by Jack Serapiglia

Created on: June 03, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Every fantasy league is different. Some have auctioon bidding to collect your players; others utilize a draft order. Some keep cumulative stats where the winner is determined by best overall score, others are based on a week to week competition where the best record wins (or whomever wins a playoff-type format). Scoring will change from league to league. Some value home runs more; others value RBI's; and still others will actually give scoring to middle relief pitching.

Conceptually, though, there are a few rules that need to be followed in order to draft a good fantasy team capable of winning your league. While these suggestions cannot guarantee a victory, they should keep you competitive well into September. So below is a list of Do's and Don't for your fantasy team.

1) DO NOT overvalue starting pitching

Starting pitchers pitch once every five days. Over the course of a baseball season, that means they are able to contribute about 35 times per year. If you play in a weekly league, your starters will typically only start once per "game" (aka your weekly game against an opponent). Pitchers score big with wins and strike outs. But usually only a few starting pitchers are able to contribute both. Wins for a great pitcher only happen in HALF of the games they pitch. And if a pitcher has a bad week, then they typically do not have another chance to make up for it (since they typically will only pitch once).

In other words, pitchers are not as important as you may think. That is why you should not place more value on them then is necessary. Starting pitchers are not your priority on draft day. Never, ever, EVER pick a pitcher in the first round. Or in the second. Or even the third. Never spend the bulk of your auction money on a starting pitcher.

2) DO value big time bats

That is why the majority of your money and early draft picks should go towards power bats, especially those with high on base percentages. Position players who are able to contribute Home runs, runs and RBIs pay off in so many ways. And I mean that literally. While the home run scores you the most points, simply getting on base allows for many points to be scored (that hit can GET you a RBI, open up stolen base opportunities AND allow for points to be scored on runs scored).

3) DO value certain positions over others

Everyone wants to have Albert Pujols on their team. He puts up big numbers across the board and is typically one of the top players in the league. Yet if you don't have him, the fall off to

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