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Big Six · 05-04-2013, 11:01 PM

I enjoy fictional leagues, and I enjoy writing about their history on the forum here. That's why, after several tries with leagues that were enjoyable, but not quite what I hoped they would be, I am going to give the fictional dynasty one more try.

I've learned that these days, I don't have time to follow and chronicle a 12-team league, complete with three levels of minors, anymore. I'm going to try a more compact league this time around.

The Old Line League is set in my native state of Maryland. I was born in Baltimore, which is far too big a city for an Old Line League team. The six teams in the league represent medium-sized Maryland cities. Each team has three minor league affiliates, in classes AAA, AA, and A. I've listed each of the teams below, with the towns where their minor league clubs play.

Annapolis Admirals (Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Crisfield)
Bowie Blue Sox (Greenbelt, New Carrollton, Ocean City)
Columbia Oaks (Rockville, Laurel, Taneytown
Frederick Colts (Westminster, Elkton, Thurmont)
Hagerstown Shelties (Cumberland, Frostburg, Emmitsburg)
Salisbury Emeralds (Easton, Cambridge, La Plata)

I almost positive I've visited every one of the towns that has a team in any of the leagues; even though I don't live in Maryland any more, my parents, my siblings, and their families do.

The Old Line League plays a 150-game schedule. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top two teams in the standings will play a best-of-seven series for the Calvert Cup.

Here are a few of the other rules and settings I'm using:

There is no DH in the Old Line League. The minor leagues do use the DH, however.
I like 1980s-style baseball, so I'll recalculate the league modifiers every spring training. That way, league totals should stay pretty much the same over time.
League evolution is off.
Financials are off, too. I think the financial system is great when I'm managing one team in a league. I've used financials in fictional leagues before, and I was frustrated by the fact that two or three of the teams could never manage to sign their first round draft picks. I'm keeping things simple this time.
Coaching and scouting are off.
I'm playing in Commissioner mode, as the Great Baseball Deity who is watching his creation unfold.
Storylines are enabled.
Trading and injuries are both set to "low."

The league will begin in 1980, and I'll start reporting on it with the inaugural draft.

I know there are a lot of very good fictional league stories on the forums right now. I enjoy reading several of them regularly. I hope there's room for one more, and that I can create and describe an entertaining little league that you'll enjoy reading about. Please feel free to post and comment whenever you'd like. It's encouraging to know there's someone out there reading and following along.

All that's left to say now is "Play ball!"

05-04-2013, 11:01 PM	#1
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,145	The Old Line League I enjoy fictional leagues, and I enjoy writing about their history on the forum here. That's why, after several tries with leagues that were enjoyable, but not quite what I hoped they would be, I am going to give the fictional dynasty one more try. I've learned that these days, I don't have time to follow and chronicle a 12-team league, complete with three levels of minors, anymore. I'm going to try a more compact league this time around. The Old Line League is set in my native state of Maryland. I was born in Baltimore, which is far too big a city for an Old Line League team. The six teams in the league represent medium-sized Maryland cities. Each team has three minor league affiliates, in classes AAA, AA, and A. I've listed each of the teams below, with the towns where their minor league clubs play. Annapolis Admirals (Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Crisfield) Bowie Blue Sox (Greenbelt, New Carrollton, Ocean City) Columbia Oaks (Rockville, Laurel, Taneytown Frederick Colts (Westminster, Elkton, Thurmont) Hagerstown Shelties (Cumberland, Frostburg, Emmitsburg) Salisbury Emeralds (Easton, Cambridge, La Plata) I almost positive I've visited every one of the towns that has a team in any of the leagues; even though I don't live in Maryland any more, my parents, my siblings, and their families do. The Old Line League plays a 150-game schedule. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top two teams in the standings will play a best-of-seven series for the Calvert Cup. Here are a few of the other rules and settings I'm using: There is no DH in the Old Line League. The minor leagues do use the DH, however. I like 1980s-style baseball, so I'll recalculate the league modifiers every spring training. That way, league totals should stay pretty much the same over time. League evolution is off. Financials are off, too. I think the financial system is great when I'm managing one team in a league. I've used financials in fictional leagues before, and I was frustrated by the fact that two or three of the teams could never manage to sign their first round draft picks. I'm keeping things simple this time. Coaching and scouting are off. I'm playing in Commissioner mode, as the Great Baseball Deity who is watching his creation unfold. Storylines are enabled. Trading and injuries are both set to "low." The league will begin in 1980, and I'll start reporting on it with the inaugural draft. I know there are a lot of very good fictional league stories on the forums right now. I enjoy reading several of them regularly. I hope there's room for one more, and that I can create and describe an entertaining little league that you'll enjoy reading about. Please feel free to post and comment whenever you'd like. It's encouraging to know there's someone out there reading and following along. All that's left to say now is "Play ball!" __________________ My dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: 2014 inductee, OOTP Dynasty Hall of Fame Kenilworth: A Town and its Team: fun with a fictional league Last edited by Big Six; 05-04-2013 at 11:08 PM.