Mike Jones of Fantasy Sports Publications won the first FSWA Fantasy Baseball Industry Insiders League (IIL), outlasting 47 other competitors. Jones had to overcome a serious challenge from Pierre Becquey of ESPN.com to win his division. The championship was based on the top four teams from the four divisions in a system similar to the FSWA Fantasy Football IIL. Other league champions included Jonathan Gangi of Roto Rebel, John Rakowski of Sports Grumblings, and Brad Pinkerton of the Sporting News.

The league used most of the traditional 5X5 stats but substituted on-base percentage and slugging percentage for home runs and batting average. Jones used the two-catcher slots to his advantage with Victor Martinez and Brian McCann. His team was also strong up the middle with Brian Roberts and Miguel Tejada. He also anchored his pitching staff with Tim Lincecum and Justin Verlander, and received a plethora of saves from Jonathan Broxton and Joe Nathan.

Jones, who was one of the main organizers of the leagues, loaded up on Twins and Tigers for the 163rd game and said that getting the late Jon Rauch win was instrumental because he was out of starts. He gave credit to Becquey for “grinding tooth-and-nail to the last game of the season.” On winning the championship, he said, “There was a certain amount of satisfaction, only because the level of competition was so keen. I knew a lot of what I was doing was more on a development level, and I think next year it will be a much more challenging process.”

As he looks to defend his championship in 2010, Jones said, “I think the participants will just have a better overall scope of the league and maybe better ideals of strategy. I know for me, I will put myself up against anybody at being able to work a waiver wire, so we'll see if I can have the same success as I had this year."

Mike Beacom, president and chairman of the FSWA, said, “I think the leagues help to bond our membership. Congratulations to Mike and all of the division winners on a fine season.”