Ways To Speed Up A Draft

[kq76]

I'd like to brainstorm and discuss some ideas on how to speed up an online league draft, initial or yearly.

Some Existing Ways:

-by e-mail
--time per pick (clock) and decrease the time in later rounds
--draft lists

-by BOSI

Some Ideas:

Idea 1:

In the KBL we're conducting the draft by e-mail (I'd like to through BOSI, but it doesn't yet work on PowWeb) and we're using a clock and draft lists.

An idea that I had was when a commish or league official (the computer pick will be the same no matter who does it, right?) had the chance they would post in our forum or by e-mail either to the entire league or just league officials a tentative computer pick for the next pick. As said, there's a couple of ways of doing this. There's also a number of pros to each as well as cons.

If it was by forum then people might not look and so it might be pointless, but then at least we're not barraging them with extra e-mails. If it was by e-mail, everyone would know and it would be more effective, but they might not want to be bothered.

If it was viewable by the entire league then people who might not otherwise look at computer picks might be influenced by it, be that good or bad for them, but there would be more people to give the pick to move the draft along. If it was just viewable by league officials, same problem, but if they have that position then they're probably less influenced by what the game thinks.

Any other pros and cons to the different ways?

I think the best way would probably be by e-mail to only league officials as the pros of one kind of offset the cons of the other. Comments?

Now there's a few reasons for doing all of this. If the drafter knows what his computer pick will be, I think there's a good chance that he'll either think it's acceptable and just take it without bothering to decide for himself, or think it's not acceptable and hurry up deciding on the pick so they don't run out of time and get stuck with that player. Also, if their clock does run out then more people (anyone or just league officials) will be able to give them the already designated computer pick and the draft moves along asap.

Idea 2:

For BOSI it would be great if the next 2 or 3 people who were up automatically received an e-mail. I have no idea if this possible, but if it is I think that would be a great addition to it. How we use the BOSI draft feature in the CBL is like normal, but we try to e-mail those who are up next and soon after. This helps speed things up a bit I'm sure, but I just think it would be a lot better if it was automated as I'm sure not all of us in the league send out those e-mails.

Idea 3:

When I was new to online leagues I thought conducting a draft through a message board would be the best way to handle it. I still think it might be, but because the norm for OOTP is by e-mail I didn't bother to fully think this idea out.

It would work kind of like the e-mail system, but instead of e-mailing everyone you would just reply to the draft thread with your pick and then click on a link (one for each team) somewhere on the website that would automatically send the next person on the list (and the commish so at least they'd know the person up was notified and they could officially start the clock, as well as possibly the following person) a preset "You're Up" e-mail with a link to the thread.

The commish could also update the initial post with the latest picks so you wouldn't have to search through all the posts yourself, just the first and if it's not fully up-to-date then also the few most recent posts.

The pros to this system are less e-mails bothering people who don't have a pick coming up any time soon, yet people are still notified when they are up. It's probably easier too without all the copying and pasting. You just post your pick, and click on a link to send an e-mail. The cons to this I suppose is not everyone uses an e-mail program, some only access it through the web, but maybe you could just list the text for them to copy and paste. Any other pros and cons?

Are there any other ideas out there?

Side comment request.. I believe OOTP used to come up with varied computer picks before (OOTP4?), but now (OOTP5.14) it doesn't. Any comments on this?

Side fix request.. I noticed that with the serpentine draft, the 1st player taken in the 2nd rd (and I presume all even rounds) has his history read as taken last in that round. Opposite as you go through the round with the last taken showing as the first. Could we get this fixed in OOTP6? It's not a huge thing obviously, but it would be nice to be able to look back and know when they were really taken without having to think about it.

[chicoruiz]

You need to design a rule that penalizes owners who miss their draft window without crippling their team in the process. You can't simply have them forfeit their picks; if he drops out (or already has, unbeknownst to you), you end up having to go recruit a new owner for a weak team with no future. On the other hand, if you make a computer pick for him, you're encouraging his laziness. He's slowing every round of the draft, and instead of paying a penalty he's getting some nice picks.

A couple of ways around it:

1. I'v played in leagues in which once you've let a draft window expire (or maybe done it twice) you're placed on autopick for the rest of the draft.

