETROIT TIGERS

ROUND 21:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: KEITH FOULKE RP/BOSTON RED SOX
2. IRISH HAMMERS: MIKE SWEENEY 1B/KANSAS CITY ROYALS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: IAN KINSLER 2B/TEXAS RANGERS
4. DWADE’S: CURT SCHILLING SP/BOSTON RED SOX
5. BOB UECKER: TODD JONES RP/DETROIT TIGERS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: JAKE WESTBROOK SP/CLEVELAND INDIANS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: CLINT BARMES SS/COLORADO ROCKIES
8. NIKKIB TEAM: J.J. HARDY SS/MILWAUKEE BREWERS

ROUND 22:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: SHAWN GREEN OF/ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: NICK SWISHER OF/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: KYLE FARNSWORTH RP/NEW YORK YANKEES
4. BOB UECKER: JAY GIBBONS OF/BALTIMORE ORIOLES (AUTOPICK)
5. DWADE’S: KEVIN MILLWOOD SP/TEXAS RANGERS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: JON GARLAND SP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7. IRISH HAMMERS: ROGER CLEMENS SP/AARP
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: CHRIS CAPUANO SP/MILWAUKEE BREWERS

THE DRAFT IS NOW COMPLETE! HEAD TO THE YAHOO! PAGE TO FILL IN YOUR STARTING LINEUPS AND MAKE WAIVER CLAIMS TO FINALIZE YOUR ROSTER!

ROUND 8:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: KEN GRIFFEY OF/CINCINNATI REDS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: ANDY PETTITTE SP/HOUSTON ASTROS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: JORGE CANTU 2B/TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
4. BOB UECKER: MARK BUEHRLE SP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
5. DWADE’S: BARTOLO COLON SP/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: PAUL KONERKO 1B/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7. IRISH HAMMERS: RAFAEL FURCAL SS/LOS ANGELES DODGERS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: RICHIE SEXSON 1B/SEATTLE MARINERS

ROUND 9:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JUAN PIERRE OF/CHICAGO CUBS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: RICKIE WEEKS 2B/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: HUSTON STREET RP/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
4. DWADE’S: JOHN SMOLTZ SP/ATLANTA BRAVES
5. BOB UECKER: JOE NATHAN RP/MINNESOTA TWINS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: DERRICK TURNBOW RP/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: JASON VARITEK C/BOSTON RED SOX
8. NIKKIB TEAM: TROY GLAUS 3B/TORONTO BLUE JAYS

ROUND 10:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: BJ RYAN RP/TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: TREVOR HOFFMAN RP/SAN DIEGO PADRES
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: GRADY SIZEMORE OF/CLEVELAND INDIANS
4. BOB UECKER: MARCUS GILES 2B/ATLANTA BRAVES
5. DWADE’S: CHAD CORDERO RP/WASHINGTON NATIONALS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: MORGAN ENSBERG 3B/HOUSTON ASTROS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: WILLIE TAVERAS OF/HOUSTON ASTROS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JOHNNY DAMON OF/NEW YORK YANKEES

ROUND 11:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JOHN LACKEY SP/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: TORII HUNTER OF/MINNESOTA TWINS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: JHONNY PERALTA SS/CLEVELAND INDIANS
4. DWADE’S: FRANCISCO CORDERO RP/TEXAS RANGERS
5. BOB UECKER: ADRIAN BELTRE 3B/SEATTLE MARINERS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: BILL HALL 2B/3B/SS MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: BARRY BONDS OF/SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
8. NIKKIB TEAM: BRIAN ROBERTS 2B/BALTIMORE ORIOLES

ROUND 12:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: MATT HOLLIDAY OF/COLORADO ROCKIES
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: BOBBY CROSBY SS/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: GEOFF JENKINS OF/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
4. BOB UECKER: JASON ISRINGHAUSEN RP/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
5. DWADE’S: SCOTT PODSEDNIK OF/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
6. PURPLE HELMETS: IVAN RODRIGUEZ C/DETROIT TIGERS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: VERNON WELLS OF/TORONTO BLUE JAYS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: ERIC CHAVEZ 3B/OAKLAND ATHLETICS

