Found this article in the Tribune today. Not sure if it is an editorial or article, since there is no author listed and there is a bit of opinion shared in it. :)

Stats for sale
Published January 23, 2006
(No author listed)

Just when fans are getting used to the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a baseball player's autograph, a legal fight has erupted over whether Major League Baseball can sell his batting average.

A company that runs fantasy baseball leagues has filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that it doesn't need a license from MLB to use players' statistics on its Internet sites. The numbers are historical facts that can be used freely by anyone, the suit argues, not property that can be sold.

MLB says player stats are intellectual property and can't be used for profit without permission--an argument that seems unlikely to prevail but certain to provoke fans.

Courts have long held that facts are in the public domain. And what is a statistic if not a fact? The numbers, which are available for free in the daily sports pages, are no more "intellectual property" than the temperatures that appear on the weather page.

(Psst. Joe Dimaggio hit 131 triples lifetime.)

There are still quite a few for whom every $15 million player contract, every $3 hotdog, even the slightest suggestion of a new tax-subsidized stadium, is enough to trigger that old grudge they've been nursing since the 1994 players' strike. Trying to cash in on Joe Laptop's pretend baseball season isn't going to sit well with them. Win or lose, this is a fight MLB can't afford.

Read entire article / editorial here...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...

Comments?

--------------

Cubs convention photos and reviews

I've participated in a few Yahoo leagues that were free ones, but haven't for a few years. There are lots of different rules that can be applied in fantasy baseball. I don't play anymore because I always lost interest (in fantasy baseball, not the real thing) part way through the season. I do know some people, though, who get really involved.

I found the Yahoo Fantasy Baseball at:
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/...

Registration for the 2006 season will begin in early February.

Can Cubsnet start up a group/team?

Diana

Photos from a Cubs game at Wrigley

Just received an email from Yahoo...

Fantasy Baseball PLUS

Full customization, premium content and advanced analysis are all included in Fantasy Baseball PLUS. Think you have what it takes? This game is for the serious player who demands intense competition.

Free Fantasy Baseball

Play the original free fantasy baseball game and find out what all the hype is about. Customize scoring options and add live stats for a small fee.

http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

So it looks like they have a free version and a $$$ version.

I'm new to this. Is Yahoo the best game around or are other freebies better?

Thanks.

------

Derrek Lee stolen base, home run photos

ESPN 2006 Fantasy Baseball
http://games.espn.go.com/cgi/flb/front

Who else offers MLB Fantasy Baseball ?

White Sox, Illinois General Assembly, Senate ceremonies