Any house rules???

Capital · 03-08-2003, 06:00 PM

I was wondering what house rules anyone is using? I'm planning on limiting the number of trades I initiate to 2 per year.

Any thoughts???

doubles · 03-08-2003, 06:08 PM

I personally like to limit my payroll.. bottom half of the league and such. I don't have a solid rule, but its personal preference.

PittPanther · 03-08-2003, 06:47 PM

Yes, trades, in my opinion are too easy.

TwinsFan · 03-08-2003, 07:29 PM

I went back to the unpatched version. Trades are much more challenging to make.

PittPanther · 03-09-2003, 07:16 AM

I might do the same. . .In the version 5.01 you can really make some swindles.

Maybe Markus can beef it back in the next update though?

I just find it hard to believe that some people are having a hard time trading on 5.01, as I see some threads dedicated to it, to me it seems as easy as v4.

Ervinmagicsmall · 03-09-2003, 08:46 AM

My main houserule is that I can't initiate trades with CPU teams, can only accept offers that the CPU offers me. This naturally leads to a lot less trades for my team, but I like team continuity so its not really an issue. So far, the AI is coming up with better offers than ootp4, so I am satisfied.

woody5254 · 03-09-2003, 01:11 PM

I am thinking of trying a league where I can't sign any FA or trade at all. It would be strictly a development and keeping my players. I think this would be very challenging.

Capital · 03-09-2003, 05:23 PM

I think the FA period is still effective, but I just wonder about human initiated trades. I'm also disappointed that some people think the AI is too hard. I might be somewhat challenging but it's not too hard.

Ragnar · 03-17-2003, 01:53 AM

I hate house rules but the 2 that i consider the best and make the game more challenging are......I give myself a cap. The lower it is the harder it is to win. I also cannot make more than a 2 for 1 trade or vise versa. However i can accept any trade by the computer teams. I see a ton of guys say trading is too easy. I haven't seen it yet. I have not tried to serve up a star for another teams entire farm system so that may be a legit gripe but since i limit 2 for 1 i wont do it. But so far any offer from the CPU has been completely unacceptable. Just before i was offered a 1 star 1st baseman for my 3 1/2 gold star MR and 3 star 3b man. That is ridiculous. I then went and searched out a 4 star 1b man and the CPU suggested players were either my 5 star pitcher or 5 star batter. I then offered two 4 star players for his 4 star and he accepted. But I didn't........he would not accept a 4 star and a 3 star both of which he needed for his 4 star. So please tell me how are you pulling off these trades? It must be somewhere in the settings.

KCRoyalsFan · 03-17-2003, 02:25 AM

Trades are "way" too easy. I traded around some royals players and made the perfect team of youngsters. I had 87 wins in 2003 with total minors roster.

Its way to easy to just get a 5 star prospect. ANd usually when you offer the computer what he wants, you can make him give you a couple other prospects.

William4192 · 03-17-2003, 03:53 PM

When they say to easy, they are referring to getting prospects. Not veterans. You can trade a 3 star pitching, for a couple of 5 star prospects. I see a lot of 5 star prospects and they can turn out good or bad. Personally, 3 star veterans in MLB are highly valued over a 5 star pitching prospect (one that is not from the A's).

x94blair3 · 03-17-2003, 04:02 PM

Okay, this thread was about house rules..not the trade AI. Markus already committed to rethinking the whole trade engine as it's been his golden egg for quite a while with constant disappointment.

Not trying to be a dink, but it seems like this creeps into every complaint thread. In this case it wasn't even a complaint thread. They've gotten the point by now.

Sorry, I know I'm relatively new, it's just been bugging me...

carry on!

-Nick

kserra · 03-17-2003, 04:26 PM

My house rules:

I can only initiate one trade per year--and it must be for the same amount of players...

Computer initiated trades are acceptable...

6 round draft--I draft the first three rounds while the computer picks the last three.

I play on Talent-only level

I am not allowed to view my Minor League Report (except for one time a year...right before the season starts)

During Free Agency...I can make 2 offers in the 1st round...and then 1 offer/counter offer per round after then...I can only make 3 offers to a player...

