Announcing The Official Bleed Cubbie Blue Fantasy League

Think you could be the next Jed Hoyer?

I know for a fact that some of you out there think you know more about baseball than I do, so we here at Bleed Cubbie Blue and the people at Yahoo! Sports have teamed up to give you a chance to prove it. There have been fantasy leagues around here before, but this is the first one that is going to be all official and sponsored.

Because this is going to be the first official BCB Fantasy Baseball League, it's going to have to be bigger and better than all the others. At least I'm going to try to make it that way. I'm not giving any refunds if it isn't. (It's FREE anyway.) For one, there will be updates on the league throughout the season here, so the stakes are a little higher, if only to your ego. Secondly, I've opened it up to 16 teams, so as many people as reasonably possible can play. I also encourage those lucky enough to get teams to consider having a co-owner, if enough people are interested. I've been in a high-stakes league with a co-owner for six seasons now and I have to say it can be more fun than owning a team alone. Also, you don't have to worry about your team going to heck when you go on vacation in June.

The league is a Rotisserie-style, standard 5x5 league with the normal categories: runs scored, RBI, home runs, stolen bases and steals for hitters and wins, strikeouts, saves, ERA and WHIP for pitchers. It will have a live draft on Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Central Time. If you can't make it at that time, I'd suggest you're the perfect candidate to have a co-owner, presumably who can make the draft. Draft picks are limited to 30 seconds a pick, or we'd be there all night with sixteen teams. But that means you're going to have to be on your toes when your pick comes up.

To join, you need to go to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports and click on "Join An Existing League." When asked for the league number, enter number 28078 and the password is "jimhendry". (No quote marks, of course.)

Why Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball? Here are some reasons:

Yahoo! Sports is the leading fantasy provider on the Internet, home to millions of fans playing the #1 fantasy baseball game available -- all for free!

Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball is easy to use, with mock drafts, player comparison features, and numerous customization options. Plus - Yahoo! Sports offers superior stability, especially during drafts and games (Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball doesn't drop the ball).

The #1 free game keeps getting better: now with same day drafts, custom playoff seeding, and game-time waivers.

Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball provides fans with top-notch information, resources, and expert advice. From player notes to injury updates to player availability across leagues, Yahoo! Sports helps you win big. This year never miss a last minute injury with updated player notes.

Yahoo! Sports provides pre-draft advice clips to help you draft the best team possible. Fantasy advice is also available throughout the season with bi-weekly video clips and the Fantasy Freaks on Yahoo! Sports Radio on Fridays at 11:1O pm EST.

Don't miss a trade or waiver wire again! Daily roster changes are made easy with the Fantasy Baseball app available on Android, iPhone, and iPad (new this year!).

Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball gives you real-time fantasy score updates wherever you go. View team, league, and player stats, edit your lineups, and check your standings and matchups.

Yahoo! Sports offers the fantasy fanatic an even more competitive way to play with Pro Leagues! Join a Pro League for $2O or $1OO and compete to win cash prizes. For those who dare to put some skin in the game.

They told me to say that, but all of it is true. I can personally attest to the ease of use of the Yahoo! Fantasy Football app for iPhone which I used regularly last season. I'm guessing the Baseball app is just as good. I know I'll be using it.

So hurry and sign up! Post here when you sign up. If you don't get in, post down here if you're willing to be a co-owner and maybe someone who does get in will take you on. Also post here if you want to take on a co-owner. I want this league to be as inclusive as possible, because I know a lot of you will want to get in on this chance for glory and the respect of your peers.

Good luck and I'm looking forward to a great season.

Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball supports SBNation and fantasy league families everywhere. Get better experts, better tools, and better stats with the #1 free fantasy baseball game. This season also features a brand new iPad app, so sign up now. Get ready for opening day with better play on Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball.