rookie manager

My first league I got into was called "Rookie". I think there were 11 first time players and the 12th guy was playing his 2nd team. No one in the league had experience but by looking at other teams that are good or bad you can see what strategy is working and what isn't. I also came here and started reading the posts and that helped. Unfortunately I started reading after my team was set so I realized some mistakes I made.

This advice may be my specific team but I have seen it mentioned other places - I was looking at OPS to build my team and I have a lot of high slugging and low on base guys. I also lose 3-1 or 2-0 a lot because no one gets on base so if I do hit a HR it is a solo shot. Team #2 will get some guys with good slugging but also some with high on base. Also look at ball park effects. I had Josh Hamilton in AT&T which is an extreme pitchers park and he was terrible. I traded him to a team in Cincinnati's stadium (some bank name, I forget) and he is probably going to be league MVP.

have you read the link provided here on these boards called Newbie Advice?

Search it out if you havent...it is the BEST source of info for SOM Online....no question about it!

My simplest best advice is this, learn how to tailor your team to your ball park and for play against your division. Do not make wholesale changes during the season, this will only make your roster worse. Do not get caught up in taking your favorite players, instead select players who fit your park and are priced right. Ask lots of questions, but take specific advice about specific players with a grain of salt.

I would be glad to give you some tips for a while if you are interested. I kinda sorta know what I am doing.

The above advice is right on the money.

I might also add that I played the Vets most of the time early on for a reason. They did and will have again Manager Rating listed next to the Managers names when they get it done. Strat said it will take time to get this done. This lets you know who has more experience in the game. Watched the teams that won and checked out how they did it. I found 2 managers that played this game well and followed their way of doing things and ask many questions. We do want new players and even the guys in your own Division will help you beat them! Ask questions, post teams and ask questions. You might not always get the answer you like and some might sound down right rude but they are not. Some of these guys are all about numbers and just tell you facts. You can get really good advice. Check the threads all the time and checkout the new General Strategy Thread as you will find great stuff in that one. Many Vets have spent a great amount of time posting in that one to help everyone out. That is where you find the numbers guys doing their thing.

Mike

durantjerry

This was the guy I followed and played against. I chased him like a rabbit down a hole. Watched how he built a team and followed his way of doing it. PM this guy and you will be glad you did! The other one was Apovilka and he helped me set my pitching. If you want to get your ash kicked ask Frank or the BoneCracker how to build a team .

I'm in if you want to start a league - I am currently managing my second team. The first finished with the worst record in the league!!!

Well..............there is a topic thread right under this one called "MY First Strat Online Team" posted by NYY82602, which happens to be your team's owner's name, and addresses the exact same team you post on this topic thread.

Better talk to those kids and have them stop posting your teams..... LOL

viewforum.php?f=17

Here is the newbie advice thread, under the "General Strategy" board on this site.

There's really great advice there for online strat-o-matic strategy, and building a team!

I was once told beat 2 out of the 3 teams in your Division and you will make the post season. Anything can happen then. After your draft look to see what the other teams in your division look like and make the changes needed to beat them. That is their batters and pitchers but don't form your team to their ballpark as you play 81 games at home and 12 at thiers.
What I do is look at my team and see how I would beat me. Would I steal all the time or run on the outfield? Would I just stand pat and watch me boot the ball all over the field? Do my pitchers have bad hold and my catchers have bad arms and high throwing errors? Do I have a pitcher with a +8 hold with a catcher with a +3 arm. I would put Ortiz on steal more. Kimbrel has a great card but with his hold he is like a 9 year old trying to keep a guy from stealing a base.
If you see your weakness than you know the other teams are all over it. What do you need to do to make your team better and it is not only just what you see as your team is hitting.
Most of the time I read posts that say why didn't this guy or that guy hit better than he did when it might be I just gave up so many runs by having cement shoes up the middle and pitchers that can't stop a guy from turning a walk into a triple and a CF that can't move more than 4 steps or can't catch a flyball.
This game is all about making the best team you can with what you have to spend. I have had a 3 range at 2B and he was second in HR's but man he gave up many runners on the fielding chart!

Mike

I was once told beat 2 out of the 3 teams in your Division

Interesting advice I will have to keep in mind.