Bernie!!!!!!!: Gorman Thomas Base Stealing Flaw!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mean Dean]

In the computer game, there isn't a setting called "don't steal." The computer game setting is called "don't steal [i:7d53997d2a]if held[/i:7d53997d2a]." I think it almost has to be the case that TSN is using this same setting, but (perhaps in an attempt not to confuse people with board game mechanics) is using a different, not quite accurate name.

This would make sense, because HAL as defensive manager would often not hold Gorman on because he doesn't have a star, and then HAL as offensive manager would often go for the steal because he's not held and the success chance in many situations would be high. (Admittedly, his chance of automatically being out is also high -- 3.5% chance of a pickoff, 11.1% chance of an automatic CS -- but if the success chance is high enough, then you can justify the move regardless.)

[ths92110]

Semper is right. There is a terrible flaw in the game engine regarding baserunning. I had a season where another D rated runner, George Hendrick, was thrown out something like 8 times. In my opinion there is never a situation where Gorman, Hendrick, or any other "D" rated baserunner should be attempting to steal, whether held or not. Sacrificed into scoring position yes, but never stealing. And CERTAINLY NOT WITH TWO OUTS. (See situation #1, above).

[Semper Gumby]

What gets my goat is the players that can steal - aren't attempting it.

Doran - ZERO STEAL ATTEMPTS
HoJo - TWO STEAL ATTEMPTS


[b:8ccf926a87]Equal or worse steal capabilities[/b:8ccf926a87]
Parker - ZERO STEAL ATTEMPTS
Singleton - ZERO STEAL ATTEMPTS

HAL has something cookie with the code where Gorman (I observed him doing the same thing in another league) is off and running without justification.

High negative armed batteries or two outs. :shock:

[canauscot]

I empathize with you on some poor baserunning decisions (my pet peeve is the extraordinary number of attempts for third - usually after stealing second)...but I've got to disagree with you about not stealing with two out. There isn't a better time to try and steal second because a single can score you from there. You still might need another hit if you are still on first. And, whilst a real pitching team might be looking for a steal with two out, I don't think HAL the defensive manager is pitching out.

[MARKWEAVER]

I have these same problems. I tend to set my manager steal preference to conservative, and I set the personal setting for almost every player (except AA's, A's, B's, and very few C's) to don't steal. And, that's what I would like to happen. Don't steal, don't attempt it, period. I've found that one of the worst players for getting thrown out under these conditions is Steve Kemp. I almost always draft Kemp because he consistently clobbers right-handed pitching and virtually lives on base, but he also gets thrown out half a dozen times a year even though I'd prefer if he never attempted a steal. I also set my hit and run setting to extra conservative and set almost every player to don't H&R. Something either needs to be changed in the game engine or, as Dean pointed out, the labels for the personal tick boxes needs to be made more accurate.

Incidentally, I also have Gorman for the first time ever, so it'll be interesting to see if I have similar problems... so far, he's 0 for 0, which is right where I want him.

[durantjerry]

I think you are on to something. I just had Gorman gunned down with HoJo at bat. Gorman set to"don't steal", HoJo set to "don't hit and run" and manager steal setting on "extra conservative". There was one out.

P.Rose 7 Single b-1
0 1 F.White 5 Double 1-3 b-2
0 23 P.Bradley 6 Fly Out b-0
1 23 G.Thomas 5 Single 3-H 2-H b-1
1 1 1 Caught Stealing 1-o
2 H.Johnson 2 Home Run b-H
SUBSTITUTE P - Doug Bair
2 T.Wallach 3 Fly Out b-0

[Semper Gumby]

What makes my Gorman's running so odd is the manager settings are [b:a5c47923d2]conservative[/b:a5c47923d2] (probably means [b:a5c47923d2]normal[/b:a5c47923d2] in TSN's version) and HAL is generally sending Gorman running against "strong negative battery factors" e.g., Carter, Melvin.

Given the manager settings and Gorman's personal settings + coupled with the negative arms - HAL should be relucant to steal the next base.

It bears out as my [b:a5c47923d2]manager stats[/b:a5c47923d2], up to a week, showed the [u:a5c47923d2]lowest theft attempt rate [/u:a5c47923d2]in the league. :shock:

Of course, Gorman led the league in getting caught too. :x

[Semper Gumby]

Different league but he attempted another base stealing act last night (got lucky and made it). :x

[MARKWEAVER]

Actually, a couple days ago I said that Thomas was 0 for 0 on my current team and, sure enough, the next night he stole a base. I want him planted!

[Jimmy_C]

I don't draft Stormin Gorman because he thinks he's Vince Coleman...but runs like Gary Coleman. :D