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Baseball TipsOverview
In fantasy baseball, you join a league and select your dream team of players from the rosters of real-life Major League Baseball. Then you track your team's progress during the season, all from the comfort of your own couch.
Step 1
Choose a league. Many fantasy baseball players play with a group of friends, but others simply join a larger league online (see Resources). Choosing a smaller league will give you more control over the rules and the play, as well as a better selection of players.
Step 2
Choose your basic rule format. There are two common basic formats: the 5x5, which awards points based on five hitting categories (Batting Average, Runs, Home Runs, Runs Batted In and Steals) and five pitching categories (Wins, Saves, Strikeouts, Earned Run Average and Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched), and the 6x6, which adds On-Base Percentage and Holds to the hitting and pitching, respectively.
Step 3
Come to an agreement with the rest of your league about more specific rules, like if trades will be allowed or if a player whose team suffers injuries has any recourse, such as a free-agent pickup. Determining the specifics you will play by can preclude unpleasant confrontations later in the season.
Step 4
Hold your draft before the season begins, each player in your fantasy league choosing an MLB player in turn. Draft players at a variety of positions, since fantasy scoring depends on many facets of the game.
Step 5
Keep score, updating every day. The software platforms available at ESPN, CBS and Yahoo! will keep track of the scoring automatically, but it's always a good idea to double-check yourself. This also keeps you in the habit of checking your fantasy team's progress regularly.
Resources