ROUND 13:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: ZACH DUKE SP/PITTSBURGH PIRATES
2. IRISH HAMMERS: HANK BLALOCK 3B/TEXAS RANGERS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: JEFF FRANCOEUR OF/ATLANTA BRAVES
4. DWADE’S: MIKE PIAZZA C/SAN DIEGO PADRES
5. BOB UECKER: COCO CRISP OF/BOSTON RED SOX
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: BOBBY JENKS RP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: MARK PRIOR SP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
8. NIKKIB TEAM: JASON SCHMIDT SP/SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

ROUND 14:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: BRANDON WEBB SP/ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: BRETT MYERS SP/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: MELVIN MORA 3B/BALTIMORE ORIOLES
4. BOB UECKER: JOSH BECKETT SP/BOSTON RED SOX
5. DWADE’S: JIM THOME 1B/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
6. PURPLE HELMETS: EDDIE GUARDADO RP/SEATTLE MARINERS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: TIM HUDSON SP/ATLANTA BRAVES
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: DANNY HAREN SP/OAKLAND ATHLETICS

ROUND 15:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: MIKE GONZALEZ RP/PITTSBURGH PIRATES
2. IRISH HAMMERS: MARK MULDER SP/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: CLIFF LEE SP/CLEVELAND INDIANS
4. DWADE’S: FREDDIE GARCIA SP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
5. BOB UECKER: BARRY ZITO SP/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: DOUG DAVIS SP/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: BRIAN GILES OF/SAN DIEGO PADRES
8. NIKKIB TEAM: BRAD WILKERSON OF/TEXAS RANGERS

ROUND 16:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: JASON GIAMBI 1B/NEW YORK YANKEES
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: JEREMY BONDERMAN SP/DETROIT TIGERS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: CHAD TRACY 1B/OF ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
4. BOB UECKER: JAVY LOPEZ C/BALTIMORE ORIOLES
5. DWADE’S: PAT BURRELL OF/PHILEDELPHIA PHILLIES
6. PURPLE HELMETS: TOM GORDON RP/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
7. IRISH HAMMERS: AUBREY HUFF 1B/OF TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: RANDY WINN OF/SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

ROUND 17:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JULIO LUGO SS/TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: RAMON HERNANDEZ C/BALTIMORE ORIOLES
3. PURPLE HELMETS: WILY MO PENA OF/BOSTON RED SOX
4. DWADE’S: EDGAR RENTERIA SS/ATLANTA BRAVES
5. BOB UECKER: C.C. SABATHIA SP/CLEVELAND INDIANS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: LIVAN HERNANDEZ SP/WASHINGTON NATIONALS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: JUSTIN MORNEAU 1B/MINNESOTA TWINS
8. NIKKIB TEAM: JONNY GOMES OF/TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
   

ROUND 18:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: JAVIER VAZQUEZ SP/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: BRAD PENNY SP/LOS ANGELES DODGERS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: BOB WICKMAN RP/CLEVELAND INDIANS
4. BOB UECKER: ROBINSON CANO 2B/NEW YORK YANKEES
5. DWADE’S: RYAN ZIMMERMAN 3B/WASHINGTON NATIONALS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: JEREMY HERMIDA OF/FLORIDA MARLINS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: TADAHITO IGUCHI 2B/CHICAGO WHITE SOX
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: CHRIS YOUNG SP/SAN DIEGO PADRES

ROUND 19:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: EDWIN ENCARNACION 3B/CINCINNATI REDS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: LYLE OVERBAY 1B/TORONTO BLUE JAYS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: JOSE VALVERDE RP/ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
4. DWADE’S: ARMANDO BENETIZ RP/SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
5. BOB UECKER: CLIFF FLOYD OF/NEW YORK METS
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: PLACIDO POLANCO 2B/DETROIT TIGERS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: MARK ELLIS 2B/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
8. NIKKIB TEAM: JORGE POSADA C/NEW YORK YANKEES

