Realism???

[AdamPhoenix]

As I stated in my prior post, this is the first day I have had a team. I was looking at the records, and to be honest some are just ridiculous and extremely unreal. Is this the norm with this game, or outside the occasional ludicurous results the game is realistic? Please let me know if it is worth my time going through the draft process which I am gathering to prepare for will take substantial time and effort, or should I scrap it and just chalk up the $24.95 to a bad decision?

[bjs73]

They're chock full of stats that are unbelieveable. Thing about it is that they are usually the exception and not the norm. For instance, take the record of Mark McGwire @ 95 HR's. Is that realistic in today's game? No. Is it possible in 80's strat-o? Obviously yes. Is it the norm? No.

You'll find that most leagues hover around realistic realms by season end.

There are so many variables involved that can produce such incredible stats. For instance, in an autoleague, there is no rule that everyone has to have unique stadiums. So, you could wind up in a league that has two or more Kingdomes. Or worse yet, two kingdomes, three Jack Murphy's, four Riverfronts, and three Wrigley Fields. If you land McGwire's banner year, you're bound to put up some monster power numbers.

Since this is your first 80's team, let me officially welcome you aboard. 8)

This is the best strat-o game at TSN. The community of regulars here are great too. You want to really have some fun? Join a theme league where everyone plays by some type of gentlemen's rules (like unique stadiums for everyone) or Budget Ball (no position players over 4 million and no .75 cent position players allowed.)

Or start your own theme league and announce your idea to the board with your own gentlemen's rules. If they're good, people will join it for the challenge.

Good luck in your draft.

[seanreflex]

Adam,

BJ is right -- the skewed numbers are the exception rather than the norm. The 80's game is TONS of fun; I started a year ago, and I am HOOKED.

The hitters numbers tend to be slightly better than pitchers numbers; most people choose big time hitting parks, which tips the scales toward the hitters. Also,, there are only 12 teams, so only the best hitters are utilized on a regular basis, and the hitters do dominate in the 80's for whatever reason.

Most top teams are going to hit around 200-220 HR, score 900 runs, have OBP of .340, and have a team ERA in the 3.80 to 4.50 range;

you'll get some monster years, sure, but it is a GREAT game. Give it a chance, and as BJ said, watch these boards for theme league postings; that is when it gets REAL fun !! Good luck, and welcome aboard,

Sean

[BRIANCHIVIS]

Remember too, this is simulation. We are finding out how Kevin Mitchell would do during his big homer year if he played in the kingdome.

I believe the answer why some of the records are so huge is that the teams probably had a high OBP. High OBP means more times at bat for a power, which should translate into more homers. Also, he may have been playing in the Kingdome or something like that. Another variable, suppose our pretend power hitter killed righties. That draft everyone drafted righty pitchers. Put everything together, and you have record possibilities.

Also, remember how awesome 61 homers was before the days of steroid induced sluggers and weak pitching. I would imagine the possibility for 90 homers was always there for McGwire. His best card was in a small park with weak pitching.