2. Something we're trying in a league of mine this year is an NFL- type system: once you miss a window you're considered to have "passed", and the next team in line can go ahead. You may jump into line and make a pick anytime within the next 24 hours; after that an autopick will be made for you.

Unfortunately, you can't legislate the best solution, which is common courtesy. If you're going to be away, send in a list, or designate a proxy drafter, or at the very least post a message that you're going to be available. A simple note such as "I'm currently 3rd in line; going to relatives tonight and won't be able to pick before midnight or so" can go far in keeping your fellow owners from wanting to strangle you.

[EagleEye_0]

One should not join an online league in which emails regarding the initial draft are bothersome. For that reason, I suggest email.

[CommishJoe]

Idea 2:

For BOSI it would be great if the next 2 or 3 people who were up automatically received an e-mail. I have no idea if this possible, but if it is I think that would be a great addition to it. How we use the BOSI draft feature in the CBL is like normal, but we try to e-mail those who are up next and soon after. This helps speed things up a bit I'm sure, but I just think it would be a lot better if it was automated as I'm sure not all of us in the league send out those e-mails.


I plan to work that into v2, but the user will have the option to not receive any e-mails from BOSI. I think that would be the polite thing to do

Also, once we get a rating system devised, the commish would be able to setup BOSI so it picks for the user when the clock runs out. It has to wait for a rating system though so BOSI can make an educated decision and not just pick the best catcher out there

[sporr]

For our yearly annual draft in Baseball Maelstrom, we complete it in one night.

Rounds 1-2 are done live on the night in question. People who are unable to attend can send instructions or lists.

Rounds 3-4 are done by list. We give everyone an opportunity to send lists to get them through the 4th round.

Rounds 5+ are done by computer picks.

We've found this to work well and it gets the draft done in a single night.

[blmeanie]

In Green Monsta, we do rounds 1-2 beginning a week prior to a "live" draft on the message board with no pressure, no time limits. If we get through only two picks before the live draft so be it. The live draft purpose is to get through round 2, pc picks the balance (3-5).

I do like Sporr's idea with lists for later, although it would be more work for the commish, and only the truly dedicated owners would submit anyway.

[oregon]

It has to wait for a rating system though so BOSI can make an educated decision and not just pick the best catcher out there

Just had a draft where the humans picked for three rounds, and then the AI took over. Rounds 4-5 saw 34 catchers drafted.

[CommishJoe]

Originally posted by oregon
Just had a draft where the humans picked for three rounds, and then the AI took over. Rounds 4-5 saw 34 catchers drafted.

Yeah, I was poking fun at the current draft AI logic

[DHS23]

The now-defunct iMLB ran the draft on the message board, giving each GM a day (I think, it might have been 12 hours or something other) to post who they picked.

The title of thread was "Pick #, Player's Name, Position." This way there wasn't an unnecessary click to see who got picked. This also allowed discussion about the player that was picked in the thread pertaining to that player. It really worked well, and I liked it.

The live draft also works pretty good.

[jmaness84]

Just let the computer pick the rest of the initial draft. We should get about an even amount of talent. We've already been through 3 rounds. The best GM's will win no matter who they get.

[JDScorch]

Originally posted by chicoruiz
2. Something we're trying in a league of mine this year is an NFL- type system: once you miss a window you're considered to have "passed", and the next team in line can go ahead. You may jump into line and make a pick anytime within the next 24 hours; after that an autopick will be made for you.

Unfortunately, you can't legislate the best solution, which is common courtesy. If you're going to be away, send in a list, or designate a proxy drafter, or at the very least post a message that you're going to be available. A simple note such as "I'm currently 3rd in line; going to relatives tonight and won't be able to pick before midnight or so" can go far in keeping your fellow owners from wanting to strangle you.

We use a form of the solution above in SO49 league, except that we haven't had to implement the comp pick in that league, usually within a few picks of being skipped, the person chimes in with an apology and a pick. We do say that consecutive picks of letting the clock run out(12 hours), can result in expulsion from the league, but I don't recall it ever coming to that.