ROUND 1:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: ALEX RODRIGUEZ 3B/NEW YORK YANKEES
2. IRISH HAMMERS: ALBERT PUJOLS 1B/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (AUTOPICK)
3. PURPLE HELMETS: VLADIMIR GUERRERO OF/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
4. DWADE’S: MARK TEIXEIRA 1B/TEXAS RANGERS (AUTOPICK)
5. BOB UECKER: DAVID ORTIZ 1B/BOSTON RED SOX
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: JOHAN SANTANA SP/MINNESOTA TWINS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: MANNY RAMIREZ OF/BOSTON RED SOX
8. NIKKIB TEAM: DERREK LEE 1B/CHICAGO CUBS

ROUND 2:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: MICHAEL YOUNG SS/TEXAS RANGERS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: CARL CRAWFORD OF/TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: MIGUEL TEJADA SS/BALTIMORE ORIOLES
4. BOB UECKER: DAVID WRIGHT 3B/NEW YORK METS
5. DWADE’S: MIGUEL CABRERA 3B/FLORIDA MARLINS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: ALFONSO SORIANO 2B/WASHINGTON NATIONALS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: ROY HALLADAY SP/TORONTO BLUE JAYS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: CHASE UTLEY 2B/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

ROUND 3:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: BOBBY ABREU OF/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
2. IRISH HAMMERS: ROY OSWALT SP/HOUSTON ASTROS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: CARLOS DELGADO 1B/NEW YORK METS
4. DWADE’S: JASON BAY OF/PITTSBURGH PIRATES
5. BOB UECKER: GARY SHEFFIELD OF/NEW YORK YANKEES
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: CHONE FIGGINS 2B/3B/OF/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: TODD HELTON 1B/COLORADO ROCKIES
8. NIKKIB TEAM: PEDRO MARTINEZ SP/NEW YORK METS

ROUND 4:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: CHRIS CARPENTER SP/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: JAKE PEAVY SP/SAN DIEGO PADRES
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: VICTOR MARTINEZ C/CLEVELAND INDIANS
4. BOB UECKER: ICHIRO SUZUKI OF/SEATTLE MARINERS
5. DWADE’S: DEREK JETER SS/NEW YORK YANKEES
6. PURPLE HELMETS: ANDRUW JONES OF/ATLANTA BRAVES
7. IRISH HAMMERS: CARLOS BELTRAN OF/NEW YORK METS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JOSE REYES SS/NEW YORK METS

ROUND 5:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ RP/LOS ANGELES ANGELS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: MARIANO RIVERA RP/NEW YORK YANKEES
3. PURPLE HELMETS: CARLOS ZAMBRANO SP/CHICAGO CUBS
4. DWADE’S: CARLOS LEE OF/MILWAUKEE BREWERS
5. BOB UECKER: RANDY JOHNSON SP/NEW YORK YANKEES
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: RYAN HOWARD 1B/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: JIM EDMONDS OF/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
8. NIKKIB TEAM: BEN SHEETS SP/MILWAUKEE BREWERS

ROUND 6:

1. NIKKIB TEAM: ADAM DUNN 1B/CINCINNATI REDS
2. SOUTH SIDE ROB: ERIC GAGNE RP/LOS ANGELES DODGERS
3. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: HIDEKI MATSUI OF/NEW YORK YANKEES
4. BOB UECKER: TRAVIS HAFNER DH/CLEVELAND INDIANS
5. DWADE’S: JEFF KENT 2B/LOS ANGELES DODGERS
6. PURPLE HELMETS: ARAMIS RAMIREZ 3B/CHICAGO CUBS
7. IRISH HAMMERS: SCOTT ROLEN 3B/ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
8. YOUNT’S YOUTH: FELIX HERNANDEZ SP/SEATTLE MARINERS

ROUND 7:

1. YOUNT’S YOUTH: JOE MAUER C/MINNESOTA TWINS
2. IRISH HAMMERS: BILLY WAGNER RP/NEW YORK METS
3. PURPLE HELMETS: RICH HARDEN SP/OAKLAND ATHLETICS
4. DWADE’S: LANCE BERKMAN 1B/OF HOUSTON ASTROS
5. BOB UECKER: JIMMY ROLLINS SS/PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
6. ARCHIE’S RIVALS: DONTRELLE WILLIS SP/FLORIDA MARLINS
7. SOUTH SIDE ROB: CHIPPER JONES 3B/ATLANTA BRAVES
8. NIKKIB TEAM: BRAD LIDGE RP/HOUSTON ASTROS

It’s time to start drafting for our fantasy league. I will explain the drafting rules after I display the draft lottery results.

