"Personal" fantasy leagues

[34inXXIII]

Like many others here, I'm guessing, I was introduced to fantasy football long before the internet and satellite TV came into existence. I remember being a spectator the first year I learned about it in 1989, an owner in 1990 and commissioner in 1991. Back then, there were no automated scoring systems and no web sites. Friends phoned in or dropped off their starting lineups. I'd update the scores as best I could with the few games I had access to during the day and then by following the highlights on NFL Primetime, but the official scoring would not be completed until I finally got a break between classes on Monday and Tuesday to scour the box scores in the USA Today. Then I would write up the standings, scores, transactions and any other pertinent data and make enough copies for our owners. Of course, I usually had to deliver them as well by driving around what is thankfully a fairly small community.

Eventually, I got a computer and was able to more easily create and print the weekly newsletters. Then I signed up for the amazing new technology at the time - dial-up internet access. Suddenly I could begin getting starting lineups by e-mail....at least from those few owners who were actually online as well.

Obviously, much is different now. Our league has a web site (http://www.lxff.org) and a forum. With e-mail and cell phone technology, I no longer have to sit by my telephone until kickoff for fear of missing someone's starting lineup.

My league will be entering its 17th season in 2007 and I do all the work myself, from maintaining rosters to updating starting lineups to calculating the scoring (a simple scoring method does help though). I bring this up because I'm intrigued to know if anyone else runs or participates in similar leagues. All these automated leagues from Yahoo, NFL.com, ESPN, et al. certainly have their place - especially for groups like those who post here - but it's just seems too impersonal to me. Last year, I even participated in a Yahoo league that only had local owners. We held the draft at Grizzly's, which was great, but the rest of the season was a serious let down because it turned into just another online league with guys I rarely interact with and never see (save the one I work with, who got me into the league).

Don't get me wrong....I'm not against getting into a league with some of the great member of this forum whom I see in here on a daily basis, but you guys are missing out if you're not in a league that has more than just point-and-click participation.

[Ericw712]

I guess it depends on the group of people in the league. True the internet can lend its self to bringing in participants from anywhere in the world with nothing in common. But my main league is comprised of 5-7 friends of mine that all go to tailgates together and most of us have season tickets. There is a downfall with having the league made up of all Bengals fans... usually Carson and Chad go 1-2 and Rudi's not far behind...

[dtrance]

Speaking of fantasy leagues. What happend to you last year Eric? You just went hiatus on us. Anyhow are you insterested in getting back in the league? 1st prize is $300 this season. We expanded to 16 teams and have one spot open. PM me if anyone is interested.

[calell83]

I started a league last season with some friends of mine. I do all the scoring, which I don't mind, though the internet makes it much easier. I even made a site for it
http://uffl.freepgs.com
It is basic html but serves its purposes. I am also in a freinds league with a group of friends of his. Both leagues we get together, have a party and draft, tons of fun...

[calell83]

I dunno how I would feel about drafting so early...

[Wolpie]

Like many others here, I'm guessing, I was introduced to fantasy football long before the internet and satellite TV came into existence. I remember being a spectator the first year I learned about it in 1989, an owner in 1990 and commissioner in 1991. Back then, there were no automated scoring systems and no web sites. Friends phoned in or dropped off their starting lineups. I'd update the scores as best I could with the few games I had access to during the day and then by following the highlights on NFL Primetime, but the official scoring would not be completed until I finally got a break between classes on Monday and Tuesday to scour the box scores in the USA Today. Then I would write up the standings, scores, transactions and any other pertinent data and make enough copies for our owners. Of course, I usually had to deliver them as well by driving around what is thankfully a fairly small community.

Eventually, I got a computer and was able to more easily create and print the weekly newsletters. Then I signed up for the amazing new technology at the time - dial-up internet access. Suddenly I could begin getting starting lineups by e-mail....at least from those few owners who were actually online as well.

Obviously, much is different now. Our league has a web site (http://www.lxff.org) and a forum. With e-mail and cell phone technology, I no longer have to sit by my telephone until kickoff for fear of missing someone's starting lineup.

My league will be entering its 17th season in 2007 and I do all the work myself, from maintaining rosters to updating starting lineups to calculating the scoring (a simple scoring method does help though). I bring this up because I'm intrigued to know if anyone else runs or participates in similar leagues. All these automated leagues from Yahoo, NFL.com, ESPN, et al. certainly have their place - especially for groups like those who post here - but it's just seems too impersonal to me. Last year, I even participated in a Yahoo league that only had local owners. We held the draft at Grizzly's, which was great, but the rest of the season was a serious let down because it turned into just another online league with guys I rarely interact with and never see (save the one I work with, who got me into the league).

Don't get me wrong....I'm not against getting into a league with some of the great member of this forum whom I see in here on a daily basis, but you guys are missing out if you're not in a league that has more than just point-and-click participation.
I'm in a league with a bunch of guys from work. We use Yahoo because it has proven to be as reliable as anything out there that I'm aware of. Kudos to you, 34inXXIII, for doing your own scoring and "keeping it real" like that. I just can't imagine what a headache that would be -- esp if you are involved in multiple leagues. I'm sort of technologically dependent, though... Anyways, this will be my 4th year doing fantasy football. It's taken me from being a very casual Bengals fan to an obsessive Bengals and NFL fan. It's good fun especially when the trash talk starts flying and when the wheeling and dealing gets going (our league generally features a number of blockbuster trades every year). It's a re-draft league and last year we went with an auction-style draft, which was a lot of fun. Looks like that's the road we'll take again this year...

