In the early days of fantasy sports playing was a long and laborious business. Back then, in the late 1970s, we didn’t used to have computers let alone access to the internet.
So players wanting to get involved had to work everything out with pen and paper and wait quite some time to see the results for the week. This also meant that the games themselves had to be kept very simple.
But now everything is easier and totally automated. So anyone wanting to dip their toe in the fantasy baseball water will find almost limitless options waiting for them to enjoy. Plus, because everything is online it also makes it easier to get together with friends and co-workers to create tailored ways to play that everyone will enjoy.
While you could write a whole book about fantasy baseball – and many people have – we only have room here to give you a brief introduction. But, hopefully, it’s going to be enough information to make you want to find out more.
Ways to play
One of the first things to think about when you’re considering fantasy baseball is what kind of game you want to play. Broadly speaking, you have around six different options with most of the leading operators.
Classic Play
This is arguably the simplest and most straightforward way to get involved. You just pick a team limited by a set salary cap and compete as an individual against the many others who have taken this option.
Pick ‘em
This is a speeded-up version that lets you choose from more limited groups of players. The trade-off for having this more restricted choice is that there is no salary cap to concern you.
Leagues
For people who want to compete with friends to prove who knows most about the game, league play is a good option. You can set your own precise rules and elect an official league commissioner to see that everyone sticks to them, Then, at the end of the season, you can see who really is top dog when it comes to picking great teams.
Multiplayer
This version lets you pit your skills against three or more players in either a private or a public contest, Although similar to a league, it offers less flexibility in adapting the rules, but there’s no need to enlist a commissioner.
Head to head
It may be that you have just one single rival who you want to take on. If so, then this is the way you’ll like to roll.
Casual
Finally, and probably best for absolute beginners, is the chance to find your feet by playing against players of a similar level of skill and experience.
Scoring
Obviously, fantasy baseball is all about scoring points. You do this by choosing players who you hope will do well each week in different batting and pitching achievements. Generally, these consist of:
- Team batting average calculated as the total hits divided by the number of at-bats.
- Team run average which is the number of earned runs times multiplied by nine and divided by the total number of innings.
- Total home runs
- Total runs scored
- Total saves
- Total stolen bases
- Total strikeouts
- Total team WHIPs – that’s the number of walks allowed by pitcher divided by the number of innings
- Total number of wins.
The points achieved in each area differs from fantasy league to fantasy league, but the principles remain the same.
Choosing and changing players
Perhaps the most important part of all is setting up your squad. In many cases you’re limited by a salary cap, a system introduced to prevent anyone having a whole team of superstars.
So it pays to look out for up and coming talent who you think may well end up punching way above their weight. After all, this was a strategy that worked perfectly in the real world for Billy Beane at Oakland, so it could well work for you too.
There’s also the tendency to pick players from your own favorite teams but this would be a mistake. Look across the whole league to find the best value.
Depending on the specific rules of your fantasy league, you’ll also be able to change players mid-season to off-load the under-performers in favor of some better prospects.
A couple of tips
While some people do play fantasy baseball with their eyes on winning big prizes, it’s best if you approach it as something that’s just for fun. It’s also very easy to get dragged deep into the data as you try to make strategic decisions.
But treat it as a casual hobby that will give you a taste of what it takes to be a successful manager and that’s how you’ll get the most out of it.
Then the glory of winning will be just another bonus to enjoy.