The Sports Page        

Erie League set to kick off 11th season

Welcome to the 2000 Erie Fantasy Football League Season! It's once again that time of year where football season is right around the corner and preparations are being made for this year's Fantasy Football Auction. This year's All-American Conference Auction will be held on Friday August 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Medical Specialties Conference Room. For those that need it, the address there is: 10145 Philipp Parkway, Unit B, Streetsboro, OH. 44241.

The league will once again be split into two conferences with the other being run by long-time participant Keith Kuratko. Therefore, 24 owners will be vying for the right to be called the first Erie League Champion in the new century. For those that have forgotten, last year's champion was All-American Conference member Mike Szydlowski (right) and his Polish Monarchs.

Here are a few deadlines you need to be aware of. This newsletter has intially been mailed to only the owners who were members of the 1999 All-American Conference. If you are one of those participants and wish to return for the 2000 season, please give me a call (330-688-3710) or e-mail (kirkpav@concentric.net) no later than Sunday night, July 30, 2000. I want to leave ample time to search for replacements if any of you have decided enough is enough.

The second deadline is Friday August 4th, one week before the actual auction. On that day, I will need to have received at least $50 of your 2000 League Entry Fee, either in cash or check form. (Checks can be made out to Erie Fantasy Football). Again, the reason is to allow enough time to find other willing participants if any of you decide at the last minute that you don't want to play. Please note: This year's entry fee is $100. This money will be split between the $75 entry fee and $25 in transactions so I don't have to worry about tracking everyone down before the playoffs to collect money. If you don't use all $25 during the season, the remainder will be refunded to you. The point is I need all $100 in my hand before the auction begins on the 11th. Failure to do so will cause you to enter the auction with 120 units rather than 140 like everyone else. To get in on the action again this year, simply fill out the entry form and return it by Aug. 4th with $50-$100 to: Kirk Pavelich, 2150 Marhofer Ave., Stow, OH. 44224-4144.

Other changes in store for 2000 include: The return of the franchise player. Everyone will go into this year's auction with the knowledge that any one player selected can be protected at the end of the season for ONE additional year. The player's 2001 auction value will remain consistent with the price you paid during this year's auction. The cost to protect, payable to the league fund, will be set at $25. Also new this year - participants must be present on auction day, or send a team representative not affiliated with any other Erie League franchise, in order to play this season.

Remember, the deadline for guaranteeing a spot in this year's league is Friday, August 4th - one week before the auction. If I haven't received your $50-100 payment by the 4th, I will begin contacting interested members on our waiting list. Then it becomes first to pay is first to play! If you know you are not playing this year, please let us know early.

The scoring system will be combined (points for touchdowns and yards) so prepare accordingly. Good luck! See you at Auction 2000!