Magic Number Still Needs Work?

IngredientX · 03-18-2002, 06:18 PM

I'm running the latest version of the B patch. In a 162 game season, my team is in first place with a record of 94-66. Second place team is 93-67. There are two games to go for both our teams. The magic number, then, should be two; if I win a game and he loses a game, then I've clinched my division. However, I see a * for my magic number, meaning the game thinks I've already clinched the division.

I realize this is cosmetic, but it would be nice if it worked... anyone still having trouble with this too?

Knighthawk · 03-19-2002, 04:43 AM

Yeah, I noticed that, too. The magic-number system is clearly still wrong. In my last season, two division leaders were ahead by one game with one game left, and both were listed as having clinched.

Scott Vibert · 03-19-2002, 05:31 AM

They have clinched at least a tie, this is what the game is doing now. So if you are one game up with one game left you've clinched a tie. (Same with 2 games up and 2 games left) The star is showing for clinching a tie now.

IngredientX's example is bad math by the game (although you might want to double check the standings there, since normally a computer program can't make a math error.

Easy way to calculate magic number:

No. of games in season - (First Place wins + Second Place losses) = Magic Number to clinch tie

Add one to the result to get magic number to clinch outright.

If the game is going to calculate the magic number in this fashion than it should display the 0 for clinching the tie and only show the * for clinching outright title.

[code]
mgcno = seaslgth - (team1wn + team2ls)
if (mgcno < 0){
display '*'
}else{
display mgcno
}
</pre><hr></blockquote>

Otherwise do this:

[code]
mgcno = 1 + seaslgth - (team1wn + team2ls)
if (mgcno <= 0){
display '*'
}else{
display mgcno
}
</pre><hr></blockquote>

(Sorry for the psuedocode I'm at work so I have that mindset right now.)

davep1967 · 03-19-2002, 07:35 AM

Yea but the definition of "Magic Number" is the number of combination of wins and losses by other team to win the division....not tie.

Check this...from MLB.com

<a href="http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp</a>

[quote]
Magic Numbers

etermine the number of games yet to be played, add one, then subtract the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings from the closest opponent.
<hr></blockquote>

Scott Vibert · 03-19-2002, 07:43 AM

[quote]Originally posted by davep1967:
Yea but the definition of "Magic Number" is the number of combination of wins and losses by other team to win the division....not tie.

Check this...from MLB.com

<a href="http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp</a>

<hr></blockquote>

Which means the second piece of pseudocode is correct (gives the proper value), for the official definition (if not exactly matching, the value will always be the same and to me its easier to calculate in my head using that formula).

The first merely reflects what should be displayed if Markus leaves it in its current (incorrect) form.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: ScottVib ]

IngredientX · 03-19-2002, 07:45 AM

[quote]Originally posted by ScottVib:
They have clinched at least a tie, this is what the game is doing now. So if you are one game up with one game left you've clinched a tie. (Same with 2 games up and 2 games left) The star is showing for clinching a tie now.

IngredientX's example is bad math by the game (although you might want to double check the standings there, since normally a computer program can't make a math error.
*snip*
<hr></blockquote>

Hiya Scott...

I remember double-checking the numbers as I posted. I was just going to bed, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't encountering a sleep-deprivation hallucination. At the time, I was 1 game in front, with 2 games to go. Therefore, I had not clinched a tie yet; if I had blown (Benitez-ed?) my last two games and my opponent had won his two, then my team would be sent packing.

I like Scott's suggestion of showing a 0 for clinching a tie and * for clinching the division (even if it's not exactly by-the-book), but it looks like the code just needs a little more wrangling for the numbers to show up correctly. Obviously, this is nothing that will send people back to NES Baseball.

davep1967 · 03-19-2002, 09:23 AM

[quote]Originally posted by IngredientX:


I like Scott's suggestion of showing a 0 for clinching a tie and * for clinching the division (even if it's not exactly by-the-book), <hr></blockquote>

It's this simple....when the magic # hits ZERO, you dump champaign over your teammates heads.

IngredientX · 03-19-2002, 09:29 AM

[quote]Originally posted by davep1967:


It's this simple....when the magic # hits ZERO, you dump champaign over your teammates heads.<hr></blockquote>

I tried that last year, and I had to buy a new keyboard...

