For most owners that play fantasy baseball, the last out signifies the end of the season and they will start thinking about baseball again after Dick Clark drops the Apple in Times Square.  For the Commish, his work is only beginning.

Here are some guidelines that I feel you will find in a good Commish not only during the season but after the season as well:

1. Do not wait until February 1st to start identifying which owners are returning and which ones are leaving.  You need to determine the intentions of each owner now so you can create a short list of quality people that will be strong replacements as opposed to “filling a slot” at the last minute with your brother-in-law who doesn’t know Tim Lincecum from Tim Burton.
2. Keep the Rules Simple!  All leagues have different variations and rules that make each one unique and that is what makes fantasy sports fun.  However, if you are creating 7 X 7 leagues with VORP as a catagory and successful pick off plays as a bonus then finding new owners and retaining the present ones may be difficult.   If you cannot find information from publications or experts you have to wonder how the rules might favor one owner who has more of a grasp of the quirky format than another.
3. On another rules note, and I will reinforce this with big bold letters, DO NOT CHANGE THE RULES OF THE LEAGUE DURING THE SEASON!!!!! [ed. Note-as occurred in the Fantasy Baseball Search Expert League-one of the many disasters that transpired in the league] Good owners prepare for a league based on the rules presented.  The league will become disgruntled and dissension will set in when people think you are manipulating the rules after the draft has occurred.
4. Final word on rules.  Any rule changes that are to be made need to be proposed no later than September of the previous season.  This is especially true in a keeper league since a rules change could affect the decision of who to keep and who to throw back.  It also gives ample time for feedback.  I begin asking for suggestions for rule changes in June so we can hash them out throughout the season.  Also do not make major rule changes every season, tweak the format to make it better.
5. Do not use the internet as your only source of communication.  This is a common theme throughout this site.  In my favorite league we annually meet at a Cardinal game each season and the trade talk is great.  Years ago that was when we had our supplement draft as well so we would go to the game with our notes!  Many years we didn’t even watch the game!  If your league is nationwide, call owners occasionally to see how things are going and talk about things other than the league.  Keep the lines of communications open.
6. Trade vetoes are a sore subject in many leagues. There is no right or wrong answer but I surmised that a good Commish must step in when the trade is overtly lopsided or collusion is occurring.
7. A good Commish needs a solid right hand man.  I am fortunate to have the former commish in that capacity.  If a dispute involves me, having another party involved demonstrates impartiality and neutralizes discussion of a Commish manipulating a situation to his best interest and the not the best interest of the league.
8. A Commish is active whether his team is in first place or last place.  I was in a league this year where the Commish’s team was buried early and I didn’t hear from him again all season. As a result I will not be back next year.  I keep the polls fresh and interact with the message board regularly.  I rotate pictures and quotes on our league website to keep things lively.  I place links for articles and podcasts for owners to read and listen to, but not all of them since I don’t want to give away all of my secrets!
9. Many owners have different ideas of what is smack talk on the board.  I am not a real smack talk kind of guy but some feel this makes the league more interesting.  As a good Commish, monitor the message boards to make sure that personal attacks are not part of the discussion.  Good natured ribbing is part of the game but talking about a guy’s mother can make for an unpleasant situation.
10. If money is involved then money needs to be distributed.  I don’t care if it is a $1.00 brag bet or $1000.00 pot.  When the season’s is over the money goes out.
11. The Commish is a benelovent dicatator or as I like to call him, a good steward.  Someone has to be in charge but not with a heavy hand.  Good Commish’s make the league more fun and create an atmosphere that makes people want to come back.  In our league we have a waiting list to get in our league because it is FUN!!!  We are taking first roadtrip next season and we are all looking forward to it.
12. Finally, ambiguity will destroy your league.  Make decisions and rules clear and concise but not so rigid that it feels like a classroom.  If owners know that the Commish is overseeing the league and is fair then most good owners anyway will police themselves without your input.

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written by RhettOldham, January 19, 2009

Bill, thanks for reading. Here are a couple of ideas.

1. Unlimited pick ups, next article is about that.
2. Have owners pay for each F/A or make them pay after the one per week.
3. Expand the limit to 2 or 3 per week. We have a 2 per week in my main league and that has been a happy medium.
4. Establish a waiver order so people just can't always be the first to get the best free agents.
5. Most importantly, all members should be included in the writing of the league's constitution. Get input from everyone and make the decision based on all points.
Good luck and feel free to email me with anymore questions.

