Strat Nostalgia - Cards and Computer Game

[CHARLESBELL]

A few years ago I used to write for a Strat fan website, and occassionally an article would get picked up by SOM and published on their website. I didn't think any of those still existed, but in browsing around the SOM website (since their product area is "being upgraded" and not accessible) I ran across an article I'd written about a simulation season I had done using the one hundred greatest players of all time.

Re-reading that article brought up a lot of great memories of playing the board and computer strat game that I do much less of today. As much as I like playing online strat, I feel I have gotten away from that hands on feeling of having the cards in front of me, and of being able to work my team on a game by game, or even play by play, basis when I want to.

The article is just a bit of nostalgia for me, now, but I wonder how many of us online players still play the board/computer game, and how many have never even tried it?

If you are interested in the article itself you can find it at:

http://www.strat-o-matic.com/sphere/sabr.htm

PS - typos in the article were the result of SOM retyping/editing my article. I guess "copy and paste" hadn't been invented yet when this article went to press. :)

[markp65]

Thanks for sharing this, Charlie. That's an intriguing sim you ran. I'd love to read any of your other articles. Please post more.

I miss the card game too. Haven't held a Strat card in my hands since I was 17. No substitute for the in-game managing/strategy. But I'm grateful to be playing the game in any form!

[CHARLESBELL]

Thanks, mark, I'll see if I have any others I can dig up. I did do a series on a 1920's style barnstorming tour that included Negro league players and parks that I was thinking of resurrecting . . .

[joethejet]

Hi Charlie,

Still playing in a FTF league with 8 adults. Drafting, playing, etc. Been going on since 1989.

Lots of fun. Although, I gotta say, it's a lot harder knowing when you got beat by the guy rolling a 1 on a HR 1-1! :(

Jet
www.angelfire.com/games5/joethejet

[LYLEARNOLD]

What a great article. While most kids my age (I am 31) were playing Atari and Nintendo, I was learning how to keep a real score book and compile stats with the SOM board game. This is one of my fondest childhood memories.

I still own the game and pull it out every now and then, but I usually have to play by myself. I have never played the computer version. I was thrilled when I ran across the online version, but my first and only team is in the tank. :?

Are there very many board game leagues around the country? I live in Northwest Ohio and would love to find other strat junkies to feed my hunger.

[joethejet]

Hey LW,

Can't help you out with the FTF leagues, I'm in CA. However, hang around on the strategy board and ask lots of questions, there are lots of guys who will help you out. You can also check out my web site, might give you a hand on sorting out the players.

Jet
www.angelfire.com/games5/joethejet

[CHARLESBELL]

[quote:69fbe23854="lwarnold"]What a great article. While most kids my age (I am 31) were playing Atari and Nintendo, I was learning how to keep a real score book and compile stats with the SOM board game. This is one of my fondest childhood memories.

I still own the game and pull it out every now and then, but I usually have to play by myself. I have never played the computer version. I was thrilled when I ran across the online version, but my first and only team is in the tank. :?

Are there very many board game leagues around the country? I live in Northwest Ohio and would love to find other strat junkies to feed my hunger.[/quote:69fbe23854]

lw, thanks for reading! There's a couple of places you might try.

The strat website has a Classified section where leagues advertise for players. Check the below site and click on Classifieds:

http://www.strat-o-matic.com

I would also recommend the Strat Fan Forum, which is a free forum for all things strat related, including a section on leagues. Go here:

http://www.stratfanforum.com/forums/index.php

Hope you find some something in your area!

[CHARLESBELL]

[quote:9e3eb49f51="joethejet"]Hi Charlie,

Still playing in a FTF league with 8 adults. Drafting, playing, etc. Been going on since 1989.

Lots of fun. Although, I gotta say, it's a lot harder knowing when you got beat by the guy rolling a 1 on a HR 1-1! :(

Jet
www.angelfire.com/games5/joethejet[/quote:9e3eb49f51]

yea, but then you can just say "It was all luck!" and go beat him the next time. :D

I used to have half the guys in my office playing on our lunch breaks (some of those "breaks" got to be pretty long), with end of season award banquets and the whole works.

I keep telling myself I'm going to get a new FTF going, but I never make the time. Sigh.

[joethejet]

Yeah, our league kind of limps along, but it's muddling through. We used to have a banquet, an all-star game, MVPs etc, but now we're lucky to finish the season by Thanksgiving!

BUT, finish it we do and on to the next year somehow getting all the games in!

Once the kids are out of school, I *think* it will be easier. (I hope!)

Jet
www.angelfire.com/games5/joethejet

[cummings2]

Cool read Charlie. Good article. If you do dig some other articles I'd love to read 'em. Anyhoo's always good to read your stuff, even when its not WOW-related... though maybe you could combine WOW with a Ruth Sim? :wink:

R U in any leagues now charlie, I feel like if it isn't beat the Boss I don't get to share some cyber strat space with ya'... drop me an invite if you join a league that needs a punching bag.

As always, all best of thoughts/wishes for the holidays and the coming new year.

C2 (Actually I'm almost going live on ver 2.11 -Soon I'll be C2.11 :wink: )