The Backup Stinks!!! GRRRRRRR!

[BRIANSIELSKI]

:x

I have Alex Gonzalez in my starting lineup.

I have Ramon Santiago on the bench, and he is not in the LH or RH starting lineup. However, he is the 1st level backup for A.Gonzalez in both lineups.

A.G. gets injured, and the next 2 games Ramon Santiago IS STILL NOT playing.

What's the point of having a backup option then??????

Doc

[Roscodog]

I have also been frustrated by HAL's backup use this season. Maybe it will be better next year.

[bernieh]

Dr. Brian,

I looked into it and it does appear that Santiago should've started at SS in the game after Gonzalez was injured. I've tracked down the cause and will be making a fix - probably not by tonight, but most likely before the weekend. Sorry that in this instance the Depth Chart didn't work the way it was supposed to.

Please note that the Depth Chart is not designed to work [i:e83b7ac6e7]in the middle of a game[/i:e83b7ac6e7], however. It only comes into play at the start of a game.

[BRIANSIELSKI]

Awww... that's awesome. Thanks for even looking into it. :)

Doc

[zonachoke]

A quote from bernieh in "SOM 2007 Computer Manager improvements explained"

[quote:4e36e9815d]
- Finding smart replacements for injured or empty slots in your starting lineup

The new Lineups screen, which introduces Depth Charts, lets you assign up to 2 backups for each fielding position in your default lineups, so that you have much more control over who starts when any of your regulars gets injured. However, in the case that you don't set your backups, or even your starters, the Computer Manager will choose the best overall players to fill in for injured or empty slots. When judging overall worth, it will consider both a player's expected offense versus the opposing starting pitcher, and defensive ability. In addition, it will also find the optimal fielding configuration including your healthy starters, moving guys around the diamond if necessary.

Oh, and it will make a more reasonable batting order with the starters it ultimately settles on, if you have significant gaps.

- Subbing for injured or subbed-out players in-game

This is much more important because the Lineup Depth Charts do not handle these cases. Again, similar to above it will fill in for players that have been injured or pinch-hit/pinch-run for using the best overall replacement, and move guys around the diamond to find the optimal defense.

Note that the logic of which PH or PR to use originally has not been changed - only the logic of who subsequently REPLACES the PH or PR.
[/quote:4e36e9815d]

- - -

Let me try to apply this to an example. For simplicity, suppose all pitchers to be faced pitch [u:4e36e9815d]with the same hand[/u:4e36e9815d].

Your starting 1B is a good RF, too... so you you choose your #1 1B to be your #2 RF on your depth chart. You've also set a bench player to be your #2 1B.

In Game 1 of a 3-game set, your #1 RF gets hurt through the end of Game 2. Assume no other injuries.

While HAL won't look at your depth chart... HAL [b:4e36e9815d]should[/b:4e36e9815d] consider MANY possibilities... including the scenario of moving your #1 1B to RF and bringing your #2 1B off the bench to play 1B. [u:4e36e9815d]HAL might not enact this solution[/u:4e36e9815d] but it is [i:4e36e9815d]supposed[/i:4e36e9815d] to consider it.

In Game 2, HAL [b:4e36e9815d]should[/b:4e36e9815d] honor your depth chart and start your #1 1B in RF and your #2 1B at 1B.

- - -

Suppose you have the same bench player at #2 in the depth chart at both CF and RF... and at the start of a game, both the #1 CF and the #1 RF are hurt. Which position gets the #2?

[size=9:4e36e9815d]Note: It's been 3-4 years since I played the PC game, but I seem to remember it contained the following hierarchy: SS, 2B, C, CF, 3B, RF, LF, 1B. By that logic, HAL would place my #2 CF in CF... and either my #3 RF [i:4e36e9815d] OR, if I haven't defined a #3[/i:4e36e9815d] the "best RF available."[/size:4e36e9815d]