Commissioner dominance of online leagues

bulldog55 · 07-11-2005, 06:57 PM

I personally see this a lot; is it as widespread as in my experience? What do you think of the issue of commissioners' teams dominating their leagues? Is it a problem?

I just won my second straight championship, beating out the assistant commissioner for the title (it was the first time in seven years that we'd played each other, so there's one positive note). It is my third in league history and my team is the winningest of all-time. I say it not to boast; in running a league you're bound to pay more attention to the goings-on, especially in the fictional league that mine is. But the commissioner won the World Series in the BBSC Current League this year and in Maelstrom last year.

I get frustrated when I consistently dominate my league. I want the other owners to enjoy themselves and feel like they have as good a shot as anyone at winning. I worry that it spoils some of the fun for them when the commish is frequently coming out on top. On the same token, I'm not going to tank my team for the sake of the league.

What can you do as a commissioner to keep your team in check? Should there be house rules like with solo leagues? Or does that violate the spirit of open competition. I'm not doing anything to gain an advantage beyond simply knowing the players of the league better than anybody else in it. I tried suggesting a luxury tax but it was met with a lukewarm response and probably won't end up happening. Do any commissioners have any rules in place to level the playing field?

SoxWin · 07-11-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog55

What can you do as a commissioner to keep your team in check?

Stop cheating Fitsy !!

Bluenoser · 07-11-2005, 07:29 PM

Personally I see no reason why there should be special rules against the Commish. Everyone who joins a league has the same opportunity to study the teams and players and to get to know them well. Just because it happens naturally with the Commish (obviously he spends a lot more time going through stuff) doesn't mean he should be penalized for it. As for me, I see very very few leagues where the Commish dominates.

rem · 07-11-2005, 07:33 PM

I have it on good authority that bulldog55 absolutely hates the Online League forum and considers it the bane of human existence.

RBLwebguy · 07-11-2005, 07:49 PM

Well considering both my teams never won a championship in both leagues with about 32 seasons simmed, I say no cheating here

I enjoy commishing the two leagues I do and believe that anyone who pays attention to their teams can do well. Usually commishes see the league as a whole and know the players out there, plus do lines, attend drafts and take care of free agency. Successful GMs are ones that sign their players and do the week to week stuff to make it a successful thing.

There are those out in OOTP land that do edit ratings, and all that stuff, but those leagues usually die.

Seacrest out!

kq76 · 07-11-2005, 08:04 PM

Over 6 seasons in the KBL Taharqa has had the most wins, made it to the playoffs every year, and won the championship in year 4. I sometimes worry that someone might think I'm cheating. One person was going to join, but then he said he looked at my record and changed his mind. In my defense I think I can safely say that I've been a pretty successful GM in other leagues too though. The win%s have probably not been as good, but then again I've learned a lot of things about the game over the years and I've always been good at initial drafts. I've often thought about stepping down as a GM, but then you're taking away a quality competitor and I have to think that hurts more than it helps as it lowers the value of the league to others. Besides, I like closely following a small group of players and the day-to-day success and struggles of a team.

As for special rules against commissioners, I don't know. I think it would cheapen someone else's victory if I didn't try as hard as I do in other leagues or restrict myself in ways that others are not restricted. If something is questionable though, I try to steer clear of it. For example, last season my CF was going to be a FA. I had made him a couple offers, which he declined, but then he was injured after the regular season and then said he'd accept less. I don't really see a problem with this, yet I was still uncomfortable with it and let him go. I had to then settle for a poor replacement and it's hurt me. Another example are FA offers. When I'm simming I of course see all the offers and I could sometimes jump in, but I take the attitude that if I didn't see the player on my own before reading the offer then he's off limits to me. In the end, I try to play just as I would as a GM in any other league.