I pick a team like the Tigers (that's tough by itself!)

Market and Loyalty at Average

It's been pretty fun like this. Quite honestly, I don't mind having to restrict myself somewhat, so long as the game still challenges me and resembles the real game...

It's taken me a few years to even field a decent team...in two leagues I've run through, it took 4 years to establish a good, playoff type team in one league, 6 years in the other--the 6 years is a fun league that I'm still really enjoying--though I'll try a new league with the newest files now.

CareyScurry · 04-24-2003, 07:14 PM

Any more suggestions?

I don't why I didn't use these before (other than a real limited payroll)...

lschaef · 04-24-2003, 08:46 PM

Instead of trying to make myself from spending as much money as everyone else I've set it up that it's harder to bring in money.

I made my city to be a Tiny Market and play in the smallest park in the league so we have less potential attendance. Other then that I try to not make lopsided trades.

So far it's worked well. I've been competative, but not winning every year. We made the playoffs once in 5 years, but lost in the championship.

mgadfly · 04-24-2003, 10:19 PM

Mine are:

1. Never sign K extensions
2. Never propose a trade
3. Only allowed to bid on 3 players + guys that just became free agents from my team
4. Only allowed to make 1 counter offer during free agency, and that is on or after day 6
5. Never sign a player to more than 4 years
6. Never have a payroll greater than the total revenue from the prior season.
7. Never adjust ticket price

Edit: 8. I always just click the ask coaches button for spring training (does anyone have any idea if that is comparable to what the CPU does?)

I also play with "talent" only and coaches/scouts turned off.

I implemented the above house rules in 2115 after a redraft of my league (I picked last) because I had dominated from about 2088 to 2114.

With the rules I've been to the playoffs three times between 2115 and 2129. I lost in the World Series (won game 1 and 2 before losing the next four) in 2128 and lost in the LCS in 2127. My other trip was in 2118 and I was smoked in four straight games in the LCS (no wildcard in my league).

I'm considering a "1 reasonable trade" initiated by the human player so that in years that I'm 20 games out of first at the deadline I can give up a veteran star to a team that is still in competition in order to get a couple prospects.

BleacherBum · 04-24-2003, 10:20 PM

Here's a list I've arrived at after simming over 50 seasons. Anywhere I've spotted a vulnerability in the AI, I've come up with a house rule to preserve competitiveness. Even with all these rules, I've found my teams rise to the top of the league (it just takes longer), so I'm still hoping for improvements by the game developers.

Coaches
- No Legendary or Outstanding on my teams
- No coach can be signed for > 600k. No coach can be cut - must go to full term of contract. Max contract is 5 yrs

Roster
- No 30+ year-old players in minors
- Cannot convert MR/CL to SP, cannot convert SP to MR/CL (can use sporatically, but that's it)
- Can convert MR to CLoser, but once done, must remain that way for the season (note: price of player goes up)
- Players can only learn similar positions. One intentional ""teach"" allowed per season, across the entire roster
- Resigning: cannot back off an offer if the player accepts it

Draft
- Amateur Draft is 5 rounds
- Human team can only take one player per position (e.g. can't take 2 Middle Relievers)

Spring Training
- Cancel it. Human can take advantage of Spring Training vs CPU methods

Free Agents
- Signing period: Most signed each year is 2, and most can negotiate with is 4.
- Must wait until Day 5 before pursuing free agents
- Regular Season: Can only sign F/A to fill injury void (someone must go onto the DL), limited to 1* or 1.5* player

Trades
- Only one initiated trade per season. Many restrictions on this trade. If World Champ last year, then this trade is not permitted
- Can accept any CPU offered trades
- One CPU offer per year can be countered (via the trade screen). Tight rules on the counter offer
- No salary dumping in trades - max benefit is payroll reduction of 1 mil.
- Exception: can trade talent (starters) in final year of contract to contenders

Financials
- Income Reduction - take 5-10 million less in TV deal than other teams
- Cannot raise ticket prices beyond $1 more than highest CPU team (e.g. if CPU max is $10, then human max is $11)
- No raising ticket prices during the playoffs"
- Cash Maximum for CPU Teams = 10m, Human Teams = 6m
- Cash Minimum: Human Teams continue negative beyond -5 mil, at $1 of debt per $2 lost
- Salary Limit: Human cap is set at 5th highest payroll from prior season. CPU has no cap.

