[Bluegrazz]

Yes, the title of this post is correct. I purchased this game on accident. To be honest, I actually do not even like baseball (or sports at all for that matter) and, being a strategy and strategic role playing game player, had actually thought that sports games were on par with First Person Shooters so far as providing intellectual challenge and stimulation.

So, I had heard from a friend about Inside he Park Baseball (a pseudo RPG with strategic elements in a "baseball setting") and being "in between" games at the moment decided to give it a shot. I wasn't expecting much, just something to waste some time with and so I haphazardly downloaded and paid for (what I thought was) Inside the Park Baseball.

Well, apparently I had downloaded OOTP Baseball 9 on accident and I paid for the wrong game. Like I said- I dont even like Baseball and was just wanting to see how they had adapted an RPG to work in a Baseball Universe (an intriging idea) and here I am with a "stupid" Baseball Sim that I dont even want.

Well, I began to check it out (I mean, I might as well see what I paid for right? Then I can Uninstall it and be more careful next time-) and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of menus and statistics and apparent depth. In fact, I found myself looking up what certain stats represent and what certain terms mean (and yes, I admit. I had to spend some time researching the rules of Baseball- I am a Nerd, not a Jock) the more I looked at the strategic possibilities in conjunction with the depth of options in this program I was hooked.

Its been like four days now that I have evaluated OOTP 9 and I am still getting the hang of it but DAMN I am impressed. For someone like myself who dosent like Sports but loves Strategy (generally Strategic Wargames and such) to find such fun and entertainment in a "sports" game really speaks volumes. I am having a blast and even find myself at the edge of my seat at the final innings when things are close. Good job on making a really deep game.

Anyhow, I do have a couple questions....

In an online league, how do they play a season a week? (some Leagues play 1 season per week, some play 2 from what I have seen) Is it entirely "simmed" or do you actually get to "manage" games against others?

In an Online League is there always a draft to fill the teams or do the teams come filled already (like for instance if you picked the Detroit Tigers you would get the actual detroit Tigers players) and is the money and such equal across all teams at the start? That seems fair because everyone starting equal and having to draft players would keep the game balanced IMO.

Also, any suggestions for a noob friendly league? I realize theres a Forum for Leagues but im just curious if anyone has any opinions as to where someone like myself could find a good league of Human competitors who are helpful with both this program and maybe some of the more arcane rules of Baseball in general.

Thanks a Million,