[34inXXIII]

Kudos to you, 34inXXIII, for doing your own scoring and "keeping it real" like that. I just can't imagine what a headache that would be -- esp if you are involved in multiple leagues.
Well, first of all, I've only added that one other league last season when I started a new job. Otherwise, I'm almost solely committed to this one. A lot of the groundwork is done during the offseason, so that helps as well. There's work involved, but I don't want people to think it consumes my free time and takes away from my soon-to-be wife and step-son. To be honest with you, I would defintely scale back if it did and I wouldn't put the time into it if I didn't thoroughly enjoy it....and that's where having a league full of very close friends helps. I know they appreciate it and I love and respect these friends enough to do this for them.

Also, I don't want anyone to misunderstand me either - I'm not belittling any other leagues or those who play numerous online leagues. It's all great fun. I just wanted to share a side of this hobby that gets overshadowed by the plethora of virtual options available out there. [:D]

[calell83]

Kudos to you, 34inXXIII, for doing your own scoring and "keeping it real" like that. I just can't imagine what a headache that would be -- esp if you are involved in multiple leagues.
Well, first of all, I've only added that one other league last season when I started a new job. Otherwise, I'm almost solely committed to this one. A lot of the groundwork is done during the offseason, so that helps as well. There's work involved, but I don't want people to think it consumes my free time and takes away from my soon-to-be wife and step-son. To be honest with you, I would defintely scale back if it did and I wouldn't put the time into it if I didn't thoroughly enjoy it....and that's where having a league full of very close friends helps. I know they appreciate it and I love and respect these friends enough to do this for them.

Also, I don't want anyone to misunderstand me either - I'm not belittling any other leagues or those who play numerous online leagues. It's all great fun. I just wanted to share a side of this hobby that gets overshadowed by the plethora of virtual options available out there. [:D]

I do the scoring in my league, an dmy buddy does his own scoring...I actually like doing, and by doing it, I have learned alot more abotu fantasy football. I feel much more prepared and I see the trends of certain players and such..

[calell83]

hey guys just thought i whould let you know i did real well in my draft today

Anyone you particularly proud of getting..
Whats your overall roster look like.

[BengalBubbs81]

Like many others here, I'm guessing, I was introduced to fantasy football long before the internet and satellite TV came into existence. I remember being a spectator the first year I learned about it in 1989, an owner in 1990 and commissioner in 1991. Back then, there were no automated scoring systems and no web sites. Friends phoned in or dropped off their starting lineups. I'd update the scores as best I could with the few games I had access to during the day and then by following the highlights on NFL Primetime, but the official scoring would not be completed until I finally got a break between classes on Monday and Tuesday to scour the box scores in the USA Today. Then I would write up the standings, scores, transactions and any other pertinent data and make enough copies for our owners. Of course, I usually had to deliver them as well by driving around what is thankfully a fairly small community.

Eventually, I got a computer and was able to more easily create and print the weekly newsletters. Then I signed up for the amazing new technology at the time - dial-up internet access. Suddenly I could begin getting starting lineups by e-mail....at least from those few owners who were actually online as well.

Obviously, much is different now. Our league has a web site (http://www.lxff.org) and a forum. With e-mail and cell phone technology, I no longer have to sit by my telephone until kickoff for fear of missing someone's starting lineup.

My league will be entering its 17th season in 2007 and I do all the work myself, from maintaining rosters to updating starting lineups to calculating the scoring (a simple scoring method does help though). I bring this up because I'm intrigued to know if anyone else runs or participates in similar leagues. All these automated leagues from Yahoo, NFL.com, ESPN, et al. certainly have their place - especially for groups like those who post here - but it's just seems too impersonal to me. Last year, I even participated in a Yahoo league that only had local owners. We held the draft at Grizzly's, which was great, but the rest of the season was a serious let down because it turned into just another online league with guys I rarely interact with and never see (save the one I work with, who got me into the league).

Don't get me wrong....I'm not against getting into a league with some of the great member of this forum whom I see in here on a daily basis, but you guys are missing out if you're not in a league that has more than just point-and-click participation.

LOL. Youre taking me back 34. I started playing in 1994 ( and still in same league today) & ours was like that as well. We had to phone in our line up every week to the commish or asst commish, usually by fri night. Also, you of course had to phone him any time you wanted to make a transaction. Looking back what a pain in the arse it was, especially for the commish. LOL. I too could not wait to watch NFL Primetime on Sun evenings to see all the highlights & stats that I could before the Monday USA Today came out. It also was our leagues official stats for scoring. Every Sunday I would make my own little graph to track my players stats & try to track my opponents as well as I watched the games.
Sometimes you didnt know for sure who your opponent was starting until you got your mailer mid week with the results from the previous weekend. They always had to calculate postage costs into our league fees. Then one year the commish learned of this crazy new technology where he bought some software to assist him in keeping stats/player transactions, etc. That cost also increased our annual fees.
Now we just use Yahoo. Man things are soooo much easier. I almost quit prior to our league going to the internet cause if you really wanted to contend, it took a lot of work & was time consuming. Now, not everybody still lives in the same town but we do get together every year for a live draft & to BS.