The only baseball sim I've ever gotten addicted to...

[Dutchy]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Dutchy, just treat him like any other guy here. FYI, there are supposedly a number of current and former college, minor league and MLB players who play OOTP. I can vouch for there being college players.

I will. I was joking around and especially here to make a remark how long this thread will be because that's a certainty.

Truth is that I'm quite new to baseball and wouldn't know or would've known baseball players' names a couple of weeks ago. Some players' names I knew but only very few and sorry to say, Curt wasn't one of them.

...


Just having fun.

[mike2228]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

So I'll preface my post by saying I spent about 22 years playing the real thing, and have been a gamer my whole life, but not sports games for the most part (I was addicted to APBA as a kid).
I absolutely love this game and am impressed as hell as someone that now owns a game development company (38 Studios Frontpage | 38 Studios btw!) at the quality of the software this team has made.
That being said, I need some tips
I love fictional leagues, and on the hard drive I have being put into a new machine is my first and favorite league with OOTP 11, in season 20 something now, and it's a blast.
OOTP 12 has come out so while I wait, I have started a new league. Fictional, and need some help.
How do feeder leagues work?
I wanted to start my new league with max player age being mid 20's to allow all players a chance to play lengthy careers (Hated fictional leagues with 39 year old first year guys).
My issues are few, but I have questions.
In my June draft all my players are 17-19, no older, where did I mix that up?
I put 2 large HS and College Feeder leagues in after a few weeks into the season (after reading threads here!) and can't seem to get their schedules for this year to work, both seem to not want to start until next year.
My comments on this version, compared to 11.
Computer controlled teams have pitching staffs that are too small, many are 9, whereas I usually end up with 11, at least, sometimes 12 early in fictional team careers due to sucky starters.
I fire my personnel to make sure I hire the best of the best for fictional teams, and would LOVE a button to create a large amount of coaches/scouts etc., instead of having to make them 1 at a time. Since I'll create until I get real good people in every position.
I hate that my first day of a new league I usually have a sucky scout I cannot replace until after the draft, since if I fire him I go into the draft with OSA ratings only. I should have a few days to get my organization in shape before drafting.
Still can't seem to get the injury and trading pace to my liking (though it's early and 12 seems to be much more cautious and realistic about injuries and trades so far).

I know i have more but this is a really good game guys, well done.
Curt

If you have never played OOTP online I highly recommend you give it a try.

[CalvinHobbes]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Computer controlled teams have pitching staffs that are too small, many are 9, whereas I usually end up with 11, at least, sometimes 12 early in fictional team careers due to sucky starters.

In regards to this, it seems to totally depend on the use of relievers. I like everyone to have a ten man staff, so I set the Closer to be used Very often, and, I think, Relievers to Normal. You can test it, easily enough. Change those options and then go to Functions and run computer manager on all teams (the only bad part is it also affects your team), but you'll be able to see right away how the pitching staffs shake out.

I didn't read through all of the others posts, I apologize if someone else has already posted this.

EDIT: I was thinking about your feeder leagues and how they don't want to start until the following season. Can you save your game as a quickstart and then start a new game using it? I think it works the same as a template, and if you load up a template to start a new league, it keeps the exact settings, teams and players all together. Then start the year and everything should work right away. Or save the league as a template, since that's what I know.

Oh, and Copernicus sounds awesome. I'll definitely check that out when it's released.

[coljesep]

Originally Posted by luger

However, one suggestion for you that may help your fictional league experience... Try building your league then simming out a decade or two to build a recordbook and history and also erase some of the inaugural draft guys as they are often of a different mold than those that come through the June draft. I read this suggestion on the forums here and am trying it for the first time and think it is the way to go. I started in 1963, simmed 20 years, erased league history then simmed another 20+ years to get to present day. At that point, I throw all the players into the pool for a new league draft and take over for a team...

I agree and disagree. Here's what I did last night.

I created a 32 team league starting in 2008. 4 teams to a division, 8 divisions. Only division winners get into the playoffs. I don't use actual ratings. Only potentials by each team's scout. I took the time to name the teams what I wanted (used state capitals), and I tried to do all the small details although I still have to name college/high schools.

From there I did an initial draft and let the AI draft for every team.

I simmed 20 seasons. (this is where we break off)

I'm not a fan of erasing anything from that point on. I get the value of it, but to me, I want the history of the league preserved. I also will not throw all the players into a draft pool after simming 20 years. I look at the history of my league and I think it's awesome that some teams have established dynasties while others have struggled. I don't want to change that.

So I stopped the sim as our 20th champ was crowned. I scoured through the history to find teams that fit this criteria:

-Minimal playoff appearances: Found 5 that made it 2 times max, and 3 that only made it once
-Patient Owner
-Scout with 0-2 years left on contract so firing won't hurt as bad or I can go hire my own right away with no penalty

I was lucky to find the worst team in the league's history, with a scout who's contract expired and I have a patient owner.