CPU Assistance
- Some years (after the playoffs) I'll check the CPU's resigning decisions, especially for the better teams, and make sure they attempt to keep their best players
- Periodically, I'll generate a few extra free agents (some are actually pretty good), and let the CPU teams have 'em
- Also, I'll kick up the unsigned coaches ratings, or create a few new ones, and let the CPU discover them.
- Finally, at times the CPU rosters will get out of hand and the fat has to be trimmed. I'll also slash some of the washed up old bums still making millions, by turning off Financials and letting these guys go. This gets the CPU out of a lot of bad contracts.

Tarin · 04-24-2003, 11:37 PM

Just win baby

BleacherBum · 04-26-2003, 12:10 AM

Now, if only the CPU adopted that Al Davis philosophy...

Gastric ReFlux · 04-26-2003, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Now, if only the CPU adopted that Al Davis philosophy...

They already did. In my league, the Oakland AI sued an expansion AI because the expansion AI's logo looked too much like the Oakland one.

Absolutely creepy!

03-08-2003, 06:00 PM	#1
Capital Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 100	Any house rules??? I was wondering what house rules anyone is using? I'm planning on limiting the number of trades I initiate to 2 per year. Any thoughts???

03-08-2003, 06:47 PM	#3
PittPanther All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,235	Yes, trades, in my opinion are too easy. __________________ Commitment Teamwork Pride Hail to Pitt!

03-08-2003, 07:29 PM	#4
TwinsFan Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Some planet in outer space Posts: 199	I went back to the unpatched version. Trades are much more challenging to make. __________________ OOTP 22 OOTP 21 OOTP 20

03-09-2003, 07:16 AM	#5
PittPanther All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,235	I might do the same. . .In the version 5.01 you can really make some swindles. Maybe Markus can beef it back in the next update though? I just find it hard to believe that some people are having a hard time trading on 5.01, as I see some threads dedicated to it, to me it seems as easy as v4. __________________ Commitment Teamwork Pride Hail to Pitt!

03-09-2003, 01:11 PM	#7
woody5254 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hector, NY Posts: 6,130	I am thinking of trying a league where I can't sign any FA or trade at all. It would be strictly a development and keeping my players. I think this would be very challenging. __________________ Check out: You Pick Tourney Version 2.0 Standings Thread You Pick The Teams Tourney: Main Thread The Colossal 20th Century Tourney:Main Thread Chicago White Sox(Original Owner:2001-) Baseball Maelstrom -2001,2011,2013 World Series Champions -2002,2010 Maelstrom Tourney Champs Arizona Diamondbacks(2003-) NAHHBL Indianapolis Racers(Expansion Team:1993-)ABC

03-08-2003, 06:08 PM	#2
doubles Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 483	I personally like to limit my payroll.. bottom half of the league and such. I don't have a solid rule, but its personal preference.

03-09-2003, 08:46 AM	#6
Ervinmagicsmall Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Illinoiz Posts: 67	My main houserule is that I can't initiate trades with CPU teams, can only accept offers that the CPU offers me. This naturally leads to a lot less trades for my team, but I like team continuity so its not really an issue. So far, the AI is coming up with better offers than ootp4, so I am satisfied.

03-09-2003, 05:23 PM	#8
Capital Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 100	I think the FA period is still effective, but I just wonder about human initiated trades. I'm also disappointed that some people think the AI is too hard. I might be somewhat challenging but it's not too hard.

