DiploBall IV, Week 1: History in the Making

Wow!  What a triumphant start to the season!  For the first time in DiploBall history, not 1, but 6 players had PERFECT weeks!  Earning them the coveted ‘Perfect Week Bonus’ (PWB), which gives them the right to reverse any incorrect pick at any point during the season.

Please note, unlike last year, when I did the math for you… this season it is up to you to make your own decisions.  Those of you who earn a PWB, it is up to you to cash it in by emailing me the pick you want to reverse!  You can do this at any time and I will announce PWB usage in my weekly recaps.  (If you use your PWB during an active week it CAN change your standing within that week!)

Reinstated Rule: Missed Week Minimum Points

The DilpoBall environment is comprised of players serving around the world and at times, due to travel, it becomes difficult to make picks every week… especially during a 22 week season. 

During the first two season of DiploBall we had a rule in place allowing players who miss a week to earn one less than the points earned by the last place player of that given week.  For some reason we did not do this last season, however I am hereby reinstating this rule… with a couple stipulations.

1. No Negative Points:  The missed week minimum (MWM) will be based on the lowest positive score.  So, if the loser of the week scores a negative number, the MWM will be based on the lowest ranking player who ended the week with a positive score!

2. Two-Thirds Picks:  In addition, the MWM will be based on the lowest positive score of a player who submitted picks for at least two-thirds of that week’s games.  For example, if there are 20 games in a week and the player with the lowest positive score only submitted picks for 10 games, then the MWM would be based on the lowest ranking player who had made picks for at least 14 games.  (Please note:  I am rounding up!)

3. The Two-Thirds Bump:  If you are late making your picks, submit picks for less than two-thirds of that week’s games, and end the week under the MWM… guess what?  Your score for the week will be bumped up to the MWM.

4.  Over the Two-Thirds:  If you submit picks for two-thirds (or more) of a given weeks games and score less than the MWM… well… you’re SOL.

5. Five Week Maximum:  Each player is only allowed to benefit from the MWM five times over the course of the season.  Once you have maximized your benefits, your scores will stand without change.

6. PWB Ineligibility:  Players who earn PWBs are not allowed to cash them in on weeks they benefit from the MWM.

PLEASE NOTE:  With the reinstatement of this rule, we will no longer drop your worst weeks from your overall season score.  Also, any player who does not submit picks during the first five weeks of the season will be considered AWOL and will be removed from the league.

DiploBall IV, Week 1 Recap

1^st Place: Badger, VJSchutz, The Great Usurper, SchutzJP, BigCat, and RollTide1

This was a BIG week!  And these are officially your leaders!  But let’s face it… this was a pretty straight forward week without any major upsets getting in the way.

2^nd Place: Ted, Irishman, and Ryan

When the Schutz’s get together and talk about DiploBall, we always talk about one thing:  “DiploBall isn’t about picking all the games right… it’s about weighting the games in such a way to minimize damage.”  And out three second place finishers did just that.  These three only missed their 1 point game, which is huge!  Ted and Ryan are DiploBall veterans and it should be noted that Ted was last season’s Week 1 champion.  And if Irishman wanted to float under the radar… well… he failed.  He may be a newcomer; however the league has taken notice!

3^rd Place: SEC#1

Also a rookie this season, SEC#1 only missed his 2 point game and has shown he can play with the big boys

MVP of the Week: Jim Schutz

Okay… so… sure, my brother, DiploBall II Champion, ended the week fourth to last… however, he admitted that his loss was due to a data entry error.  He did not mean to pick UTEP for 18… he had meant to pick Oklahoma.  However, data entry is part of the game and thus Jim is out of luck!  That said, if he had entered his picks correctly, he would have been our seventh player with a perfect week!

Last Place: ARose

Yeah… man… no one likes to be last on week one.  That’s a bummer.

Missed Week Minimum:  103 Points

The following people will earn 103 Points just for being awesome:  Big Dave, DNIBarger, Hess, mBounds, Rada, Skiclimber2011, and Tashkent1.

Closing Comments

Fantastic opening week everyone!  Every season of DiploBall get more and more difficult and I am really looking forward to DiploBall IV!!!!