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Fantasy baseball is a game based on real-life statistics compiled by major league baseball players. In a typical league, 10 to 16 people draft real-life players to form their team, with the statistical output determining the fate of the team. The original style is called “Rotisserie” baseball, while the other type is head-to-head. There are many variations on the standard rules, including different drafts, positions, categories, and leagues that use only National or American League players.
Fantasy baseball is a game in which players win or lose based on real-life statistics compiled by major league baseball players. There are many fantasy sports, including football, basketball, and hockey, but fantasy baseball came first. It was created in 1979 and has grown from a hobby practiced only by those with an extreme interest in baseball statistics to a multimillion-dollar industry.
In a typical fantasy baseball league, 10 to 16 people will “own” teams. There is usually a draft where each owner picks real-life players to be on their team. Each owner must compile a roster that typically includes one player for every infield position, including catcher, three to five outfielders, a utility player — a position that can be filled by any hitter, regardless of his actual position — and often other variations such as “center infielder” and “corner infielder.” Every fantasy baseball team also has a pitching staff that can be filled with starters and relievers. The statistical output of these players determines the fate of the team.
The original style of fantasy baseball is called “Rotisserie” baseball. Each team typically competes in 10 statistical categories: runs, home runs, runs batted in (RBI), stolen bases, and batting average for hitters; wins, saves, strikeouts, earned run average (ERA), and walks/hits per inning pitched (WHIP) for pitchers – and possibly more or less depending on league rules. The first-place team in a given category receives the most points, while the last-place team in that category receives the fewest points. The points in each category are added up and the team with the most points wins.
The other type of fantasy baseball league is called a head-to-head league. This involves one team playing another team for a week, with each team receiving either a “win” or a “loss” in each category. Wins and losses are added up for the entire season, and the team with the better winning percentage wins.
There are dozens of variations on the standard fantasy baseball rules. Different leagues have different types of drafts, different positions that need to be filled, different categories that will be scored, and so on. Drafts can be held in person or online at one of several fantasy baseball sites. There are also draft auctions, where owners “bid” the players they want on their squads. There are even fantasy baseball leagues that use only National League players or only American League players. These are commonly referred to as the NL-only and AL-only leagues.
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