Knighthawk · 03-19-2002, 01:56 PM

I don't think we need to mess with the way baseball does magic numbers. All Markus needs to do is fix the way the magic numbers are determined, and everything is great. That way, a magic number of 1 means you have clinched a tie and 0 (or * or X) means you have won the division.

thome25 · 04-09-2002, 05:43 AM

Just had an extremely frustrating experience with my newly started 2002 Arizona career. First season I battle with the Rockies all year long for top spot in the NL West. An excellent penultimate week puts me a couple of games clear. Watching my magic number closely, I win a few early in the final week and my magic number drops to '*'.

As is my routine when clinching a division, I then replaced my rotation, bullpen and lineups in order to rest key guys and give others a shot to perhaps make the postseason roster. I ended the season with a four game homestand against the Rockies. As I simmed the remainder of the week (losing every game unsurprisingly with my pitiful backups) it suddenly dawned on me that the Rockies had pulled level with me. Frantically i pressed the space button to stop simming but it was, alas, too late. I had lost the final Sunday's game, and the Rockies pipped me to the division 88-74 to 87-75.

In OOTP3 there was one occasion when I tied my division after the magic number said I'd clinched, but this is the first time I have seen the magic number get it so badly wrong. Admittedly I should have looked more closely at the standings, but I took the magic number for granted and it cost me.

However, I can't believe I'm the first person to have suffered this misfortune. Perhaps the next patch could have a look at this issue?

Scott Vibert · 04-09-2002, 06:56 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by thome25:
However, I can't believe I'm the first person to have suffered this misfortune. Perhaps the next patch could have a look at this issue?<hr /></blockquote>It's been reported (actually it was awhile ago) so from there its up to Markus.

IngredientX · 04-09-2002, 11:26 AM

Wow Thome, that's an awful way to end a season. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

thome25 · 04-09-2002, 12:55 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Wow Thome, that's an awful way to end a season. <hr /></blockquote>I have to admit I was absolutely gutted. I spent a good ten minutes trying to figure out ways of cheating so as to have another chance at my final game. I guess in future I'll backup my league - or alternatively look at the standings more carefully

03-18-2002, 06:18 PM	#1
IngredientX Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 117	Magic Number Still Needs Work? I'm running the latest version of the B patch. In a 162 game season, my team is in first place with a record of 94-66. Second place team is 93-67. There are two games to go for both our teams. The magic number, then, should be two; if I win a game and he loses a game, then I've clinched my division. However, I see a * for my magic number, meaning the game thinks I've already clinched the division. I realize this is cosmetic, but it would be nice if it worked... anyone still having trouble with this too? __________________ "Schopenhauer was right, wouldn't you say? 'Life without pain has no meaning.' Gentlemen, I wish to give your lives meaning."

03-19-2002, 07:35 AM	#4
davep1967 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 176	Yea but the definition of "Magic Number" is the number of combination of wins and losses by other team to win the division....not tie. Check this...from MLB.com <a href="http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp</a> [quote] Magic Numbers etermine the number of games yet to be played, add one, then subtract the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings from the closest opponent. <hr></blockquote> __________________ Try the StickWare Schedule Generator!

03-19-2002, 07:43 AM	#5
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,267	[quote]Originally posted by davep1967: <strong>Yea but the definition of "Magic Number" is the number of combination of wins and losses by other team to win the division....not tie. Check this...from MLB.com <a href="http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp" target="_blank">http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_stats_101.jsp</a> </strong><hr></blockquote> Which means the second piece of pseudocode is correct (gives the proper value), for the official definition (if not exactly matching, the value will always be the same and to me its easier to calculate in my head using that formula). The first merely reflects what should be displayed if Markus leaves it in its current (incorrect) form. [ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: ScottVib ]</p>

03-19-2002, 07:45 AM	#6
IngredientX Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 117	[quote]Originally posted by ScottVib: <strong>They have clinched at least a tie, this is what the game is doing now. So if you are one game up with one game left you've clinched a tie. (Same with 2 games up and 2 games left) The star is showing for clinching a tie now. IngredientX's example is bad math by the game (although you might want to double check the standings there, since normally a computer program can't make a math error. snip </strong><hr></blockquote> Hiya Scott... I remember double-checking the numbers as I posted. I was just going to bed, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't encountering a sleep-deprivation hallucination. At the time, I was 1 game in front, with 2 games to go. Therefore, I had not clinched a tie yet; if I had blown (Benitez-ed?) my last two games and my opponent had won his two, then my team would be sent packing. I like Scott's suggestion of showing a 0 for clinching a tie and * for clinching the division (even if it's not exactly by-the-book), but it looks like the code just needs a little more wrangling for the numbers to show up correctly. Obviously, this is nothing that will send people back to NES Baseball. __________________ "Schopenhauer was right, wouldn't you say? 'Life without pain has no meaning.' Gentlemen, I wish to give your lives meaning."

