Do you really want the best record in the league?

[atcjet]

I agree 100%. I had a team with 106 wins. won my division by 26 games. Played the wild card team who was barely above .500 and who I beat up almost everything time we played in the reg season. well that team swept me in the first round. and it wasn't even close, he destroyed me in all 3 games. Plus I dont understand why the first round in a 3 out of 5. More chances of bummy teams winning.

[raslavens]

Kudos to your research. However, you're telling us many things that a) we already know or b) we've debunked through thousands of seasons of statistical analysis.

I'd say very few of us consider this game to accurately reflect a major league season. We know there are flaws in the game engine and the premise, as you mention. But we like this game better than any other out there. No other online site/game is able to offer the combination of quasi-realism, reasonable price, level of competitiveness and sense of community than TSN Strat-O-Matic online.

I'm a journeyman player here, but I'm sure there are many others who echo my sentiments.

[Simon31]

Interesting study! I have heard many complaints on the boards from people who had the best records, including myself, and yet collapsed in the first round of the playoffs. I would love to forward this info to Bernie at TSN who even now is trying to figure out if there are glitches in the relief pitching mechanism. Here are some links to my playoff teams if this will help.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=2004

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=11003

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=1191

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=8423

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=31829

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=42364

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=40840

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=42364

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=49798

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=51154

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=104587

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/playoffs/team_other.html?user_id=108817

Hope this helps some!

[sschu]

There is consensus that the 5 game semi finals series and the wildcard issue playing the team in the same division are flaws, not sure of TSN's position on fixing these. The other issue with the 5 game semis IMHO is it favors teams with big $$ SPs like Pete as he will start games 1 & 5. One idea used for team design is that you win at home first and then win vs division opponents. Hence wildcard teams will match up better vs the division winner from that division.

As far as the game engine goes, there are plenty of reasons to complain and the flaws you list are valid. But your statement that this does not mirror real baseball is not entirely correct. It is a numbers game, probabilities of events occurring, intangibles are difficult to quantify and hence program. But many basic baseball concepts do apply: defense, OBP, RS vs RA, speed, match ups, getting the right combination of all factors, building lineups and teams to maximize success potential.

If you have not done so, suggest you draft a team and give it a go, lots of fun and more challenging than you think.

FWIIW, sschu

[Simon31]

I agree with raslavens comments. We do know there are flaws and maybe your research can help pinpoint some of the problems. But, it is the best online baseball game and this community of players is second to none. So we keep coming back for those two reasons! I love stats though so keep up the research. I would love to see the results from a larger sample. :D

[sschu]

And yes, I want the best record in the league. The home field advantage for the playoffs improves your odds, especially if you have a unique home park like Y56.

sschu

[TomP]

[quote:acd66b92ca]Our suggestions? Ask them to take out the bug or device line that plays the playoffs differently. [/quote:acd66b92ca]

I really doubt there is a flaw or a different game engine for the playoffs. As stated, 13 seasons is a small sample. My teams represent a little larger sample and break down as follows:

40 Seasons
Best record - 10 championships
2nd best record - 11 championships
3rd best record - 8 championships
4th best record - 11 championships

Also, we all have had the assumption that the team with the best record is the best team. There are too many variables in a season for this assumption to be valid. Several months ago, I drafted a team very similar to one of my championship teams. The first team won 99 games while the clone won only 81 games. The dice rolls obviously play a major impact with the results over a 162 game season. Some years you win a lot of 1-run games, others you do not.

Another factor is the competition in the playoffs. Unlike the regular season, all 4 teams are more evenly matched. Over a large statistical sample, I would expect the best team (and, according to my theory, we don't know which team that is) to win slightly more than 25% of the time.

[dinsdale]

So the team with the best record doesn't win the World Series and you think that is strange? Look at the World Series Champion in regular baseball since the expanded playoffs and see how many times the team with the best overall record wins. It's not a good pct.!!!

[Free Radicals]

Flaws ? Yes, probably . But in most leagues the competition level is extremely high and one of the best things about playing SOM here at TSN is the sense of community . You won't find a better bunch of baseball fanatics anywhere else . You say there are no rivalries but I think you are mistaken . I have many with quite a few managers . The main thing about SOM is its fun and the people here make it fun . Try a team or 2 and you will be back for more and more and more . :D