Content provided in partnership with

Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, March 11, 2005

Dear Mr. Manners:

An owner in my league takes his time drafting. In fact, we "re still waiting for his final 2003 picks. How can we get things moving?

What's more boring than watching paint dry? Watching paint dry while your league's slowpoke agonizes for 10 minutes over whether to select Randy Wolf or Kevin Millwood. (Take Wolf.) Don't wait until it's your turn to pick to start searching for a player. After each of your selections, begin planning for the next. Politely encourage others to do the same, and you'll finish the draft the same day you start it.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

Nevertheless, don't forget to check your impatience at the door. There's no need to set a record for the fastest fantasy draft. Sit back and have fun. Try to avoid making post-draft plans that require snappy selections.

It also helps when everyone arrives on time. There is nothing cool about being late. It's hard enough to get all of the league's members to set aside time for the draft.

Dear Mr. Manners:

What is the best way to handle an owner whose mouth runs more than Juan Pierre on the bases?

It wouldn't be a fantasy draft without a joke here and a sarcastic "nice pick" there. But common courtesy shouldn't be chucked out the window. Some folks need to remember what Mom used to say: If you can't say something nice, then shut up until you pick.

In auctions, owners can make sure the offender doesn't land any bargains. It's tougher to silence a loudmouth in draft leagues. First, politely ask the person to zip it. If all else fails, don't send the owner an invite next year.

Name-calling--asking if a player has been taken when it's not your turn--also is bad form. And it's rude to inquire about a player before selecting someone else. The only player you should name is the one you take.

Practice draft etiquette with the SPORTING NEWS' free live mock drafts at fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseba!l.

M@IL BONDING

BRENDAN ROBERTS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Which managers will give the green light to steal bases the most this year?

Jason Zavada, Louisville, Ky

Jason: The five most aggressive managers in terms of steals are: Anaheim's Mike Scioscia, Tampa Bay's Lou Piniella, Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire, Washington's Frank Robinson and Milwaukee's Ned Yost. The Yankees' Joe Torte and St. Louis' Tony La Russa also are aggressive, at least with their fast players. The five least aggressive: Oakland's Ken Macha, Colorado's Clint Hurdle, San Francisco's Felipe Alou, Texas' Buck Showalter and the Cubs' Dusty Baker. It wasn't surprising to see Alfonso Soriano drop from 35 steals for the Yankees in 2003 to 18 last season with the Rangers.

To submit a question to our fantasy experts, click on Daily Mail at Fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball.

Fantasy source

Sporting News, The, March 11, 2005

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Home & Garden

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports