Do you sim or play out your games out?

frankiegonzo · 10-04-2012, 06:41 PM

i usually sim 5 games at a time i have tried to play games out but i always screw up leaving my sp too long then getting destroyed also its very frustrating sometimes...
if any of you do play out your games what strategies do you use?
also what tips can you share?

SandMan · 10-04-2012, 06:56 PM

I pretty much just sim my games but I used to play the game as manager sort of. I would Auto-Sim until the 7th inning and then if I were ahead or behind by a lot I would just hit the sim to end of game. If it were a close game I would go into "Manager" mode and make the decisions myself. This way it did not take a terribly long time to play a season and I got to know my players better.

Izz · 10-04-2012, 07:28 PM

I play games out, but with the quick commentary (flyball to 8LM, etc) rather than the extended version. Usually takes me an hour to play 2 or 3 games (i get sidetracked by player pages and stats trawling), which is about how long i can play anyway without needing a break.

I'll post about my strategies in a bit, when i'm on my lunch break.

Basebrah · 10-04-2012, 07:35 PM

Play out every game. Use 100 as a pitch count for a sp or if he is getting shelled i'll take him out early.

funkadillo · 10-04-2012, 07:51 PM

Okay, you asked for it. Here's a bunch of random pointers I can think of. Sorry about the length.

- I typically sim game by game, checking the box scores after each game. I play out important divisional games, and all playoff games.

- Strategy wise, if my pitcher is going good I usually let them go until they're tired, and then take them out immediately.

- I almost never bunt, and I don't do many hit and runs. I'm much more likely to send a runner on a full count to stay out of a double play, as long as the batter is good at avoiding Ks or the runner is fast enough to potentially steal the bag.

- As a new player you're more likely to hurt your team by overmanaging than undermanaging, so be wary of that.

- Only steal against pitchers that are weak at holding runners (under 60 at holding runners with a base stealer at >80 speed and stealing and I'm going almost every time). Only with an absolute burner (90+ speed and stealing) would I try to steal against a guy that holds runners really well. Holding runners is more important than the catcher's arm, but a weak arm helps too.

- When stealing I usually use the steal button until there's a strike. (That button doesn't allow the batter to swing, and the base stealer only tries the steal if he gets a good jump.) After a strike is called I consider it too damaging to force the batter to take another one.

- If the runner fails to go before there's a strike called, and if it's a real good matchup and I still need that stolen base, I'll use the send forced button (which forces the runner and allows the batter to swing if they want to), but after you have a strike you have to be more careful about them pitching out. Sometimes I'll tell the batter to swing away once or twice. Once there are two balls you're safe from pitchouts and can send the runner without fear.

- When trailing big I often force my batters to take a strike before they're allowed to swing, especially if there aren't runners on base. Often you can work an easy walk or two this way, and end up getting your team back into the game.

- My biggest weakness seems to be similar to yours. Leaving a pitcher out there for one batter too long because their handedness matches up with the next batter's and he has big splits. If a guy is struggling late in a close game get him out ASAP.

- It's better to have a fresh righty go up against a tough lefty than to keep the lefty in when he's throwing batting practice. When a pitcher doesn't have it in this game it often seems like they REALLY don't have it, and will usually continue to not have it. (This is a pointer for me to remember too. Although I've have much less problems with blowing games late in this game than in previous ones.)

- If a player has the day off due to fatigue you can pinch hit them without any penalty. Just don't let them play a single out of defense or their day off will be ruined and they'll need the next day off too.

- And lineup wise I like my best two OBP guys up top. Preferably with a base stealer at leadoff and a lefty pull hitter batting second. (the leadoff guy steals 2nd then the #2 guy moves him over to 3rd giving you an easy run most of the times that your leadoff hitter reaches to start an inning)

- #3-#9 in the batting order I mainly rank by OPS, though a #9 guy that can get on base is nice for the top of the order.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Oh, and if I want to put a dangerous hitter on base I always save my pitcher three pitches by beaning the batter. It's more fun too.

PSUColonel · 10-04-2012, 08:13 PM

I would like to manage my games, but don't because I don't feel it's realistic. As a General Manager, I am hiring a Manager for a reason I guess. If I managed the games, what would be the point of the manager. I wish there were a way in the game to hire yourself (the GM) as the Field Manager.

Reggie · 10-04-2012, 08:54 PM

I play most games. If I'm way ahead or behind I start simming half innings so I can control my pitching staff. The few times I start simming entire games my pitching staff gets wrecked.

If it's near the end of the year and all hopes of the playoffs are gone I'll start to sim entire weeks..pausing to look at the waiver wire.

daves · 10-04-2012, 09:31 PM

I sim regular season, but I play in the playoffs. I enjoy the Real time feature as well.

PSUColonel · 10-05-2012, 06:41 PM

when you guys say "play", do you mean you are controlling strategy, or "watching" the games from a GM perspective?

OutS|der · 10-05-2012, 06:58 PM

I let the AI make most of the decisions, i just watch and take over depending on the situation

themonk · 10-05-2012, 08:59 PM

Sim during the regular season. Play during the playoffs (if I make it).

Play for me means controlling strategy.

snepp · 10-05-2012, 09:57 PM

I sim the majority, but manage a game here and there with a different starting pitcher to get a feel for the team.

The Game · 10-05-2012, 10:28 PM

I play out my games until I am either 10 up or down GB, then I sim all games except interleague and playoffs which I play out. In my current league I have yet to play one game from the all star break until start of the World Series thru 2007. In my other version of my current league I played out every game of the 2010 and 2011 seasons and lost the division by 4 games the 1st year and 2 games the 2nd.

shawa666 · 10-06-2012, 06:41 AM

I play GM only, so I sim the games. Might watch an important game, or live-sim the day, depending.

PSUColonel · 10-25-2012, 11:29 PM

I still wish we had the option to be hired as both the manager/ and or Field Manager. What happen if you neglect to hire a Field Manager? Is there a negative consequence to this?

rpriske · 10-25-2012, 11:55 PM

I play every game. Even Spring Training.

MacIsaacM · 10-26-2012, 02:09 PM

I do the same as shawa -- I don't play a single game, but will watch the important ones.

David Watts · 10-26-2012, 02:20 PM

I play em out. I manage and let the computer act as GM.

kehowey · 10-26-2012, 04:06 PM

I sim all games - usually by the week or month.

BIG17EASY · 10-26-2012, 04:09 PM

In the league I play most (MLB Quickstart that just hit Jan. 1, 2015), I sim games one by one while handling all of my organization's moves.

I have a second league that I started in OOTP 11 as a historical replay with the 1986 Mets that I play out the games. I'm early in 1989 in that league.

10-04-2012, 06:41 PM	#1
frankiegonzo Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 81	Do you sim or play out your games out? i usually sim 5 games at a time i have tried to play games out but i always screw up leaving my sp too long then getting destroyed also its very frustrating sometimes... if any of you do play out your games what strategies do you use? also what tips can you share?

10-04-2012, 07:35 PM	#4
Basebrah Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 124	Play out every game. Use 100 as a pitch count for a sp or if he is getting shelled i'll take him out early. __________________ "I don't always play video games, but when I do, I prefer OOTP."

10-04-2012, 07:51 PM	#5
funkadillo Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 246	Okay, you asked for it. Here's a bunch of random pointers I can think of. Sorry about the length. - I typically sim game by game, checking the box scores after each game. I play out important divisional games, and all playoff games. - Strategy wise, if my pitcher is going good I usually let them go until they're tired, and then take them out immediately. - I almost never bunt, and I don't do many hit and runs. I'm much more likely to send a runner on a full count to stay out of a double play, as long as the batter is good at avoiding Ks or the runner is fast enough to potentially steal the bag. - As a new player you're more likely to hurt your team by overmanaging than undermanaging, so be wary of that. - Only steal against pitchers that are weak at holding runners (under 60 at holding runners with a base stealer at >80 speed and stealing and I'm going almost every time). Only with an absolute burner (90+ speed and stealing) would I try to steal against a guy that holds runners really well. Holding runners is more important than the catcher's arm, but a weak arm helps too. - When stealing I usually use the steal button until there's a strike. (That button doesn't allow the batter to swing, and the base stealer only tries the steal if he gets a good jump.) After a strike is called I consider it too damaging to force the batter to take another one. - If the runner fails to go before there's a strike called, and if it's a real good matchup and I still need that stolen base, I'll use the send forced button (which forces the runner and allows the batter to swing if they want to), but after you have a strike you have to be more careful about them pitching out. Sometimes I'll tell the batter to swing away once or twice. Once there are two balls you're safe from pitchouts and can send the runner without fear. - When trailing big I often force my batters to take a strike before they're allowed to swing, especially if there aren't runners on base. Often you can work an easy walk or two this way, and end up getting your team back into the game. - My biggest weakness seems to be similar to yours. Leaving a pitcher out there for one batter too long because their handedness matches up with the next batter's and he has big splits. If a guy is struggling late in a close game get him out ASAP. - It's better to have a fresh righty go up against a tough lefty than to keep the lefty in when he's throwing batting practice. When a pitcher doesn't have it in this game it often seems like they REALLY don't have it, and will usually continue to not have it. (This is a pointer for me to remember too. Although I've have much less problems with blowing games late in this game than in previous ones.) - If a player has the day off due to fatigue you can pinch hit them without any penalty. Just don't let them play a single out of defense or their day off will be ruined and they'll need the next day off too. - And lineup wise I like my best two OBP guys up top. Preferably with a base stealer at leadoff and a lefty pull hitter batting second. (the leadoff guy steals 2nd then the #2 guy moves him over to 3rd giving you an easy run most of the times that your leadoff hitter reaches to start an inning) - #3-#9 in the batting order I mainly rank by OPS, though a #9 guy that can get on base is nice for the top of the order. That's all I can think of at the moment. Oh, and if I want to put a dangerous hitter on base I always save my pitcher three pitches by beaning the batter. It's more fun too. Last edited by funkadillo; 10-04-2012 at 07:53 PM.

