Keeper League Settings

[JackCity]

A buddy of mine and I are switching our league over to a keeper league this coming year(2010) and we are looking for ideas on how to keep teams interested in the league. Last year we had several teams quit by mid summer. So we switched it to a keeper league and we are going to make it a money league. If you have any suggestions as far as how many keepers to have and how to keep teams interested in the league the entire year and any other advice on how to run a keeper league, we would appreciate it. Thanks.

[jeffmerk]

12 active roster keepers seems to be about the median number(plus 3 or 4 minor leaguers on reserve, if you play Ultra). Some of my leagues give a small percentage of prize money to the team that improves the most in the standings in the second half.

[MaudDib]

Also keep the other teams in on things. I would start talking to the other owners about how many keepers and if you want a minor league system. The more they get involved and are able to express their thoughts and ideas the better the league and the better the owners. We have put together a site on Google Groups where we can vote on changes and offer up trades and stuff during the off season. But I would first start with the owners about how many keepers and go from there.

[fast dogs]

the bigger # of keepers you have the less likely the bad teams are to come back the following year; I'd start with a few, 3-5 & if you want to expand after that fine. You could pay monthly winners $5 per win; tho that comes off the final total available in the end of course. You need to be selective & be sure everyone knows going in the need to stay active or they won't be invited back. Getting good owners from the get-go is key; they shouldn't need any bells & whistles if they are serious about the league

[JackCity]

What would be a good $ amount to start a, say a 12 team league? And also I have an idea about possibly fining teams who are not staying active. Requiring a post on the league message board at least once a week to make sure teams are actively involved and also I am throwing around the idea of having monthly prizes to stat winners. Say whatever team has the most HR's in a month wins $20 and so on. I appreciate the help. Good anwers so far.

[fast dogs]

Figure it backwards, what you want the payoffs to be & how many places down you'll pay: League winner $400, 2nd place $200, 3rd place $100?. 6 monthly category or monthly total winners @ $20 or $5= $120 or $30. CBS Commish $150?
I certainly wouldn't fine guys. I'd think $50 and $100 leagues are very common, problems getting strangers to actually send you $ however, are as well.

[JackCity]

Thanks for the advice. There was mention earlier here about doing a minor league as well. Can someone explain that to me, I am not familiar with how that would work in a keeper league.

[scotto63]

You can try this if you like.I play in a 12 team $260 auction keeper league 5x5 but we use OBP instead of AVG.I find it way better then snake drafts.Each tean starts with $260 and you draft 23 players.One team throws out a name.He starts off with a bid of $1.That is the minimum you can start with.Then the next team bids whatever they want.This goes on until one team bids the highest for that player.He is then awarded that player and the amount spent comes off the $260 and the remainder is left to bid with.You do this until you have spent the whole $260 or close to it and have 23 players drafted.Once draft is done we expand to 45 players and $330 (260+70)Each week we bid on players and use the $70 we have to bid on them.Once you run out of money you cant bid no more and also once you hit 45 players you cant pick up any more.The only way you can bid if you shed salary by trading.If a player gets hurt and is done for season you cant drop him.You are stuck with him.At the end of season we get to keep up to 6 players and can sign them to 1,2 or 3 yr contract.Each year a player is kept his salary goes up $5.This is just an idea for you or a starting point.Good luck

[misc1111]

Dont overcomplicate things in the beginning. Start with basic keepers. I would not do minor leagues yet. Then build from there and let the other owners make suggestions and the good ones you can put up for a vote. Prizes for winning a category is good, most improved team after the ASB is good etc, etc..

But you dont want to have so many rules that a normal guy who has a life and kids cannot keep up and will drop out as well.