RotoGuru Baseball Forum

View the Forum Registry

XML Get RSS Feed for this thread


Self-edit this thread


0 Subject: RIBC 2009

Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Tue, Feb 17, 2009, 09:47

I have sent out 16 invitations for the 2009 RotoGuru Invitational Baseball Challenge. Everybody who was invited has responded with a commitment to play.

As background, the RIBC invitations went to the top 6 in last year’s RIBC (excluding me), plus the top three teams in each of the two AAA leagues, plus the winner of each of two AA leagues, plus me. That makes 15 teams. Of the two 4th places finishers in the AAA leagues, only one is a GuruPatron, so I used that as the tiebreaker to fill the 16th spot.

Here are the 16 managers in the 2009 RIBC:
Coldwater Coyotes
Uptown Bombers
dror
Dave R
Bash Brothers
JL
Da Bomb
filthy
Philsphan
Holt
Rheo
Bags
JKaye
Species
vampire weekend
Guru


A separate thread will be set up shortly to begin the process of filling Qualifying Leagues.

The schedule opener is more forgiving this season. The first regular season game is not until April 5. Typically, the draft requires 15-16 days, so we could conceivably start as late as sometime during the week of March 15. I know that a couple of you have potential access issues in mid-March, but I’m sure we can find ways to adapt, using phone calls, texting, etc.

I’ll post a recap of last year’s rules and settings shortly. I don’t think we have a need to change any rules for this year – but let me defer on that for the moment.

One idea I’ll toss out is a potential shift from Yahoo to ESPN as the hosting site. We have used Yahoo since the inception of the league, but ESPN now offers a free site as well, and they have live scoring available for free. There are several other differences that I believe to be true (CMIIW):

1. Game limits are applied to all hitters in aggregate, and not by position. In Yahoo, each position is limited to 162 GP over the season. In ESPN, the 12 hitting slots are subject to an aggregate limit of 1944 games (12 x 162). This obviously allows additional flexibility – which may or may not be desirable. For example, you could get by with 150 games at catcher and fill in the missing 12 with extra games from other positions.

2. If you pick up a free agent, you can insert him in your lineup on the same day. In Yahoo, you cannot start a player until the day after pickup.

3. Position eligibilities may be slightly different. ESPN says that a player is eligible at a position if he played 20 games at that position last year, or 10 games at the position this year. I don’t recall the Yahoo guidelines, but they always seemed to be somewhat subjective. ESPN seems to have a very objective process, with the additional positions becoming eligible the day after qualification.

4. ESPN allows league standings to be publicly viewable. This would facilitate the ability to view up-to-date standings for all RIBC leagues (including AAA and AA). I might even be able to adapt the split standings program to provide daily splits for each league (no promises, however – but I think the potential is there.)

Any thoughts?
Only the 50 most recent replies are currently shown. Click on this text to display hidden posts as well.
24filthy
      ID: 388531216
      Thu, Feb 19, 2009, 08:27
As for the setup...

12 player offense, with a 4 player bench. I usually struggle to max out even one position, let alone use my extra games to make up for anything I missed from my catcher. Won't make for any more extreme drafting patterns than we are used to. I think I've already seen (maybe even used?) every extreme drafting strategy there could be.

Sorting the next days probable starter was added for Yahoo last year. And a 10 GP/ 5 GS minimum is a more desirable position eligibility threshold than a 20 GP/ 10 GS minimum would be.

Picking up a player between midnight and the first game of the day, AND being allowed to play him that same day would benefit me. I like that. Probably would benefit others more though. I often miss out on the pregame news and lineups.

I dunno, I guess I am on the fence. I think that, due to the superstitious nature of sports and my excellent showing last year, I would prefer to keep all things as close to the status quo as possible. But I am mostly just glad to play and will be stoked with whatever we end up deciding on.
25Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Feb 19, 2009, 09:47
[21] When I have only one opening to fill, and two teams to choose from that are otherwise equally qualified, I think it's fair to use GuruPatron status as a "reward" to the team that has provided financial support in the past.

That doesn't make it a pay league. I only used that factor as a tiebreaker. I've done that in the past as well.
26Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Feb 19, 2009, 09:50
As to hosting site, the jury is split, although it seems that about half prefer to stay with Yahoo, while the other half is ambivalent.

I'll keep the issue open for now, but if the sentiment doesn't shift, we'll probably opt for the "if it ain't broke" rationale.

