Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

How does Hal determine who plays a position if there isn't anyone eligible to play that position?

More specifically, consider the following three scenarios:

1. Team has only one third baseman, who gets hurt for six games. For the next series, Hal won't let me insert another position player in the starting lineup at third base, so I leave it blank. How does Hal decide who will play third base in the next series?

2. Team doesn't draft a third baseman. As in Scenario 1, Hal won't let me insert another position player in the starting lineup at third base, so I leave it blank. How does Hal decide who will play third base?

3. Team has two catchers. The starting catcher gets injured and the back-up catcher is pinch hit for in the bottom of the 9th. The game goes to extra innings. How does Hal decide who catches in extra innings?

It would make sense for Hal to play the player on the bench with the most "real life" plate appearances that hasn't been checked to avoid that type of starting pitcher. But who knows?

Would greatly appreciate any experienced advice.

i will answer these as best I know..Im sure I'm off somewwhere and a more knowledgeable vet can/will correct me

1. Hal will use the best match up hitter for that games SP..I think he will prioritize that by position type as well...ie best hitting spare IF for an injured IF...best hitting OF for an OF

2. See above...I pity the GM who decides to go this route regardless of the position.

3. This is very very rare...but does occur. The theory is that once one C is injured Hal protects the other( no injury...no PH/PR etc etc) ...but in the ever so rare event that it does occur ..... see #1

As someone who has played the injury strategy quite often, I would say your mostly right. Although with the below team, Christian seemed to end up at SS every time both Gonzalez and Bartlett were injured (thus the 11 errors). Even had Christian at SS while Martinez was put in LF one game. I couldn't find the boxscore, but if I do I will post it.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/stratomatic/team/team_other.html?user_id=237874

The hand of God?