First Pitch Arizona 2024 - Program

 

Updated: 10/30/24 

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 

2:30-5pRegistration/Check-inBaseballHQ staffHotel Lobby
3:00-4:00p2024: Statistical Year in Review
2024 trends in HR, SB, W and more		Jason Collette, Ray Murphy, Joe OrricoAgua Fria
4:15-5:15pThursday breakouts #1  - CHOOSE ONE 
 Crafting a Player Profile: Personal player evaluation in 125 words or fewer
Not only for writers!		Peter KreutzerMadera
 Relief PItchers: Role Transitions and Holds
Relievers to starters, and vice-versa. What to look for; who you might target		Mike Carter, Rick GrahamArroyo
 First Time at First Pitch? A Weekend Q&A
Get your bearings—and your questions answered		BHQ staffAgua Fria
5:30-7:30pWelcome Reception (at hotel) Upper Deck Patio
7:00-8:15pPodcast Room — Beat the ShiftAriel CohenBallroom C
 Thursday Evening Hangouts - CHOOSE FROM:  
8:00-9:00Joey Votto and the Rotisserie Hall of Fame
Is Votto among the all-time Roto greats?		Ron ShandlerArroyo
8:00-10:002024 Attendee Retro Draft
Can you win a league when you know the stats? 		Jeff Zimmerman, Todd ZolaAgua Fria
8:00-10:00Attendee Gladiator Draft 1
NFBC 15-team 2025 draft-and-hold competition
BONUS: Play against 2024 Gladiator Overall Champion Mark Gannon! 		 Ballroom F
8:30-9:45pPodcast Room — ToolshedChris Clegg, Eric CrossBallroom C

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

8:00-8:10aWelcome and IntroductionsBrent Hershey, Ray MurphyCanyon Ballroom
8:10-8:45aOpening AddressRon ShandlerCanyon Ballroom
8:45-10:00aArizona Fall League Scouting Report
AFL players you need to know this weekend		Eric Longenhagen, TBACanyon Ballroom
10:00-11:15aPodcast Room — BaseballHQ RadioPatrick DavittBallroom C
10:15-11:15aFriday breakouts #1  - CHOOSE ONE 
 Prospect Q&A
Two experts take on all your prospect questions for both 2025 and beyond		Eric Longenhagen, Chris Blessing Canyon Ballroom
 2024 NFBC Takeaways
Examining characteristics of this year's overall winners		Toby Guevin, Rob DiPietro, Stephen GoodwinArroyo
    
11:20a-12:20pFriday breakouts #2 - CHOOSE ONE 
 Bullpen Hour
Seeking the next reliable saves source		Doug DennisAgua Fria
 Valuation Theory
What is value? A nuts-and-bolts session		Todd ZolaMadera
 Dynasty Discussion and Q&A
Tips, strategies, approaches for this growing format		James Anderson, Chris Clegg, Eric CrossArroyo
11:30-12:45pPodcast Room — The Eyes Have ItChris BlessingBallroom C
Lunch on your own  
1:30pAFL Game - Mesa at Glendale Camelback Ranch
1:30-2:45pPodcast Room — The Sleeper & The BustPaul Sporer, Justin Mason, Jason ColletteBallroom C
1:30-3:45pExcel and Fantasy Baseball WorkshopAriel CohenMadera
4:15-5:30pPodcast Room — Pallazzo PodcastMichael Govier, Sam Wirsching, Britton AllanBallroom C
4:30-5:30pUpdates to Stuff+ Pitching Model
Exciting new reveals for this public pitch-level model		Eno Sarris, Max BayCanyon Ballroom
4:30-5:30pSimulation Format Meetup: ScoresheetJeff BartonMadera
4:30-5:30pSimulation Format Meetup: Strat-o-MaticDean PetersonAgua Fria
6:30pAFL Games
 Scottsdale at Salt River (attendee game) Salt River Fields
 Surprise at Peoria Peoria Sports Complex
 Friday Evening Hangouts - CHOOSE FROM:
9:00-9:45Bring-your-own Roster Analysis Madera
9:00-10:00Sample Size and the Simple Stats that Matter
Lessons from DFS that can be transferred to season-long roster management and FAAB		Dave PottsArroyo
9:00-10:15pPodcast Room — Bubba & the BloomBrian Entrekin, Ryan BloomfieldBallroom C
9:00-11:00Attendee Gladiator Draft 2
NFBC 15-team 2025 draft-and-hold competition 		 Ballroom F

