Ghost players or no?

cbbl · 08-05-2008, 08:24 PM

I'm seeking to balance realism with my ability to monitor my minor leagues -- and avoid the massive sign-and-release issue that still seems to be occurring when I let the AI control my minor leagues.

I've never used ghost players before and I'm inclined not to use them but I'm curious -- for you fictional league players out there, how many of you have full minors versus ghost players?

1998 Yankees · 08-05-2008, 08:34 PM

I use ghost players, and not just because it's easier. The feature allows me to concentrate properly on my prospects rather than waste my time micromanaging the 80% of minor league players who will never amount to anything. The sacrifice of some realism (this is not a full-time hobby, after all) comes with the benefit of increased enjoyment of the game.

adamj · 08-05-2008, 10:26 PM

...as I've described in this thread:

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...r-problem.html

Using ghost players caused me to experience a problem with the AI essentially releasing all of its draftees soon after the draft.

Originally, I wanted to play with ghost players because, as 1998 Yankees said above, it would allow me to just focus on the legitimate prospects, and avoid cluttering up my minors rosters with a bunch of random names and "1"s (using 1 to 5 rating scale).

So, I reluctantly turned off ghost players to avoid the problem described in the thread linked above (at least I hope it's linked). After playing without ghost players for a while, I actually think I like the game better this way. Last night, for example, I was presented with a situation where I needed a catcher to plug a hole on my single-A roster.

At the major league level, I actually had four legitimate catchers, none of whom would have taken kindly to being demoted. I was able to find an AI team that was seriously deficient at catcher, and they traded me a SS-A catcher (all 1 ratings on offense, but not bad on defense) for my fourth-string ML catcher. I plugged my minor league hole and shed about $100,000 of salary. I'm not putting the new guy on my 40-man roster, so my understanding is that he's not costing me anything. ($100K is a lot in my league with 80's financials; minimum salary is $62,500 and nobody is over $3M, although Jim Rice and George Brett are close)

Anyway, my point about starting to prefer not using ghost players is that the guy I picked up probably wouldn't even have existed if ghost players were turned on, and I would have probably not been able to shed my extra ML catcher's salary. Not wanting to fleece the AI, I checked that team's lineup after the trade, and sure enough, my former fourth stringer was in their starting lineup.

BOTTOM LINE - I was for ghost players before I was against them...

gord · 08-06-2008, 09:02 AM

I've never used ghost players. I like putting together complete minor league teams. Can be a bit tedious at times but worth the trouble.

Kelric · 08-06-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I use ghost players, and not just because it's easier. The feature allows me to concentrate properly on my prospects rather than waste my time micromanaging the 80% of minor league players who will never amount to anything. The sacrifice of some realism (this is not a full-time hobby, after all) comes with the benefit of increased enjoyment of the game.

We agree on too much. Apparently, you are my evil fan twin.

adamj · 08-06-2008, 11:45 AM

With ghost players on, have you had anything like the draft and release issue I described above? Maybe I should try experimenting with roster limits. I'm using 4 levels of minors, and the lowest level is set to 35, I think. Perhaps saying no limit would fix the problem I'm having?

Kelric · 08-06-2008, 02:05 PM

OOTP doesn't like roster limits on the lowest minor league level. The AI has issues with it.

Edit - I never bother with roster limits in the minor leagues at any level. I haven't seen the sign and release issue in a while, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist in any of my games.

waltwa · 08-06-2008, 02:21 PM

I tried playing without ghost players and frankly the rosters just don't add up. Playing with Cubby's roster (sf giants) i had 2 SP's at aaa level and had to spend time signing free agents to balance out the roster. I really like organizing and keeping track of my minors but i hate to have to keep dead weight around just to fill out a roster

After about 1/4 of the season i gave up and went back to Ghost players. in my mind i don't find any realism issue involved.

Riverdome · 08-06-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltwa

I tried playing without ghost players and frankly the rosters just don't add up. Playing with Cubby's roster (sf giants) i had 2 SP's at aaa level and had to spend time signing free agents to balance out the roster. I really like organizing and keeping track of my minors but i hate to have to keep dead weight around just to fill out a roster

After about 1/4 of the season i gave up and went back to Ghost players. in my mind i don't find any realism issue involved.

