Save the FPL!

[RonCo]

In another thread we've learned or confirmed a few things about the FPL:

1) It's hard enough for Matt to deal with on his own that it's important that 100% of the league export for it.
2) It's hard for us to manage it (because it's hard to find the mechanisim to set rosters and whatnot, and we have to remember to export twice).

Brett and John suggested we kill it. I personally like it, but think it's been a royal PITA enough that I'd be okay with killing it if there's not a better way. I love the winter league concept, though, and I hate to lose it if we don't have to.

So, here's what I think is necessary (or at least helpful) to make this work:

1) Can we move it away from the playoffs?

This is valuable to keep the 100% requirement from impacting progress from a period where we really want the league to move forward. Playoffs need to be quick because less than 50% of the league can participate, so it's a big dead space for them.

The FPL rund for essentially one month. Can we do it from mid-November to mid-December?

2) Can we get a standard post that frames the process for how to set rosters?

This should be a no-brainer. Having a post you can link to in any notice of the event is an easy step.

3) Can we highlight this more firmly a week or so before the event?

Just posting it in the Announcements section technically SHOULD be enough, but it never is, nor will it ever be. We probably need a big, bold post somewhere, and maybe an email reminder. I note that the FPL deadlines were not actually mentioned in the schedule at the bottom of the announcement posts, nor was it on the calendar. If we're going to make this work with the 100% requirement, I think we're going to need to treat it as a special event.

[hr]

If we do all of these things, I think the FPL will work just fine. Otherwise, I think Matt will always be scurrying to make this work.

[Ted]

I really do like the extra PT. And I think moving it outside the playoffs is okay. Also, if some guys don't like it, why not just let the game use ghost rosters for teams that don't submit a roster. IT's already set up to do this anyway.

[usnspecialist]

I really do like the extra PT. And I think moving it outside the playoffs is okay. Also, if some guys don't like it, why not just let the game use ghost rosters for teams that don't submit a roster. IT's already set up to do this anyway.

i would definitely agree with moving it out of the playoffs.

[recte44]

1) Why dont we all read the Sim Complete emails?
2) When something is important like this, and I send a PM, why isnt there action taken?
3) I will work with the beta team to fix the issue I'm running into with incomplete rosters.

[usnspecialist]

1) Why dont we all read the Sim Complete emails?
2) When something is important like this, and I send a PM, why isnt there action taken?
3) I will work with the beta team to fix the issue I'm running into with incomplete rosters.

I definitely agree with 1 and 2 as well, but think you would probably run into less issues with it pushed back post-landis.

[RonCo]

1) Why dont we all read the Sim Complete emails?
2) When something is important like this, and I send a PM, why isnt there action taken?
3) I will work with the beta team to fix the issue I'm running into with incomplete rosters.

I agree with all this.

But I'm also a pragmatic soul. When you need 100% participation in something, pushing the process is really the only way.

[RonCo]

WHat's the value of the FPL vs. just having a winter league with an empty roster in the main collective of the BBA? Back then we just threw players into it at the end of the year, then pulled them back out. Is it an issue with league levels? Does the FPL work better for some reason?

[recte44]

Yes- it's designed to develop players more. I think if I can just have a couple of changes made in beta we should be good here.

[RonCo]

Ok. That sounds better. I'm personally happy with the FPL...but if it brings the league to a halt we just need to find a way to keep it in the forefront of the minds of folks.

[recte44]

No, it's more that it has a couple of design flaws that have been problematic, at least for me. I like to think I'm a pretty sharp guy, so if I'm having issues I'd assume other folks are too.