I really don't think the aggregate position limits are significant a distinction for baseball. But it does surprise me that ESPN has been resistant to making that option available. And for hoops, I probably would consider it a deal-breaker.
27Rheo
      ID: 59157915
      Thu, Feb 19, 2009, 17:46
Hen-We use CBS (and pay, only league we do) for the league. Basically commish doesn't want to run the league off a spreadsheet for all the prospects so we stay there.
28blue hen
      Dude
      ID: 710321114
      Fri, Feb 20, 2009, 11:06
Pedro Alvarez is in the ESPN player database, so other than having a taxi squad type piece, I'm not sure what else you're looking for.
29Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 14:24
Based on the lukewarm response we got for a switch to ESPN, I'm going to keep the RIBC league at Yahoo for this season.

However, I hope that at least one of the QLs decides to use ESPN. As an inducement, for any QL that uses ESPN, I'll offer to develop and produce the same daily standings splits that I provide for the RIBC.

At the end of the season, I'll be curious to hear how any league using ESPN found the experience to be, compared to Yahoo. Hopefully, next year we can make a better informed decision to host all leagues at a common site.

30Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 15:57
I just emailed the league IDs and password for Yahoo and Kafenatid. Check your emails.

We have a couple of administrative issues to address.

First, we need to hold the draft2, where we each select our draft position. I'm not ready to begin that yet, but I suggest we start that process next Monday.

Second, we need to pick a date to begin the draft. The target date is March 15, plus or minus a day or two. Please mention if you have any potential conflicts around that time (or at any time during the second half of March), and let's figure out how to resolve those now.
31wolfer
      ID: 25521311
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 16:58
Re 29,

You have a taker. I am going to use ESPN.
32Philsphan
      Sustainer
      ID: 301442416
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 18:30
Re 30:

I'm fine with those dates.

So far.
33Bags
      ID: 26107111
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 19:43
The earlier the better for me.

I will be on a fishing trip starting the 18th. I was hoping someone might be able to keep me updated via text. If the phone service is shaky where I will be I can make other arrangements.

I will keep you all informed.
34Rheo
      ID: 59157915
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 20:39
I have nothing going on but I do prefer to get things going earlier too. Just itching to get going.
35coldwater coyotes
      ID: 451159910
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 20:56
Dates are fine
36jseth333
      Dude
      ID: 24100310
      Thu, Feb 26, 2009, 21:04
I am going to have some access issues from the 15th - 18th but will figure something out as needed
37Uptown Bombers
      Donor
      ID: 035616416
      Fri, Feb 27, 2009, 04:57
I don't expect to have any availability issues in March.
39Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Sat, Feb 28, 2009, 13:39
I will have some but limited computer access from the 15th-22nd. It will probably be best if I give my cell number to someone help me draft.
40JKaye
      Leader
      ID: 01372359
      Sat, Feb 28, 2009, 16:15
No conflicts for me drafting anytime in March.
41JL
      ID: 33235111
      Sun, Mar 01, 2009, 12:35
I should be fine.
42Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Sun, Mar 01, 2009, 20:13
No particular conflicts with the perspective dates.
43Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 07:36
For the draft2, I need to have two RIBC managers send me (via email to davehall@rotoguru2.com) a listing of the integers from 1-16 in any order. The first will be used to resequence an alphabetical list of managers. The second will assign the selection order for the round to select our draft position.

After I receive the two set of numbers, I will post the order and we can begin that round.
44Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 09:59
I have the numbers.

vampire weekend sent this list:
6 2 15 7 5 4 14 13 1 3 10 12 16 8 11 9

filthy then sent this list:
7 14 5 11 1 12 8 13 15 2 3 4 10 6 16 9


Here is the resulting order for the draft position selection round:

1 Dave R
2 JL
3 Uptown Bombers
4 Philsphan
5 Jkaye
6 filthy
7 HOLT
8 Da Bomb
9 Rheo
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Bags
13 Species
14 Bash Brothers
15 vampire weekend
16 Coldwater coyotes


Dave R can select his position whenever he is ready. There is no clock (subject to reasonability).
45Dave R
      SuperDude
      ID: 3010361110
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 12:09
Damn....

I'll pick 6th
46Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 12:16
lol......wussed out on #1 eh?

1
2
3
4
5
6 Dave R
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
47Dave R
      SuperDude
      ID: 3010361110
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 12:34
AS long as I don't pick near you.....
48JL
      ID: 15246315
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 16:46
I will choose somewhere in the next half hour.
49JL
      ID: 45253315
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 16:53
I'll just take #1. I actually like picking at the turn.

