Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we at Belly Up have some exciting news. Belly Up Fantasy has partnered with St. Jude to bring you our first annual St. Jude Belly Up Bowl!

That’s right, folks. The St. Jude Belly Up Bowl has begun! At first, we were looking at 10 separate divisions, 12 teams in each division. 120 players total. However, due to the overwhelming response from all of you supporting the first annual St. Jude Belly Up Bowl, we have decided to expand the league, and add more divisions!

We are now donating $1,200 to St. Jude. The winner will also receive $1,200, with second place receiving $240 and third place receiving $140. The winner will also get Belly Up Swag, a trophy from TrophySmack, and the title of champion. All that just for an entry fee of $20. Because of the divisional additions, the prize money has increased. As of July 25th, we are looking at 12 divisions, with more potentially on the way. The more divisions we can fill, the more money St. Jude, and our winners, will receive.

Think you have what it takes? Then sign up HERE!

What is St. Jude Belly Up Bowl?

So, let’s get into what exactly we are doing here. The fantasy community is well-known for its charitable contributions. We at Belly Up Fantasy wanted to get involved, and we reached out to St. Jude. If you don’t know about St. Jude already, they are a research hospital for children.

Their mission statement?

“To advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our Founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.”

When St. Jude opened it’s door in 1962, the childhood cancer survival rate was at 20%. Today, that number is 80%. And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. They believe the only thing a family should worry about is helping their child live.

We at Belly Up are proud and honored to work with St. Jude, and we look forward to continuing to work with these amazing people to make sure every child receives the help they need. If you are interested in donating, you can do so !!!!!HERE!!!!!

You do not have to be a part of the league to make a difference in a child’s life.

What are the Rules?

St. Jude Belly Up Bowl starts out as a Head-to-Head format. Scoring is as follows:
Passing: 4 pts TD; 0.04 pts per yard, -1 per INT, -1 per fumble lost
Rushing: 6 pts per TD; 0.1 pts per yard, -1 per fumble lost
Receiving: 6 pts per TD; 0.1 pts per yard, -1 per fumble lost, 0.5 per catch
MIscellaneous: 6 pts per fumble recovery TD

Rosters are as follows:
Start: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 2 Flex
Bench: 7 spots

Waivers are rolling waivers. So each waiver move you perform moves you to the back of the list. Initial waiver rankings are the opposite of draft position.

The regular season lasts until week 14. The schedule is randomized. After week 14, each division’s top 2 records, along with the highest-scoring team outside the top two records, advances to the playoffs. There are 2 wildcard spots, which will be filled by the next 2 highest point totals across all divisions. This equals 32 total teams advancing to the playoffs. Due to divisional additions, as of July 25th, there will be 36 division winners and high points advancing, and an additional 4 wildcards to make it an even 40 qualifying for playoffs.

During playoff week 15 all 40 teams compete against each other. The 10 highest-scoring teams advance to week 16. Week 16 the highest scoring team wins, second highest gets second, third highest gets third.

Bylaws:

1. All lineups must be legal. Commissioners will check prior to games that lineups are in. Any bye or injured players started will result in one strike. Two strikes, you are replaced. Please set your lineups, it takes 30 seconds. You will not be refunded if you are replaced. 
2. 12 divisions. 12 teams. 144 total participants. More divisions potentially added, we will be updating as divisions fill.
3. Any disputes among participants will be sent to all commissioners to handle as a unit. Commissioners’ decisions are final. 
4. Waivers are handled as Rolling Waivers. So performing a move on waivers moves you to the bottom of the list. 
5. Trades are subject to a veto from commissioners if they deem collusion is occurring. The trade deadline is week 9
6. Rosters lock after week 14(meaning no additions via free agency or waivers). Top 2 records advance to playoffs. The highest point total(outside top 2 records) also advances. The last four spots will be filled with the two highest-scoring teams remaining from all divisions.
7. 40 teams make playoffs week 15. 10 highest scoring teams advance to week 16. Week 16 scores determine the champion. 
8. $20 dollar entry. $1200 dollars donated to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 1st place prize: $1200. 2nd: $240. 3rd: $140. $100 dollars to cover Trophy Smack trophy, which goes to first place. 
9. Have fun, be respectful of others. Smack talk is fine, personal attacks are not. May the best fantasy player win!

Let’s see what you got!

Everyone thinks they are the best fantasy football manager. Here is your chance to prove it. Not only do you get to prove it, but you get to support an organization in St. Jude who are making tangible differences in the lives of kids all over the world. It’s a win-win, for the kids who need the most help, and for your fantasy football fix.

What is stopping you from joining?

And if you don’t apply in time, don’t worry.

There is always next year.

And as I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to be in the league to help make a difference for kids. On behalf of the crew here at Belly Up Fantasy, and all the children who will be helped by you joining, we would like to thank you.

We can make a difference, each of us. Together, we can help those in most need of our help, and do what we love doing in the process.

Check out St. Jude to find out what amazing work they are doing for children. Follow Belly Up Fantasy on twitter for updates on the St. Jude Belly Up Bowl and all your fantasy sports news. Visit Belly Up Fantasy for all our amazing content.