03-19-2002, 09:23 AM	#7
davep1967 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 176	[quote]Originally posted by IngredientX: <strong> I like Scott's suggestion of showing a 0 for clinching a tie and * for clinching the division (even if it's not exactly by-the-book), </strong><hr></blockquote> It's this simple....when the magic # hits ZERO, you dump champaign over your teammates heads. __________________ Try the StickWare Schedule Generator!

03-19-2002, 04:43 AM	#2
Knighthawk Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pontiac, MI Posts: 13	Yeah, I noticed that, too. The magic-number system is clearly still wrong. In my last season, two division leaders were ahead by one game with one game left, and both were listed as having clinched.

03-19-2002, 05:31 AM	#3
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,267	They have clinched at least a tie, this is what the game is doing now. So if you are one game up with one game left you've clinched a tie. (Same with 2 games up and 2 games left) The star is showing for clinching a tie now. IngredientX's example is bad math by the game (although you might want to double check the standings there, since normally a computer program can't make a math error. Easy way to calculate magic number: No. of games in season - (First Place wins + Second Place losses) = Magic Number to clinch tie Add one to the result to get magic number to clinch outright. If the game is going to calculate the magic number in this fashion than it should display the 0 for clinching the tie and only show the * for clinching outright title. [code] mgcno = seaslgth - (team1wn + team2ls) if (mgcno < 0){ display '' }else{ display mgcno } </pre><hr></blockquote> Otherwise do this: [code] mgcno = 1 + seaslgth - (team1wn + team2ls) if (mgcno <= 0){ display '' }else{ display mgcno } </pre><hr></blockquote> (Sorry for the psuedocode I'm at work so I have that mindset right now.)

03-19-2002, 09:29 AM	#8
IngredientX Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 117	[quote]Originally posted by davep1967: <strong> It's this simple....when the magic # hits ZERO, you dump champaign over your teammates heads.</strong><hr></blockquote> I tried that last year, and I had to buy a new keyboard... __________________ "Schopenhauer was right, wouldn't you say? 'Life without pain has no meaning.' Gentlemen, I wish to give your lives meaning."

03-19-2002, 01:56 PM	#9
Knighthawk Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pontiac, MI Posts: 13	I don't think we need to mess with the way baseball does magic numbers. All Markus needs to do is fix the way the magic numbers are determined, and everything is great. That way, a magic number of 1 means you have clinched a tie and 0 (or * or X) means you have won the division.

04-09-2002, 05:43 AM	#10
thome25 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: State College, PA Posts: 56	Just had an extremely frustrating experience with my newly started 2002 Arizona career. First season I battle with the Rockies all year long for top spot in the NL West. An excellent penultimate week puts me a couple of games clear. Watching my magic number closely, I win a few early in the final week and my magic number drops to '*'. As is my routine when clinching a division, I then replaced my rotation, bullpen and lineups in order to rest key guys and give others a shot to perhaps make the postseason roster. I ended the season with a four game homestand against the Rockies. As I simmed the remainder of the week (losing every game unsurprisingly with my pitiful backups) it suddenly dawned on me that the Rockies had pulled level with me. Frantically i pressed the space button to stop simming but it was, alas, too late. I had lost the final Sunday's game, and the Rockies pipped me to the division 88-74 to 87-75. In OOTP3 there was one occasion when I tied my division after the magic number said I'd clinched, but this is the first time I have seen the magic number get it so badly wrong. Admittedly I should have looked more closely at the standings, but I took the magic number for granted and it cost me. However, I can't believe I'm the first person to have suffered this misfortune. Perhaps the next patch could have a look at this issue?

04-09-2002, 06:56 AM	#11
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,267	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by thome25: <strong>However, I can't believe I'm the first person to have suffered this misfortune. Perhaps the next patch could have a look at this issue?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It's been reported (actually it was awhile ago) so from there its up to Markus.

04-09-2002, 11:26 AM	#12
IngredientX Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 117	Wow Thome, that's an awful way to end a season. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> __________________ "Schopenhauer was right, wouldn't you say? 'Life without pain has no meaning.' Gentlemen, I wish to give your lives meaning."

04-09-2002, 12:55 PM	#13
thome25 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: State College, PA Posts: 56	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Wow Thome, that's an awful way to end a season. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I have to admit I was absolutely gutted. I spent a good ten minutes trying to figure out ways of cheating so as to have another chance at my final game. I guess in future I'll backup my league - or alternatively look at the standings more carefully