Anyone else concerned about this statement?

I like the change eliminating HAL's lineup method. I played the lineup scam in every league and by game 40 I'd have my hitters nailed down. Now, it is taking a long time to figure out the years of my hitters. It is going to take me a while to adjust to the new format. For one thing, I'm probably going to be taking fewer one-year wonders. Another big change for me is that I will need to have fewer teams and enjoy each team more. In the old format, opening day was like Christmas morning since I'd get a really good idea which hitter years I had; but by game 40 there wasn't lot to figure out beyond a few pitchers. So, with the new format it's going to take me longer to figure out my players and there'll be more guesswork, and I like it better.

The one thing I'm really going to miss is HAL consistantly leading off Kingman. That's the one that I've had the most trouble figuring out. In my next 70s league I'm going to do it for old time's sake.

ere are the two things that wil help you understand all the things HAL used to do.

1. He put your best hitter 3rd, next best 4th, then 5th and so on and so on. Your first and second hitter was some mix of obp and the player who would otherwise be batting 8th or ninth in the order.

2. By best, IT was mostly about HR/AB. He also took into acocunt, to a lesser extent the tilt of the batter and the tilt of the pitcher. So a hitter that hit 20hr/ab against righties might hit ahead of someone who hit 18HR/ab against righies if that first person had a heavy R tilt/ OBP comes into play to a much lesser extent. I think HAL definitely overweighted a pitchers tilt. HAL would put up righties who were significantly worse than lefties on your bench against a 3L pitcher.

Cats out of the bag.

First, I'm still have mixed emotions about the change. I do like that there will be less of the 20-30 moves a night. Then when we get to the 42 game mark, it will be a much more interesting time. There will still be plenty of players to try. Trades? All of a sudden a little more likely. These are all good things.

But, that brings another question into play, which I'm experiencing right now with my first 60's team. How far do you let them drop? I'm 2-7 out of the gate, eeking out the 2 wins and not much of a factor in the 7 losses. I already dropped my #1 starter as he got rocked in 2 starts. Too early? Probably. Then my hitters, or my pathetic hitters. McCovey. I see McCovey out there but he looks more like Mendoza. Clemente, Bonds and Joe Morgan all a shade better than Willie and that's saying very little. Good players in most years. How long do I sit on them? More importantly, how far do I drop? Could I be 20 games out by the 42 game mark? Sure looks like a possibility right now.

First, I'm still have mixed emotions about the change. I do like that there will be less of the 20-30 moves a night. Then when we get to the 42 game mark, it will be a much more interesting time. There will still be plenty of players to try. Trades? All of a sudden a little more likely. These are all good things.

But, that brings another question into play, which I'm experiencing right now with my first 60's team. How far do you let them drop? I'm 2-7 out of the gate, eeking out the 2 wins and not much of a factor in the 7 losses. I already dropped my #1 starter as he got rocked in 2 starts. Too early? Probably. Then my hitters, or my pathetic hitters. McCovey. I see McCovey out there but he looks more like Mendoza. Clemente, Bonds and Joe Morgan all a shade better than Willie and that's saying very little. Good players in most years. How long do I sit on them? More importantly, how far do I drop? Could I be 20 games out by the 42 game mark? Sure looks like a possibility right now.

That's a tough one. This is my first Strat on-line season and playing in the 60s. I am not sure you can start to get a decent read on your hitters until around 100 at bats, unless you can tell from an injury. I don't think you want to start dropping your "good" players only 9 games into the season. I find more hot and cold streaks than consistent hitting from game to game.

Drop your good hitters that are only hitting .200 so I can pick them up!

People used to say to give hitters 100ABs before you made a decision.
There is no rule obviously.
We have all had players in "good" years play like their "worst" year for 162 games and the playoffs. Similarly, I have had people in bad/mediocre years playing like their good years for the whole season.....
Its still just dice rolls.

This is very interesting stuff fellas. I played the 1970s game once and did not know what I was doing, it was before I even knew about the boards. So I never got a chance to try it the old way, I wish I could have but I will still try it this new way.

Is it wise to leave your bullpen settings, and starting rotation blank, what does Hal do in those cases? Has that rule changed?

I am new to the mystery game but not to SOM or SOM on-line. I learn a lot about Hal's behavior with the CD-ROM.

I love the idea of the mystery game and I am excited to play some 1970s and 1980s teams. I guess there could be a few more players in the pool. Why can't they add guys like they do with ATG?

Are the advanced strategy and player settings available now for the mystery games? Thanks for the info and good luck in your leagues. ...See ya in the playoffs...

Are the advanced strategy and player settings available now for the mystery games?

Not for the 80s game.

Not sure if anything is changed with the rotation. I think it always put your more expensive or highest inning starting pitcher (i.e. s8>s7). With relievers, you used to be able to leave them blank and see what HAL did. AS far as I know, you couldnt tell exactly who your best relievers were but if he kept putting the same guy in for save opportunities, he is probably your best, and if he put the same guy in every time you were down by 10 runs, it was probably your worst.