Schedule and Suggestions

[ARockieInMaine]

Hello.

Most games give one an idea of what one has to do on any given turn. But, I have no idea what to do in OOTP during the off season. Is there a tutorial on the sequence of things one should be doing in OOTP day by day? Is it possible to get suggestions of what to do from the game itself?

Is there a way to simulate an undo function?

As a GM, I would like to play "what if" scenarios. I would like to compare the composition of my team before and after two or more trades, as a way of choosing which trade to make, if any. I do not see a way to do this inside of OOTP. But, I would like to, so I can easily view OOTP ratings and change trade comparisons. I want to do this without alerting players. In other words, I want GM note paper.

Do other players just use external spreadsheets?

Is there any way to save the results of shopping a player for future reference?

Is there any way to ask another team what they want for a player? Or, is it just trial by educated guesses?

Why can't Taveras bunt for a base hit? (Just kidding, but I am definitely editing his parameters!) Is it necessary to "bunt for hit" in OOTP in order for someone like Taveras, who bunts for base hits in real life, to get a bunt hit? Or, do players like Taveras already have a certain tendency to do so built in?


Thanks.

[SteveP]

Most games give one an idea of what one has to do on any given turn. But, I have no idea what to do in OOTP during the off season. Is there a tutorial on the sequence of things one should be doing in OOTP day by day? Is it possible to get suggestions of what to do from the game itself?

I suspect most people just sim through that period, except for doing trades. For example, sim for a month, check your email, figure out if there is any trading you might want to do. Sim a second month. Rinse and repeat. Maybe there are one or two other things to consider doing, but I think it's mostly vacation time.

Is there a way to simulate an undo function?

There's only one way I know. Save the game frequently and then if you decide you need to backtrack, don't quit the game as normally, but go out to have your system close the game (I'm a Mac person, so I use the Force Quit feature in the MacOS. I know there's an analog in Windows, just can't remember what it is). When you do that and restart your game, you'll be back to your last save. That's pretty much it.

As a GM, I would like to play "what if" scenarios. I would like to compare the composition of my team before and after two or more trades, as a way of choosing which trade to make, if any. I do not see a way to do this inside of OOTP. But, I would like to, so I can easily view OOTP ratings and change trade comparisons. I want to do this without alerting players. In other words, I want GM note paper.

Do other players just use external spreadsheets?

Is there any way to save the results of shopping a player for future reference?

I think it's fair to say that the game doesn't really provide any good tools along these lines, at least none that I can think of. I think you have to create your own.

Is there any way to ask another team what they want for a player? Or, is it just trial by educated guesses?

Are you familiar with the "Make this work now!" option in the trading window? That is how you ask another team what they want for your guy. It's a lot like the shop around function, in that you only get one-for-one trade proposals, but it gives you an idea of what you are up against.

Why can't Taveras bunt for a base hit? (Just kidding, but I am definitely editing his parameters!) Is it necessary to "bunt for hit" in OOTP in order for someone like Taveras, who bunts for base hits in real life, to get a bunt hit? Or, do players like Taveras already have a certain tendency to do so built in?

Ah, bunt-for-hit, one of my favorite issues. For all practical purposes, it ain't in the game, not really. If a player has a high bunt-for-hit rating he may attempt one from time to time. However, his success rate will be well below the real world. There are reasons for this (or so they say, but I'm not buying it ). This isn't going to get fixed any time soon, but it's definitely on my list to lobby for in the future.

Hope this helps.

[ARockieInMaine]

Thanks SteveP.

Great help!

The greatest worry I have as a new-bee is that I wont do things on time and will miss a chance. I bet this is common. I would still love to find a "How to Play" article about waht to do when, not about strategy.

Thanks again.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by ARockieInMaine

I would still love to find a "How to Play" article about waht to do when, not about strategy.

Not sure what the chances of that are. My recommendation (because this is what I did) is pay a lot of attention to what goes on the real baseball world (even read a book or two). It isn't the off season now, of course, so you'll have to wait for that one, but OOTP is getting closer and closer to a functionally accurate model of what owners/GM/managers do (at least the interesting stuff) that the real world is a pretty good guide.

[ARockieInMaine]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Are you familiar with the "Make this work now!" option in the trading window? That is how you ask another team what they want for your guy. It's a lot like the shop around function, in that you only get one-for-one trade proposals, but it gives you an idea of what you are up against.

Hi again.

I could not find a "Make this work now!" option. I tried the "Force trade" option and ended up trading Helton to the Yankees for nothing. For some reason the fans are upset. I think they set the stadium on fire. I am now busy pouring burning oil on them from the roof. Actually, I am trying your "Force Quit" tip.

Thanks for the "Force Quit" tip. It would be even better if the game didn't take so long to start up. But, much, much better than the alternative.

So, where do I find the "Make this work now!" option?

It sounds like it won't complete the trade immediately like "Force Trade" did.

Thanks again.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by ARockieInMaine

I could not find a "Make this work now!" option.

Initiate a trade with another team. There are several ways to do that, but in all cases that will take you to the trading page where you "negotiate" a trade. You start by putting up a player and also putting up a player from the other team (so, yeah, this part is educated guess). Then you will see the reaction from the other team. You will also see in that box a "Make this work now" button. Click that and the other team will tell you what you have to add in your offer to make a deal (if there is anything that will make the deal). There's a good chance that what you see there won't be very attractive. But you will have acquired some information. Between shuffling player names in and out of both sides of the trade, and clicking this button every once in awhile, you can triangulate in on a deal that may involve several players and cash. It's a good idea to spend some time with this screen, to figure out its quirks and different views, etc.

[ARockieInMaine]

Thanks again!!

Found it! Works great.

I am lucky not to have any games for a week. So, I have plenty of time to tinker with the roster. Espescially now that I don't have to shop players the old fashioned way.

Thanks again!