03-17-2003, 01:53 AM	#9
Ragnar Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,565	I hate house rules but the 2 that i consider the best and make the game more challenging are......I give myself a cap. The lower it is the harder it is to win. I also cannot make more than a 2 for 1 trade or vise versa. However i can accept any trade by the computer teams. I see a ton of guys say trading is too easy. I haven't seen it yet. I have not tried to serve up a star for another teams entire farm system so that may be a legit gripe but since i limit 2 for 1 i wont do it. But so far any offer from the CPU has been completely unacceptable. Just before i was offered a 1 star 1st baseman for my 3 1/2 gold star MR and 3 star 3b man. That is ridiculous. I then went and searched out a 4 star 1b man and the CPU suggested players were either my 5 star pitcher or 5 star batter. I then offered two 4 star players for his 4 star and he accepted. But I didn't........he would not accept a 4 star and a 3 star both of which he needed for his 4 star. So please tell me how are you pulling off these trades? It must be somewhere in the settings.

03-17-2003, 02:25 AM	#10
KCRoyalsFan All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 599	Trades are "way" too easy. I traded around some royals players and made the perfect team of youngsters. I had 87 wins in 2003 with total minors roster. Its way to easy to just get a 5 star prospect. ANd usually when you offer the computer what he wants, you can make him give you a couple other prospects.

03-17-2003, 03:53 PM	#11
William4192 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 1,625	When they say to easy, they are referring to getting prospects. Not veterans. You can trade a 3 star pitching, for a couple of 5 star prospects. I see a lot of 5 star prospects and they can turn out good or bad. Personally, 3 star veterans in MLB are highly valued over a 5 star pitching prospect (one that is not from the A's). __________________ What is this about Rhode Island? It is neither Road or Island. Come check out the PBA. http://www.pioneerbaseballassociation.com Or email at pbacommish@pioneerbaseballassociation.com

03-17-2003, 04:02 PM	#12
x94blair3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 99	Okay, this thread was about house rules..not the trade AI. Markus already committed to rethinking the whole trade engine as it's been his golden egg for quite a while with constant disappointment. Not trying to be a dink, but it seems like this creeps into every complaint thread. In this case it wasn't even a complaint thread. They've gotten the point by now. Sorry, I know I'm relatively new, it's just been bugging me... carry on! -Nick __________________ Pudge, R. White, Guillen, Vina, J. Johnson, Urbina....maybe Illitch remembered he owns a baseball team. Either that or he expects a looooonnnnggg NHL holdout.

03-17-2003, 04:26 PM	#13
kserra Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 91	My house rules: I can only initiate one trade per year--and it must be for the same amount of players... Computer initiated trades are acceptable... 6 round draft--I draft the first three rounds while the computer picks the last three. I play on Talent-only level I am not allowed to view my Minor League Report (except for one time a year...right before the season starts) During Free Agency...I can make 2 offers in the 1st round...and then 1 offer/counter offer per round after then...I can only make 3 offers to a player... I pick a team like the Tigers (that's tough by itself!) Market and Loyalty at Average It's been pretty fun like this. Quite honestly, I don't mind having to restrict myself somewhat, so long as the game still challenges me and resembles the real game... It's taken me a few years to even field a decent team...in two leagues I've run through, it took 4 years to establish a good, playoff type team in one league, 6 years in the other--the 6 years is a fun league that I'm still really enjoying--though I'll try a new league with the newest files now. Last edited by kserra; 03-17-2003 at 06:39 PM.

04-24-2003, 07:14 PM	#14
CareyScurry Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 109	Any more suggestions? I don't why I didn't use these before (other than a real limited payroll)...

04-24-2003, 08:46 PM	#15
lschaef Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 242	Instead of trying to make myself from spending as much money as everyone else I've set it up that it's harder to bring in money. I made my city to be a Tiny Market and play in the smallest park in the league so we have less potential attendance. Other then that I try to not make lopsided trades. So far it's worked well. I've been competative, but not winning every year. We made the playoffs once in 5 years, but lost in the championship.

