Heads up for Random Debut Players

[David Watts]

Just noticed that both retire according to history and miss seasons according to history are on by default when you create a random debut league. Development is also off by default. I'm not even sure if the retire/miss seasons feature will work when playing random debut.

[Edster007]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Just noticed that both retire according to history and miss seasons according to history are on by default when you create a random debut league. Development is also off by default. I'm not even sure if the retire/miss seasons feature will work when playing random debut.

I have noticed that and screwed up my first few attempts. With new versions I always do a few quick tests of my setup and quick sim 5-10 years to see if I like my setup.

[Matt Arnold]

I think if you go through the wizard the default in random debut should be development on, and those other options off, if I recall. How are you creating your league that you are seeing the other way around?

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

I think if you go through the wizard the default in random debut should be development on, and those other options off, if I recall. How are you creating your league that you are seeing the other way around?

The wizard has random debut defaulting to the OOTP development engine/ratings. I changed that and set the game to use recalc. I use a combo of recalc and the OOTP development engine in my random debuts.

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by David Watts

The wizard has random debut defaulting to the OOTP development engine/ratings. I changed that and set the game to use recalc. I use a combo of recalc and the OOTP development engine in my random debuts.

Alot of people do. RD defaults probably got short-changed in testing when the new stream-lined wizard was introduced. I play a lot of RD so that's something I personally should have looked at more.

IMO, it should be a 3- to 5- year recalc (depends how much 'oomph' you want to carry you in the war years if playing forward from 1901 to present), development on, and retire-according-to-history and miss-season-according-to-history off.

Matt, I think the above is generally how most play it and would be nice change from the other default Mode settings. I lost the argument on having a mode that had, essentially "aging" without a hard RAH. Games w/ RD though are a perfect fit for showing people that the combo of recalc and development (which I acknowledge resets on recalc) is still great to prevent Koufax from pitching until he is 55 and creates a fog-of-war and fun set of variables for players to grow in an alternative timeline.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

I think if you go through the wizard the default in random debut should be development on, and those other options off, if I recall. How are you creating your league that you are seeing the other way around?

The problem going through the wizard is that if I'm creating a Random Debut league, I just want the rookie classes to be random. When you go through the wizard, it imports players at age, say 35, and then they are only in the league for a few years.

The downside is going through the game to set it up instead always screws up the stamina for starting pitchers who relieved first.

[Reed]

Originally Posted by Mike D

The problem going through the wizard is that if I'm creating a Random Debut league, I just want the rookie classes to be random. When you go through the wizard, it imports players at age, say 35, and then they are only in the league for a few years.

The downside is going through the game to set it up instead always screws up the stamina for starting pitchers who relieved first.

I guess I am the only one that does this but there is a way to get around 20th and 21st century middle and older players in your league at startup.
Start regular historical year in 1895. Set import rookies random 1896-1900 set rookie draft to 20 rounds. I have RAH on but turn off players miss seasons as in real life. Recalc/development on.
Play 1985 season and all players that debut 1896-1900 will be in rookie draft and season end.
Spring 1896 change random rookie draft to1901-present. Go into rules and change number of rounds to 7,8 or whatever you use.
Sim until spring 1901. Click “OFF” retire according to history. Check schedule. Go to League Functions and bottom left there click on the 8 items; erase history, erase service tie, erase career stats, etc.. Release all players for inaugural draft. Check all your settings and your random league is ready to go. The middle age and older player will be those that acTUALLY played in 1901 and your rookies and younger players (almost all under age 25) will be those that debut 1901-present.
On every opening day the 1st thing I do is go into stats&AI tab and autocalc the stat year I use (1980).

PS. I use 3 yr recalc and of course development on, RAH and miss seasons according to history both off.

[Jeff1787]

Here is what I am doing for a 1903 RDL:

I am starting in career mode and importing the complete history up to 1902. Since I am not starting in Random Debut Mode, there will not be an Inaugural Draft. All 16 teams will already be established and will have the original players and statistics through the 1901 season. So, stars like Nap Lajoie, Honus Wagner and Cy Young will already be in the game. I play out the 1902 season at the end of the season (and beyond) rookie drafts are set up to include random players from 1903 thru 2000. The Amateur Draft in 1902 will make them eligible for the 1903 season. I set up the 1902 draft during game setup.

I am trying 5 year recalc, real stats, real stadium factors and development off.

