Have you ever been watching a baseball game and the opposing batter didn't play for your favorite team, but somewhere in the back of your mind you really didn't mind if the batter gets a hit, as long as it didn't hurt your team too much?

If this describes you, you're probably a fantasy baseball player.

It is a bizarre passion that has owners hoping for low WHIP's and high OBP. A language of acronyms fanatics scour the box scores for every night to see if their UTIL helped team 'enter silly name here.'

Traditionally, most leagues compete in a head-to-head or rotisserie format.

Head-to-head leagues let teams compete against each other every week of the season and each team hopes to have the lead in runs, home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases and average for hitters. Owners hope to have their pitchers lead in wins, saves and strikeouts while having a lesser earned run average and WHIP (the sum of walks and hits divided by innings pitched.)

Rotisserie leagues use the same statistical categories, but instead of competing on a week-to-week basis, roto leagues compile statistics over the course of the season and the leader of each category is awarded points. In a 12 team league, the team who leads in runs, receives 12 points, second place receives 11 points and so on.

Whether you play head-to-head or rotisserie, here are several pointers that you need to know putting your team together this season.

Beware of the second year pitcher

Lots of fantasy players are proud when they find these gems in their rookie season and get double digit wins and plenty of strikeouts from a late round pick or even a free agent. However, these pitcher's arms are extremely taxed during their rookie campaign and usually struggle in their sophomore season.

Jonathan Papelbon may buck this trend because the Red Sox have confirmed he will be closing this season, but try to avoid Jered Weaver, Adam Wainwright and most especially Justin Verlander.

Don't overvalue the closer

Sure Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera are automatic and basically guarantee an owner at least 40 saves and low ERA, but they also usually require a high draft pick. Joe Borowski, Brian Fuentes and J.J. Putz are just a few of last year's low cost closers who all finished the season with at least 30 saves. Just a few pitchers to watch this season as potential stoppers in the wings include Dustin Hermanson, Kerry Wood or Matt Lindstrom

Take a chance with your late picks

Yeah, it's funny to take Albert Belle with your last pick several seasons after the ball-crushing, Fernando Vina-crushing slugger has retired, but look at younger players and maybe you could find this season's Garret Atkins or Ryan Zimmerman. You want to look for the player who may be a heralded young star on the way or the veteran coming off of an injury-plagued year.

Some of this year's value picks include veteran outfielder Josh Hamilton and pitcher Randy Wolf. Young talents include third baseman Alex Gordon and pitcher Mike Pelfrey.

Draft for depth

Just because you have a position filled and still need a second baseman where the talent isn't there, don't just fill a hole. Draft the position where the better talent is still available and make a trade after the draft.

Use this advice wisely and you may be looking at a fantasy baseball title in September.

Don't say you didn't get any help along the way.