In a highly-scientific process, numbers were drawn from a hat twice, the first number was to indicate in which order the teams will be picked. Here were the results:

1. Bob Uecker

2. South Side Rob

3. Nikkib Team

4. Archie’s Rivals

5. Irish Hammers

6. Purple Helmets

7. DWade’s

8. Yount’s Youth

With the above order, all the numbers were placed back into the hat to determine draft position. Here were the results:

1. Bob Uecker pulled number 5

2. South Side Rob pulled number 7

3. Nikkib Team pulled number 8

4. Archie’s Rivals pulled number 6

5. Irish Hammers pulled number 2

6. Purple Helmets pulled number 3

7. DWade’s pulled number 4

8. Yount’s Youth pulled number 1

The final draft position is as follows:

1. Yount’s Youth

2. Irish Hammers

3. Purple Helmets

4. DWade’s

5. Bob Uecker

6. Archie’s Rivals

7. South Side Rob

8. Nikkib Team

Now, like I had posted earlier, we are going to try to hold this draft through group emails. Let me explain. At our fantasy baseball website, there is a link that says, “Email League”. This is the link I would like everybody to use when making your selection.

Please stay on top of your emails the best you can during the week. If people are not available to pick on weekends due to vacation, etc… That is fine. During the week, I ask you do the best you can whether it is during the day or evening. I as well as the rest of the league understands that other commitments may get in the way work, play, etc. Again, that is fine.

In the last week of spring training, we will access where we are at and if we still need to draft a bunch of players, I will ask everyone to submit a list of players to me and I will autodraft to complete our rosters.

Also, players who do not draft within 48 hours prior to the final week of spring training, you will be given the best player available based on last years numbers. Obviously, the players’ position must be open on your roster for that player to be selected and so on down the line.

To summarize, Yount’s Youth is now on the clock. The league is requesting that Yount’s Youth goto our Yahoo Fantasy Baseball page and click on the “Email League” link and send to us the player he is taking. Once received, then Irish Hammers will be on the clock, then, Purple Helmets, and so on down. Once we reach nikkib team, this team will select twice as we are now heading back up the ladder.

Please post any questions or concerns you may have. I expect at times, things will go fast and I also expect times where things may go slow. I ask everyone to hang in there. We’ll get it done in time to enjoy the start of the season!

Brandon Funston, Yahoo’s self-proclaimed expert has published a one-man mock draft located at  http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis/news?slug=bf-onemanmock_mlb06&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&league=fantasy/mlb.

He also has what he calls the big board which is located at http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis/news?slug=bf-bigboard-baseball&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&league=fantasy/mlb.

I kind of wish we could get this guy in our fantasy league!

I will try to keep my objections with these two articles down to a minimum but I got to tell you, it’s not going to be easy.

Where to start? Ok, right at the top spot. Selecting Alex Rodriguez before Albert Pujols would be a mistake for anybody who would even consider it. I noticed on his big board that he only would take Rodriguez over Pujols because of his supporting cast. While St. Louis’ offense takes a small hit with the retirement of Larry Walker and the departure of Mark Grudzielanek, they still have Eckstein, Edmonds, and Rolen to sandwich between Pujols. Also, right-handed power hitter who pull the ball in Yankee Stadium do not reach the seats as much as the left-handers hitting the ball out to right. I just don’t agree with AROD over Pujols.

Carl Crawford and David Wright in the first round??? Ahhh, no. Replace them with Miguel Tejada and Ichiro. Jose Reyes, Gary Sheffield, Chase Utley, and Victor Martinez as high as the 2^nd round. NO WAY!

