Last week we introduced you With Leather’s free fantasy baseball competition, where (thanks to the awesome folks over at DraftStreet.com) you get to do what you were going to do anyway (fantasy sports) with the added bonuses of a $300 cash pool and celebrity (not celebrities) guests. If you signed up last week, you’re the best. If you haven’t signed up yet, do it now, because it’s time to join the With Leather freeroll and get started.

Click here to register and/or sign up for the competition!

The one night event takes place on Friday night, and in case you missed out on last week’s hype, here’s how it’s going to work.

Here’s how you play: Fill your roster (C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, 2 U, 2 SP, RP, P) while staying within the budget of $100k. Player salaries are set by DraftStreet based on fantasy production. So, if you want to put Roy Halladay on the mound it might cost you $16k, which means you’ll have to find some bargains to fill out the rest of your squad.

Don’t forget, our promo code (“uproxx”) can get you a 25% deposit bonus. I’m playing, and so is everyone else at WL, so if you’ve ever wanted to literally murder me at something (and I know some of you have) this is your shot. The bottom line is that it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun, and you could win money, so sign up and make this a huge thing. Pro tip: I’m picking Fausto Carmona no matter what, even if he’s not pitching on Friday. For a batter I’m thinking Luis Valbuena? Holy crap I’m great at this, forget all that stuff I said about you beating me. Here is one last link in case you don’t want to scroll up slightly: JOIN THE GAME!

Disclaimer: The lady in the header does not endorse With Leather fantasy baseball and (to my knowledge) will not be involved in the contest.

<!– begin rant –>I’m really sick of people bashing the UFL, and I can’t really explain why. Despite the failings of the XFL, the former World League, and the USFL, all of those organizations implemented innovative changes to the game of football that still exist today. And I still believe there will be no better overtime format than the one first rolled out by the WLAF, where one team has to score six points in the extra period to win. Aw, but it’s gonna suck, why can’t they play in the spring, where are my nachos, duhhhhrrr! Listen, dick. If you don’t want to watch it, DON’T WATCH IT. But don’t act like you’re friggin Nostradamus over there. Everyone knows what an upstart football league is up against, including the people behind the UFL. <!– end rant –>

The UFL had it’s first mass dispersion of players to its four franchises last night, and for the first time, we can finally put some names to these teams. Names on the list that I actually recognize: Redskins free agent bust Adam Archuleta, former Utah quarterback Brian Johnson, LaBrandon Toefield, and former Nebraska quarterback Brooks Ballinger. Wait, Brooks Ballinger is still alive? Didn’t he die in some gyro-copter accident?

Some people criticized the UFL’s process of a secret draft, saying the league passed up a chance to generate buzz. Aside from not caring about hearing the names of players I’ve never heard of, most upstart organizations, including the old ABA, held their player acquisition meetings in secret. Besides, the bulk of these rosters will be filled once NFL teams make cuts in training camp. Even the league’s first draft couldn’t compete with the NFL’s sloppy seconds. To me, that makes the league all the more compelling.

I was waiting to write my first post of the day until Brady Quinn was drafted in the First Round of today's NFL Draft, but at this rate, I wouldn't be composing the verbal ambrosia you've come to expect until late tomorrow afternoon.  By that time, Dreamboat Junior would've have bludgeoned his blonde girlfriend (though who could tell – seriously, Mr. Quinn, even if you're drafted in the Fifth Round by the Calgary Stampeders, you can do much better) and have the ash of a carton of cigarettes on his pretty-boy vest.  It was so hard for Mel Kiper Jr. to hide his man-love for Brady when the Miami Dolphins selected Ted Ginn Jr. instead.  (Wow, that's a lot of Juniors.  Have we as a nation depleted our vast supply of first names?)

Now the pundits are talking about some teams trading up to acquire the passed-over Quinn.  That's just crazy enough to work.  Could the Bears GM, Jerry Angelo, be planning this scheme to challenge his Sex Cannon?  Either way, I believe I have been over-served by my lovely draft hostess . . . oh, wait that's a lamp.  Still, there's nothing better than spending a beautiful Spring day in a dark, dank basement watching zealous football fanatics boo the best college football has to offer.  Don't fret Mr. Quinn, I was once a victim of "No Irish Need Apply" as well, and look how far I have come. -KD