There are many different forms of fantasy baseball out there. Though there are normally 2 main types.

Rotisserie, which pits teams in a system of points based on leading offensive and pitching categories, as well as number of teams in the league. For example, a 10 team league would got by a 1 to 10 point system applied to each category. The leader of each category would earn 10pts, 2nd 9pts, 3rd 8pts and so on. All point totals for all categories would them be added together to get the teams point total. The most points on any given day would be the leader, with points potentially changing each day.

Head-To-Head is based on a weekly system where teams compete again based on categories, though unlike Rotisserie, teams only compete against one other team on a weekly basis, following a pre-set schedule. In head-to-head each offensive and pitching stat lead is worth one "win". At the end of the week, usually Monday to Sunday, whichever team leads the most categories would win the week and their win/loss totals would then be translated into the updated standings.

As mentioned, there are other types of leagues, such as "Keeper leagues", which are long term leagues which allow owners to protect a certain number of players to carry over into the next season.

Due to the increasing popularity of fantasy baseball, there are now countless sites offering their own versions of this game. Some of the most familiar are offered by ESPN, MLB, Sporting News...but the most popular by far these days is offered up by Yahoo! Yahoo! is officially licensed by Major League Baseball and offers a full slate of fantasy games, from baseball, to football, even car racing and golf. Yahoo! offers the typical fantasy baseball options, Rotisserie and Head-To-Head. They also offer the ability to open your own league, where you can personally invite friends of colleagues to sign up and compete in private leagues. These leads have full draft options, where you are allowed to edit a pre-draft list in the order of your own preferences for those set to the auto draft option. The most fun option for drafting is the live draft option, where league owners can get together and select their teams live.

The fun of fantasy baseball is in tracking your drafted lineup on a day-to-day basis, with the ability to add and drop players to and from the free agency pool(known as waivers) and to also negotiate trades with other members if you choose to do so. Every year there always seems to be an undrafted gem who slips by and grabbing this player before your other leaguemates can be quite satisfying and lead to the success of your team.

If you do not have a lot of people to play with for a custom private league, fear not. Yahoo! offers public access leagues where you can play against other people from around the world. You don't need to have a lot of other mates to take advantage of this fun pastime.

If you are a baseball fan and have not played fantasy baseball, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Who knows, you may end up hooked like millions of other players around the world who are just waiting for you to join their league.

Fantasy baseball, in all it's incarnations and iterations may seem a little unwieldy to the uninitiated, but it's really not that difficult to participate in, just requires a little time and persistence to get started. Many camps seem to have a myriad of rules, regulations and procedures to follow. However; it wouldn't have the following it does, if it wasn't easy enough for the average beer swilling baseball fan to engage in. Don't even get me going on the stats these guys compile, I don't know what it is about baseball fans that makes them so obsessed with statistics. Although I'm sure Freud would have some fantasy theory as to how it all works. Oh, how I do digress, on with the article, and less about my little obsessions.

In The Beginning - AKA "The Draft"

So, it all begins with the draft. No not the kind that comes in a pint (later after we've won), I'm talking about the selection of players for your team. Having a great draft, really comes down to a couple of things. Current statistics, and past performances. The trick is to balance the two, and to know what weight to apply to each so you make the optimal picks. This of course requires a good knowledge of past performance, and experience. The past performance is easy to get, just ask your best baseball buddy, where he gets his info, or do some internet searches. Is there anything not on the net these days? I can't really help with the experience part, actually nobody can, not even the internet. Your just going to have to get out there play a few fantasy baseball games, and lose some of your hard earned cash to gain good experience. After all, it's not winning or losing that counts . . . it's how much money I win off you that really matters.

Research - Rocket Science for Fantasy Baseball Nuts

This could kind of go back under the draft section (no not the pint draft - later, much later), but it's really important enough to warrant it's own section, and since it's my article, that's how I'm gonna do it. Experience is beneficial here, but even if it's your first time, you should still do it, as it will be something to build upon in future years. At the very least you'll learn what now to do from your abysmal past disasters. Come up with some sort of grading system utilizing factors such as the worth of a player to their team, and not just how well they play as an individual. Flexibility is key here, so as some of your choice selections are grabbed by other players, you can react and still put together a winning team. Spontaneity is what makes life (and Fantasy Baseball) interesting you know.

Ouch! Hey That Hurts.

Yep, injuries happen, and yes, it hurts. But hey, if there were no surprises, what fun would that be. Everyone has to deal with injuries at some point. Players, owners, managers, coaches, and fantasy baseball fanatics. While it can be exasperating at best, there's always a good and bad way of dealing with things. Maybe it's time to consider trades. Perhaps, there's some unproven guys on the bench you could swap for a great player, that's just dying to play for your team. Maybe there's someone on waivers who could step it up, and play like a start for a short period of time. Just keep an eye on those fantasy baseball future Rookie of The Year hiding on your bench, I'd hate to be the one that let him get away.

Bottom Of The 9th

Just a couple of things to remember before we head off for that pint. Don't forget to keep an eye on the free agent pool. Of course you won't be the only one keeping tabs on it, strategy is important here. Also when you do decide to make trades, use the ole' noggin. That's what your momma gave it to you for. There's nothing worse then making a bad trade, that lets the other guy grab all the glory. Keeping track of the rising and slumping hitters will be a big help here.