depth chart

[brow66]

has there been any discussion of a depth chart? Maybe in the manager strategy area? Could that save the disasters when your CF gets hurt early in game 1 of a series being replaced by a guy who has a 5(+3) instead of your intended guy who has a 2(+1), particularly in a place like Coors. I know that Durham (the 5+3) was the better hitter but that is not how my team is set up (defense is a priority for me). If defensive replacement takes precedence here let me know. However, there are only 4 spots there and a depth chart would seem to remedy this. Defensive replacement area, to me, is strictly set up for late game bench guys who are better defenders and I would not want to take a chance that my back up CF would take Rowand's spot (1 range) late in a game. I really feel that putting Durham in cost me some close games. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[worrierking]

Is this something TSN could deal with or is it something SOM has to address? I like the idea of a depth chart. Some of this could be accomplished with a check box similar to "Avoid RH." It could be "Avoid CF," or something similar. That way Hal would be forced to look elsewhere. In the 05 game I twice made the mistake of having Sheffield playing RF. He had a 5 high E rating at 3rd and Hal made sure he played there at every opportunity. No matter who got hurt, Hal figured out a way to contort my defense to get him there. Drove me nuts.

[brow66]

anyone from strat able to respond?

[LMBombers]

HAL looks only at the best hitter when making substitutions regardless of fielding ability. If a player is rated at that position and is the best hitter available then he is going in no matter if he is a 5e50 at that position.

Until or unless this changes you should draft accordingly. If Durham is causing you headaches by being put in CF you could limit HAL's choices by dumping Durham for a different player that isn't rated for CF and then the backup you want to play most likely would. You have to decide if Durham is helping you enough offensively to make up for his occasional CF play.

Complaining about it is fine but until it changes you might as well take that into consideration when forming a team.

[DavidRis]

That's agood point LM....thanks!
I didn't realize HAL would always take the hitter over the fielder and I will now plan accordingly.
8)

[brow66]

LM, that was outstanding information, is that found anywhere in rules or is that from experience? I guess I just should have left the depth chart question up without mentioning the Durham episode. My point was not to complain but to bring up an idea based on why I thought about it. Has anyone addressed a depth chart before or is that just too hard to program?

[MARCPELLETIER]

[quote:577cc37b49]
HAL looks only at the best hitter when making substitutions regardless of fielding ability.[/quote:577cc37b49]

I don't think this is right. Hal keeps choosing Bigbie over my better offensive bench players continously.

[rgimbel]

bomber is right that hal pays no attention to def however he doesnt pick the strongest hitter either. I think it is pretty random although for some reason he never picks the right guy.

[brow66]

As I am pretty new to forum activity, does HAL ever respond here or anyone form Strat? Maybe I should post a question as to how some of you feel about adding a depth chart for future remodifications? Is it presumptuous to think that HAL hasn't thought of everything to make this game as good as it can be? Why do I keep posting thoughts in form of questions? Help..................................?

[Sheikyerboudi]

In the CDROM game, there is a feature called the SUPER HAL LINEUP DEPTH CHART that enables you to choose (in order of preference) your substitutes at each position. It is my hope that someday TSN will be able to offer all fo the Super Hal features in the online game - it would eliminate a lot of the problems associated with HAL.

-FZL