Does this game actually need house rules?

[Up here in Canada]

I plan on mainly 'stats only' with the exceptions of speed and defense ratings but does a person really need house rules to have a good OOTP experience?

[One Post Wonder]

I don't use them. I'd really hate that.

Maybe a few years back it was more necessary than now. Back then if you were any good you could eventually assemble a team that would win 120+ games a year and have pitchers that went 31-2... I've not been able to do that in a while.

I'm still clearly the best GM in a solo league, but it doesn't look like an adult playing against 7 year olds anymore. Once I've run a team for 10 years and it's good enough to not just win the WS but destroy league records, I just go manage another team in a different league.

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by One Post Wonder

I'm still clearly the best GM in a solo league, but it doesn't look like an adult playing against 7 year olds anymore. Once I've run a team for 10 years and it's good enough to not just win the WS but destroy league records, I just go manage another team in a different league.

May I ask what settings you use?

[One Post Wonder]

I play as GM only and don't interfere with the coach.

My AI trade settings are average/neutral. If I go higher than average the AI gets too stubborn to work with IMO. Neutral because I want the Rebuilding/Win Now settings to determine what kinds of players the AI wants.

Player eval is 10/65/20/5. I'd put the rating eval a bit higher than that usually (I just look at stats but I don't mind if the AI uses ratings somewhat), but I'm playing in 1901 and the ratings won't give a great impression of what a player will do. Like the HR power rating is next to useless right now.

[Padreman]

House rules are for bags and vagabonds

[ThePretender]

I try not to extend guys pre arbitration because otherwise my entire team will be on contracts under 2M for 10 years. I'll essentially have 100+ win teams on a 40-50M payroll. It stops being fun or a challenge at that point.

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by ThePretender

I try not to extend guys pre arbitration because otherwise my entire team will be on contracts under 2M for 10 years. I'll essentially have 100+ win teams on a 40-50M payroll. It stops being fun or a challenge at that point.

Is there a way around this (specific settings etc.)?

This question is for anyone out there, please, feel free to jump in.

[NoOne]

did you guys fiddle with the financial settings?

increas league revenue... or First i would make a greater proportion of revenue be a flat payout to all teams as opposed to the revenues that scale with success and market. then, fiddle with upping revenue of the lowest teams.

if you are seeing 2m / 10years there is a severe money supply issue going on, because the demand doesn't sway that much, ever, in this game. those contracts can only happen if teams simply don't have enough money to spend, en masse.

i've noticed a handful of well rated vets each year get signed for 1/2 or less of what they should get relative to performance/ratings... it's because i don't have enough teams with enough cap space to pay the initial demands of all the FA.

***guessing**** i see a ton more talent than before. i don't think the financial system was adjusted to account for so much talent??? maybe?? something definitely needs to be ironed out. it's pretty bunk this year in that regard.

[ThePretender]

It doesn't matter whether you change the settings or not. In any league, whether cash is available or there is very little, players will sign bargain extensions IF you know WHEN to do it.

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by ThePretender

It doesn't matter whether you change the settings or not. In any league, whether cash is available or there is very little, players will sign bargain extensions IF you know WHEN to do it.

So there is no way around this without implementing a house rule?

[BigRed75]

It's the same in real life. Players will sign bargain extensions if you know when to do it.

Exhibit A: Evan Longoria

[RchW]

Originally Posted by ThePretender

It doesn't matter whether you change the settings or not. In any league, whether cash is available or there is very little, players will sign bargain extensions IF you know WHEN to do it.

I rarely see that. In fact there are times when I feel the inability to sign a reasonable (both arb year and FA) extension is unrealistically difficult.

Originally Posted by Up here in Canada

So there is no way around this without implementing a house rule?

Beware of blanket statements. You may need to be aware of certain exploits. I'd say trading for good players is far more likely a "house rule" candidate than bargain extensions.

The obvious trade "house rule", is, if you would not honestly make the trade as the other GM then don't.

[boogeyboard1]

What is a house rule?

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by RchW

Beware of blanket statements. You may need to be aware of certain exploits. I'd say trading for good players is far more likely a "house rule" candidate than bargain extensions.

So the 'very hard' trading setting would not take care of this concern?

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

What is a house rule?

-no running in the house

-shoes off at the door

-eating only allowed at the table

etc.

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

What is a house rule?

Basically it's having to implement a rule outside of the parameters of the game that the prevents you from taking advantage of the game.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by boogeyboard1

What is a house rule?

A recognition that certain things can be exploits. Things like "take pitch" or stacking a trade to get a huge prospect and/or editing players to your advantage. Also using better pattern recognition to see a player in decline earlier than the AI. Some of it, like the latter, you can't help. Others like acquiring 15 of the top 25 prospects via unrealistic trades, you can. Some people don't think house rules should be used. I'd agree that it a very personal decision and the game should be played exactly how one pleases. However some small considerations can make it a much better challenge.

[Up here in Canada]

Originally Posted by RchW

Others like acquiring 15 of the top 25 prospects via unrealistic trades, you can.

The 'very hard' trading setting doesn't take care of this exploit?

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Up here in Canada

The 'very hard' trading setting doesn't take care of this exploit?

It might but also might lead to almost no trades which reduces enjoyment. It's a tough call. I don't make a trade I can't justify from the other GM's pov. A small price to pay IMO.

[ThePretender]

Originally Posted by RchW

I rarely see that. In fact there are times when I feel the inability to sign a reasonable (both arb year and FA) extension is unrealistically difficult.

If you're letting a player go to arb or FA then you've waited too long. That's my point. So from this comment it seems like you don't know when to do it. I've been able to do this with players since OOTP 14, so it's something that hasn't been fixed for quite some time.