Years ago the guys all pitched in and reserved a meeting room at a local hotel. It was kinda cramped, but was clean and we didn't have to clean up. In one of my leagues, we hold the draft in an empty classroom at the school where my wife teaches. There's internet access and lots of room. In the past, we also reserved a meeting room at a local grill. If guys buy lunch and continue to buy drinks all afternoon, that's a great place. Again, plenty of room and no cleaning. Plus, we have TV's.
Someone in your league probably has access to a meeting room or classroom. Ask around and you might be surprised and what's available.
Online drafts usually go faster because many sites have time limits for each draft pick. In person, the unprepared owners often take too much time between picks. If they have to adhere to a time limit online, they're forced to choose faster.
I would avoid a very public place like a Bar. You get these nosey buffs wanting to add thier 2 comments. Private home or a place with WiFi would be nice.
We hold our NL-only draft in our buddy's basement, pizza, beer, snacks, it's a good time. We hold our football drafts (one auction and one draft) at a local bar. Normally they give us our own section of the bar to be away from the crowds and you can usually get some good deals since you're bringing in 10+ guys for quite a bit of time.
We have had ours at a Sports Bar for many years. We get an area off in the corner to our selves. We can eat and drink but they don't press us to spend money. It is alot of fun to see the guys rather than online and there is no clean up afterwards like at someones home. Sports Bars are the place to do it.
pjalst wrote:I've never been involved in a live draft, but it sounds like it could be a good time. What happens if someone doesn't show?
Any Albany, NY guys want to start up a league with a live draft?
I've had some guys have another committment come up a week or so before the draft, but have never gone to a draft and not have everyone I expected to attend. We have always had most of our guys coming back each year so that helps. If you have several new guys, then you run possiblity of that problem.
My local library has one or two meeting rooms. I never did check them out to see if they were free or not, but you could ask there. Don't think you can bring in beer and chips though.
There are a few things with the New York Yankees that never change. That's pride, tradition, and most of all, we have the greatest fans in the world. -Derek Jeter, 9/21/08 -- last words from old Yankee Stadium
neoforce wrote:My local library has one or two meeting rooms. I never did check them out to see if they were free or not, but you could ask there. Don't think you can bring in beer and chips though.
if it's during normal operating hour, you may have to be quiet also
Im lucky, the last seven years our league has had our draft in the cafeteria at my work place on Sunday when no one is around. Originally most members worked there but now only 5 of us do,but it still is the best place. It is a serious league so since no alchohol is allowed were guarteed a serios draft. Lots of room everyone gets their own table,microwaves to heat food, perfect. It is a great time.
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by JohnBlacksox » Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:49 pm 