One starting pitcher in the first 26 picks? You can’t be serious. Mariano Rivera in the 4^th round is an absolute joke. While I agree you should not start a run on closers. Two good ones can make or break your season. Last year, I went after Gagne in the 1^st round and that goof from Boston in about the 3^rd or 4^th round (Foulke). Amazingly, I still managed to get into the playoffs, which was the combination of smart baseball skills and below average competition. Another note on Victor Martinez. In April, he hit .207 and in May, he hit .213 before finally heating up. I took Martinez last year in a ESPN draft around the 4^th round and I paid all year for it (It was a traditional rotisserie-style fantasy league).

Players who should rise in this mock-draft just from the first 6 rounds are Carlos Beltran (Up from the 3^rd round), Pedro Martinez (3^rd), Jake Peavy (3^rd), Roy Oswalt (4^th), Mariano Rivera (4^th), Brad Lidge (4^th), KROD (5^th), Joe Nathan (5^th), Roy Hallady (6^th), Adam Dunn (6^th), Paul Konerko (6^th), and Dontrelle Willis (6^th).

Players who should drop in this mock-draft just from the first 6 rounds are Carl Crawford (1^st), David Wright (1^st), Jose Reyes (2^nd), Gary Sheffield (2^nd), Jimmy Rollins (2^nd), Chase Utley (2^nd), Victor Martinez (2^nd), Travis Hafner (3^rd), Aramis Ramirez (3^rd), Jeff Kent (3^rd), Ryan Howard (4^th), Rafael Furcal (4^th), Richie Sexson (4^th), Johnny Damon (5^th), Jorge Cantu (5^th), Morgan Ensberg (5^th), Hideki Matsui (6^th), Julio Lugo (6^th), and Coco Crisp (6^th).

I’m guessing Funston is another one of those east-coast writers. I will post another article when I have more time. Any thoughts on these two web pages ???

FANTASY UPDATE:

I have made some changes to our Fantasy Baseball League.

• The first 16 fantasy players will be accepted. I’d like them to contribute on this log but if they are friends or family of someone who does, I guess we can accept that.
• The -2 for each at-bat should have been stated as each 0 for 1 on the box score. Because of this, all of the hits are being increased by 2 to compensate for the -2. Singles are now worth 7 points, doubles 12 points, triples 17 points, and home runs 22 points. The net results will be 5, 10, 15, and 20.
• The staff innings pitched has been increased from 1250 innings to 1500 innings which is slightly higher than each major league team compiled in the 2005 season.

As of Monday morning, February 13th, 2006, we have 4 players who have accepted invites. Only two other invites are out there so if they were to be accepted, we are at 6. My goal was 12 but we could go as high as we want but I think 16 should be the maximum amount.

It was nice to hear the radio guys on WSSP (1250 on your AM dial in the Milwaukee Area) start to discuss Brewer Baseball. I do call in the morning show with Chuck and Sparky. My name on the show is SOUTH SIDE ROB. I credit my bowling doubles partner BUTTER with hanging that nickname on me.

This morning, Sparky complained about the Brewers not having a statewide caravan this off-season. Then, he changed themes on the show and said he would like the callers to grade Miller Park, the players, the management, and the ownership. Now, Sparky has changed themes once again. He is now asking why Doug Melvin hasn’t considered signing Sammy Sosa to a one-year $1 million dollar contract to improve the depth of the team.

My take on the above is that baseball is so healthy, and with the Brewers in such demand, a caravan is not necessary. The Brewers have marketed the team and Miller Park just fine. Demand is up and desperation is down. Our owner is a businessman not a used-car story teller.

I give Miller Park an A-. There are a few areas in which you are obstructed from play in the field (Right-Field or Left-Field corner). With the scoreboard hanging over the field, you are unable to view it from the seats that are in homerun territory. The players get a grade of B. The future is up and playing everyday. On the job training is in full swing. Their talents should start to emerge this year. Management gets a B+. They get quantity for trading Overbay until proven otherwise. They missed out on signing a frontline starter. Picking up Corey Koskie and having Toronto pay the majority of his salary for the next two years was a nice low-risk deal. Ownership gets an A+. He has not lied to the public. He spoke publicly about their profits from a year ago. Continues to improve Miller Park for the fans. Stays out of the baseball operations. He knows how to make money. He will prove that he also knows how to win.