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written by Bill Pacitto, January 17, 2009

Rhett, Good work here!! I was in a league last year (5x5 Roto) w/ some friends and it only allowed one free agent pick up per week. Their reason was excessive pick ups sabotage a league (mostly pitching stats... wins & so's)and because of it the best team doesn't always win. This year I am the Commish and several guys still wish to keep the same rule. I have never heard of such a league let alone played in one before last year. What do you think of such a rule? I think it is a lazy man's league. I feel you should be rewarded for your research and your decision making not to mention if you get behind or have many injuries you really have no shot to coming back. The majority of team owners don't like the rule so what can I say to the guys who believe it is our best interest to limit FA pick ups.

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Rhett Oldham
written by Rhett Oldham, January 06, 2009

Wow, lots of great comments...my bald by choice, that's my story and I am sticking to it.

On to other things.

Chris and Patrick were talking about smack talk...as all of you know I enjoy the give and take of jabbing at people's predictions and breaking balls. What I don't like it somebody I barely know dropping the F-bomb on me or calling me out for dubious reasons. A commish must let people know when they have crossed the line and if they do not comply, suspend there privledges.

Joe, great point on the money! In internet leagues it is not a big deal but with your buddies at a live draft everybody has to be paid up before they starting drafting.

Jim, your question of an auction keeper league really doesn't have a right answer because expansion teams are at a disadvantage. Of course that is how it is with most expansion teams. Scouting and scouring the waiver wire will be how they get better.

If the new owners are coming in as a result of someone leaving then good players are usually available. If it is just a flat expansion then the owners will have to take bigger risks on there money or fill up there roster with cheap options and have more to spend on draft day.

I think that topic will be a great article in the Commish Corner later on. Take care guys and thanks for the feedback.

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Hair Jokes
written by RobReed, January 06, 2009

I still have a pending piece with a hair joke. So, the moratorium begins after that.

Maybe.

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written by Patrick Dicaprio, January 05, 2009

i am all for a moratorium on hair jokes, considering i am as bald as rhett....

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written by Jim, January 05, 2009

Hey, great read. Any advice on expansion in an auction keeper league? Obviously, new teams are at a disadvantage. Some ideas being thrown around are: lower buy-in in first year, additional minor league roster spots or reserve slots, or a higher salary cap for first year. Any other ideas?

Also, how do you recommend socializing these accommodations with existing owners...seems pretty complex...

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written by Sean, January 05, 2009

Smack talk could be a whole other discussion. I have been in leagues with way too much and some with none at all. you definitely need a happy medium. Topics need to be restricted like we cant talk about Rhett's hair or anyone's mom (unless they are in the league too)

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written by JoeLano, January 05, 2009

One more rule if I may Rhett: If your running a money league, make sure all owners pay their league fee well before the draft. No pay, no play.

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written by JoeLano, January 05, 2009

I was in a league last season where a few people quit because the smack talk got so bad. No need for that, if some tells you to back off then respect their wishes.

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written by pat dicaprio, January 05, 2009

without smack talking why play?? just be careful you dont have guys that get personal in their attacks; something a few of us have an unfortunate history with.

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written by Chris Mulligan, January 05, 2009

Rhett, great stuff my man. On the subject of smack talking: I don't see enough of it in most leagues. I'm all about it. However, I have a feeling that there will be plenty of it going around in our leagues which I look forward to. I know that the smack talking is fast and furious in the leagues that I'm in with my buddies. Since I'm the undisputed champ I usually hold off until the others get going but it gets down right brutal at times and makes for better competition.

Love your column!

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written by a guest, January 05, 2009

Great comments gentlemen! Some insight:

1. Tony, salary caps come into play in keeper leagues that allow trading in the offseason. If that is occurring I think you have to have them all season long.
2. Big O, I did see a service somewhere that would be your commish, for a fee or course, but I don't like that. A commish in your league has a vested interest in what goes on so the decisions are more interactive.
3. Gabriel, thanks for the kind words. 98% of the time, being the commish is cool, the other 2% totally blow. That is why you have to make sure that the members of your league are good ones and to weed out the undesirables.

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written by D Wrek, January 05, 2009

Tony, our league doesnt enforce the cap all season, just at the draft. The trades seem to be about like they would be in a snake draft format. Obviously 1 league is a small expample, but we havent seen any issues.

What kind of issues to you see arise?

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written by GabrielLundeen, January 05, 2009

It's definitely about fun. A commissioner should be an ambassador of sorts. You really nailed it, Rhett, and your league is lucky to have you as a commish.

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written by GabrielLundeen, January 05, 2009

How could such a creature exist? It would be like always going to restaurants and never ordering...

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written by big o, January 05, 2009

maybe the best commissioner would be one who doesn't even play in the league.

does such a creature exist ?

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written by tonycincotta, January 05, 2009

In leagues with salary caps for the draft..Ex. Auction leagues, do you favor the cap be enforced all season long. In some leagues there is no salary cap after the draft and trades make the league crazy. Sould people keep the salary cap enforced all season long ?

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