changing the weight system midyear

[knockahoma]

Quick question. Can you change the ratings and stats weight as you go thru the year and then hit automatic roster update for computer teams? I'm wondering if, for example, you set 2005 stats weight at 20% at the beginning of the year and then maybe 100 games into the year, change the stat to 50% and downgrade the 04 stats weight. I'm trying to imitate managers realizing that 1976 just ain't Johnny Bench's year and he's going to hit .230, so let's get the backup guy hitting .270 in there a bit more often.

How does the computer react, or does it at all, when you change the weight system during the year?

thanks

[cknox0723]

works like a charm. can't say the effect will necessarily be immediate; it may take a day or two. but i use the same tactic in my solo league and i find it makes for much more realistic ai evaluation!

[jaydh]

yea, it would be nice if a gradual change in those settings were built into the game, rather than, on the first of the month, all of a sudden players are altered. i don't like messing with it during midseason for just that reason.

[Vezna31]

I change them with every month of the season.

I start out with:
ratings 50
last year 30
current year 0
2 years ago 20

With every month progressed, I increase current year 5% and decrease 2 years ago 5 % and decrease last year by 5% in the last month. By the end of the season, it looks like this:
ratings - 50
last year - 25
current year - 25
2 years ago - 0

[knockahoma]

Thanks folks.

OOTP just went from an 8 to a 9 on historical simulation. Managers with individual preference settings would get OOTP to a 10.

Since I've got such helpful people gathered, may i throw out a couple more questions on the engine?

1. Can we affect the AI's decisions at the beginning of the season on roster choices with the same technique, by manipulating its mode of selection?

Example: Mark Belanger's awsome glove and horrific bat often gets benched in favor of some utility infielder with average defensive ability, but a .250 BA. Worse, Belanger might even be released, or sent to minors. To keep out the minor league invader, i'd think putting the stats from the previous year to 100% might work. Or is there that opportunity before opening day?

Anyway, thoughts on how to manipulate roster selection and any plus scenarios that would create?

[cknox0723]

a copy-paste from another thread that may or may not help:

Originally Posted by cknox

I've spent loads of time in my solo league manually deleting guys that fall into three categories:

1. Overage minor leaguers in A-ball with huge talent ratings but middling stats. These guys "break out" over a year's span far too much for my taste; I think the Reggie Abercrombies and Brien Taylors and Ruben Riveras are much more common in the regular major leagues than in OOTP.

2. "4A" type-players. This ranges from decent minor league hitters to fine relievers who simply can't find a roster spot. No Japanese or Mexican or Independent leagues, at least in this version, so players who'd be the 24th or 25th man on a few rosters hang around forever, with occasional talent boosts seeming (at least to me) to bump up the replacement-level, which I don't like. In particular, the decent relievers are an epidemic, at least for me. Guys can spend a year in the minors and then get millions in free agency. Give me one instance modern-day where that's ever happened.

3. Guys that will never get out of AA. You can usually tell by age 25.

All told, this limits the number of minor leaguers and free agents available, so I'd think it's reduced roster movement some. I'll try to keep an eye on it this year, though that will take a while. But I will try to check.

the way i see it, belanger would often lose his job to the minor league invader who has unrealistically high ratings. i will say, though, that i've never tried what you suggested, putting previous year's stats at 100%. hopefully someone who's familiar with that will check in here and let us know what it does.

i will also say that if you have finances on, during offseason free agency you should be sure to NOT put any weight on "current year's stats", since for some bizarre reason those stats are read by the engine from the upcoming year. i've found salaries are most realistic with a breakdown of about 55% ratings, 25% last year's stats, and 20% the stats from two years prior. but i like salaries low so your mileage may vary.