1 JL
2
3
4
5
6 Dave R
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
50Uptown Bombers
      Donor
      ID: 035616416
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 20:23
1 JL
2
3
4
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
51Philsphan
      Sustainer
      ID: 301442416
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 20:49
1 JL
2
3
4
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
52JKaye
      Leader
      ID: 01372359
      Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 22:37
1 JL
2
3
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
53filthy
      ID: 388531216
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 08:05
1 JL
2
3
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
54Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 12:30
Recapping the selection order:

1 Dave R
2 JL
3 Uptown Bombers
4 Philsphan
5 Jkaye
6 filthy

7 HOLT
8 Da Bomb
9 Rheo
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Bags
13 Species
14 Bash Brothers
15 vampire weekend
16 Coldwater coyotes
55holt
      ID: 410511410
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 12:47
1 JL
2 Holt
3
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
56Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 17:05
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
57Rheo
      ID: 59157915
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 20:46
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10
11
12
13 Rheo
14
15
16
58Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 23:29
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10 Guru
11
12
13 Rheo
14
15
16
59dror
      ID: 101492713
      Thu, Mar 05, 2009, 11:35
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12
13 Rheo
14
15
16
60Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Mar 05, 2009, 12:25
Recapping the selection order:

1 Dave R
2 JL
3 Uptown Bombers
4 Philsphan
5 Jkaye
6 filthy
7 HOLT
8 Da Bomb
9 Rheo
10 Guru
11 dror

12 Bags
13 Species
14 Bash Brothers
15 vampire weekend
16 Coldwater coyotes
61Bags@work
      ID: 31442714
      Thu, Mar 05, 2009, 13:37
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8 Bags
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12
13 Rheo
14
15
16
62Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Mar 05, 2009, 14:22
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8 Bags
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Species
13 Rheo
14
15
16
63Bash Brothers
      ID: 21112116
      Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 01:35
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8 Bags
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Species
13 Rheo
14 Bash Brothers
15
16
64jseth333
      Dude
      ID: 24100310
      Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 08:13
1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8 Bags
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Species
13 Rheo
14 Bash Brothers
15
16 Vampire Weekend
65jseth333
      Dude
      ID: 24100310
      Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 08:14
resulting in...

1 JL
2 Holt
3 Da Bomb
4 JKaye
5 Uptown Bombers
6 Dave R
7 Philsphan
8 Bags
9 filthy
10 Guru
11 dror
12 Species
13 Rheo
14 Bash Brothers
15 Coldwater Coyotes
16 Vampire Weekend
66filthy
      ID: 388531216
      Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 09:09
Using Joe Maddon logic, 9=1, therefore you guys are doomed!
67Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 10:57
Let me propose this for the draft timing.

I will activate the draft sometime on Friday, March 13th. We will go untimed until Monday morning, March 16th. This will give everyone who has access issues starting on March 15th a chance to set up queues in advance, and maybe make a pick or two.

The clock will start on Monday morning. We will once again use a 6 hour clock. The clock will pause between 1am and 7am ET. I know that the pause times extend late for easterners and end early for westerners, but with a 6 hour pause, this still provides a 12 hour window for any pick which extends through the pause period, which should be ample.

Those who have access issues should make arrangements for coverage during those times. Once the clock starts, our typical pace has been 24 picks per day. Therefore, on most days you will need to make one or two picks.
68Donkey Hunter
      Leader
      ID: 916288962
      Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 11:25
Bad news filthy. Their slogan was 9=8.
69Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 13:29
I just collected all of the current Yahoo position eligibilities (hitters only) and put them in this excel spreadsheet:
http://rotoguru1.com/base/Yahoo-elig-3-9-09.xls
70Uptown Bombers
      Donor
      ID: 035616416
      Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 16:56
Drafting on Friday the 13th, that's got to be an bad omen. Kidding aside, could I request that the draft be opened on Thursday night? Friday will be a bad day for me in terms of access. I have no problem setting a queue up, but will not be physically able to do it unless the draft is started.
71Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 16:19
I'll open the draft on Thursday, then.
72Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Wed, Mar 11, 2009, 12:44
I'm willing to send out text messages to anyone who wants periodic updates of draft progress. I would send them out by email. If you want to be on the list to receive updates, please send me (via email) the address that I should send to.

Since these messages will be intended for cell phones, they will be short and cryptic:

pick# name
pick# name
etc.

I'll just set up an email list and send out updates every few picks.

