Fantasy Baseball Bible

A crisp infield during a game is inspiring and motivating for all on the team. It’s also uninspiring for the other team if they don’t match the same level of snap, zip, and crispness. A team of infielders who posses this skills developed through intentional baseball drills will set the tempo of a game. On the flip side, a sluggish and sloppy infield will not create confidence for the rest of the team and should be avoided like the plague. Here are two ways to develop the all important crispness factor for infielders.

1. Physical crispness is displayed first by hustle on and off the field. A team, and especially an infield, that is quite intentional about how they take to the field demands respect. It shows focus, excitement, and most of all a no-nonsense approach to kicking the others teams’ butt. But this skill must be taught from day one of workouts. A coach that pays little attention to this detail and then attempt to put it in place mid-season will struggle to do so. During baseball drills in practice infielders must hard to positions, and if the goal is not achieved, everyone comes on back to the dugout and tries again. The picture gets across quickly. The good news is, few teams do this, therefore a good team will stand out immediately.

2. Another display of physical hustle comes in the form of throwing the ball around the infield after a strikeout. If your team is in the habit of throwing the ball around the infield (and they should be) after an opposing hitter strikes out, be snappy about it. Infielders should reduce the distance from each other by a good five steps. Movements should emulate the type of quickness one would exhibit in performing a double play. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of making this part clean and free of error. Nothing like a speedy and precise throw around after a strikeout to keep defensive spirits high.

3. The last skills takes a bit more time and focus to master. It requires more mental focus rather than previous two which required physical focus and preparation. A team that communicates with the pitcher and each other is like a symphony filled with harmony. Baseball shouldn’t be played silently, but on the other hand, shouldn’t be played with nonsensical sounds of “hey batter batter, swing!” This is not communication, but instead (to keep with the music theme of this paragraph) sounds like a struggling young violinist annoying his parents in the living room! Infielders should remind the pitcher of where he needs to be on bunt defense, when there are runners on base for potential pick offs, etc. Infielders should communicate with each other on positioning with runners on base, cutoffs, etc. Like I said earlier, this must be practiced consistently during all baseball drills. Communication must be a natural part of the play of the team, and not forced.

A baseball team that can master the above three goals will project an image of confidence and focus. It’s far worth the time and effort during baseball instruction to work on these skills.

By: Nate Barnett

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There is no shortage of information on baseball instruction within the millions of pages on the internet. Before the web days, baseball instructional information itself was greatly more valuable than that same information today. Why? Because the supply has increased dramatically. I can do a search for “baseball instruction” on Google and today I get 440,000 pages that contain pages that may have the information I’m looking for. The challenge now for the athlete, parent, or coach looking for training information is not where the information can be found, by what information should be accepted and used. Here are some general guidelines.

1. Look for credibility. Anyone can post information online. Looks for some playing and coaching credentials. Be careful however, many prior professional athletes who are no longer playing, turn their attention to coaching. The title of former professional baseball player holds little weight if that individual cannot relay information correctly. I’m just suggesting that you look past the title and look more for content. See if the person supplying training has invested some time communicating the game.

2. Cross-reference content. To avoid being sucked into some sort of baseball philosophy that is on the fringe, always cross reference your baseball instruction with other sources. Start with those whom you already trust, local coaches, athletes, etc. Next turn to online forums, article sites such as this one, and other reputable instructors to see if they are teaching similar skills and techniques.

3. Become a learner. I know quite a number of people who have not played baseball past the high school level who are outstanding coaches. They attend clinics, read books, listen to other successful coaches, and do all they can to make sure their baseball information is current.

4. Find an instructor or information that communicates within your style of learning. Many enjoy reading their information; others hate learning by reading and would much prefer to have information relayed audibly. Many love to learn by watching videos, or viewing DVD’s. Whatever your style and preference, there is a good chance an instructor with the same communication style is out there. You’ll just have to search some.

In short, the best instructors I had throughout my playing career were those who relayed information in a clear and concise manner. It was easy to understand and the concepts were not complicated. Seek out information that fits your learning style and you’ll love the baseball instruction learning process.

By: Nate Barnett

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Why are you playing fantasy sports? Is it for recreation or is it because you enjoy competition? If you fall under the first category then this article really isn’t for you.

