The fantasy phenomenon has taken off in the last decade, aided in large part by the growing use of the internet. What once required a dozen or more friends finding common free time and a suitable location now only takes access to a computer.
Fantasy baseball, also known as “fanalytic” or “rotisserie” baseball, is not overbearing in its basic concept — essentially, you pick a team of actual players, and your success depends on how well they perform in real life — but is sometimes complicated by the sheer variety of ways the game can be played.
Traditionally, rosters comprised 23 players, including 14 batters — two catchers, a first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, middle infielder, corner infielder, five outfielders and a utility man — and nine pitchers.
Players were originally valued based on a total of eight categories, four each for batters and pitchers — RBI, home runs, batting average and stolen bases and wins, saves, ERA and walks and hits per inning pitched. This scoring method, known as 4x4, later gave way to the more prevalent 5x5, which added runs for batters and strikeouts for pitchers.
These days, however, fantasy leagues come in all shapes and sizes. The ability to run a league on the internet using services like ESPN, Yahoo! or CBS has enabled the use of a far wider array of statistics.
As great an influence as the internet has had on fantasy baseball, one of its main competitors — fantasy football — may have changed the game even more dramatically.
Ten years ago, fantasy baseball was dominant in the world of fantasy sports, but in recent years fantasy football has grown far more popular. Many explanations for the trend have been offered, but perhaps the most plausible is the simplistic rosters and scoring system in the football version.
Senior Dan Pall, who has played both fantasy baseball and fantasy football over the last year, acknowledged the relative ease of the latter.
“I’m a much bigger baseball fan,” he said, “but baseball has a pretty grueling season. With football, you really only need to spend a few minutes a week on it.”
In spite of the time commitment it requires, fantasy baseball has continued to grow in popularity and, much like its football counterpart, has become more and more part of the mainstream sports world. Perhaps most notably, it was featured in the 2006 blockbuster hit “Knocked Up” and has become pervasive on sports websites and in sports magazines.
In recent years, leagues have begun to spring up on Princeton’s campus, often based within eating clubs and other campus organizations.
Last spring, Pall competed in his first fantasy league with a dozen of his fellow students, winning the league. He credited the game with enhancing his already fervent interest in baseball.
“I’m a baseball super-fan, but fantasy keeps you interested in other games that you normally wouldn’t have any interest in,” Pall said. “It’s another reason to care.”
Given the depth of most fantasy rosters, it is not at all uncommon for an owner to have players on more than half of baseball’s teams. For baseball fans, it’s just another way to expand their knowledge of the game.
“The best part is trying to find gold where no one else can see it,” Pall said. “Or if someone drops a player that you’re interested in, it’s like digging through someone else’s trash to find something useful.”
Leagues also vary in intensity. Some are small leagues involving a handful of friends, while others are so-called “expert leagues” with thousands of dollars at stake.
For his part, Pall, like many Princeton students, attempts to avoid being overly competitive about fantasy baseball.
“It’s not the sort of thing you want to lose friendships over,” he said. “But on the other hand, if fantasy baseball can sever a friendship, it probably wasn’t too good in the first place.”
The betting component of the game also prevents varsity athletes on campus from participating, lest they jeopardize their NCAA eligibility.
Another difficulty for baseball fans attempting to join the fantasy world is reconciling their love for their favorite team with the players on their fantasy roster.
“It’s a big quandary,” Pall said. “I just didn’t want to root against the Phillies, so I always give my fantasy players second status — there’s no emotional attachment.”
Though most view fantasy baseball as a welcome diversion, especially as the spring semester kicks into gear, Princeton students are careful to makes sure it does not detract too much from their other interests and activities — on campus or not.
“It’s less important than baseball,” Pall said, “but probably more important than certain classes.”
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.