FIRST PITCH ARIZONA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
8:00 AM: Fact or Fluke? The Surprises of 2009
JOE SHEEHAN, Baseball Prospectus
JEFF ERICKSON, Rotowire
DOUG DENNIS, Baseball HQ
MODERATOR: Patrick Davitt
Our experts will analyze the top surprises and aberrations of the past year, and pass judgment as to whether they are for real. In a new wrinkle this year, attendees will be polled prior to the session and the results compared with those of the experts. One of our most popular sessions each year!
9:30 AM: The Great Debates
The second set of debates on topics we all grapple with.
#3: Punting saves on draft day...
A. is still the best strategy.
PETER KREUTZER, AskRotoman.com
B. may no longer be the best strategy.
ALEX PATTON, AlexPatton.com
10:00 AM: Break
10:15 AM: The Great Debates
#4: In redraft leagues, when it comes to baseball's top prospects...
A. they are valuable to own in order to maximize your upside.
GREG AMBROSIUS, National Fantasy Baseball Championship
B. the risk is too high when there are more established players available.
NICK MINNIX, KFFL
10:45 AM: Fantasy Information Panel
LENNY MELNICK, FantasyPros911.com
STEVE GARDNER, USA TODAY Sports Weekly
TODD ZOLA, Mastersball.com
STEVE MOYER, Baseball Info Solutions
TIM HEANEY, KFFL
MODERATOR: Brent Hershey
One upon a time, it was just e-mail and websites. Now we have blogs, twitter, social networking sites, podcasts and online video. These days, anyone with a computer can become a "journalist." Where do you get the best information? Where can you find credibility? Who can you trust? In this panel discussion, these media experts will share their opinions on where to find truth in this new world.
11:45 AM: Lunch (on your own)
1:00 PM: Special Guest Speaker #1
Each year, First Pitch brings a special guest from within the ranks of major or minor league baseball.
Past guests have included: Al Pedrique, Thad Bosley, Brent Strom, David Rawnsley and Logan White. For 2009, we've invited three special guests!
First, MIKE BERGER, the Director of Player Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Berger has spent 30 years in professional baseball as a minor league player, minor league coach, minor league manager, scout, and front office executive since being selected in the fourth round of the 1980 First-Year Player Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2:00 PM: The 15th Annual Rick Wilton Injury Session
RICK WILTON, Baseball Injury Report (published by Fanball.com)
The fantasy industry's first injury analyst once again provides the latest injury statistics and trends, as well as his latest prognoses on dozens of hobbling players.
3:00 PM: 10th Annual Arizona Challenge
"Supply and demand" is all that matters in this unique competition. Everybody in the room plays... You get to draft three players and have $50 to spend. It's a 5x5 mixed retro league with no positional requirements. It's fast-paced, raucous and wildly fun. The person who compiles the best overall stats wins free registration to First Pitch Arizona 2010.
6:15 PM: *Rising Stars Game (AFL All Star Game)
(Surprise Stadium)
Broadcast by the MLB Network
* Symposium attendee game
NOTE: SCHEDULE IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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