19th Century ballplay

[thetunicate]

I've started a few historical games in the 19th century and would really like to try managing the games, but after a few games I lose interest because there seem to be so few options - nearly every at-bat is a "swing away", substitutions are rare (and they were historically illegal for a long time, anyway), steals are next to impossible. It feels like the outcomes are often random due to the staggering amount of errors. The lone options for a batter tend to be bunting and hit and run, both common in the era afaik.
Two questions for the experienced players: do you feel OOTP does an acceptable job of simulating 19th century baseball? And do you have any methods for bringing more interest into game management?

[The Game]

Originally Posted by thetunicate

I've started a few historical games in the 19th century and would really like to try managing the games, but after a few games I lose interest because there seem to be so few options - nearly every at-bat is a "swing away", substitutions are rare (and they were historically illegal for a long time, anyway), steals are next to impossible. It feels like the outcomes are often random due to the staggering amount of errors. The lone options for a batter tend to be bunting and hit and run, both common in the era afaik.
Two questions for the experienced players: do you feel OOTP does an acceptable job of simulating 19th century baseball? And do you have any methods for bringing more interest into game management?

I have played 3 historical leagues and countless single season replays. Overall I am very happy with the outcomes of these. You should be able to steal. Catchers typically had 30 SB 40 CS. The errors are about the same IRL for that era. Maybe OOTP isn't for you. The options (swing, bunt, etc) are no different in 1871 then they are in 2012 in the game. I like in part the fact that I will have my SS play 162 games for 8 years in a row while some back up plays 20 games all season for 15 years.
For me it's exciting to see what Cap Anson or Cy Young will actually do for me. I do also tend to sim anything pre 1950 75% of the time and just play the WS.

[thetunicate]

Originally Posted by The Game

Maybe OOTP isn't for you.

If you think that I must have misstated my position! I think the game is exceptional.
Wehere I'm coming from is that I enjoy managing games, but compared to a modern-era game where there are numerous strategic choices to make throughout the course of the game, the 19th-century games have far less variety. Sometimes playing out an old-time game ends up being little more than pressing the '1' over and over...
It's an interesting point you make about stealing, and I suppose it's just hard for a guy growing up in the modern era to call for a steal that has a 43% chance of success. I need to get into a 19th-century mindset a bit more.
It appears from your experience that gameplay accurately reflects reality, which is what I want. I will give it another shot. Thanks for your response.

[Honorable_Pawn]

Don't let that 1402 post count fool you. Most of that was either from unrelenting psychotic giggling or frothing at the mouth due to over medication.

[The Game]

Originally Posted by Honorable_Pawn

Don't let that 1402 post count fool you. Most of that was either from unrelenting psychotic giggling or frothing at the mouth due to over medication.

It's called I dont have a life and I check New Posts 5+ times a day and i beat out everyone else to be the 1st to respond to his question. This will be the last weekend where i am on here 24/7. Start a new job Monday night. Will be too tired to help newbies.

[Honorable_Pawn]

Originally Posted by The Game

It's called I dont have a life and I check New Posts 5+ times a day and i beat out everyone else to be the 1st to respond to his question. This will be the last weekend where i am on here 24/7. Start a new job Monday night. Will be too tired to help newbies.

Yeah it really pisses me off too. I like to be FIRST!



Good luck with the job. BTW...Don't take no sheet from no boss neither.

[thetunicate]

As long as someone takes your place as the 24/7 noob responder. Best wishes on the new job!

Update on me trying to play 19th-century style: it's really tough to play these games out. I cannot imagine what managing one of these teams for real would have been like, when a 10-run rally would be commonplace. I'm finding it difficult to put my finger on what makes certain players dominant and others less so.
And...I cannot find a way to prevent substitutions. Turn them down to minimum, yes, but as I understand it substitutions were actually illegal unless a player was actually, seriously injured.

[The Game]

Originally Posted by thetunicate

As long as someone takes your place as the 24/7 noob responder. Best wishes on the new job!

Update on me trying to play 19th-century style: it's really tough to play these games out. I cannot imagine what managing one of these teams for real would have been like, when a 10-run rally would be commonplace. I'm finding it difficult to put my finger on what makes certain players dominant and others less so.
And...I cannot find a way to prevent substitutions. Turn them down to minimum, yes, but as I understand it substitutions were actually illegal unless a player was actually, seriously injured.

The last part is a good question for LGO Le Grande Orange, he is the OOTP research guru. You have to play within the parameters of OOTP. OOTP doesn't even have accurate teams pre 1900. They have the White Sox coming in in 1882 vs 1901.