9 INNINGS: The First Pitch Forums National Challenge
For the first time ever, all 10 First Pitch Forum cities will be competing against each other in a national challenge contest.
In "9 INNINGS," each three hour session will be divided up into 9 segments, each “inning” providing a different type of content or activity. Within each “inning” will be opportunities for attendees to answer questions or participate in activities that will score “runs” for their forum site.
At the end of the 2010 season, the site that scores the most runs will win a prize for every attendee at that site. That prize is the PDF edition of the 2011 Baseball Forecaster e-mailed direct to you by Thanksgiving weekend, 2010. You'll get free access to the fanalytic bible, and weeks before anyone else!
Each inning will include such information and activities as:
BULLETS
Previous First Pitch attendees will recognize these targeted lists of important topics. Find out about the 2010's player pool observations, injured players worth speculating on and pitchers you don't want at the price they will probably cost. Hear our speakers reveal the top prospects most at risk of failing, non-closers that could post 15+ saves and minor leaguers your league-mates have never heard of. Gain draft day insights from these topics and many more!
FORECASTER JEOPARDY
Move over Alex Trebek! Our answers are the player comments from the 2010 Baseball Forecaster. Give us the correct question (the name of the player) and score runs for your city!
THE REAL #1
While first round/$30 players are the foundations to our teams, history shows there is less than a 40% chance of us picking the right players. It's tough to believe, but it's very possible that neither Albert Pujols nor Hanley Ramirez will end up as the best player in baseball in 2010. Who might? Attendees and speakers will propose alternatives, analyze them and vote on baseball's real #1 for 2010. The city that chooses the highest ranked player by the end of 2010 will score an additional two runs in the competition.
CAGE MATCHES
Our speakers will square off in a series of mini-debates on a variety of timely topics. This year's topics:
THE 15-ARM AUCTION
Every year, there are late-round, low-dollar pitchers who are difference-makers. Last year, owners who grabbed Chris Carpenter for next-to-nothing likely became instant contenders. In this auction, five attendees will get $30 of fake money to bid on 15 of the most intriguing and questionable pitchers for 2010. How much will Ben Sheets go for? Erik Bedard? Justin Duchscherer? Each buy will be analyzed by our speakers. Attendees will vote on who made the best buys and at the end of the season, the city whose three selections yielded the highest 5x5 dollar value will "hit a grand slam," adding four big runs to their total.
GEEZER PROJECTION GAMES
Stats and dollar values from 2007-2009 will be posted for five mystery players, all over 30. Attendees will have an open auction to determine each player's potential 2010 value. You will then get three chances -- three strikes! -- to identify each player. Score big runs for your forum site in this inning!
ALONE ON THE MOUND
Special guest speakers will provide their own insights in each city. The lineup:
OAKLAND: Lawr Michaels ("Luck versus probability ")
LOS ANGELES: Jeff Erickson ("What to do with outliers")
ST LOUIS: Brendan Roberts ("How I determine my Hall of Fame vote")
CHICAGO: Jim Callis ("How I put together the Top 50 Prospects list")
DETROIT: Rick Wilton ("Latest injury updates")
CLEVELAND: Rick Wilton ("Latest injury updates")
PITTSBURGH: Jonathan Mayo ("Evaluating MLB Draft prospects for keeper leagues")
BALTIMORE: Lenny Melnick ("Players on the rise")
NEW YORK: Cory Schwartz and Mike Siano ("411 philosophies")
BOSTON: Mat Olkin ("Power insight from fly ball data")
At the conclusion of the tour, attendees at every location will get the speaker notes for all 10 presentations.
OPEN FORUM Q&A
Each forum's 9th inning is a lightning round Q&A session where Draft Day intelligence comes at you fast and furious.
This year's "9 INNINGS" forums combine player analysis with fantasy drafting, interactive activities and fun! This is fantasy baseball like you've never experienced it!
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