We have a number of rules to try make the league as enjoyable as it can be, making it difficult for good teams to stay good and for it to be easier for bad teams get better (e.g. salary cap, true revenue sharing, etc). But good GMs are still going to be good even if they have a year or 2 of rebuilding, while some GMs even having built up a stable of amazing prospects after years of cellar dwelling might still not be able to do anything productive with them. I honestly don't think I have much, if any, advantage over anyone else who spends a great deal of time on the league. Of course I'm going to have an advantage because everything goes through me like rule changes and problems that pop up. But at the same time, there's going to be areas of the game that you just don't pay much attention to like with the waiver wire and FAs we have a couple guys where it seems like nothing gets past them and I for the most part ignore it like I do in other leagues. I think that's the best way to go though, come up with rules that make the league challenging and enjoyable for all, not rules against certain people.

Chappy · 07-11-2005, 08:07 PM

The only real advantage I feel I have over other owners involves the fact that as commish, I have a pretty good relationship with most of the owners and therefore can swing deals a little easier. I try not to exploit this by limiting myself to one or so trades a year and by not being the first person to trade with a commish when he enters the league.

bulldog55 · 07-11-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

I have it on good authority that bulldog55 absolutely hates the Online League forum and considers it the bane of human existence.

Well if I were looking for a league or posting an opening in mine, I'd have posted this in here.

bulldog55 · 07-11-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBLwebguy

Usually commishes ... do lines

I assure you that my ability to play the game for hours on end is not the result of a cocaine habit.

jazzrack · 07-11-2005, 08:32 PM

as commish i have been up and down, had a good first season but bounced early. bad second season, made it to the championship in the 3rd season (& lost), and am horrid this season.

my biggest thing is injuries, when other teams have a spate of injuries and I am sitting pretty i wonder if the league wonders, so i feel some relief when the injury bug hits my club.... thats just sad i shouldn't feel that way, i need worse injury luck early in the season.

but in general commish's have a better feel for the talent level of the league, just from the general poking around that commish's have to do.

spleen1015 · 07-11-2005, 09:29 PM

I don't think it happens as much as people think.

Cooley wins his leagues all the time. NOT!

LivnLegend · 07-11-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog55

I personally see this a lot; is it as widespread as in my experience? What do you think of the issue of commissioners' teams dominating their leagues? Is it a problem?

I have a logged a lot of seasons (50?) with several leagues under several Commissioners (at least a half dozen) and only once in all those seasons has the Commissioner's team won the championship. Obviously your experiences differ but looking at the online leagues I've aligned myself with over the years, I have no fear of this being an issue to worry about.

disposableheros · 07-13-2005, 04:15 AM

in my current leagues...

jazzrack has the 2nd best all-time record (.543, 1 game behind the best ever) and has 2 division titles and 1 league title (15-13 in postseason play)
cooley doesnt own a team
enuttage has the 3rd worst all-time record (32 teams)
kq76 has the best all-time record (.616) and has 4 division titles, 1 wildcard, and 1 championship, BUT a.480 postseason record

hmmm, maybe i'll have to start keeping an eye on a couple of them. JUST KIDDING!!!

really, it just comes down to the fact that they USUALLY spend more time scouring the WHOLE league rather than just their team like most GMs

canadiancreed · 07-13-2005, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I don't think it happens as much as people think.

Cooley wins his leagues all the time. NOT!

oooooo burn

jazzrack · 07-13-2005, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disposableheros

in my current leagues...

jazzrack has the 2nd best all-time record (.543, 1 game behind the best ever) and has 2 division titles and 1 league title (15-13 in postseason play)
cooley doesnt own a team
enuttage has the 3rd worst all-time record (32 teams)
kq76 has the best all-time record (.616) and has 4 division titles, 1 wildcard, and 1 championship, BUT a.480 postseason record

hmmm, maybe i'll have to start keeping an eye on a couple of them. JUST KIDDING!!!

