Now that the Hot Stove League ‘season’ is coming to an end and even though that last football game is yet to be played, here are the 2011 MillersTime Baseball contests.

It may be a bit early for some of you to focus on the best seven months of the year, but remember, in case of a tie on any contest, the individual who submitted his/her predictions first will be the winner.

Also, be sure you include your Tie-Breaker prediction as most of the contests last year were decided by the Tie-Breakers.

Contest # 1:

Make a prediction about the 2011 baseball season. Your prediction could be about an individual player, a specific team, a two team match up, who will improve the most, decline the most, win an individual title, throw a no hitter, or whatever ‘strikes’ you.  When the season ends, I’ll take whatever predictions came true (or close to true), and let everyone who participated in the 2011 contests vote on which prediction is best and deserves the prize.

Prize:  Two tickets to a game in any stadium in either league next year. (I will do my best to get the specific game you wish but only promise the stadium you choose)

Contest #2:

Last year the Washington Nationals improved their season record to 69-93 over the previous year’s 59-103.  Predict whether they do better or worse this year?  Tie-Breaker: what will their season record be for 2011?

Prize:  Two tickets to a 2012 Nats game of your choice. Seats hopefully will be four rows behind the visitors’ dugout.

Contest # 3:

At the All-Star break, Predict which teams will be leading in each division?

AL East

AL Central

AL West

NL East

NL Central

NL West

Prize: Two seats for a game in any stadium of your choice for 2012.

Contest # 4:  

MLB Teams play 162 games during the regular season. In 2009  the Yankees were 103-59, and the Sox were 95-67. And last year the Yanks won eight fewer game (95-67, 2nd place), and the Sox fell to 89-73 and third place. (Thanx to Rob H. for catching my error).

Predict the regular season won-loss records for both teams in 2011. 

Tie-breaker:  What will be the main reason the Yankees or Sox have the better record – pitching, hitting, defense, managing, who A-Rod is dating, how much money the team spent on players, etc.?

Prize:  Two tickets to one game of either the American League or National League Divisional playoffs this year. Winner’s choice.

Contest # 5:

The Red Sox and Yankees play nine of their 18 scheduled games before the All Star break July 11. 

Predict the won-loss record of these nine games (i.e., Sox-6-3 or Yankees 3-6, etc.).

Tie-breaker: Pick total number of runs each team will score over the nine games.

Prize: One ticket to one Red-Sox-Yankee game in the second half of this year’s season (following the All Star break). Site of the game will be dependent upon which park I am able to get tickets. Most likely, I will attend the game with the winner (assuming I am on speaking terms with the said person).

Contest # 6:

Pick the World Series winner for 2011.

Tie-breaker: Pick the two teams playing in the World Series.

Prize: Two tickets to one 2012 World Series game.

Update: 2/5: Send your picks to me at Samesty84@gmail.com before 1:05 (ET), March 31, Opening Day. And you don’t have to participate in all six contests.