I just got back from catching a couple of spring training games in Arizona. We go every year--I love having an opportunity to see a major league team in a ballpark the size of a minor league stadium. I always read baseball books during the trip. This year I finished up MoneyBall (started it on last year's trip) and re-read California Rush (http://www.amazon.com/California-rus...5552042&sr=1-3, the best baseball novel ever written--it's hilarious--if you like baseball, you should definitely read this book).

I seem to be the oddball on this thread because I am an Oakland A's fan. They are the only team I'm interested in, although I will root for whoever is playing the Yankees and I'm no fan of Barry Bonds or the Giants either.

Dennis Eckersley's parents live down the street from me; it's my one brush with fame. But they pretty much keep to themselves, so I haven't actually met them.

There are several different kinds. I am probably in the SIMPLEST league of all. I am doing what is called a weekly head-to-head format in a mixed league with no salary cap.

Basically this means me and a bunch of other yahoos get together and chip in a little money for a site that supports fantasy leagues. There are some free ones, we use one I think we pay for and it is REALLY nice.

Then we decide on a draft day and draft order (how you do this the 1st year must involve major battles, fortunately I joined after it started and it was based on the previous year)

You pick players one after the other until you have the 25 players on your team. (In our league you are required to play 5 starting pitchers, 3 relievers, 2 catchers, 1 of each of the infield positions, 4 outfielders and 2 extra batters every week and carry 5 players in reserve)

After that you just sit back and let the players do their thing. Different things are worth different points depending on what kind of league you are in. The websites do all the math for you. Like in my league a single is worth 1 point, a double 2, etc.

The differences between the leagues are in the details such as

WEEKLY - mine you set the line-up every week and are stuck with it all week. Some you do DAILY. Unless you have no life, I would not do a daily league.

HEAD-to HEAD - I play a different team each week, whichever has the most points at the end of the week wins the "game". Just like in baseball, wins and losses determine standing (as opposed to total points scored which is called "rotisserie" or "total point" leagues)

MIXED LEAGUE - We draft from both NL and AL, some leagues are dedicated.

NO SALARY - Some leagues assign values to players and you have to fill your roster within a budget (ironic given the lack of a cap in the real game) ours is just 1st come 1st served. It makes trades much easier too, whatever you can sucker the other guy in to is ok!

KEEPER LEAGUE - means a league where you get to keep players from the previous year before the draft. Sometimes they are then kept at their previous "salary". Some leagues have 0 keepers, ours has 4, my BIL is in a league with 15....totally up to the league how you want to run.

The easiest way to play fantasy is find a league that you may want to join and shadow an owner for a part of a season.

Opening Day of Baseball season!

The Red Sox game was televised on ESPN

Unfortunately, THEY LOST!

Congrats Royals Fan...your team played a great game!

Thanks for the info ennay! Makes more sense now.

Sorry homebound, but it's just the beginning!

Blue - I just moved from Mesa AZ. I lived there 15 years. Used to catch a couple of games during spring training too. My brother has been coming down from CA to see the A's the past few years. But it was always too hot for me. I do agree with the major in the minor park. Nice to see the plays and players closer. I'll have to look into those books. I have a couple of bb books, but haven't read them yet.

That was brutal last night. I kept jumping back and forward during commercials. It just got worse. Hopefully Wainwright can do some magic against the Astros.

where is gary?

Didn't he say he was going away for a few days.

Thanks for missing me gals! I am here, was out of town for a few days and VERY busy with family stuff. Tonight a belated b-day dinner for my son, turned 26 the end of MArch and we are going to a good-bye reception for my debtist shortly.

My DODGERS are off to a very mediocre start...but my ANGELS are smoking!

Will catch up soon with you all!

Darn Angels! The A's have not been doing so well, but hey at least we're ahead of Texas and we won last night. As any A's fans knows, nothing before the all-star break matters anyway.

Still can't understand why they haven't traded Melhuse, though.

wow that look like S%*T after i did it ~LOL

DODGER~GODDESS

Here is a picture I took this week-end. It is a picture of DODGER seats my son bought last year from DODGER STADIUM Chavez Ravine. The old seats were sold when the new ones were installed.

I just got back from daughter's softball game and it was so cold. Our wind chill is in the low 20's. Brrr.

Come on Cards let's get a win tonight.

Good luck tonight with your CARDINALS gals. It will be a battle of the winless. My DODGERS have ONE big one so far Tonight we play the giants I would rather see the YANKEES win than the giants!

CLYDEGIRL ~ what level (age) of softball? I miss my step-d's games already and it has only been a year since high school ball.