As sports go on year-round, fans can’t afford to continuously buy tickets to see their favorite players or teams.

However, there is another alternative: fantasy leagues.

Fantasy leagues allow people to make their own teams and take a crack at being a general manager. To enter a league, there are a few steps to follow.

First, fans are given a list of players, which they rank in order of importance. For instance, in baseball, a fan may rate Pedro Martinez as their number one pick because a starting pitcher in baseball is at a premium. Also, fans need to look at what statistics earn them the most points and try to draft players that fill those requirements.

After rating the players, a team gets drafted that tries to meet each fan’s expectations. As fans view their teams, they decide whether or not they feel a trade would improve their status. Also, they decide if there are any players on the free agent list that they would like to sign or any players that are on waivers that could be of help. When picking a player, fans must release another player to fill room on the roster.

Each day, fans look at who to start on their team based on who’s playing the best at that time or who’s likely to play the most. Then, day by day, fans update their teams and check their standings.

“I think fantasy leagues are great,” said freshman business major Chris Jurmann. “I love competing against my friends and showing how much more knowledgeable I am than them. My basketball team this year is amazing. I got Ray Allen and Allen Iverson, two of my favorite players. My friends are jealous of me.”

During the recent Internet-friendly period, they have become more known and more popular. Fans can participate in any fantasy league, such as baseball, football, hockey, basketball, Nascar and even “Survivor.”

For fans who want to put some money on the line, they can register in leagues that offer prizes. The cost for an entry into an ESPN fantasy league is $19.95, but the winner can win a cash prize or the grand prize, making each trade and move even more important.

“I am just beginning my baseball fantasy league,” said freshman business major Jonathan Weinshenk. “I entered the free league with a bunch of friends. I am just hoping that all the moves I made will better my team.”

Fantasy leagues are on the rise, and as computers continue to be a big part of people’s daily lives, the leagues will follow.

“A few years ago I would have never thought I’d be in a fantasy league,” said Jared Ricker, a sophomore physical education major. “I always saw them advertised but thought nothing of them. Now, I think they are great. I love competing with my friends.”