My league draft had been in-person at the commissioner's house, until 2020. As the league grew to 16 it was held in a large outdoor covered patio, with lots cold cuts, hot dogs, chilli, beer, etc. To avoid vaccine and mask questions, I suspect it will be virtual again in 2021.
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Will your draft be in-person, hybrid or virtual (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SoBeDad
- Start date
PantherThunder
Footballguy
I was just discussing this yesterday. The two guys that hosted my two live draft leagues will not be hosting. Finiding someone to host is proving a challenge.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
Commissioner of a 14-team league with 12 drafting live (supposedly), last year was predictably our lowest number live at 10. Personally, I consider the fact that we are a mostly a live draft to be the biggest feather in the cap of the entire league.
Wondering if those in a hybrid can give me some insight to make the best experience for remote drafting.
Last year, we started entering live draft results into clickydraft. Overall, I was very impressed with how intuitive and trouble-free the free version of that site was within the context of a snake draft. There is a first round auction component to our draft which establishes draft order within the snake. Furthermore, I think we're going to start allowing the champion to dictate whether we're doing a snake or full auction draft going forward.
In short, I need to figure out the most painless way to make video conferencing part of the draft for those who are not attending live. On this front, I'm pretty clueless. If my company has Microsoft Teams, is sending out a Teams invite and hosting from my work computer the best route? They're pretty typical / modern as far as work-life balance. So if they're paying a monthly subscription with no incremental charge for each meeting, I would feel fairly comfortable that I'm not getting myself into trouble. Otherwise, is there a better or equal free version of video-conferencing that can deal with up to a half-dozen participants for what could be a 5-hour auction?
Wondering if those in a hybrid can give me some insight to make the best experience for remote drafting.
Last year, we started entering live draft results into clickydraft. Overall, I was very impressed with how intuitive and trouble-free the free version of that site was within the context of a snake draft. There is a first round auction component to our draft which establishes draft order within the snake. Furthermore, I think we're going to start allowing the champion to dictate whether we're doing a snake or full auction draft going forward.
In short, I need to figure out the most painless way to make video conferencing part of the draft for those who are not attending live. On this front, I'm pretty clueless. If my company has Microsoft Teams, is sending out a Teams invite and hosting from my work computer the best route? They're pretty typical / modern as far as work-life balance. So if they're paying a monthly subscription with no incremental charge for each meeting, I would feel fairly comfortable that I'm not getting myself into trouble. Otherwise, is there a better or equal free version of video-conferencing that can deal with up to a half-dozen participants for what could be a 5-hour auction?
montana_grizzly_bears
Footballguy
We were hybrid before last year. Started 24 years ago in the commish's basement and then about 17 years ago started to rotate through different owners hosting. About 8 years ago started to go hybrid with text chains and phone calls for picks. Last 3 years have been on Skype for those out of state.
I suspect most people in my league are vaccinated, as 72% of those eligible in Miami Dade have received at least one dose. But all it takes is one person to cause a commotion, so I think the league will be virtual again for 2021.
This is a great topic.
I asked here too. https://twitter.com/Football_Guys/status/1418953528308011011?s=20
I think the amount of virtual numbers are important as even pre covid, I think it was super common for at least 1 GM to have to be virtual. That's just the challenge of getting 8-14 people together.
I think the amount of virtual numbers are important as even pre covid, I think it was super common for at least 1 GM to have to be virtual. That's just the challenge of getting 8-14 people together.
PantherThunder
Footballguy
We typcally do a live draft with the stickers and a cook out. Then I would take the board home and enter them. A few years ago I brought my lap top and entered them as we when along. Two years ago we had someone remote. MFL was almost instant in updating, and we had the guy on speaker phone.
Google has a free video meeting that works well if you have a gmail account.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Everyone in my league is now vaccinated so it will be in person.
Amused to Death
Footballguy
My main league is always in person outside, weather permitting, including last year. We'll be the same this year.
It's an auction league so it's more fun live.
It's an auction league so it's more fun live.
How did you find out they were vaccinated? A poll or email thread?
In my league, I bet most are vaccinated, but good likelihood that at least one or more out of ~20 something managers or co-managers aren't vaccinated. With family members, the draft usually has 30 to 40 in attendance, mostly outdoors, but the food is in the kitchen. This is year #31. I'm vaccinated and would attend in person, but I believe the commissioner may want to avoid drama or politics.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
Looks like a 60-minute limit for up to 100 guests for Google Meet. That will actually work really well for the 1st round auction we do to establish snake position.