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

8:00-8:10aSaturday intro/HousekeepingHershey/MurphyCanyon Ballroom
8:10-9:10aPlayer Spotlights: HittersPanelists: Jeff Erickson, Vlad Sedler, Justin Mason, Tristan Cockcroft; Moderator: Ryan BloomfieldCanyon Ballroom
9:20-10:20aPlayer Spotlights: PitchersPanelists: Paul Sporer, Nick Pollack, Alex Chamberlain, Chris Towers; Moderator: Ryan BloomfieldCanyon Ballroom
10:30-11:45aLive Podcast: Rates & Barrels Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris Canyon Ballroom
12:15pAFL Game - Mesa at Salt River 
(Lunch provided at ballpark — Cremily Deck; 1B side)		 Salt River Fields
2:30pXFL Draft Ballroom F
3:30-4:30pAn Introduction to Bat Speed MetricsAndy Andres, Kyle Bland, Alex Chamberlain, Max BayCanyon Ballroom
3:30pAFL Game - Peoria at Surprise (optional) Surprise Stadium
3:45-5:00pPodcast Room — FTN Fantasy Baseball PodcastVlad Sedler, Joe OrricoBallroom C
4:45-5:30pSaturday breakouts #1 - CHOOSE ONE
 The Importance of Pitch Mix Changes
2024 movers; why it's important; future candidates		Eric SamulskiArroyo
 Cheapers Keepers (Where'd You Get Those Buys?)
Optimizing your keeper list to account for inflation and real value		Patrick DavittAgua Fria
 Bring-your-own Roster Analysis Madera
    
6:30pFIRST PITCH ARIZONA DRAFT NIGHT

presented by:

NFBC Draft Champions #1 Ballroom F
NFBC Draft Champions #2 Ballroom D
NFBC Best Ball Arroyo
Mixed Auction Madera
Scoresheet Ballroom B
6:30-7:45pPodcast Room — Pull Hitter PodcastRob DiPietroBallroom C
8:15-9:30pPodcast Room — On the CornerNick Pollack, Eric SamulskiBallroom C
9:30-10:30pFPAZ Rookie Draft 2025Participants: James Anderson, Chris Clegg, Eric Cross, Jeffrey Paternostro, Tim McLeod, Sara Sanchez, Jesse Severe, Brian Walton; Moderator: Chris BlessingAgua Fria

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

8:30-9:15aSunday breakouts - CHOOSE ONE
 Balancing Formats, Fairness & Fun
An interactive discussion of keeping your league enjoyable and competitive 		Ariel Cohen, Tristan Cockcroft, Jason ColletteAgua Fria
 Community Conversation: When Your Season Goes SouthLed by Brian FeldmanMadera
 Finding the Next Jurickson Profar
Post-30-year-old hitters who could surprise in 2025		Jeff Zimmerman, Brian Entrekin, Steve Gardner, Peter KreutzerArroyo
9:20-9:30aSunday HousekeepingHershey/MurphyCanyon Ballroom
9:30-10:10aInjuries: Facts and Analysis
Who is healing … and who might not be		Matt CederholmCanyon Ballroom
10:15-10:55aWhat's Behind Process+
A look at a new batter metric		Kyle BlandCanyon Ballroom
11:00-11:55aScout talkModerated by Derek VanRiperCanyon Ballroom
11:55-12pFinal Wrap-upHershey/MurphyCanyon Ballroom