hey now, that does not include this seasons record :

add over 100 losses to that total. If I'm lucky I'll still be over .500

disposableheros · 07-13-2005, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzrack

hey now, that does not include this seasons record :

add over 100 losses to that total. If I'm lucky I'll still be over .500

with a handful of games left, i didnt want to short change you the few wins you MIGHT get

jazzrack · 07-13-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disposableheros

with a handful of games left, i didnt want to short change you the few wins you MIGHT get

if i win all 6 i'll be 70-100.... ouch, that hurts just to look at it. I should have tried to hold that team together, this season was painfull.

pflyers1 · 10-09-2005, 04:50 PM

I saw this thread a while ago but didn't have time to reply. ... In my opinion it takes several things to become successful in simulation baseball leagues weather you are the commissioner or not. I'm sure that some people have taken advantage of the fact that they run the league and quite possibly have cheated in an effort to win. However, if a league is run fairly any GM who devotes enough time to their team (including the commissioner) will have an equal chance to win consistantly.

You have to stick with a league. Two or 3 seasons normally isn't enough to get anything accomplished.
You need to spend time "tinkering" with and getting to know your team as well as getting to know the OOTP game itself. You must get to know the league, the teams in it and most importantly, your team very well. You will get back only what you put in.
Be proactive! I have managed to build a good team as well as a phenominal farm system by doing so and dealing for 1st round picks. At times it upsets other teams in the league that my team and farm system are good and win consistantly but it's only because I spent the time and was proactive. Any team could have made the same deal(s) I did if they had taken the time and made the offer.
Limit the number of leagues you are in. Someone who is in more than 2 or 3 leagues can't possibly manage all of their teams effectively and as a result, most of them will suffer, leading to discouragement and probably resulting in the commissioner's having to find someone else to take over. My opinion is that commissioner's should try and avoid people who are in more than a few leagues because of this problem.

Anyway, .. that's my .02 cents - from a commissioner who has won championships in my own league and been very competitive in another - anyone can wil if they are willing to stick around, spend the time and have fun with the game.

Karen Lutz · 10-11-2005, 03:36 PM

I can handle a commish winning every once in a while, but if it gets out of hand or they win one in the first couple of seasons, I just won't stay. That is me, I know everyone has their own preference.

MogulChamp · 10-11-2005, 07:52 PM

One thing that I would love to see in the next version of OOTP is the ability to lock all editing of players, etc. And allow the other GM's to be able to see that it is locked.

That way, there is no question of a commisioner or assitant commish cheating.

07-11-2005, 06:57 PM	#1
bulldog55 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: California's Canada Warnings: 17 Posts: 2,481	Commissioner dominance of online leagues I personally see this a lot; is it as widespread as in my experience? What do you think of the issue of commissioners' teams dominating their leagues? Is it a problem? I just won my second straight championship, beating out the assistant commissioner for the title (it was the first time in seven years that we'd played each other, so there's one positive note). It is my third in league history and my team is the winningest of all-time. I say it not to boast; in running a league you're bound to pay more attention to the goings-on, especially in the fictional league that mine is. But the commissioner won the World Series in the BBSC Current League this year and in Maelstrom last year. I get frustrated when I consistently dominate my league. I want the other owners to enjoy themselves and feel like they have as good a shot as anyone at winning. I worry that it spoils some of the fun for them when the commish is frequently coming out on top. On the same token, I'm not going to tank my team for the sake of the league. What can you do as a commissioner to keep your team in check? Should there be house rules like with solo leagues? Or does that violate the spirit of open competition. I'm not doing anything to gain an advantage beyond simply knowing the players of the league better than anybody else in it. I tried suggesting a luxury tax but it was met with a lukewarm response and probably won't end up happening. Do any commissioners have any rules in place to level the playing field? __________________ Commissioner, Trans-Continental Base Ball Association Owner/GM, Los Angeles Electrics (TCBA), Beaverton Rangers (OTBL), Portland Mavericks (Union League), and Los Angeles Superbas (Century League) Being smart, don't always make you popular. Last edited by bulldog55; 07-11-2005 at 06:58 PM.