My understanding is that most (maybe all) major cell carriers enable the receipt of text messages sent via email.
73Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Mar 12, 2009, 10:28
The draft will be activated shortly, although I do not expect the first pick to be made until Friday, and the clock will not be turned on until Monday morning. The early activation is to allow people to set up queues, as needed. (Although the clock will be off through the opening weekend, I do expect to complete at least one round before Monday.)

We will once again use a 6 hour clock. The clock will pause between 1am and 7am ET. I know that the pause times extend late for easterners and end early for westerners, but with a 6 hour pause, this still provides a 12 hour window for any pick which extends through the pause period, which should be ample.

If you time out, the draft will move on. Skipped picks can be made up at any time thererafter. If your turn arises and you still have an outstanding skipped pick, I will probably move the draft on to the next picker. If we get well ahead of pace, I may relax that stance. But hopefully it will not become an issue. This also means that people on the turn have a single clock period to make their first pick, or both picks will be skipped.

Although the clock will be set at 6 hours, we cannot make satisfactory progress if many managers use much of that allowance. We need to average about 1.5 rounds (24 picks) per day, so please do your best to keep up that pace. If we fall behind, managers who are chronically slow may be put on an shorter clock. Note that the clock will not be suspended on weekends (except for the opening weekend.)

We will use this thread for logistical communications, to help others anticipate potential delays, to recruit someone to accept a queue, to announce or solicit trades, and to coordinate changes in the clock. Please check this thread regularly throughout the draft, as we will rely on it as the primary means of communication among RIBC managers.

Established draft etiquette is that no undrafted player names should be mentioned either here or in the rationale threads, and in the event of an infraction, should be edited out.

After two rounds have been completed, a separate draft rationale thread will be started. We will try to keep that thread on a 2 round lag. Therefore, after you make your pick in round 3, please immediately post your round 1 pick rationale, and so forth. I usually draft my rationales as I make picks, so that all I need to do when the time comes is copy and paste. I recommend that approach for everyone.

You may draft a player even if he is not currently listed on Yahoo. In that event, you will have the first rights to claim that player when he is listed, as long as you preserve that roster slot for him.

Once the draft is completed, you will no longer be able to protect a slot for any unlisted player. At that point, unlisted players will only be available through the standard Yahoo waiver/free agent process.

When you select a player, please list him at the position that you primarily expect to use him. Of course, these positions are not binding, and are only indicative of your anticipated usage. Yahoo position eligibilities will be used throughout the season.

The draft software allows you to set up a queue, and to make that queue available to any other manager who you authorize as a designated picker. Be aware that, as commish, I am automatically authorized as a DP for everyone. Your queue will not be visible to your DPs (or me) until it is your turn to pick, and you may specify whether the entire queue should be visible, or only the top name. However, if you do not make your queue "available", then no one will be able to see it when it is your turn. If you want your queue to be used, then please be sure that you have it set as available. If you do not want your queue used, then be sure to make it unavailable. If it is your turn and a queue is available to me, I will make that pick for you unless you have posted explicit instructions to the contrary in this thread.

In order to keep the draft moving at an acceptable pace, please make active use of queues if you expect to be unavailable when it is your turn. Recent drafts have gone very smoothly due primarily to the active use of queues.

The draft will last for 25 rounds. You are not required to draft a player for every position.
74Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Thu, Mar 12, 2009, 10:32
Please shift to the draft discussion thread for future discussion.
Rate this thread:
5 (top notch)
4 (even better)
3 (good stuff)
2 (lightweight)
1 (no value)
If you wish, you may rate this thread on scale of 1-5. Ratings should indicate how valuable or interesting you believe this thread would be to other users of this forum. A '5' means that this thread is a 'must read'. A '1' means that this is a complete waste of time.

If you have previously rated this thread, rating it again will delete your previous rating.

If you do not want to rate this thread, but want to see how others have rated it, then click the button without entering a rating, or else click here.

RotoGuru Baseball Forum

View the Forum Registry

XML Get RSS Feed for this thread


Self-edit this thread




Post a reply to this message: (But first, how about checking out this sponsor?)

Name:
Email:
Message:
Click here to create and insert a link
Click here to insert a block of hidden (spoiler) text
Click here to insert a random spelling of Mientkiewicz
Ignore line feeds? no (typical)   yes (for HTML table input)


Viewing statistics for this thread
Period# Views# Users
Last hour11
Last 24 hours11
Last 7 days87
Last 30 days1411
Since Mar 1, 200735761038