I would not take Sammy Sosa on my team even if Sosa himself gave the organization $1 million just to be a part of it. I could explain further but its Monday morning at work and I should get something done today…

Yikes!!!

I know it has been awhile since my last post but pitchers and catchers are reporting next week and I am pumped up so much that I am donating a traveling plaque to this year’s Brewer Nation Fantasy Baseball League champion!

Like life, there are a few rules. First off, I am only allowing the readers who have posted comments to the articles the ability to play. I would like to have the draft be done via email so I suggest players to get a free Yahoo account rather than using your personal email accounts. Secondly, this will be a POINTS ONLY league which means there will be no head-to-head or Rotisserie-style scoring. Pickups and trades among other players are unlimited; however, there will be a trading deadline! The toughest part of this competition will be that there will be a cap on games played at each position as well as total amount of innings pitched allowed.

I’ve chosen the free version of Yahoo to keep track of our league. There will be 13 starting positions for hitters, 9 starting positions for pitchers, 3 bench players, and 1 spot to put someone on the disabled list. I may be willing to adjust this but I don’t want to sway to far away from what has already been set. My theory is it takes 25 players to win at baseball and if you add up your roster, that’s exactly how many active players each team will have!

I know my buddy Dave will hate the scoring system (He’s already expressed that), but that’s just too bad. I expect him to participate nonetheless.

Everybody’s roster will include:

• One Catcher
• One First Baseman
• One Second Baseman
• One Third Baseman
• One Shortstop
• One Corner Infielder (1^st or 3^rd Base)
• One Middle Infielder (2^nd or Shortstop)
• Five Outfielders
• One Utility Batter (Any Position Player)
• Three Starting Pitchers
• Three Relief Pitchers
• Three Other Pitchers (Starters or Relievers)
• Three Bench Players
• One Spot Open to Move an injured player to your disabled list.

The scoring for hitters (Pitchers batting stats do not count):

• -2 points for each at-bat.
• 5 points for each run scored.
• 5 points for each hit. (Actually, only singles will count for 5 points).
• 5 points for each double (It’s really 10 pts 5 for the hit and 5 for the double).
• 10 points for each triple (It’s really 15 pts 5 for the hit and 10 for the triple).
• 15 points for each home run (It’s really 20 pts 5 for the hit and 15 for the home run).
• 5 points for each run batted in.
• 3 points for each walk or hit by pitch.
• -3 points for each strikeout.
• 10 points for each stolen base.
• -5 points for each caught stealing.

Basically, an out counts as -2. If a player strikes out, it’s a ******** -5. Hits are actually two less than listed above because of the -2 for each at bat.

The scoring for pitchers (Hitters pitching stats do not count):

• 30 points for each win decision.
• -15 points for each loss decision.
• 30 points for each save.
• 15 points for each full inning pitched.
• -5 points for each hit allowed.
• -10 points for each earned run allowed.
• -10 points for each home run allowed.
• -3 points for each walk or hit batter.
• 3 points for each strikeout.

Now for the tough part. There are 13 batters position. Each position can only start 162 games! Let me explain. You cannot set your lineup the same day (A Yahoo Rule), you have to set it the day before. If you start a catcher everyday for the first 162 days of the year, you will not be able to receive points anymore from that position for the rest of the season!!! With pitchers, your entire staff cannot exceed 1250 innings pitched!!! You want to start Kris Benson or Brandon Backe against Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals, go ahead but managing your innings pitched means starting pitchers will favorable matchups.

In closing, I could waive some of these rules and make it much easier. If I do that, all the skill is taken away. I want to see players with enough sack to step up and play this game the way it’s meant to be played.

Remember, if it was easy, everybody would play like fantasy football where 90% of all owners call sports radio shows for advice on who to start each week.

If you are interested, please either respond to this article or email my Yahoo account at robcho2@yahoo.com.

Now……..Who wants to play?