07-11-2005, 07:29 PM	#3
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,537	Personally I see no reason why there should be special rules against the Commish. Everyone who joins a league has the same opportunity to study the teams and players and to get to know them well. Just because it happens naturally with the Commish (obviously he spends a lot more time going through stuff) doesn't mean he should be penalized for it. As for me, I see very very few leagues where the Commish dominates. Last edited by Bluenoser; 07-11-2005 at 07:32 PM.

07-11-2005, 07:33 PM	#4
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	I have it on good authority that bulldog55 absolutely hates the Online League forum and considers it the bane of human existence. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

07-11-2005, 08:04 PM	#6
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,100	Over 6 seasons in the KBL Taharqa has had the most wins, made it to the playoffs every year, and won the championship in year 4. I sometimes worry that someone might think I'm cheating. One person was going to join, but then he said he looked at my record and changed his mind. In my defense I think I can safely say that I've been a pretty successful GM in other leagues too though. The win%s have probably not been as good, but then again I've learned a lot of things about the game over the years and I've always been good at initial drafts. I've often thought about stepping down as a GM, but then you're taking away a quality competitor and I have to think that hurts more than it helps as it lowers the value of the league to others. Besides, I like closely following a small group of players and the day-to-day success and struggles of a team. As for special rules against commissioners, I don't know. I think it would cheapen someone else's victory if I didn't try as hard as I do in other leagues or restrict myself in ways that others are not restricted. If something is questionable though, I try to steer clear of it. For example, last season my CF was going to be a FA. I had made him a couple offers, which he declined, but then he was injured after the regular season and then said he'd accept less. I don't really see a problem with this, yet I was still uncomfortable with it and let him go. I had to then settle for a poor replacement and it's hurt me. Another example are FA offers. When I'm simming I of course see all the offers and I could sometimes jump in, but I take the attitude that if I didn't see the player on my own before reading the offer then he's off limits to me. In the end, I try to play just as I would as a GM in any other league. We have a number of rules to try make the league as enjoyable as it can be, making it difficult for good teams to stay good and for it to be easier for bad teams get better (e.g. salary cap, true revenue sharing, etc). But good GMs are still going to be good even if they have a year or 2 of rebuilding, while some GMs even having built up a stable of amazing prospects after years of cellar dwelling might still not be able to do anything productive with them. I honestly don't think I have much, if any, advantage over anyone else who spends a great deal of time on the league. Of course I'm going to have an advantage because everything goes through me like rule changes and problems that pop up. But at the same time, there's going to be areas of the game that you just don't pay much attention to like with the waiver wire and FAs we have a couple guys where it seems like nothing gets past them and I for the most part ignore it like I do in other leagues. I think that's the best way to go though, come up with rules that make the league challenging and enjoyable for all, not rules against certain people. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

07-11-2005, 08:07 PM	#7
Chappy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,721	The only real advantage I feel I have over other owners involves the fact that as commish, I have a pretty good relationship with most of the owners and therefore can swing deals a little easier. I try not to exploit this by limiting myself to one or so trades a year and by not being the first person to trade with a commish when he enters the league. __________________ NPBL - Pennsylvania Freedom AFBL - North Carolina Aviators MLB-Pro - Kansas City Royals

07-11-2005, 07:49 PM	#5
RBLwebguy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Canuckistan Posts: 5,162	Well considering both my teams never won a championship in both leagues with about 32 seasons simmed, I say no cheating here I enjoy commishing the two leagues I do and believe that anyone who pays attention to their teams can do well. Usually commishes see the league as a whole and know the players out there, plus do lines, attend drafts and take care of free agency. Successful GMs are ones that sign their players and do the week to week stuff to make it a successful thing. There are those out in OOTP land that do edit ratings, and all that stuff, but those leagues usually die. Seacrest out!

