What do you look for when joining a league?

Jeremy Weimer · 09-10-2003, 06:05 AM

Well, I'm bored again and I've always wondered what others look for in a league that makes them decide to join that certain league over all others. I'm not talking about the type of league such as historical, fictional or current day rosters. I mean, besides that what entices you to join the leagues you're in or have just joined? Is it the leagues site design that's sweet looking that made you join? Is it the group of owners? Is it the reputation of the commish? The reputation of the league?

The things I look at to decide whether I wanna join a league or not are:

-Who the commish is
-The reputation of the commish
-Who the owners are in the league
-The site design
-Rules(Like how many sims a week and those things)

Those are the main things I look at when trying to find a league I want to join. Those aren't in specific order or anything, just what I look at. So share what you look at when trying to decide on whether you should join a league or not. It should provide some interesting answers hopefully.

sporr · 09-10-2003, 10:22 AM

In order of preference:

1) Reputation of the league and commish
2) Rules and setup for the league
3) Owner list
4) Website

UKSubs · 09-10-2003, 10:42 AM

For me the list is as follows:

Who the commissioner is.
The rules and league setup.
The reputation of the league/commissioner.
Owner List.

I admit, I would rather play in a league run by someone I know than someone I don't know.

spleen1015 · 09-10-2003, 10:52 AM

Good commishes.

If a league is run by a good commish, then the league is going to be a good, fun league no matter the type.

darkhorse · 09-10-2003, 11:42 AM

I look for a league that has Roger Hardy as a GM. If a league meets that stringent criteria, it will be top class.

Hammer755 · 09-10-2003, 12:41 PM

1.) League Type - Everyone says that the commish is the most important factor, but even if the best commish around starts a modern-day, real player league, I'm probably not going to join.

2.) Commish - I look for things such as attitude, thoroughness, attention to detail, and consistency in a commish. If I suspect a commish of being dishonest in his practices, I wouldn't even consider joining his league.

3.) Rules/Uniqueness - Some leagues I would like to join simply for the uniqueness of their rules. If I had room for another league, I'd probably choose one that attempts to model real-life roster rules with a fictional universe, such as Beorn's Dog Days Baseball. I do think uniqueness can be taken too far, as when it gets in the way of the rest of the league. I would prefer enhancements to the existing league, rather than a gimmick that is difficult to sustain.

4.) Owners - I used to think this was more important than I do now. At one time, I wouldn't consider a league unless I 'knew' or 'knew of' a majority of the owners in the league. But after joining a couple of leagues where I didn't know many of the league members, I found that it can actually be a good thing. You get to meet and interact with people that you otherwise would never have talked to.

5.) Website - A sharp website is nice, but not at the expense of the quality of the league. I'd rather have a well-run league with a barebones site than an immaculately designed website with a sloppily run league.

woburn · 09-10-2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkhorse
I look for a league that has Roger Hardy as a GM. If a league meets that stringent criteria, it will be top class.

Actually, not that far from the truth. One thing that really enlivens the PWBL is the running commentary from Mr. Hardy. Whether he's currently a GM or not....

Hoover36 · 09-10-2003, 03:23 PM

Since I haven't been around as long as a lot of the vets on this forum, I usually don't know ANY of the commish's. So for me, the first thing I look at is the league rule/setup. Assuming there is nothing too shady or obscure in those, the second thing I look at, and its a close second is the web design. I spend ALOT of time looking at the website, reading the articles, and analyzing the players from the site. If the site is hard on the eyes, I may pass the league up even if it looks like one of the better leagues. Other then that, all else goes. I like to join leagues with people I know and ones that I don't. I am not real picky, I just like to obsorb as much baseball as I can.

Cliche · 09-10-2003, 05:21 PM

I look for a current-day rosters league, since that's my preference.

Then I look for one with well written, sensible rules, and preferably some GM's or a Commish I'm familiar with.

Site design is important, but doesn't need to be complex. It just needs to be easy on my eyes at 3am after hours of analyzing...

LivnLegend · 09-10-2003, 05:56 PM

I always look at the type of league first (I'm not interested in any real player, current teams leagues) and the ability of the Commissioner to convey his vision to the interested parties.

I have joined leagues where I knew the Commissioner well and knew of his solid background (Mark Cooley for example) and I have joined leagues where I knew nothing or little about the Commissioner but I was impressed with his ability to set up a solid league with a terrific outlook (Dan Ayers & Shane Orr). The thing they had in common was they had a solid idea of what their league should be and built it. None of them said “I want to start a league, email me if you want to help.” They formed the whole league, with a charter/mission statement, rules, teams, sim schedules, and so on. This leaves little room for surprises or disappointment over the direction of the league. If you want to build a league from the ground up with several people contributing ideas, prepare for heavy turnover as people leave when the league takes a direction they are not interested in. Establish everything FIRST, and then recruit.