Agree 100%. If you have time to manage your major league and all levels of the minor then go ahead. For me I prefer to spend my time/effort on my major league and those prospects I consider to be legit.

1998 Yankees · 08-06-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelric

We agree on too much. Apparently, you are my evil fan twin.

LOL!

Kelric, you're OK in my book, so I've decided to let you keep your avatar. No, no, don't thank me, you earned it. Enjoy!

View Poll Results: Do you use ghost players?
I use ghost players - it's just easier	39	57.35%
I don't use ghost players - realism is better	29	42.65%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

08-05-2008, 08:24 PM	#1
cbbl All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,179	Ghost players or no? I'm seeking to balance realism with my ability to monitor my minor leagues -- and avoid the massive sign-and-release issue that still seems to be occurring when I let the AI control my minor leagues. I've never used ghost players before and I'm inclined not to use them but I'm curious -- for you fictional league players out there, how many of you have full minors versus ghost players?

08-05-2008, 10:26 PM	#3
adamj Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 101	I had planned to use ghost players, but... ...as I've described in this thread: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...r-problem.html Using ghost players caused me to experience a problem with the AI essentially releasing all of its draftees soon after the draft. Originally, I wanted to play with ghost players because, as 1998 Yankees said above, it would allow me to just focus on the legitimate prospects, and avoid cluttering up my minors rosters with a bunch of random names and "1"s (using 1 to 5 rating scale). So, I reluctantly turned off ghost players to avoid the problem described in the thread linked above (at least I hope it's linked). After playing without ghost players for a while, I actually think I like the game better this way. Last night, for example, I was presented with a situation where I needed a catcher to plug a hole on my single-A roster. At the major league level, I actually had four legitimate catchers, none of whom would have taken kindly to being demoted. I was able to find an AI team that was seriously deficient at catcher, and they traded me a SS-A catcher (all 1 ratings on offense, but not bad on defense) for my fourth-string ML catcher. I plugged my minor league hole and shed about $100,000 of salary. I'm not putting the new guy on my 40-man roster, so my understanding is that he's not costing me anything. ($100K is a lot in my league with 80's financials; minimum salary is $62,500 and nobody is over $3M, although Jim Rice and George Brett are close) Anyway, my point about starting to prefer not using ghost players is that the guy I picked up probably wouldn't even have existed if ghost players were turned on, and I would have probably not been able to shed my extra ML catcher's salary. Not wanting to fleece the AI, I checked that team's lineup after the trade, and sure enough, my former fourth stringer was in their starting lineup. BOTTOM LINE - I was for ghost players before I was against them...

08-05-2008, 08:34 PM	#2
1998 Yankees Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yankee Stadium, back in 1998. Posts: 8,645	I use ghost players, and not just because it's easier. The feature allows me to concentrate properly on my prospects rather than waste my time micromanaging the 80% of minor league players who will never amount to anything. The sacrifice of some realism (this is not a full-time hobby, after all) comes with the benefit of increased enjoyment of the game.

08-06-2008, 09:02 AM	#4
gord Major Leagues Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 369	I've never used ghost players. I like putting together complete minor league teams. Can be a bit tedious at times but worth the trouble.

08-06-2008, 11:45 AM	#6
adamj Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 101	With ghost players on, have you had anything like the draft and release issue I described above? Maybe I should try experimenting with roster limits. I'm using 4 levels of minors, and the lowest level is set to 35, I think. Perhaps saying no limit would fix the problem I'm having?

08-06-2008, 02:05 PM	#7
Kelric Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Greater Boston Area Posts: 3,992	OOTP doesn't like roster limits on the lowest minor league level. The AI has issues with it. Edit - I never bother with roster limits in the minor leagues at any level. I haven't seen the sign and release issue in a while, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist in any of my games.

08-06-2008, 02:21 PM	#8
waltwa All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 906	I tried playing without ghost players and frankly the rosters just don't add up. Playing with Cubby's roster (sf giants) i had 2 SP's at aaa level and had to spend time signing free agents to balance out the roster. I really like organizing and keeping track of my minors but i hate to have to keep dead weight around just to fill out a roster After about 1/4 of the season i gave up and went back to Ghost players. in my mind i don't find any realism issue involved.