Fantasy Is Reality is a hardcore look at fantasy sports. Author Steve Strange and a brigade of voices from within the industry share thoughts on every square inch of our favroite hobby. Anyone who loves fantasy sports should enjoy this book.
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$
14.99
Here are some reasons Fantasy Is Reality is worth your hard-earned $14.99:
- Every step of the process of starting - and maintaining - a great fantasy league is discussed.
- FIR is loaded with tips on how to win your fantasy league(s).
- Fantasy football, baseball, basketball, college football, hockey, and golf are thoroughly covered.
- Experts and website owners from ESPN, Yahoo!, The Sporting News, walterfootball.com, TheHuddle.com, rotowire.com, fftoolbox.com, mastersball.com,
- Fantasy Sports Trade Association research is prevalent throughout. FSTA President Paul Charchian, and other board members, share views.
- The man who invented fantasy sports (Bill Gamson) is interviewed.
- U.S. District Court Judge Mary Ann Medler revisits her ruling in the CDM/MLBAM case (which kept fantasy sports free to the public).
- Lifelong direct contact with me for any fantasy advice or suggestions.
Introduction
……………
IN THE FANTASY SPORTS UNIVERSE, we’re all very important people. Whether you are a student, chemist, construction worker, soccer mom, or an actual professional athlete… you become somebody different when you enter the fantasy sports realm. Suddenly you are the shot caller, one of the twelve most important people in the world (or the league). You are an owner, a general manager, spokesperson, and fan all rolled into one.
My fantasy sports career began in 1997 as a 13-year old 7th Grader. I, and four other buddies, formulated a 10-team baseball league (we each had an American League and National League team). My buddy Jason and I kept track of the scoring by buying a $1 Baseball Weekly on Wednesdays, and adding up the previous week’s box scores. We kept track of starting lineups, and all other transactions, in a white tablet full of erase marks and character. We spent the entire summer talking trade, watching games, and adding stats. It was awesome.
The league had a ton of flaws in its construction, management, and participation. To us, however, it was the greatest league in the world, and that was really all that mattered. I tear up thinking about it. Today I teach physical education to grade-schoolers during the day, and still compete against those same old friends in fantasy at night.
In the last 15 years I’ve learned a lot about running fantasy sports leagues. I have broken up some fights, investigated trade conspiracies, kicked owners out, won a few championships, and made some great friends. I’ve commissioned football, baseball, basketball, hockey, survival football, college and pro pick ‘ems, NCAA March Madness, auto racing, and golf leagues. I even invented, and commissioned, a fantasy professional wrestling league.
Fantasy sports have been a huge part of MY life, but this book is definitely not an autobiography. I want to share my stories and experiences with all of you to help you run, and win, your fantasy leagues. I have really acquired a lot of knowledge on the ins and outs of being a fantasy winner. If you’re going to spend an obscene amount of your life in a make-believe sports paradise, you might as well do it right. I am not saying all of my strategies and methods are right for you, but this book should stimulate thought on every single aspect of ruling your league.
To make sure I got it right I interviewed a plethora of fantasy sports authorities. Commissioners, champions, experts, writers, and website founders within the fantasy sports community give advice and sound off throughout. Sometimes I back their views, other times I’m on the other end. But, regardless, there are many different informed voices represented in this book.
Fantasy sports can get ugly when done wrong. Fantasy sports can still get ugly when done right! Arguments are the norm, but sometimes it goes too far and friendships become damaged. People get personal. Suddenly, the stress release turns into the stressor. I have lost friends, and disbanded leagues over fantasy sports disputes. Sometimes problems can be avoided, other times human nature takes over. Since fantasy leagues are often comprised of close friends and family members, real life conflicts often spill into fantasy. We will take a look at the pitfalls faced by a fantasy sports commissioner, and how to avoid them.
Whether you are a fantasy sports pioneer, or new to the game, hopefully my views on the proper ways to conduct a draft, manage rules, police trades, and garner camaraderie will interest you. The time we spend is real. The money we spend is real. The passion and emotion we feel are both real. The energy we exhaust is real. Why not take your league as seriously as possible? Might as well make it as great as it can be, right? Well, that’s enough talking. Let’s get neck-deep in our favorite place to wander. Forget about the phone bill, and the car problems and everything else that wears the real you down.
It’s time to release our minds to the world of fantasy sports.
IN THE FANTASY SPORTS UNIVERSE, we’re all very important people. Whether you are a student, chemist, construction worker, soccer mom, or an actual professional athlete… you become somebody different when you enter the fantasy sports realm. Suddenly you are the shot caller, one of the twelve most important people in the world (or the league). You are an owner, a general manager, spokesperson, and fan all rolled into one.
My fantasy sports career began in 1997 as a 13-year old 7th Grader. I, and four other buddies, formulated a 10-team baseball league (we each had an American League and National League team). My buddy Jason and I kept track of the scoring by buying a $1 Baseball Weekly on Wednesdays, and adding up the previous week’s box scores. We kept track of starting lineups, and all other transactions, in a white tablet full of erase marks and character. We spent the entire summer talking trade, watching games, and adding stats. It was awesome.
The league had a ton of flaws in its construction, management, and participation. To us, however, it was the greatest league in the world, and that was really all that mattered. I tear up thinking about it. Today I teach physical education to grade-schoolers during the day, and still compete against those same old friends in fantasy at night.