[Reed]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Here is what I am doing for a 1903 RDL:

I am starting in career mode and importing the complete history up to 1902. Since I am not starting in Random Debut Mode, there will not be an Inaugural Draft. All 16 teams will already be established and will have the original players and statistics through the 1901 season. So, stars like Nap Lajoie, Honus Wagner and Cy Young will already be in the game. I play out the 1902 season at the end of the season (and beyond) rookie drafts are set up to include random players from 1903 thru 2000. The Amateur Draft in 1902 will make them eligible for the 1903 season. I set up the 1902 draft during game setup.

I am trying 5 year recalc, real stats, real stadium factors and development off.

This sounds cool. Seems to be simpler and maybe better than my approach. I’ll have to give it a try. Reed

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Reed

I guess I am the only one that does this but there is a way to get around 20th and 21st century middle and older players in your league at startup.
Start regular historical year in 1895. Set import rookies random 1896-1900 set rookie draft to 20 rounds. I have RAH on but turn off players miss seasons as in real life. Recalc/development on.
Play 1985 season and all players that debut 1896-1900 will be in rookie draft and season end.
Spring 1896 change random rookie draft to1901-present. Go into rules and change number of rounds to 7,8 or whatever you use.
Sim until spring 1901. Click “OFF” retire according to history. Check schedule. Go to League Functions and bottom left there click on the 8 items; erase history, erase service tie, erase career stats, etc.. Release all players for inaugural draft. Check all your settings and your random league is ready to go. The middle age and older player will be those that acTUALLY played in 1901 and your rookies and younger players (almost all under age 25) will be those that debut 1901-present.
On every opening day the 1st thing I do is go into stats&AI tab and autocalc the stat year I use (1980).

PS. I use 3 yr recalc and of course development on, RAH and miss seasons according to history both off.

This sounds like a good way to do it, but i like to start in a year closer to real life. But if I ever wanted to start in 1901 this is a great way for me to do it. Thanks!

Alternatively, i wish OOTP would give us more random debut options.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Here is what I am doing for a 1903 RDL:

I am starting in career mode and importing the complete history up to 1902. Since I am not starting in Random Debut Mode, there will not be an Inaugural Draft. All 16 teams will already be established and will have the original players and statistics through the 1901 season. So, stars like Nap Lajoie, Honus Wagner and Cy Young will already be in the game. I play out the 1902 season at the end of the season (and beyond) rookie drafts are set up to include random players from 1903 thru 2000. The Amateur Draft in 1902 will make them eligible for the 1903 season. I set up the 1902 draft during game setup.

I am trying 5 year recalc, real stats, real stadium factors and development off.

The only problem with this is Cy Young is 36. I want to see how he would do in a more modern setting.

[Jeff1787]

Originally Posted by Mike D

The only problem with this is Cy Young is 36. I want to see how he would do in a more modern setting.

That is true, but now I can have a "Cy Young Award" after he retires!

[jcard]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

Alot of people do. RD defaults probably got short-changed in testing when the new stream-lined wizard was introduced. I play a lot of RD so that's something I personally should have looked at more.

IMO, it should be a 3- to 5- year recalc (depends how much 'oomph' you want to carry you in the war years if playing forward from 1901 to present), development on, and retire-according-to-history and miss-season-according-to-history off.

Matt, I think the above is generally how most play it and would be nice change from the other default Mode settings. I lost the argument on having a mode that had, essentially "aging" without a hard RAH. Games w/ RD though are a perfect fit for showing people that the combo of recalc and development (which I acknowledge resets on recalc) is still great to prevent Koufax from pitching until he is 55 and creates a fog-of-war and fun set of variables for players to grow in an alternative timeline.

Am I correct that (during the period recalculation is applicable) this set-up in effect resets development at the end of each season, such that any development during a season is has no carry-over impact (since recalculation is performed on a rolling annual basis, regardless of the duration of base recalculating period chosen)?

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by jcard

Am I correct that (during the period recalculation is applicable) this set-up in effect resets development at the end of each season, such that any development during a season is has no carry-over impact (since recalculation is performed on a rolling annual basis, regardless of the duration of base recalculating period chosen)?

They develop in-year but, yes, none of that carries over as the player is reset on the annual recalc day. But it has the advantage of aging the player naturally. If development is off and Koufax isn't forced out via Retire-According-to-History... he pitches elite until he is 60. So, if you want softer retirement dates and don't mind some in-year variance up/down for some players in between their recalcs, it works.