How soon to join a league?

hojo · 04-06-2013, 09:41 PM

I know everyone's learning curve is a bit different, but I was wondering how soon after buying their first OOTP game others jumped into an online league.

Did you spend weeks or months getting a grasp of the game alone in offline mode, or did you just take the plunge and learn on the fly?

I have been playing fantasy sports, including keeper / dynasty leagues for a few years, but still getting familiar with simming. I am a casual baseball fan, more of a hockey nut. I came across OOTP after hearing about the FHM game that is currently in beta mode. I picked up OOTP to get familiar with their platform, thinking it will make the learning curve for the FHM hockey game a little easier.

Any suggestions on how familiar I should get before applying to join a league. I don't mind learning from my mistakes as a beginner - but I can appreciate that adding a newb into a well established league may not always be a good fit.

ukhotstove · 04-06-2013, 09:57 PM

Started playing in an online league soon as I purchased OOTP way back in 2004, however I jumped in straight away to talk baseball, being in England there aren't many baseball fans to talk to so thats why I jumped in soon as.

f.montoya · 04-07-2013, 08:27 AM

Most commissioners of online leagues, as well as their veteran league members, welcome the true rookies. Make sure you mention how far along you are when joining an online league and I'm 110% sure that you will get the assistance and advice you need, as well as have a great experience in your first online league. I only warn that you not join multiple leagues when you are just starting out.

TGH-Adfabre · 04-07-2013, 10:02 AM

I did not play a solo league until I had the game for 4ish years, maybe 3. I bought it to play in online leagues.

kain360 · 04-07-2013, 10:06 AM

I agree 100% with the previous post. From a fellow newbie - I bought the game and joined a league shortly thereafter. Veteran GM's as well as people on the boards will help you with questions, advice, etc. While there is a lot to learn - the only way I learn is just to jump in as I know there will be mistakes along the way. Just need to be patient and most importantly, have fun. Good luck to you!

hojo · 04-07-2013, 11:16 AM

thanks for the input guys. I see how a new GM would learn more from interacting with a league than plunking along solo with the game. Makes perect sense.

jm47048 · 04-08-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hojo

thanks for the input guys. I see how a new GM would learn more from interacting with a league than plunking along solo with the game. Makes perect sense.

I think how ever you enjoy the game is how you should play it. If that means getting into online leagues early? Perhaps that's the deep end. But at the same time, you will learn. You probably will be in last place the first couple of seasons, but you will learn, and the faster you learn the more enjoyment out of the game, or any game for that matter, you will receive. You have to understand though that sometimes on the interwebs people are impatient. It is probably best if you find a league that is newb friendly, but at the same time, even if they are not, go out and enjoy. Who cares what others think, so long as you're having fun.

Isryion · 04-09-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hojo

I know everyone's learning curve is a bit different, but I was wondering how soon after buying their first OOTP game others jumped into an online league.

Did you spend weeks or months getting a grasp of the game alone in offline mode, or did you just take the plunge and learn on the fly?

I have been playing fantasy sports, including keeper / dynasty leagues for a few years, but still getting familiar with simming. I am a casual baseball fan, more of a hockey nut. I came across OOTP after hearing about the FHM game that is currently in beta mode. I picked up OOTP to get familiar with their platform, thinking it will make the learning curve for the FHM hockey game a little easier.

Any suggestions on how familiar I should get before applying to join a league. I don't mind learning from my mistakes as a beginner - but I can appreciate that adding a newb into a well established league may not always be a good fit.

I'd recommend playing a season as a GM (IE not managing individual games) or so to get your feet wet with the interface, ratings, etc...That's my own comfort level as I like to have the basics down.

That said, I've gotten two people into the game and had them jump right into online play (though I helped quite a bit) and they loved it, and once I started online play I played a lot less single player as single player became less engaging (to me).

If you do jump in, the above post about leagues helping new players is absolutely my experience as well. You can also ease into things, letting the AI take care of your minors, asking for computer manager help, using RHB/LBH lineups as opposed to 7 day lineups, etc...

04-06-2013, 09:41 PM	#1
hojo Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	How soon to join a league? I know everyone's learning curve is a bit different, but I was wondering how soon after buying their first OOTP game others jumped into an online league. Did you spend weeks or months getting a grasp of the game alone in offline mode, or did you just take the plunge and learn on the fly? I have been playing fantasy sports, including keeper / dynasty leagues for a few years, but still getting familiar with simming. I am a casual baseball fan, more of a hockey nut. I came across OOTP after hearing about the FHM game that is currently in beta mode. I picked up OOTP to get familiar with their platform, thinking it will make the learning curve for the FHM hockey game a little easier. Any suggestions on how familiar I should get before applying to join a league. I don't mind learning from my mistakes as a beginner - but I can appreciate that adding a newb into a well established league may not always be a good fit.

04-06-2013, 09:57 PM	#2
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Started playing in an online league soon as I purchased OOTP way back in 2004, however I jumped in straight away to talk baseball, being in England there aren't many baseball fans to talk to so thats why I jumped in soon as. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

04-07-2013, 08:27 AM	#3
f.montoya Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,069	Most commissioners of online leagues, as well as their veteran league members, welcome the true rookies. Make sure you mention how far along you are when joining an online league and I'm 110% sure that you will get the assistance and advice you need, as well as have a great experience in your first online league. I only warn that you not join multiple leagues when you are just starting out. __________________ Fidel Montoya Asahi2 Baseball ex-Commissioner(Historical League Since 2004) www.allsimbaseball.com (OOTP web hosting - Customized sites for online leagues - Sign up, Connect OOTP and Play!) Share Your Mods - Free, unlimited and easy to upload to share your Mods instantly(free site registration required)

04-07-2013, 10:02 AM	#4
TGH-Adfabre Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,599	I did not play a solo league until I had the game for 4ish years, maybe 3. I bought it to play in online leagues. __________________ You mock me, therefore I am My wife

04-07-2013, 10:06 AM	#5
kain360 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 24	I agree 100% with the previous post. From a fellow newbie - I bought the game and joined a league shortly thereafter. Veteran GM's as well as people on the boards will help you with questions, advice, etc. While there is a lot to learn - the only way I learn is just to jump in as I know there will be mistakes along the way. Just need to be patient and most importantly, have fun. Good luck to you!

04-07-2013, 11:16 AM	#6
hojo Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	thanks for the input guys. I see how a new GM would learn more from interacting with a league than plunking along solo with the game. Makes perect sense.