That's my 2 cents.

[MogulChamp]

Awesome! Glad to have you as a fan. From the other side of things, Im a huge RPG fan, and I am really looking forward to Kingdoms of Amular. You have an amazing team, Salvatore? Really? Sign me up please!

Really looking forward to the game, and the E3 coverage was amazing.

[gehrig38]

Ok so I can confirm my computer managers and GM's suck Most, if not all of my opponents have 2-3, at most 4 relievers....
One of my teams has 2, with most minor league teams having 3, and a rookie ball team with 44 players.
I don't want to micro manage each roster, especially if I go in and change them and then the computer immediately changes them all back.
Not a knock on the game by any means, as somehow the GM's manage to not kill their relievers, though I wonder if there is not a ton of player swapping going on during the season with the bullpens.

[pstrickert]

Originally Posted by CalvinHobbes

In regards to this, it seems to totally depend on the use of relievers. I like everyone to have a ten man staff, so I set the Closer to be used Very often, and, I think, Relievers to Normal. You can test it, easily enough. Change those options and then go to Functions and run computer manager on all teams (the only bad part is it also affects your team), but you'll be able to see right away how the pitching staffs shake out.

Curt, I do believe CH is right. The league strategy settings determine how the AI populates its pitching staff.

[JWay]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Ok so I can confirm my computer managers and GM's suck Most, if not all of my opponents have 2-3, at most 4 relievers....
One of my teams has 2, with most minor league teams having 3, and a rookie ball team with 44 players.
I don't want to micro manage each roster, especially if I go in and change them and then the computer immediately changes them all back.
Not a knock on the game by any means, as somehow the GM's manage to not kill their relievers, though I wonder if there is not a ton of player swapping going on during the season with the bullpens.

I'm very curious to know what era your league is in. If you selected a 1920s-60s era, the game adjusts stamina and strategy to the era. So if you're playing as a 2011 manager, but the game thinks its supposed to act like 1959. You'll have 11-12 pitchers, and the game will go with 6 to 9. Your era settings can be adjusted in the game setup. The only way I would think that it gets automatically adjusted, is if you start your fictional league before 2011.

Hope that helps!

[Pdubya64]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

I hate that my first day of a new league I usually have a sucky scout I cannot replace until after the draft, since if I fire him I go into the draft with OSA ratings only. I should have a few days to get my organization in shape before drafting.
Curt

Hmm... I am wondering about this because I just started a 2011 Major League Quick Start with the Nats and was able to fire the existing Head Scout on May 30th, hire the guy I wanted at $420K on May 31st and my players scouting reports had all three sets of evaluations, OSA, the old HS and the new HS.
Of course, it may be different for a fictional league **shrugs** but having those new Head Scout evaluations the day he signed on was great!

Anyway, glad to see you here Curt.

[bigdaddykraven]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Ok so I can confirm my computer managers and GM's suck Most, if not all of my opponents have 2-3, at most 4 relievers....
One of my teams has 2, with most minor league teams having 3, and a rookie ball team with 44 players.
I don't want to micro manage each roster, especially if I go in and change them and then the computer immediately changes them all back.
Not a knock on the game by any means, as somehow the GM's manage to not kill their relievers, though I wonder if there is not a ton of player swapping going on during the season with the bullpens.

I noticed some funky movements with players in the minors as well. Decided I was going to create a fictional league and gradually step up the number of minor league teams.

So far with 2 levels of minor league teams I'm noticing little to no releasing of needed players. I'm controlling my own team but watching the other leagues (they're doing a better job than I am of keeping a good number at each position). I'll be stepping it up to 3 soon but I got sidetracked into actually being involved my game's fictional world :P

BTW, side note but saw your E3 presentation on G4 and have to say I'm looking forward to seeing your game Kingdoms of Amalur soon. Right up my alley! I'm picky about visuals (being a graphic designer) and most big world RPGs look flat and boring but from what I saw everything seemed to be in place for a reason. Good Luck!

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Still can't seem to get the injury and trading pace to my liking (though it's early and 12 seems to be much more cautious and realistic about injuries and trades so far).

Um, not everybody is willing to pitch World Series games with open wounds on their feet.

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[hfield007]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Ok so I can confirm my computer managers and GM's suck Most, if not all of my opponents have 2-3, at most 4 relievers....
One of my teams has 2, with most minor league teams having 3, and a rookie ball team with 44 players.
I don't want to micro manage each roster, especially if I go in and change them and then the computer immediately changes them all back.
Not a knock on the game by any means, as somehow the GM's manage to not kill their relievers, though I wonder if there is not a ton of player swapping going on during the season with the bullpens.

You said you are on year 20 in your sim. Is it the same one you won the WS in the third year and if so did you win another since your 7th year?

Anyway awesome to see you on here it's great to see someone with a name like yours playing this game.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by JWay

Specifically, Ross Gload.

Anyway, Welcome to the board, Curt!

