Competitive balance discussion

[Dogberry99]

Why is nobody mentioning the tournaments that our teams can enter concurrently to our leagues? These will likely go a long way to further mitigating the fears of Max, Lotto, and others, even beyond the justifications presented in this thread.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Orcin

You didn't read any of the posts above yours, did you.

They never do.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Suit yourself. I am not giving up before the game is played. I plan to win the major league level after spending $20. I will laugh as my carefully-constructed roster chews up these diamond-studded teams that claim to have the one and only best player at each position. There's a lot more to this game than just throwing money at Markus for cheap wins.

Wow. That's the spirit!

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

I agree with Orcin on this one. We've been in some pretty competitive leagues together, so don't think you have to spend big bucks to compete at the top level. I've spent $40 (though not wisely since we're still in beta), but last year when I had 5 diamonds on my team I finished under .500. This year with one diamond I'm holding my own and will make the playoffs barring an epic collapse.

Roster construction plays a big part of it, and don't think you have to buy all the best players. I may not have the best team, but don't feel like I can't beat any team. I'll take my chances getting into the playoffs and getting hot at the right time.

So don't get discouraged if you have a bad year, the gap probably isn't as wide as it looks, and sometimes your best players will have a bad year. Last year I picked up Severino to be my ace. He was ratings-wise, but put up a 9.82 ERA. This year he's done much better.

With adjusted payouts, card odds, and bugs being fixed a clean slate next week should be good for a more even playing field. And sure some may be able to buy a good team quickly by buying their way to the top it seems possible to get there without spending money if you are willing to put in the time, or get lucky.

I wouldn't mind being in the same league as you and Orcin.

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by Dogberry99

Why is nobody mentioning the tournaments that our teams can enter concurrently to our leagues? These will likely go a long way to further mitigating the fears of Max, Lotto, and others, even beyond the justifications presented in this thread.

Yes, these will be a TON of fun

[pstrickert]

At present, my team is 30 games over .500. Yet we're still 25 games behind Kentucky, the division leader. Ouch.

[Maddox]

I am still trying to figure out how this team has been involved in all three seasons, has that lifetime record and is still in class A? The only thing I can think of is that they just missed promotion after season 1, and then stacked their team before season 2

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Maddox

I am still trying to figure out how this team has been involved in all three seasons, has that lifetime record and is still in class A? The only thing I can think of is that they just missed promotion after season 1, and then stacked their team before season 2

That's a good question that brings up another one. Can a player request/volunteer to refuse promotion if he feels comfortable at a certain level? Wouldn't be applicable to relegation, of course. Just wondering.

[Maddox]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

That's a good question that brings up another one. Can a player request/volunteer to refuse promotion if he feels comfortable at a certain level? Wouldn't be applicable to relegation, of course. Just wondering.

Nah, I can't see any motivation by the developers to allow that. It would mean stacked teams could stay at lower levels and earn more points. All that would do is drive off those of us who actually belong at those lower levels.

[scott1964]

I have only spent a measly 99 cents and my first playoff appearance

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by scott1964

I have only spent a measly 99 cents and my first playoff appearance

Great job, Scott!

[pstrickert]

Meet the Kentucky Crowns. One hundred games over .500! I thought 99 wins might get me the division title. But I fell juuuuust a bit short.

[Josquin]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

Meet the Kentucky Crowns. One hundred games over .500! I thought 99 wins might get me the division title. But I fell juuuuust a bit short.

What's their ballpark like?

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Josquin

What's their ballpark like?

Just a guess, but I doubt it's their ballpark that explains things.

100 games over .500 and 32 games ahead of a 99-game winner. It's this kind of thing that gives me pause about PT.

My fingers are crossed that promotion/relegation does its thing and that these high-rollers go skyward and stay there.

You know, it was just yesterday that I realized that I was in a Double-A league. I had not looked at that all season because it was not important to me.

Yes, I spent some bucks, more than I should. I would not have done so without the promise that the purchased PP will carry over to live PT. I got curious and aggressive and wanted to see what I could do.

So I purchased my division winner. Period. And I will not repeat that level of spending again, now that my curiosity is satisfied. Give or take a few more bucks, I have made my investment in PT (you're welcome, OOTPD ).

Now I am counting on drifting to the level at which I will be comfortable at without being a high roller. My continuation with PT depends on this.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Just a guess, but I doubt it's their ballpark that explains things.

100 games over .500 and 32 games ahead of a 99-game winner. It's this kind of thing that gives me pause about PT.

That pause makes sense, but regular season dominance doesn't always equal postseason success. We'll see how things shake out once the dust settles, but hopefully these big gaps should lesson.

For now I'm pulling for pstrickert to pull off the upset and win it all.

[Josquin]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Just a guess, but I doubt it's their ballpark that explains things.

100 games over .500 and 32 games ahead of a 99-game winner. It's this kind of thing that gives me pause about PT.

This level of domination will certainly have more than one factor contributing to it. I'd still be interested in the ballpark and whether it was one of the ways that player got an edge on the competition.

[pstrickert]

The KY Crowns ballpark is more of a hitter's park. HR RHB: 1.100; HR LHB: 1.065. But they finished first in the league in ERA. The team has 2 Perfect and 3 Diamond starting pitchers. The full 25-man roster includes 5 Perfect, 7 Diamond, 12 Gold, and 1 Silver. Their outfield has 3 Perfect players: Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts. Even their reserve roster has 2 Diamond and 11 Gold.

[max venerabel]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

The KY Crowns ballpark is more of a hitter's park. HR RHB: 1.100; HR LHB: 1.065. But they finished first in the league in ERA. The team has 2 Perfect and 3 Diamond starting pitchers. The full 25-man roster includes 5 Perfect, 7 Diamond, 12 Gold, and 1 Silver. Their outfield has 3 Perfect players: Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts. Even their reserve roster has 2 Diamond and 11 Gold.

I doubt this will be typical — but it’s an extreme case reflective of a real issue. Even if your divisional competitor gets sick of being 3 games behind you and just decides to drop $10 on a couple of ace starters, it kinda throws off the whole idea of what that race was about.

My suggestion to have optional salary caps / value caps or whatever was not intended to change the game for everyone. Rather, it could be a way to let people decide what their preferred competitive level is, and let the server match them with similar teams. Those that want to play in the arms race of the normal non capped leagues will continue to do so.

I also don’t understand what tournaments will be all about... sounds cool tho if there is user control on administering this aspect of play?

[pstrickert]

The good news: I won my Wild Card game. The bad news: I advance to play the Crowns.

[Maddox]

I lost my wildcard game and decided to sell the last of my Inactive roster to buy one final pack and the first card I pulled was a Gold Card that I can't use.