Another thing I look for is Commissioners who speak/type in full sentences and have good grammar. Avoid any Commish who types like he skipped 8th through 12th grades -- “looking 4 ppl who want to join my league if this is u send me IM and tell me what team u want (yankees and braves are taken)” I am simply amazed how many people will join these leagues only to complain later about how many leagues they joined that folded within one season.

I look for Commissioners with a sense of humor and avoid those who take things much too seriously. This is fake baseball, after all. I also look to avoid leagues with too much hierarchy (saw a league with titles of Commissioner, Vice-Commissioner, League President (2), Rules committee chairman, and recruiter - holy cripes!) and am not interested in leagues where the guy who runs them gives himself some sort of over-worldly title like Chairman or League CEO. Christ, it’s just a fake baseball league.

Cooleyvol · 09-10-2003, 06:10 PM

^^^thanks, Legend, but YOU'RE my favorite commish!

I'm a 'has been'!

Jeremy Weimer · 09-10-2003, 06:14 PM

Cooley if you're a has been can I have your spots in the leagues you're in?

kq76 · 09-10-2003, 06:18 PM

#1 League Type - historical, fictional, real, financials, geography, etc.
#2 Commish Reputation - if I've seen good things said about or from the commish in the ootp community then I feel fairly certain that the league will be run fairly well.
#3 Familiar GMs - familiar as in I recognize at least a few people from the ootp community that I respect.
#4 Website Design - one shouldn't completely judge a league by its front page, but partially, yes. If a website looks sloppy then I don't like the chances of other things about the league being sloppy. I understand the skills to be a good commish are not necessarily the skills needed to be a good web designer, but I believe good organization especially are needed for both.

Jeremy Weimer · 09-10-2003, 06:20 PM

Okay, so the next questions is...who would join a league if I was running it? I'll give $10 to anyone that says yes.

Cooleyvol · 09-10-2003, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy Weimer
Cooley if you're a has been can I have your spots in the leagues you're in?

"has been" Commish, JW; not owner.

jaxmagicman · 09-10-2003, 08:54 PM

Yes

jaxmagicman · 09-10-2003, 08:55 PM

Link to my checking account

Jeremy Weimer · 09-10-2003, 08:56 PM

If you're a has been, you're a has been.

And Jax, I'm not really giving you $10.

jaxmagicman · 09-10-2003, 09:11 PM

Well then no, I won't join your league.

Jeremy Weimer · 09-11-2003, 02:07 AM

Ah well, I wouldn't want anyone in a league I ran just because they wanted money anyways. So no big deal.

09-10-2003, 11:42 AM	#5
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	I look for a league that has Roger Hardy as a GM. If a league meets that stringent criteria, it will be top class. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

09-10-2003, 12:41 PM	#6
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	1.) League Type - Everyone says that the commish is the most important factor, but even if the best commish around starts a modern-day, real player league, I'm probably not going to join. 2.) Commish - I look for things such as attitude, thoroughness, attention to detail, and consistency in a commish. If I suspect a commish of being dishonest in his practices, I wouldn't even consider joining his league. 3.) Rules/Uniqueness - Some leagues I would like to join simply for the uniqueness of their rules. If I had room for another league, I'd probably choose one that attempts to model real-life roster rules with a fictional universe, such as Beorn's Dog Days Baseball. I do think uniqueness can be taken too far, as when it gets in the way of the rest of the league. I would prefer enhancements to the existing league, rather than a gimmick that is difficult to sustain. 4.) Owners - I used to think this was more important than I do now. At one time, I wouldn't consider a league unless I 'knew' or 'knew of' a majority of the owners in the league. But after joining a couple of leagues where I didn't know many of the league members, I found that it can actually be a good thing. You get to meet and interact with people that you otherwise would never have talked to. 5.) Website - A sharp website is nice, but not at the expense of the quality of the league. I'd rather have a well-run league with a barebones site than an immaculately designed website with a sloppily run league. Last edited by Hammer755; 09-10-2003 at 12:45 PM.

09-10-2003, 05:21 PM	#9
Cliche Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 210	I look for a current-day rosters league, since that's my preference. Then I look for one with well written, sensible rules, and preferably some GM's or a Commish I'm familiar with. Site design is important, but doesn't need to be complex. It just needs to be easy on my eyes at 3am after hours of analyzing... __________________ GUBA - Bogota Toros