The last part of what Chicoruiz said was the big thing. "Common Courtesy" is the big thing to remember. If you are going to be away from your computer at anytime for more than the time limit that your league allows, you should either be authorizing a comp pick, or sending your commish(or designated draft guy) a list to cover your pick. It takes just a few minutes and keeps the draft moving. Good Luck with this Kieran, it can be a pain!

[DaveHorn]

I have few lines of code you can add to one of your BOSI files that will have BOSI email whomever is up in the draft to let them know it is their turn to pick.

It probably voids your BOSI warranty, but your welcome to it if you like. You can PM or email me if you want it.

[Karen Lutz]

Nothing beats a good old live draft and for those who can't make it, you have them send in lists. WBL has done this since the beginning and it has always been nearly flawless.

[blmeanie]

Especially if the commish doesn't think everybody has to make it to the live draft. One league, couple of years ago, I remember the commish bitching that everybody didn't make it to the event. Lists are cool, work great actually.

[MannyTrillo]

I prefer the So'49 system... IIRC, it usually takes about 5 days to get through 3 rounds. One thing that helps a lot is to have a volunteer 'draft heavy' who is on-line a lot and will action draft lists, make sure all information is correct, generally harangue people, etc. That way you have both the commissioner and someone else keeping an eye on things when the commish is not around. The other keys are to make sure everyone knows to send in lists, and try to impress upon people that they are expected to send in lists if they may be unable to pick for more than a couple of hours when it is their turn.

The problem with sending lists for live drafts is that I think it's a little difficult for the commissioner to keep everything straight when there's a live draft going on. I've had more than one otherwise competent commish screw up my draft list for live drafts, but I've never had anyone screw up a list I sent for an email draft.

[Karen Lutz]

Originally posted by blmeanie
Especially if the commish doesn't think everybody has to make it to the live draft. One league, couple of years ago, I remember the commish bitching that everybody didn't make it to the event. Lists are cool, work great actually.

Good point ^ that is very important. People have lives and as long as lists saffice (which they should!) a live draft can be very fun. It takes a lot to organize it well, but the payoff is great, it doesn't drag out and it is more reliable than an email draft, or any other method IMO.

[Karen Lutz]

Originally posted by MannyTrillo
The problem with sending lists for live drafts is that I think it's a little difficult for the commissioner to keep everything straight when there's a live draft going on. I've had more than one otherwise competent commish screw up my draft list for live drafts.

This is why you have another commish or helper do nothing but draft from the lists while the main commish keeps tabs on everything else, when done right, nothing beats a live draft, but you also make a valid point.

[blmeanie]

Originally posted by Karen Lutz
This is why you have another commish or helper do nothing but draft from the lists while the main commish keeps tabs on everything else, when done right, nothing beats a live draft, but you also make a valid point.

funny thing is that Manny is probably talking about me

You are right Karen, a helper would be great for a commish. I know I screwed one pick up this past offseason and it took me a few minutes to figure out the way to fix it with lists, live, pc all going on around me.

[sporr]

Yes, the Maelstrom live drafts are aided by the fact that both Commissioners are there to shoulder some of the burden. Usually Mr. Dugan is working his way through draft lists as I am handling the actual drafting process in game and through our chatroom.

[ifspuds]

When I started Out of this World Baseball and ran the initial draft, I gave owners three options:

1) Send in a list via e-mail

2) Log on to a chat room of sorts that I was available at pretty much all day during work hours.

3) Sign up for "live draft via e-mail", where each pick as it was made was sent to everyone doing live drafting, either via e-mail or chat room. The next owner then had 30 minutes to make their pick.

On the occasion that I didn't have a list or a pick by the end of that 30-minute window, I gave the team a computer pick.

It worked pretty well, for 30+ rounds. We did a round a day, two rounds per day after the first two weeks of the draft, and I emailed out the full round's results at the end of each day. It got tiresome after a while, sure, but eventually everyone went to computer picks.

Of course, it relied on a few things: making the rules very clear beforehand -- no pick in, you get a computer pick. I usually let the 30 minute window grow to an hour, with a reminder email after 30 minutes. I was pretty impressed with the courtesy and dedication of the other 15 owners in the league. With very few exceptions, I never had to be too much of a hardass.

Maybe I just got lucky with the owners I had, too.