I would still be curious about the best free option for 5-12 participants wanting to do an entire draft (auction in particular) that might last 3 to 5 hours.
**Okay, got off my butt and did a little research, it looks like Skype is still the answer to free video conferencing for something like a draft that could last 4 hours**
Anybody have a bad drafting experience with Skype or a good experience with something else?
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Why not just ask if people are vaccinated? Communication amongst your leaguemates should be easy.
ETA: then leave it up to the people that are comfortable doing in person to come in person. If they aren't comfortable then they do virtual. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out what people want to do.
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I'll leave it up to the commissioner. I have no problem going in person, even if unvaccinated people attend, or even if I don't know their status since I'm vaccinated. It's also up to his wife and extended family members, who have been a part of the draft party for many years. Being a large long-term league, there are up to 40 people at the draft.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
We’re back this year. 12/12 league members are vaccinated & whatever the vaccine doesn’t kill, the bourbon assuredly will.
just got my draft kit & IDP stickers in the mail & 2 league members are celebrating a birthday the week of the draft.
one league member owns a pizza place & we’re kicking in for take-&-bakes & a pony keg.
I’m beyond excited about it. Drafting online last year was a lot less work, but also a LOT less fun. Glad to be getting back to the live draft.
just got my draft kit & IDP stickers in the mail & 2 league members are celebrating a birthday the week of the draft.
one league member owns a pizza place & we’re kicking in for take-&-bakes & a pony keg.
I’m beyond excited about it. Drafting online last year was a lot less work, but also a LOT less fun. Glad to be getting back to the live draft.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Not trying to be controversial, but why avoid it? Are you assuming there would be a negative reaction?
I host the draft and am commissioner & flat out told the league that I’m happy to host again so long as everyone is vaccinated. They all got vaccinated. Done deal.
(it helps that a couple folks in the league have spouses who’ve survived breast cancer, and we’re between 37-55, so we were eager to get vaccinated anyway)
I hope y’all are able to find a way to get together again. In-person is by far the best.
ETA: sorry; didn’t see that @Gallyasked they already. Disregard.
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Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
My auction league did not play last year. Before that, we had been hybrid. After year 1, one owner moved from Philly to Oregon and has participated by phone or Skype/Zoom ever since. A few others moved out of the area in the interim, so since about 2015 we've had three or four people participating remotely every year.
We are back for 2021 and decided to do it all virtually this year. Since a bunch of people would be remote anyway, it wasn't worth the hassle to figure out an in-person location and see who was and wasn't comfortable with it.
My other two money leagues have not announced draft plans yet. One has traditionally been all in-person and drafted virtually last year. The other has been hybrid for a few years and did not play last year.
We are back for 2021 and decided to do it all virtually this year. Since a bunch of people would be remote anyway, it wasn't worth the hassle to figure out an in-person location and see who was and wasn't comfortable with it.
My other two money leagues have not announced draft plans yet. One has traditionally been all in-person and drafted virtually last year. The other has been hybrid for a few years and did not play last year.
GrantK
Footballguy
Commish of a 12 Team league with some multiple owner teams, holding the draft in-person for those who want to attend, those who don't want to attend can draft remotely. I respect everyone's decision either way, but I also don't need to know your medical history. If you show up great, if not, cool!
IheartGuinness
Footballguy
Yeah, auction leagues in person are the best. We've been in person for a decade now, including last year. Don't see that changing. No idea who's vaccinated and who isn't. But with the leagues I'm in, there hasn't been much change. The virtual ones were always virtual, the in person always that way, too. Getting excited for this year!
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
We always do in-person. Normally we did it in the evening, inside, and a big party afterwards.
Last year we did it in the afternoon, outside, and each owner had their own table spaced six feet apart and no party afterwards.
This year we are sticking with afternoon and outside (weather permitting) and having a cookout afterwards. However we have one player that is taking chemo and he will be drafting online, a first for our league
Last year we did it in the afternoon, outside, and each owner had their own table spaced six feet apart and no party afterwards.