I play to win and I have won quite a few times. So here are 10 strategies that I apply when I am drafting.

1. Know Your League Settings

I know this one seems obvious, but it is very important. What are your leagues settings and how will that effect your draft. Is your team a roto league or is is a head to head league. Each format requires different players. In roto leagues consistency is important, but as long as their stats work out in the end then it’s all good. Whereas an inconsistent player in a heads up league may cost you a few wins.

What stats are being used to keep score? Why don’t owners know this? It is inexcusable to be clueless. This determines the value of a player in a particular league. A guy like Todd Helton in a league that has Avg. OBP. SLG. and OPS is a 4 stat stud where if he was in a traditional league he would be a bottom tier 1st baseman.

KNOW YOUR SETTINGS!

2. Research

If you want to do well at a fantasy baseball draft then you have to research a little bit. You don’t have to be obsessed like I am and look at obscure stats, but you do need to do some. When you get into the late rounds you will be shooting in the dark if you have not done adequate research.

3. Don’t be afraid to reach for players

Many times an owner will be afraid to reach on a player because the other owners will criticize him for it. Well often it is the guy that reaches for a player that will end up winning the league. Those who reached for Miguel Cabrera in 05 most likely won their leagues and the same is true for those who reached for Prince Fielder last year. So blow off the critics and draft your team, not theirs.

4. Don’t draft a closer until late

Don’t make the mistake of spending a 4th round pick on a closer. You can find efficient closers late in the draft or on the waiver wire. Last year there were over 50 closers that compiled more than 10 saves. I actually never draft a closer. Usually I will scoop up a closer off of waivers and do just fine with them. It is only one stat so I don’t believe you should overemphasize it.

5. Draft for consistency

I prefer consistency over one stat studs. I am always looking for a guy who bats around .300 and scores runs and steals about 10 bases. Consistency makes you a 5 stat threat.

6. Avoid focusing on one stat

If you take a look at the bottom dwellers in a league they usually are great in one or two stats and absolutely horrible in the rest. This happens for 2 reasons:

1. They were clueless at the draft

2. They focused on one particular stat

Guys that focus on power are usually strong in RBIs and HR, but weak in AVG, Hits and SBs. They also struggle with long droughts at the plate. (a no-no in a heads up league)

Guys that focus on speed end up being strong in SBs and Average but are not competitive in HR and RBI.

It is fine to be strong in one particular stat as long as you are not punting 3 or 4 stats to be strong in them.

7. Don’t be a Robot

This strategy has won me more league than any other strategy. Think differently from the rest of the owners. I won’t get into too much detail because I am going to write about this strategy exclusively so just remember the concept.

8. Be Able to Adjust

Rarely does a draft go the way you want it to, actually it never does. It would be great to end up with 5 studs on your team, but there is a problem with that thinking…everyone else has to draft too. There are going to be guys that get drafted earlier than you had them going and it messes with you rankings. Let it go and stay focused. You should be able to make adjustments quickly because you have researched the players.

9. Think Ahead

This is a strategy that is not for the weak at heart. I occasionally will draft 2 guys back to back that play the same position. I know that sounds stupid, especially when I do it in the early rounds, but it works if you do it right.

If you are really strong at a shallow position then you can use that as leverage in a trade.

This is what I did last season:

I drafted Utley in the 1st round and then Phillips in the 5th. 2 of my first 5 picks were spent on 2B. I then turned around and traded Utley for Hanley Ramirez and a throw in.

At that point I had a great SS and a great 2B. Han-Ram was draft in the 2nd round and ended up being the best SS last season. Brandon Phillips was the best 2B last season. I could have never acquired a team like that without thinking ahead.

10. Be Realistic

You can’t win a league through the draft alone so don’t be hard on yourself when one players don’t work out the way you planned. Everybody has one or two of those guys. Try your best to stockpile talent to trade away and don’t be afraid to make the trades either. Not only is this unwise but it is no fun at all.

Usually the 4th or 5th place teams never make a trade during the season. They laugh at the 11th and 12th place teams that made the bad trade and that is there reason why they play it safe. Of course they ignore the fact that the 1st and 2nd place winners made trades that made them champion.

Nobody remembers who finished in the middle of the pack.

By: Joel Kreeger

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