First time in a Strat-o-matic league

[garygovro99]

I've played regular Fantasy Baseball for 5 seasons now, and have always noticed the Strato-o-matic games. Up until this year I have never had time to look into them fully. Well, now I am retired, and looking for something to fill the months from the end of this baseball season to the start of next season. I've purchased a ATGF set and joined a post-WW2 league (Boomers League) with a live draft.

I assume that we draft pitchers and hitters like we normally do in Fantasy BB, then set our lineups daily and let the simulators take over and play the games. But that is about all I know. If one of you can point me to the details on how these leagues work, I would appreciate it. I am a life-time Cardinals fan, and really looking forward to this league, but also want to do well.

Thanks.

[Palmtana]

The [url=http://forums.sportingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=9842]Newbie Advice Thread[/url] is a good place to start.
ATG has [url=http://forums.sportingnews.com/viewforum.php?f=27]its own forum [/url]for specifics on that game.

[Jerlins]

The most common mistake I've found from newcomers who have come here from the fantasy/roto ranks. Do not build your team like you would in fantasy. Defense is important. Other than that, yes, read the newbie thread link.

[durantjerry]

If you get first pick, you should probably draft Babe Ruth.

[hallerose]

Build your teams to fit your ballparks is important (hitters, pitchers, righties, lefties, homers, singles, etc.). Also, think like the Minnesota Twins or Oakland A's (not the Yankees), you have a limited amount to spend and you need to do it as efficiently as possible. Just like the majors, certain types of players and certain skills tend to be undervalued (and this varies some by what set you are playing). You can't waste money on players who you won't use or you use in an inefficent way.

[durantjerry]

I love the ATG live drafts. Currently have three or four going. Lots of fun. Biggest tip would be to take advantage of platoons. The top players can stand alone, but platoons can turn two good players into a superstar. Some examples-Ozzie Smith/Barry Larkin at SS, Gil Hodges/LH 1B, Clemente/Maris and on and on. All pitchers will get hit hard, so draft hitting early(At least that's what I do). A great defense never hurts. You may see me in your league if there is still space.

[ConnieMack]

[quote:eb3b105a81="durantjerry"]I love the ATG live drafts. Currently have three or four going. Lots of fun. Biggest tip would be to take advantage of platoons. The top players can stand alone, but platoons can turn two good players into a superstar. Some examples-Ozzie Smith/Barry Larkin at SS, Gil Hodges/LH 1B, Clemente/Maris and on and on. All pitchers will get hit hard, so draft hitting early(At least that's what I do). A great defense never hurts. You may see me in your league if there is still space.[/quote:eb3b105a81]

I am thinking of buying a team. It doesn't seem like live drafts are that popular but I would like a all seasons ATG IV live draft league. I see one that has tried to form but no luck yet. If anyone knows of one, please let me know at any time.

[durantjerry]

Usually they pop up Wednesday or later, shooting for a Friday night or Saturday night 10PM draft. Mostly ATG, some 2007.

[RICHARDMILTER]

hallerose said:[quote:e1e18cb71f]Build your teams to fit your ballparks is important (hitters, pitchers, righties, lefties, homers, singles, etc.). Also, think like the Minnesota Twins or Oakland A's (not the Yankees), you have a limited amount to spend and you need to do it as efficiently as possible. Just like the majors, certain types of players and certain skills tend to be undervalued (and this varies some by what set you are playing). You can't waste money on players who you won't use or you use in an in[/quote:e1e18cb71f]

This is excellent advice,normally....except for one problem; the gentleman said he is in a live draft league. So on this rare occasion this advice does not apply! In most leagues there is a salary cap, and that advice is perfect, but in the live draft leagues there is no salary cap! So get the best players available. And follow the advice of the experts, read the newbie thread, and read as much of the strategy posts, and All Time Great posts as you can! And remember do not give up on a great player because he starts slow, this is VERY important! Keep your team together, the players with the higher salaries are more expensive for very good reasons! It is not like fantasy baseball were players get better or worse, their cards ALWAYS stay the same. So do not dump your high priced players when they slump, or start slow! Good luck and have fun!

[The Biomechanical Man]

gary,

Welcome to the great game of Strat-O-Matic Baseball. You will see that it is a great game, with a great community of people. I am in the same Live Draft as you, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's draft. I have played many Strat leagues here, but never the Live Draft.

A lot of the advice on the newbie draft is good advice, but any stuff about trying to get the best bang for the buck needs to be thrown out the window in this Live Draft. In a typical strat online league, you have a salary cap. Thus, you have to choose between affording Great Player A or Great Player B. Not so in this Live Draft.

The advice on the thread about the stadium still holds up here. The difference is that we will be picking our players before the stadium, not the other way around. Draft the best team you possibly can during the live draft, and then later you can pick a stadium that matches your talent.

My final advice is this. The Strat group at The Sporting News is very, very good at pricing or ranking Strat player cards. They consider the players ability to contribute by hitting, fielding, running, pitching, etc. So when in doubt, take the highest ranked player for the position you need.

See you online tomorrow night! :)