09-10-2003, 05:56 PM	#10
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	I always look at the type of league first (I'm not interested in any real player, current teams leagues) and the ability of the Commissioner to convey his vision to the interested parties. I have joined leagues where I knew the Commissioner well and knew of his solid background (Mark Cooley for example) and I have joined leagues where I knew nothing or little about the Commissioner but I was impressed with his ability to set up a solid league with a terrific outlook (Dan Ayers & Shane Orr). The thing they had in common was they had a solid idea of what their league should be and built it. None of them said “I want to start a league, email me if you want to help.” They formed the whole league, with a charter/mission statement, rules, teams, sim schedules, and so on. This leaves little room for surprises or disappointment over the direction of the league. If you want to build a league from the ground up with several people contributing ideas, prepare for heavy turnover as people leave when the league takes a direction they are not interested in. Establish everything FIRST, and then recruit. Another thing I look for is Commissioners who speak/type in full sentences and have good grammar. Avoid any Commish who types like he skipped 8th through 12th grades -- “looking 4 ppl who want to join my league if this is u send me IM and tell me what team u want (yankees and braves are taken)” I am simply amazed how many people will join these leagues only to complain later about how many leagues they joined that folded within one season. I look for Commissioners with a sense of humor and avoid those who take things much too seriously. This is fake baseball, after all. I also look to avoid leagues with too much hierarchy (saw a league with titles of Commissioner, Vice-Commissioner, League President (2), Rules committee chairman, and recruiter - holy cripes!) and am not interested in leagues where the guy who runs them gives himself some sort of over-worldly title like Chairman or League CEO. Christ, it’s just a fake baseball league. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling. Last edited by LivnLegend; 09-10-2003 at 06:13 PM.

09-10-2003, 06:18 PM	#13
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,099	#1 League Type - historical, fictional, real, financials, geography, etc. #2 Commish Reputation - if I've seen good things said about or from the commish in the ootp community then I feel fairly certain that the league will be run fairly well. #3 Familiar GMs - familiar as in I recognize at least a few people from the ootp community that I respect. #4 Website Design - one shouldn't completely judge a league by its front page, but partially, yes. If a website looks sloppy then I don't like the chances of other things about the league being sloppy. I understand the skills to be a good commish are not necessarily the skills needed to be a good web designer, but I believe good organization especially are needed for both. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

09-10-2003, 06:05 AM	#1
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	What do you look for when joining a league? Well, I'm bored again and I've always wondered what others look for in a league that makes them decide to join that certain league over all others. I'm not talking about the type of league such as historical, fictional or current day rosters. I mean, besides that what entices you to join the leagues you're in or have just joined? Is it the leagues site design that's sweet looking that made you join? Is it the group of owners? Is it the reputation of the commish? The reputation of the league? The things I look at to decide whether I wanna join a league or not are: -Who the commish is -The reputation of the commish -Who the owners are in the league -The site design -Rules(Like how many sims a week and those things) Those are the main things I look at when trying to find a league I want to join. Those aren't in specific order or anything, just what I look at. So share what you look at when trying to decide on whether you should join a league or not. It should provide some interesting answers hopefully.

09-10-2003, 10:22 AM	#2
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	In order of preference: 1) Reputation of the league and commish 2) Rules and setup for the league 3) Owner list 4) Website

09-10-2003, 10:42 AM	#3
UKSubs Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 272	For me the list is as follows: Who the commissioner is. The rules and league setup. The reputation of the league/commissioner. Owner List. I admit, I would rather play in a league run by someone I know than someone I don't know. __________________ Counter Culture Baseball Commissioner/Houston Astros RANZBA Adelaide Crows

09-10-2003, 10:52 AM	#4
spleen1015 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,009	Good commishes. If a league is run by a good commish, then the league is going to be a good, fun league no matter the type.

09-10-2003, 03:23 PM	#8
Hoover36 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NV Posts: 197	Since I haven't been around as long as a lot of the vets on this forum, I usually don't know ANY of the commish's. So for me, the first thing I look at is the league rule/setup. Assuming there is nothing too shady or obscure in those, the second thing I look at, and its a close second is the web design. I spend ALOT of time looking at the website, reading the articles, and analyzing the players from the site. If the site is hard on the eyes, I may pass the league up even if it looks like one of the better leagues. Other then that, all else goes. I like to join leagues with people I know and ones that I don't. I am not real picky, I just like to obsorb as much baseball as I can.

09-10-2003, 06:10 PM	#11
Cooleyvol Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Union City, TN Posts: 6,383	^^^thanks, Legend, but YOU'RE my favorite commish! I'm a 'has been'!

09-10-2003, 06:14 PM	#12
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	Cooley if you're a has been can I have your spots in the leagues you're in?

09-10-2003, 06:20 PM	#14
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	Okay, so the next questions is...who would join a league if I was running it? I'll give $10 to anyone that says yes.

09-10-2003, 08:54 PM	#16
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	Yes __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

09-10-2003, 08:55 PM	#17
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	Link to my checking account __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

09-10-2003, 08:56 PM	#18
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	If you're a has been, you're a has been. And Jax, I'm not really giving you $10.

09-10-2003, 09:11 PM	#19
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	Well then no, I won't join your league. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

09-11-2003, 02:07 AM	#20
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	Ah well, I wouldn't want anyone in a league I ran just because they wanted money anyways. So no big deal.