07-11-2005, 08:32 PM	#10
jazzrack Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: still kicking Posts: 3,229	as commish i have been up and down, had a good first season but bounced early. bad second season, made it to the championship in the 3rd season (& lost), and am horrid this season. my biggest thing is injuries, when other teams have a spate of injuries and I am sitting pretty i wonder if the league wonders, so i feel some relief when the injury bug hits my club.... thats just sad i shouldn't feel that way, i need worse injury luck early in the season. but in general commish's have a better feel for the talent level of the league, just from the general poking around that commish's have to do. __________________ . "Never confuse composure for ease" Was once Head Cheese of Corporate League Baseball

07-11-2005, 09:29 PM	#11
spleen1015 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,009	I don't think it happens as much as people think. Cooley wins his leagues all the time. NOT!

07-13-2005, 04:15 AM	#13
disposableheros Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,332	in my current leagues... jazzrack has the 2nd best all-time record (.543, 1 game behind the best ever) and has 2 division titles and 1 league title (15-13 in postseason play) cooley doesnt own a team enuttage has the 3rd worst all-time record (32 teams) kq76 has the best all-time record (.616) and has 4 division titles, 1 wildcard, and 1 championship, BUT a.480 postseason record hmmm, maybe i'll have to start keeping an eye on a couple of them. *JUST KIDDING!!!* really, it just comes down to the fact that they USUALLY spend more time scouring the WHOLE league rather than just their team like most GMs __________________ 2 Wild Cards, 11 Division Champs, 4 League Champs, 3 World Champs, and 3 Best GM awards Baseball Maelstrom - New York Mets - 180-149 .547 Corporate League Baseball - Coke Buzz - 889-649 .578 Western Hemisphere Baseball League - Santiago Saints - 672-793 .459 Record - 2428-2271 .517 Last edited by disposableheros; 07-13-2005 at 05:03 AM.

10-09-2005, 04:50 PM	#18
pflyers1 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Home Posts: 299	I saw this thread a while ago but didn't have time to reply. ... In my opinion it takes several things to become successful in simulation baseball leagues weather you are the commissioner or not. I'm sure that some people have taken advantage of the fact that they run the league and quite possibly have cheated in an effort to win. However, if a league is run fairly any GM who devotes enough time to their team (including the commissioner) will have an equal chance to win consistantly. You have to stick with a league. Two or 3 seasons normally isn't enough to get anything accomplished. You need to spend time "tinkering" with and getting to know your team as well as getting to know the OOTP game itself. You must get to know the league, the teams in it and most importantly, your team very well. You will get back only what you put in. Be proactive! I have managed to build a good team as well as a phenominal farm system by doing so and dealing for 1st round picks. At times it upsets other teams in the league that my team and farm system are good and win consistantly but it's only because I spent the time and was proactive. Any team could have made the same deal(s) I did if they had taken the time and made the offer. Limit the number of leagues you are in. Someone who is in more than 2 or 3 leagues can't possibly manage all of their teams effectively and as a result, most of them will suffer, leading to discouragement and probably resulting in the commissioner's having to find someone else to take over. My opinion is that commissioner's should try and avoid people who are in more than a few leagues because of this problem. Anyway, .. that's my .02 cents - from a commissioner who has won championships in my own league and been very competitive in another - anyone can wil if they are willing to stick around, spend the time and have fun with the game.

10-11-2005, 03:36 PM	#19
Karen Lutz Ball Breaker Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada OOTPChampionships: 5 Posts: 898	I can handle a commish winning every once in a while, but if it gets out of hand or they win one in the first couple of seasons, I just won't stay. That is me, I know everyone has their own preference.

10-11-2005, 07:52 PM	#20
MogulChamp All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 656	One thing that I would love to see in the next version of OOTP is the ability to lock all editing of players, etc. And allow the other GM's to be able to see that it is locked. That way, there is no question of a commisioner or assitant commish cheating.