All players are picked from a player pool. The number of players in each pool is defined by your choice of league(s) - league selection is discussed in the following section Roster Options. You will initially build your team through either a draft or auction system –

Draft System: Team Owners take turns selecting players until every team's roster is full. Once the league is formed, you, as the GM/Team Owner will be able to improve your team by making trades and/or picking up free agents. A Free Agent is any player not selected during the draft or not currently on any roster.

Auction System: Team Owners can bid for their choice of players against other team owners in their respective league using either points or funny money provided by the hosting on-line company. Highest bid wins!

Roster Options

You will need to choose one of the following two options to decide which pool of players to use in your Fantasy League. Your selection should be based on your depth of knowledge of each league. Do you want to create a team by selecting players from a Mixed League [American League (AL) and National League (NL)] or from one specific league (American League or National League)? In mixed leagues, each Fantasy team will end up with more than a handful of stars, but in AL- or NL-only leagues, owners will have to start backup catchers and fifth starters on MLB teams in some cases.

1. Mixed League: Your league will use both American and National League players. Team Owners will be able to pick from every player in the majors, meaning your fantasy teams will be made up of well-known stars. There will be no need to have lesser-known, marginal players on your team. A mixed league is less time-consuming and generally easier to play. New Fantasy Baseball players should lean toward mixed leagues.
   


2. AL- or NL-only League: Are you partial to one particular league? You can choose to select only players from either the American or the National League. You will have fewer players to choose from, so your league's Fantasy teams will have lesser known stars and more marginal players than in a mixed league. This is the more challenging and time-consuming option; owners will need to go deep into the available player pool. For the most part, this option is recommended for experienced players.
   

1. Fourteen Hitters: One each of the following: 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, as well as an extra Corner Infielder (1B or 3B) and an extra Middle Infielder (2B or SS). Teams will also need to draft two Catchers, five Outfielders and a Designated Hitter -- which can be a hitter from any position, including the DH spot.
   


2. Nine Pitchers: Most leagues do not distinguish between starters or relievers; you just need nine pitchers total. But in a number of leagues, you can only have five starters and four relievers. If you aren't crazy about that idea, you can set an "innings-pitched" minimum of 1000 collectively played innings by all nine pitchers. Basically, this assures that a team won't just boot the Wins category and load up on all relievers so they can own the Saves, ERA and WHIP categories. A minimum can also be placed on at-bats, but that really isn't necessary since there are so many cumulative categories (HR, RBI, etc.) that whatever benefit gained out of fewer at-bats in the Batting Average category is cancelled out.
   
3. Reserves: The baseball season is a long one and teams should have at least five roster spots open for reserves. You can also consider adding an Injured Reserve spot or two, and advanced leagues can take advantage of the option to use Minor League roster spots as well.