In the last 15 years I’ve learned a lot about running fantasy sports leagues. I have broken up some fights, investigated trade conspiracies, kicked owners out, won a few championships, and made some great friends. I’ve commissioned football, baseball, basketball, hockey, survival football, college and pro pick ‘ems, NCAA March Madness, auto racing, and golf leagues. I even invented, and commissioned, a fantasy professional wrestling league.
Fantasy sports have been a huge part of MY life, but this book is definitely not an autobiography. I want to share my stories and experiences with all of you to help you run, and win, your fantasy leagues. I have really acquired a lot of knowledge on the ins and outs of being a fantasy winner. If you’re going to spend an obscene amount of your life in a make-believe sports paradise, you might as well do it right. I am not saying all of my strategies and methods are right for you, but this book should stimulate thought on every single aspect of ruling your league.
To make sure I got it right I interviewed a plethora of fantasy sports authorities. Commissioners, champions, experts, writers, and website founders within the fantasy sports community give advice and sound off throughout. Sometimes I back their views, other times I’m on the other end. But, regardless, there are many different informed voices represented in this book.
Fantasy sports can get ugly when done wrong. Fantasy sports can still get ugly when done right! Arguments are the norm, but sometimes it goes too far and friendships become damaged. People get personal. Suddenly, the stress release turns into the stressor. I have lost friends, and disbanded leagues over fantasy sports disputes. Sometimes problems can be avoided, other times human nature takes over. Since fantasy leagues are often comprised of close friends and family members, real life conflicts often spill into fantasy. We will take a look at the pitfalls faced by a fantasy sports commissioner, and how to avoid them.
Whether you are a fantasy sports pioneer, or new to the game, hopefully my views on the proper ways to conduct a draft, manage rules, police trades, and garner camaraderie will interest you. The time we spend is real. The money we spend is real. The passion and emotion we feel are both real. The energy we exhaust is real. Why not take your league as seriously as possible? Might as well make it as great as it can be, right? Well, that’s enough talking. Let’s get neck-deep in our favorite place to wander. Forget about the phone bill, and the car problems and everything else that wears the real you down.
It’s time to release our minds to the world of fantasy sports.
Contents
Contents [pages 1-207]
Chapter 1: Ground Floor
Starting a League – The Fun Part of Being a Fantasy Sports Commissioner
Key Characteristics of a Great Commissioner
Finding the Right Website
Top Ten: Suggested Yahoo! Improvements
Searching for and Acquiring Owners
Chapter 2: The Framework
Rules & Settings – Lead the Democracy
Free Agency
Rosters
Schedule
Scoring Systems
Trades
Chapter 3: The Day
The Draft – Suspense, Fun, and Preparation All Rolled Into One
Before the Draft
During the Draft
Top Ten: Draft Day Ownership Tips
Chapter 4: Game Time
In-Season Management – How to Keep Things Fun, Interesting, and Competitive
Meetings
Message Board
Problem Owners
Top Ten: In-Season Management Ownership Tips
Chapter 5: Next Level
How to Improve Your League – Different Ways to Turn Up The Voltage
League Enhancements
National Leagues
Sites, Seminars, and the FSTA
Chapter 6: The Cadillac of Fantasy Sports
Football – How to Maximize the Greatness
Suggested Game Play
Extra Outlets
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 7: The Sophisticated Grind
Baseball – How to Savor the Marathon
Suggested Game Play
Historical Fantasy Baseball Figures
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 8: The Forgotten Fantasy Sport
Basketball – How to Revive a Dead Game
Suggested Game Play
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 9:
Life beyond the Big Three
Hockey, College Football, Golf, and Everything In Between – Sometimes Greatness Hides Underground
College Football
Hockey
Golf
Fantasy Sports I Personally Don’t Care About
Fantasy Sports I Wish Were More Prevalent
Handicapper’s Specials
Chapter 10:
Ten Final Tips for the Extremely Dedicated
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Ground Floor
Starting a League – The Fun Part of Being a Fantasy Sports Commissioner
Key Characteristics of a Great Commissioner
Finding the Right Website
Top Ten: Suggested Yahoo! Improvements
Searching for and Acquiring Owners
Chapter 2: The Framework
Rules & Settings – Lead the Democracy
Free Agency
Rosters
Schedule
Scoring Systems
Trades
Chapter 3: The Day
The Draft – Suspense, Fun, and Preparation All Rolled Into One
Before the Draft
During the Draft
Top Ten: Draft Day Ownership Tips
Chapter 4: Game Time
In-Season Management – How to Keep Things Fun, Interesting, and Competitive
Meetings
Message Board
Problem Owners
Top Ten: In-Season Management Ownership Tips
Chapter 5: Next Level
How to Improve Your League – Different Ways to Turn Up The Voltage
League Enhancements
National Leagues
Sites, Seminars, and the FSTA
Chapter 6: The Cadillac of Fantasy Sports
Football – How to Maximize the Greatness
Suggested Game Play
Extra Outlets
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 7: The Sophisticated Grind
Baseball – How to Savor the Marathon
Suggested Game Play
Historical Fantasy Baseball Figures
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 8: The Forgotten Fantasy Sport
Basketball – How to Revive a Dead Game
Suggested Game Play
Advanced Strategies for Owners
Chapter 9:
Life beyond the Big Three
Hockey, College Football, Golf, and Everything In Between – Sometimes Greatness Hides Underground
College Football
Hockey
Golf
Fantasy Sports I Personally Don’t Care About
Fantasy Sports I Wish Were More Prevalent
Handicapper’s Specials
Chapter 10:
Ten Final Tips for the Extremely Dedicated
Acknowledgments
