There are a few ways APBA keeper leagues can determine draft order for rookie drafts. Depending on how it’s done, it can emphasize league parity or competition. I thought I’d run through the methods our league (the Illowa APBA League) has tried (or considered trying) throughout our history with their advantages and disadvantages.
The IAL has never used a division format so I’d love to hear from any division league and how they do it.
Worst-to-First
Put simply, the draft order starts from the last place team (or the team with the worst winning percentage) and moves on up till you get to the first place team (the highest winning percentage).
Of course, the biggest benefit is that this method helps the teams that need it the most. As someone who has had some cellar-dwellers, I can speak with some authority on the subject. The first pick in the draft will help a last place team right itself either by picking a franchise rookie or even by trading that pick.
The disadvantage of Worst-to-First is that assuming a team is out of playoffs, there is a built in incentive to lose. Yes, we’re all grown-ups here and no one intentionally loses. But that said, does every team pull out every stop to win when they know they will be penalized? It depends on the maturity of the league.
Race for the First Pick
This method depends on how your league is structured but worked well for us for a while. We were an eight team league at the time. Instead of the last place team getting the first pick, the 5th place team would. The draft order would simply would go 5-6-7-8-4-3-2-1.
The advantage is that everyone is still fighting all year round. Even those in the bottom division would have an incentive for winning. It was kind of like a second race to follow which was fun in a way.
Similar to the advantage to the first method, the disadvantage to this is that teams stuck at the bottom just might not get the help they need.
Throw them in the Hat
One idea we tried (or at least considered) was taking the teams in the bottom half of the standings and just randomly choosing the draft order. After that, the top half would go in reverse order with the winningest team picking last.
Consider this only if you can’t make up your mind collectively.
Are there other ideas out there I haven’t even come close to?
Leave a comment if you have one.
TBL uses a worst-to-first draft order with a significant exception: order is determined at the end of August. We have only one in-season trading period . . . in September. Teams can’t trade off their excess and move toward the top of the draft.
There are ways of “gaming” the system – teams will tend to back-load their part time players somewhat, though since we have strong usage restrictions that’s not always possible. And since bad teams and good teams can both do it, it tends to even out.
We have toyed with various adjustment ideas, but have never implemented much of anything more. There was a debate about this a few years ago – we made it the lead article in the Annual, suggesting that there was a “Great Divide” – teams would be bad until they could jump to contention – but the numbers don’t support it long term. In general, our system tends to work well. Team building through the draft tends to be uneven rather than steady, but patience and baseball scouting will make a bad team into a good one just about every time.
Interesting about the timing of when you determine your order. That’s something I wouldn’t have thought of.
the IAL used to allow the drafting of uncarded players… those players in the minors who were “sure things”. The only stipulation was that you had to use a first round pick (it didn’t have to be your own… it could be one you traded for). That way, you had to be sure about the player you were taking a chance on. :)
I admit it added an interesting angle to the draft. But the general feeling in the league was that it helped those teams who were already in a good spot already (ie those who could afford to take a chance with a first round pick). So we ditched the rule.
In regards to draft methods. The league I play in has added a draft lottery system. To keep managers from “tanking games”. It’s based on an APBA CARD , It involves the 7 thru 12 pick,,,the top 6 teams make the playoffs.
But here it is.
CABL LOTTERY CARD
>> > 11- 8 31-10 51- 9
>> > 12-12 32-11 52-11
>> > 13-10 33- 8 53-10
>> > 14-12 34-11 54-11
>> > 15- 9 35-10 55- 9
>> > 16-11 36-11 56-12
>> > 21-11 41-12 61-12
>> > 22- 8 42-10 62-11
>> > 23-12 43-12 63-11
>> > 24-12 44- 9 64-10
>> > 25- 9 45-10 65-12
>> > 26-12 46-12 66- 7
>> >
>> > 7th place=3% or 1/36
>> > 8thplace=8% or 3/36
>> > 9th place=14% or 5/36
>> > 10 th place =19% or 7/36
>> > 11th place=25% or 9/36
>> > 12th place=30% or 11/36
Any questions,,let me know,,,Tom Kleek
Forgot to add,,,percentages = chances of getting # 1 pick of the draft
Tom K
The Mason Dixon Tabletop League is a 20 team, modified basic, card and dice league finishing Season 36 and uses a Sealed Bid Money Draft System.
Our league uses a two phase draft. Second phase is worst to first with what doesn’t get drafted in the first phase and players cut from rosters to form the draft pool. We do not draft XB’s or XC’s.
Before I get into the First phase (or Bid Draft) I will state that our team roster size is 25 man continuous ownership. The small roster size helps keep draftable players available year after year.
Our unique money draft is simple. Each team can bid on up to 10 players. Sealed bids are placed in envelopes which are read at the convention from most money to least money.
The team that bids the highest on a player gets them. Losing bid monies are retained for next season. All teams get $10,000 at the end of the season. Teams also earn $1,000 per winning percentage from .600 down to .400 (or $0 down to $200,000).
Teams that lose get more money than teams that win. With a little luck, some money and a few good trades, almost ANY of the 20 teams entering the draft have a chance to come away in playoff contention.
The element of the “unknown” adds to the excitement and enjoyment on draft day wondering if you might get lucky with a $1,000 bid for a B starter or if your $225,000 bid for Ryan Braun is going to hold up.
I love hearing about how all you handle your drafts. I knew i was just scratching the surface with the possibilities.
Terry, it’s interesting to hear about how your league does the money draft.
The baseball purist in me balks at the idea of introducing the concept of money to APBA thinking that’s what’s ruining real baseball.
But then the mercenary in me starts thinking how fun it might be :)
In the Patriot League, (9 managers this year) our draft order is based on how much salary money you have left in each round. Each batter’s price comes from a chart based on a combination of the batter’s batting average and home runs. ($1,000 – $8,000). Starting pitchers are priced from $1000 for D’s to $6,000 for A’s. Relievers are priced from $1000 D’s to $5,000 A’s and AC’s. We have a $70,000 cap for a 25 player roster. You must keep 12 of the 20 players from your base team. (Mine is the Yanks). Trades are allowed. Your available draft money is $70,000 minus the cost of the 12 you keep. The manager with the largest amount available drafts first from the players cut and teams not being used. Many times, managers with the Red Sox and Yankees often drafted last due to the cost of Manny & Arod. A weaker team usually drafted early in the round due to less expensive players, thus allowing them to draft some of the top available players. When managers have the same amount, the tie is broken by a dice roll. In the later rounds, those $1000 players start becoming more important as teams have less and less money. It’s a great system of balancing the teams every year,
Steve,
I am in Norfolk, VA and am looking to join an APBA league. Could you please send me info. Ragarding the Patriot league?
Thanks,
Curt
We use a deck of cards.
8 team leauge – bottom 3 teams
Last place gets 3 cards
Next to last 2
Third worst gets 1
Highest card gets #1.
Larger leagues would just use more cards/teams.