Out of Position Players

[Madigan33]

Why does strato not let you start players out of position? For example If a player is CF 1e5 and I want to play him in RF; there should be a penalty for moving a player of position but I should still be able to do it. The penalty should be greater for more diffcult position moves. For Example CF to SS should be greater than CF to RF.

[coyote303]

There are arguments to go either way. Since we are not re-creating an actual season and if I have two stud certerfielders, why shouldn't I be able to move one to a corner?

On the other hand, I remember playing APBA in the late 60s and you would always put Carl Yastrzemski in right field because that was the only outfield position where his 3 (top) rating made a difference with the bases empty. That never sat well with me, so perhaps that's why I don't mind SOM restricting the free use of players to only at positions they actually played.

[ROBERTLATORRE]

SOM doesn't restrict it, there are specific rules for playing players out of position. TSN is restricting it.

[RICHARDMILTER]

As Latorrer states the real SOM rules (for both cards and dice and the CD-ROM) allow you to play a RF in LF or a CF in either corner position. A CF would be rated the same in LF and RF, and a corner outfielder would lose one range point in CF. I have been lobbying TSN for years to use this rule that already exists in the official SOM rules. It seems like a small thing, but it really would be nice to be able to put (a) Willy Taveras, or Coco Crisp in LF .

[ROBERTLATORRE]

[quote:f5480f22ac="rmilter"]As Latorrer states the real SOM rules (for both cards and dice and the CD-ROM) allow you to play a RF in LF or a CF in either corner position. A CF would be rated the same in LF and RF, and a corner outfielder would lose one range point in CF. I have been lobbying TSN for years to use this rule that already exists in the official SOM rules. It seems like a small thing, but it really would be nice to be able to put (a) Willy Taveras, or Coco Crisp in LF .[/quote:f5480f22ac]

RMilter: I also asked but never got an answer on this one. My guess? It would force a complete revaluation of the salaries for all of the players in the card sets. Even though it seems like a small change, it would ripple out pretty far. I always forget when I draft since I play so much CDROM.

Rob

[voovits]

Though technically SOM rules do not forbid players playing out of position, SOM doesn't condone it either.

Here's an excerpt from the official rules (http://www.rsbl.org/somrules.htm):

"25.2 Sometimes injuries will force a manager to use a substitute at an unfamiliar position. [b:b179a4fbf8]If there are no remaining players rated for a position, try to use a similar player there[/b:b179a4fbf8] - an infielder in the infield, an outfielder in the outfield."

Though the rules don't specifically say you can not, it's clear based on the wording that SOM would rather you not play out of position if it could be avoided.

There's a reason why Taveras and Crisp are not rated for LF, it's because they don't play that position.

I agree with TSN implementing the rule that does not allow players starting out of position. I hope it stays that way.

[RICHARDMILTER]

You are wrong! Outfielders can switch positions. No other players can switch positions, but outfielders can, this is right in the official SOM rules. I know I am right I have done it hundreds of times. And playing RF and playing LF are no different than playing LF in two different stadiums. But you can not put someone at an infield position unless they are rated. I play hundreds of games on the CD-ROM a month, I know the rules!I know I am right, about this I do it ALL THE TIME! Call Strat-O-Matic. Believe me I know the rules!

[RICHARDMILTER]

I have put Taveras and Crisp in LF or RF HUNDREDS of times, and this is an official SOM rule. Call the company and ask for Steve Barkin. Trust me!!!

[coyote303]

I don't doubt the CD-ROM doesn't stop you from playing an outfield out of position, but that doesn't make it a legal move (assuming injuries don't force you).

Here is another quote from the rules from GETTING STARTED/SETUP:

"To play a position, a player [b:3ba5ec9d0d]must have that position shown on his card[/b:3ba5ec9d0d]"

All the rules that show how to handle playing someone out of position follow the rule already quoted in a previous post.

"[b:3ba5ec9d0d]Sometimes injuries will force[/b:3ba5ec9d0d] a manager to use a substitute at an unfamiliar position."

The discussion about outfielders is the exception is talking about how to rate them if they are forced to play out of position. It does not say a manager can arbitrarily do this (unless forced).

Now, I know a lot of people play Monopoly and put all the tax money in the middle--land of Free Parking and the money is yours. (These same people complain how long a game Monopoly is; it really isn't long [i:3ba5ec9d0d]unless you play with this house rule[/i:3ba5ec9d0d].) However, that is not an official rule.

So, back to SOM, if you play the CD-ROM game and you want to play outfielders out of position, go for it. However, that doesn't make it an official rule.

[RICHARDMILTER]

The computer would not let me play Coco Crisp, or Rick Manning in CF as a 1 rated player if it were not in the official rules people, I know this for a fact!!!! If you try to put any other player at a position not on his card he will be rated a 5!!! With the highest E-rating.But when you put a CF at a corner outfield position, even if they did not appear there, they retain the same rating, this is a fact that can not be disputed! It is a little known rule that you can play a CF in RF or LF, that even appears in my original board game rules. I am positive about this, so much so that I would bet anything on it!

But just call SOM's number one man (Besides the real Hal Richmond), his name is Steve Barkin and ask him! I am so positive about this one, I own the board game and do it ALL THE TIME! I am doing it right now, with Rick Manning.

You people believe what you want to believe, I have played tens of thousands of real games of Strat0 on my CD-Rom and if it were not in the rules I would not be able to do it. Besides I have read the rules! I know what I am talking about.

But believe what you want, ....you are going to anyway, I just ask those that ACTUALLY own the CD-ROM to give it a try, and then try to put an OF at an infield position and you will see you can NOT do that without them having the highest possible range and e-rating. This is clear as day. But I am done trying to convince you, I know what is a real rule and what is not, especially in this case.