The IOD will start at 7:00 Eastern / 6:00 Central (and yes, 4:37 am Eric Standard Time) on SATURDAY 2/27.
While I know that several of you wanted to change to using Strat Draft this year, in light of the strong opposition from several owners and the fact that we had previously announced and scheduled the 2/27 date I am not comfortable making the change this year. HOWEVER, I am planning to put the matter to a league vote next year - note that this will be for the IOD only, as I do not see a way that the auction could be conducted other than live.
Similarly, the proposed change to 3/5 was problematic for some owners so we are sticking with the 2/27 date.
Everyone please be sure to check the "Draft Order" link prior to the IOD and tell me ASAP if something looks wrong.
As always, I will be trying to move this thing along reasonably briskly, particularly in the first couple of rounds. I do ask your indulgence for me as I will be recording all the picks and moving it along and thus will likely need to do some frantic last-second looking for each of my own picks.
When making a pick, please use FIRST AND LAST NAME and MLB AFFILIATION (or College team). Also indicate if the player is carded.
For example:
Andrew Benintendi, Boston Johnny Giavotella, LA Angels, CARDED Alec Hansen, University of Oklahoma
Since I will be very busy recording picks and moving the draft along, I will be counting on each of you to help me monitor whether a pick is actually already owned. So please speak up if someone tries to pick your player. Or St. Ben Diggins.
Every manager must either attend the IOD or make arrangements for someone in attendance to cover their team. Please be sure to try to get online early so there is no last-minute crisis.
