Just about everyone in the country has heard about fantasy sports by now – in one of the following ways. 1) Actively into it, 2) have considered playing it, 3) have no interest in it, or 4) think it’s just plain dumb. I happen to be a number 1, converted from a number 4.I used to think that the whole concept of fantasy sports was about the craziest thing anyone could do. A total waste of time. However, I will admit I knew nothing about the inner workings of it. I’d hear people talking about it and think they needed to get a life. That all changed last summer, while I was building a deck for a friend. As I was taking one of my frequent breaks for some liquid refreshment, he asked me if I was interested in joining a fantasy hockey league. I decided to take the plunge.First of all, I learned rather quickly that it’s not limited to the younger generation. People of all ages and occupations participate. I became a fantasy junkie once I figured out what was going on, I started getting intrigued. I watched the results seven days a week. Moved players around, putting in the hot scorers and seating the slumping ones on the bench. Kicking myself when I made a wrong move, congratulating myself when it worked. I became obsessed with where my team stood. Crazy? Perhaps. But I enjoyed it, and that’s what counts.Anyway, in a nutshell, here’s fantasy sports all works.Fantasy sports are basically individual teams made up of real players from various sports. Each participant in the league manages his/her team. In hockey, for example, every NHL player is available for use. The same with the other sports. It makes no difference which actual teams the players are with in real life. Statistics, scores, standings, and everything else is based on each player’s performance in the real-life games. Fantasy sports managers obviously strive to get the strongest-performing players on their lineups.Just like the pros, fantasy teams draft players. A league commissioner is named and he/she sets up the time for the on-line draft. In our league, draft selection was randomly determined. When all participants are on-line at the pre-established time, things get under way. The first player makes his/her choice from a list. Then the second, third, and so forth. I happened to get last pick in a 10-team league. But it evens out. When it got to me, I chose a player, and immediately got to select another. On the second round, it went in reverse. Everyone got an equal chance.How do we know who to select? Detailed information is provided by the host website. Statistics on each player’s past performance over several years, player ratings, expert advice, you name it, is all included to help people make wise choices. The entire process went very smoothly. The teams were established, and it was game time.My league was head-to-head competition. That is, one team’s stats are pitted against another’s for an entire week. Final results (categories won, lost, or tied) after the week are posted, and the standings are adjusted accordingly. The following week brings a new opponent.If a player in real life gets hurt and goes on the IR (injured reserve) list, another player is permitted to take his place on the fantasy roster. Once the player returns from IR, that player can be re-activated, but the substitute or another player must be dropped. Rosters cannot exceed a certain number.Scores and performances are updated daily. Many fantasy players check the progress of their teams each day throughout the season, although it’s not necessary. League standings are posted every week. Some participants are extremely serious. Some don’t care all that much and just go with the flow. Our league commissioner happens to be one of those who is out to win, and in a big way. He’s into it 100%. Very competitive.So what’s the reward? Not much for other people who don’t place money in it, other than bragging rights. However, it’s safe to say that many leagues play for something more than fun. People place wagers on just about anything, and it would be foolish to think that fantasy sports are an exception. Some of those leagues are undoubtedly cut-throat, especially when large sums of cash are involved.
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