04-24-2003, 10:19 PM	#16
mgadfly Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Spokane Posts: 92	Mine are: 1. Never sign K extensions 2. Never propose a trade 3. Only allowed to bid on 3 players + guys that just became free agents from my team 4. Only allowed to make 1 counter offer during free agency, and that is on or after day 6 5. Never sign a player to more than 4 years 6. Never have a payroll greater than the total revenue from the prior season. 7. Never adjust ticket price Edit: 8. I always just click the ask coaches button for spring training (does anyone have any idea if that is comparable to what the CPU does?) I also play with "talent" only and coaches/scouts turned off. I implemented the above house rules in 2115 after a redraft of my league (I picked last) because I had dominated from about 2088 to 2114. With the rules I've been to the playoffs three times between 2115 and 2129. I lost in the World Series (won game 1 and 2 before losing the next four) in 2128 and lost in the LCS in 2127. My other trip was in 2118 and I was smoked in four straight games in the LCS (no wildcard in my league). I'm considering a "1 reasonable trade" initiated by the human player so that in years that I'm 20 games out of first at the deadline I can give up a veteran star to a team that is still in competition in order to get a couple prospects. Last edited by mgadfly; 04-25-2003 at 02:07 AM.

04-24-2003, 10:20 PM	#17
BleacherBum All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 672	Here's a list I've arrived at after simming over 50 seasons. Anywhere I've spotted a vulnerability in the AI, I've come up with a house rule to preserve competitiveness. Even with all these rules, I've found my teams rise to the top of the league (it just takes longer), so I'm still hoping for improvements by the game developers. Coaches - No Legendary or Outstanding on my teams - No coach can be signed for > 600k. No coach can be cut - must go to full term of contract. Max contract is 5 yrs Roster - No 30+ year-old players in minors - Cannot convert MR/CL to SP, cannot convert SP to MR/CL (can use sporatically, but that's it) - Can convert MR to CLoser, but once done, must remain that way for the season (note: price of player goes up) - Players can only learn similar positions. One intentional ""teach"" allowed per season, across the entire roster - Resigning: cannot back off an offer if the player accepts it Draft - Amateur Draft is 5 rounds - Human team can only take one player per position (e.g. can't take 2 Middle Relievers) Spring Training - Cancel it. Human can take advantage of Spring Training vs CPU methods Free Agents - Signing period: Most signed each year is 2, and most can negotiate with is 4. - Must wait until Day 5 before pursuing free agents - Regular Season: Can only sign F/A to fill injury void (someone must go onto the DL), limited to 1* or 1.5* player Trades - Only one initiated trade per season. Many restrictions on this trade. If World Champ last year, then this trade is not permitted - Can accept any CPU offered trades - One CPU offer per year can be countered (via the trade screen). Tight rules on the counter offer - No salary dumping in trades - max benefit is payroll reduction of 1 mil. - Exception: can trade talent (starters) in final year of contract to contenders Financials - Income Reduction - take 5-10 million less in TV deal than other teams - Cannot raise ticket prices beyond $1 more than highest CPU team (e.g. if CPU max is $10, then human max is $11) - No raising ticket prices during the playoffs" - Cash Maximum for CPU Teams = 10m, Human Teams = 6m - Cash Minimum: Human Teams continue negative beyond -5 mil, at $1 of debt per $2 lost - Salary Limit: Human cap is set at 5th highest payroll from prior season. CPU has no cap. CPU Assistance - Some years (after the playoffs) I'll check the CPU's resigning decisions, especially for the better teams, and make sure they attempt to keep their best players - Periodically, I'll generate a few extra free agents (some are actually pretty good), and let the CPU teams have 'em - Also, I'll kick up the unsigned coaches ratings, or create a few new ones, and let the CPU discover them. - Finally, at times the CPU rosters will get out of hand and the fat has to be trimmed. I'll also slash some of the washed up old bums still making millions, by turning off Financials and letting these guys go. This gets the CPU out of a lot of bad contracts. __________________ Right Field Sucks!

04-24-2003, 11:37 PM	#18
Tarin Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: J-Ville Posts: 325	Just win baby __________________ T

04-26-2003, 12:10 AM	#19
BleacherBum All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 672	Now, if only the CPU adopted that Al Davis philosophy... __________________ Right Field Sucks!