10-04-2012, 09:31 PM	#8
daves Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,976	I sim regular season, but I play in the playoffs. I enjoy the Real time feature as well. __________________

10-04-2012, 06:56 PM	#2
SandMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,946	I pretty much just sim my games but I used to play the game as manager sort of. I would Auto-Sim until the 7th inning and then if I were ahead or behind by a lot I would just hit the sim to end of game. If it were a close game I would go into "Manager" mode and make the decisions myself. This way it did not take a terribly long time to play a season and I got to know my players better.

10-04-2012, 07:28 PM	#3
Izz Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,470	I play games out, but with the quick commentary (flyball to 8LM, etc) rather than the extended version. Usually takes me an hour to play 2 or 3 games (i get sidetracked by player pages and stats trawling), which is about how long i can play anyway without needing a break. I'll post about my strategies in a bit, when i'm on my lunch break.

10-04-2012, 08:13 PM	#6
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,134	I would like to manage my games, but don't because I don't feel it's realistic. As a General Manager, I am hiring a Manager for a reason I guess. If I managed the games, what would be the point of the manager. I wish there were a way in the game to hire yourself (the GM) as the Field Manager.

10-04-2012, 08:54 PM	#7
Reggie Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 442	I play most games. If I'm way ahead or behind I start simming half innings so I can control my pitching staff. The few times I start simming entire games my pitching staff gets wrecked. If it's near the end of the year and all hopes of the playoffs are gone I'll start to sim entire weeks..pausing to look at the waiver wire.

10-05-2012, 06:41 PM	#9
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,134	when you guys say "play", do you mean you are controlling strategy, or "watching" the games from a GM perspective?

10-05-2012, 06:58 PM	#10
OutS\|der Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: In A Van Down By The River Posts: 2,750 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I let the AI make most of the decisions, i just watch and take over depending on the situation

10-05-2012, 08:59 PM	#11
themonk Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 274	Sim during the regular season. Play during the playoffs (if I make it). Play for me means controlling strategy.

10-05-2012, 09:57 PM	#12
snepp All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,768	I sim the majority, but manage a game here and there with a different starting pitcher to get a feel for the team.

10-05-2012, 10:28 PM	#13
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	I play out my games until I am either 10 up or down GB, then I sim all games except interleague and playoffs which I play out. In my current league I have yet to play one game from the all star break until start of the World Series thru 2007. In my other version of my current league I played out every game of the 2010 and 2011 seasons and lost the division by 4 games the 1st year and 2 games the 2nd.

10-06-2012, 06:41 AM	#14
shawa666 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I play GM only, so I sim the games. Might watch an important game, or live-sim the day, depending.

10-25-2012, 11:29 PM	#15
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,134	I still wish we had the option to be hired as both the manager/ and or Field Manager. What happen if you neglect to hire a Field Manager? Is there a negative consequence to this?

10-25-2012, 11:55 PM	#16
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 27,121	I play every game. Even Spring Training.

10-26-2012, 02:09 PM	#17
MacIsaacM Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 110	I do the same as shawa -- I don't play a single game, but will watch the important ones.

10-26-2012, 02:20 PM	#18
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 10,117 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I play em out. I manage and let the computer act as GM.

10-26-2012, 04:06 PM	#19
kehowey Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 327	I sim all games - usually by the week or month.

10-26-2012, 04:09 PM	#20
BIG17EASY Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,291	In the league I play most (MLB Quickstart that just hit Jan. 1, 2015), I sim games one by one while handling all of my organization's moves. I have a second league that I started in OOTP 11 as a historical replay with the 1986 Mets that I play out the games. I'm early in 1989 in that league.