This year we are sticking with afternoon and outside (weather permitting) and having a cookout afterwards. However we have one player that is taking chemo and he will be drafting online, a first for our league
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
This one now has a plan. It will be in the commish's yard if the weather cooperates, virtual if not.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
For those doing a live auction, do you feel that it's the commissioner's responsibility to keep a posted running total of everyone's remaining budget and the players that have been won? Or is it every owner's responsibility to track what all other teams are doing, and you just need to have someone trustworthy (most likely the commish) in charge of the official record?
I need to figure out the logistics for a live auction. I'm thinking that casting my spreadsheet to the tv inside the house is probably an easier solution than maintaining a whiteboard.
I need to figure out the logistics for a live auction. I'm thinking that casting my spreadsheet to the tv inside the house is probably an easier solution than maintaining a whiteboard.
We have a white board at the front of the room and the auctioneer keeps track of the budgets on the board so everyone can see what everyone has. It's easy to do and makes it clear for everyone so you don't come down the end and then have a discrepancy.
ETA: we also keep track of the players on the board as well. You can use your spreadsheet projection but I would make sure the cells with the budgets remaining needs to be large and easy to see by everyone.
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This will be our 20th year having a live draft party. Showing up for the draft is an absolute must, per our rules. Loss of team is the penalty for a no-show.
2019 (18th yr) was the first that we had a member not show up. Commissioners Board ruling permitted him to pick by phone due to unavoidable circumstances preventing his appearance. After a few rounds he just asked the league to complete it for him.
2020 we chose to do a live draft again but if someone chose not to attend we would accommodate them and they wouldn't lose their team. We had one (1) no-show due to Covid concerns. All good, no penalty, drafted entire team via phone convos each pick.
2021 will again be a live, in person draft. I've heard of no concerns this year (yet) and expect everyone to attend. Outdoor draft party with backup indoor plans should the weather not cooperate. We will again accommodate anyone with Covid concerns who wish to not attend. We haven't broached the subject of vaccinations and I doubt we will.
2019 (18th yr) was the first that we had a member not show up. Commissioners Board ruling permitted him to pick by phone due to unavoidable circumstances preventing his appearance. After a few rounds he just asked the league to complete it for him.
2020 we chose to do a live draft again but if someone chose not to attend we would accommodate them and they wouldn't lose their team. We had one (1) no-show due to Covid concerns. All good, no penalty, drafted entire team via phone convos each pick.
2021 will again be a live, in person draft. I've heard of no concerns this year (yet) and expect everyone to attend. Outdoor draft party with backup indoor plans should the weather not cooperate. We will again accommodate anyone with Covid concerns who wish to not attend. We haven't broached the subject of vaccinations and I doubt we will.
wgoldsph
Footballguy
My auction (which has been going on since last Saturday) is a slow 16 hour minimum where an owner puts in their max bid for a player and then has to wait out the timer and the rest of the league before they win the player they bid on. This can result in some players being up on the block for days as two or three owners nickle and dime each other every few hours resetting the clock.
Point being, we've been virtual since the league started over ten years ago, because there's no other way to handle it.
Point being, we've been virtual since the league started over ten years ago, because there's no other way to handle it.
nirad3
Footballguy
Pre-2020 it was hybrid since folks live out of area/state. I say hybrid in that it's all conducted online but a good number of owners draft from the same location. Food, beer, etc. It was still hybrid last year and suspect it'll stay that way this year too.
It's a "family" league that I got invited into since I'm good friends with one of the owners. It's just $20 but I love the live draft aspect.
It's a "family" league that I got invited into since I'm good friends with one of the owners. It's just $20 but I love the live draft aspect.
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20 years is a long term league. This is year 31 for our league, I've been in the league for 27 years when there were 12 teams. There have been 16 teams since about 20 years ago. Some father-son teams, my co-general manager has been a friend since age 13. Some sons and cousins got teams when the league expanded, or people dropped out, which has been rare. The draft party has always been inside the commissioner's big house or outdoor covered patio by the pool for all but 2 years. In 2004 it was in a meeting room. In 2020 it was virtual. Everyone looks forward to the draft party, the food & beer, seeing people, including family members.
It's up to the commissioner and his family about whether to host it in-person. I'm vaccinated, so I would attend. Over 38,000 people in Miami-Dade County have died with COVID, most people know someone who died or got very sick. In spite of what you may have heard, most people here have taken COVID seriously, with 73% having received at least one dose.
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