SOM Online Update

[bernieh]

Hey everyone,

I'd like to take a few minutes to update you all on what I'm working on these days and how I'm (hopefully) earning my paycheck. Unfortunately I'm unable to provide you with a time frame for each of these items, but you can trust that I'm giving them due priority.

[b:1be695d505]"Reverse" lineups, "Super HAL" Lineup Depth Charts[/b:1be695d505]
These new lineup features are definitely coming in the future. In addition to setting your default lineups versus LHP and RHP, you'll be able to set lineups versus "reverse" LHP and RHP, i.e. a LHP that happens to be tougher on right-handed batters than left-handed batters. ALSO, the CD-ROM game's "Super HAL" Lineup Depth Charts feature will be added: you'll be able to define and prioritize backups for each of your starters that will be placed in lineups and in the middle of games in the event of injury.

[b:1be695d505]In-game bullpen logic improvements[/b:1be695d505]
I'll be resuming the work I was doing earlier in the summer 1) improving the default bullpen management logic and 2) adding new or improving existing options that will let you fine-tune your relief preferences. As always, please understand that this is an extremely difficult process, with no exact litmus test for success. And as always, I appreciate your patience.

NOTE: I will do my best to retro-fit older games with any new features I develop, but there'll be cases where it's impossible for any number of reasons (e.g. incompatibility with code, interface, or feature set). I never deliberately ignore support for any games - I usually have some good reason for things I do or don't do.

[b:1be695d505]ATG III: Early Wynn[/b:1be695d505]
I promised I would bring Early Wynn back from the ATG I graveyard and I still intend to. Stay tuned for that announcement.

[b:1be695d505]Die rolls, injuries[/b:1be695d505]
For the record, and I hope this is the last time I have to say it: there are no patterns when it comes to die rolls and injuries. The die rolls that drive each play are truly random (or as random as a computer can get, which is pretty darn random), and, as a result, injuries are too. The next time you're thinking of formulating a conspiracy theory, it's probably because you're choosing to see what you think you see. When I was young I was convinced that if I tuned into the Yankee game on the radio after the leadoff hitter batted but before Don Mattingly came up, he'd get a hit. It worked about 30.7% of the time.

Those who are clamoring for the die rolls to be shown - I'd love that too, but at this point I haven't figured out how. I'm learning new things about the game engine every day, so maybe soon I'll find the solution. But - again I hope this is the last time I have to repeat myself on this - don't assume anything is easy to do, or that I'm deliberately keeping things out of the game for some devious reason.

[b:1be695d505]League list cleanup[/b:1be695d505]
This keeps slipping on my priority list, but it's annoying me and I'm trying to fit it in. I'll be posting a note on the lists of available leagues warning people that empty leagues will be purged from the database on a nightly basis, and then I'll set it up so it does so.

Thanks for your continued support!
Bernie H.
SportingNews.com

[Ducky]

Thanks for the update Bernie. Keep up the hard work, but also get a chance to enjoy yourself once in awhile. It is good for the soul! :wink:

Maybe go out and catch a few live baseball games before the season is over.

Mike

[LMBombers]

Can I get a NO from the bobbleheads for showing the dice results for each play? NO, NO, NO for the 80's game. If you do that it won't be a mystery card game for long.

[bjs73]

[quote:7c77ab790a]Can I get a NO from the bobbleheads for showing the dice results for each play? NO, NO, NO for the 80's game. If you do that it won't be a mystery card game for long.[/quote:7c77ab790a]

You are correct. NO DICE RESULTS.

[PillPop]

The reverse lefty lineup will also decrease the mysteriousness of the Mystery Card a little bit. It would reveal cards for those pitchers that have one or two or three reverse seasons among their five. Not that I couldn't use the help!!

[steal third]

Bernie: please keep the mystery card a mystery!!! I think it would really take the managing fun (and frustration) out of the game.... Let's not tinker too much with a good thing. Thanks!

[pyramid1]

I see no real need to reveal the dice rolls. The more mystery in the 80s leagues the better. It's what sets it apart from the other leagues and in my oppinion makes it so much better. NO DICE ROLLS PLEASE.

[Semper Gumby]

My vote

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

Keep the 80's mystery card a mystery. No dice rolls to reveal the years card. If it aint broke don't fix it. Mystery cards is what makes the 80's game so great.

[JIMDAKE]

FIRST & FOREMOST: THANKS BERNIE for working hard on a game we love.

NO DICE RESULTS ON MYSTERY CARD GAMES -- agree!
It would only serve to allow 80's rookies to be taken advantage of.
(In the no-mystery games, though, I could see it reinforcing the character of the traditional SOM game and reinforcing the brand.)

ALTERNATIVE IDEA FOR LINEUPS -- Instead of 'automatic reverse R/L lineups -- let's see a CHOICE of lineups -- set up 2 each for LHP and RHP, let the manager choose which lineup to use for each matchup. Maybe that's a reverse R/L, maybe it's a power vs on-base lineup, whatever. Gives me the opportunity to be a genius or a dufuss, and keeps the mystery in the game!

This is also just dreaming that it could even be done in the apparently-hard-to-update 80s game.