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Ok so I can confirm my computer managers and GM's suck Most, if not all of my opponents have 2-3, at most 4 relievers....
One of my teams has 2, with most minor league teams having 3, and a rookie ball team with 44 players.
I don't want to micro manage each roster, especially if I go in and change them and then the computer immediately changes them all back.
Not a knock on the game by any means, as somehow the GM's manage to not kill their relievers, though I wonder if there is not a ton of player swapping going on during the season with the bullpens.

This does sound as if your league strategy settings have been changed. Usually teams carry 11-12 pitchers in the minor leagues when using the default settings. Check league setup -> strategy tab and see if on the left site the use of relievers & closers is set to "Very high", the starting rotation to 5 and the pitcher stamina is "low" or "very low". This models modern day settings and will result in teams carrying the right amount of pitchers. After you made changes, go to the league functions screen and select "Run computer manager on all teams" (middle row, third option from top).

Also, you can check your manager options screen and set "minor league demotions/promotions" and "minor league signings / releases" to computer controlled if you don't want to micro-manage the minor leagues.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

So I'll preface my post by saying I spent about 22 years playing the real thing, and have been a gamer my whole life, but not sports games for the most part (I was addicted to APBA as a kid).
I absolutely love this game and am impressed as hell as someone that now owns a game development company (38 Studios Frontpage | 38 Studios btw!) at the quality of the software this team has made.
That being said, I need some tips
I love fictional leagues, and on the hard drive I have being put into a new machine is my first and favorite league with OOTP 11, in season 20 something now, and it's a blast.
OOTP 12 has come out so while I wait, I have started a new league. Fictional, and need some help.
How do feeder leagues work?
I wanted to start my new league with max player age being mid 20's to allow all players a chance to play lengthy careers (Hated fictional leagues with 39 year old first year guys).
My issues are few, but I have questions.
In my June draft all my players are 17-19, no older, where did I mix that up?
I put 2 large HS and College Feeder leagues in after a few weeks into the season (after reading threads here!) and can't seem to get their schedules for this year to work, both seem to not want to start until next year.
My comments on this version, compared to 11.
Computer controlled teams have pitching staffs that are too small, many are 9, whereas I usually end up with 11, at least, sometimes 12 early in fictional team careers due to sucky starters.
I fire my personnel to make sure I hire the best of the best for fictional teams, and would LOVE a button to create a large amount of coaches/scouts etc., instead of having to make them 1 at a time. Since I'll create until I get real good people in every position.
I hate that my first day of a new league I usually have a sucky scout I cannot replace until after the draft, since if I fire him I go into the draft with OSA ratings only. I should have a few days to get my organization in shape before drafting.
Still can't seem to get the injury and trading pace to my liking (though it's early and 12 seems to be much more cautious and realistic about injuries and trades so far).

I know i have more but this is a really good game guys, well done.
Curt

I think others have answered many of your questions already, but one suggestion I have, IRT you wanting the best coaches and scouts etc:

While OOTP is by far the best baseball game/sim on the market, it's still easy to exploit the AI to your advantage. Each version is improving with it's AI. But the computer can never compete against a human. Certainly not a good one.

Now, having said all of that, my suggestion is this:

Ignore your scouts for the most part. I myself have scouting turned on, but I would rather ignore the scouts. I only make judgment calls based on statistics. Too easy to use scouting, IMO.

The only reason why I use scouting, is simply to see the actual progress any particular player has made in skill throughout his career.

And welcome to OOTP, Mr. Schilling!

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Dutchy, just treat him like any other guy here. FYI, there are supposedly a number of current and former college, minor league and MLB players who play OOTP. I can vouch for there being college players.

I played ball in college myself. Wanted to play for State College spike or Williamsport Crosscutters. But alas, I was completely overlooked.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by MogulChamp

Awesome! Glad to have you as a fan. From the other side of things, Im a huge RPG fan, and I am really looking forward to Kingdoms of Amular. You have an amazing team, Salvatore? Really? Sign me up please!

Really looking forward to the game, and the E3 coverage was amazing.

You called?

[MorseMoose]

Just need to post in this epic thread...on the first page.

Yay Markus! Yay OOTP! Yay Curt Schilling!

[gehrig38]

My guess is that changing the relievers and closers to normal is what spiked or tainted other teams BP usage and roster spots.I use DH in both leagues (16 team format on new league).
I went in and changed it and will check to see if that's made an impact. I want to restart with the new knowledge but the amount of time it takes to do that is daunting (even though I've done it a ton of times)
FWIW the league, my first real league, I have my fictional team as a powerhouse in, is in year 25+ if I remember right, been fun as hell to sim.
I allow the league to auto play and I play every inning of every game my team plays, and manage the organization day to day.

[JWay]

Its a great game. I hear ya on the time process of setting up a new league. After beta testing, I'm trying to gear myself up to setup my world. 4th of July weekend sounds about perfect!