The Big Picture: The Pitching Issue with ATG9

could not agree more with the notion of experiementing with different options and seeing what happens--whether it be playtesting or otherwise. One of my issues with the current debate is that it is only two options, this, which many think is unsatisfactory, or that which has never been tested could just as easily make things worse. As I have posted elsewhere, I find it hard to believe that they can't give commishes much more flexbiility in how they set up their leagues (including determining bullpen settings) and could essentially run an ongiong experiement about which types of leagues are fun, strategically interesting, competitvely balanced and achieve some acceptable level of verisimilitude. If playtests are they way, that is fine, if they can just open the door to a much freer hand in how commishes set up leagues, that too.

could not agree more with the notion of experiementing with different options and seeing what happens--whether it be playtesting or otherwise. One of my issues with the current debate is that it is only two options, this, which many think is unsatisfactory, or that which has never been tested could just as easily make things worse. As I have posted elsewhere, I find it hard to believe that they can't give commishes much more flexbiility in how they set up their leagues (including determining bullpen settings) and could essentially run an ongiong experiement about which types of leagues are fun, strategically interesting, competitvely balanced and achieve some acceptable level of verisimilitude. If playtests are they way, that is fine, if they can just open the door to a much freer hand in how commishes set up leagues, that too.

Cosign all of this, this is the best proposal I've seen yet. Let us choose which max rules are operative while they're at it.

Absolutely

I find it hard to believe that they can't give commishes much more flexbiility in how they set up their leagues (including determining bullpen settings) and could essentially run an ongiong experiement about which types of leagues are fun, strategically interesting, competitvely balanced and achieve some acceptable level of verisimilitude.

Hail, the locally configurable.

I like the idea of empirically testing things. It's kind of how I roll politically too (which I definitely won't get into). We can imagine how things will be...but testing different alternatives in the real (Strat) world and seeing which alternatives work best is the way to go, if possible.

This is a great topic, as my bullpen construction over the course of the past few recent seasons has started to increasingly hurt my outcomes (especially in one run games). I play mostly in non-DH leagues, and there is no guarantee I can get 8-9 innings out of my high priced starters regardless of fatigue settings because I can't control HAL pinch hitting for the pitcher in close games. My lower price bullpen righty or lefty specialists are getting SHELLED more lately. It is causing me to re-think the whole approach.

I feel just in general, probably because of the high acumen of many of the people playing, that offense in ATG has gotten better and better. I have tried to lean the opposite way (someone mentioned in a post going to the opposite side of the boat), but it's not working thus far, and my early theory is the bullpen effectiveness (or lack thereof) is to blame.

Also trying to figure out in settings the best way to maximize a five man rotation where one of the five is available for one inning or so of RP during one of their off days.

Call me crazy for wanting to control my bullpen and for thinking 4 starting pitchers pitching 95% of a team's innings for an entire season is much much worse than a so called, " Super Reliever ".

Funny that no one has a problem with Super Starters who pitch 360+ innings... Why even have bullpens???

I thought this was supposed to be the ultimate coach/ GM experience?

With ATG9 everyone builds the same style team, with your four SUPER SPs, and just four pure relievers who are all cheap.


Also in what universe can a MLB pitcher only pitch in TWO SITUATIONS????

This whole thing is very puzzling to me.

I like to be able to control my bullpen, which is why I play pretty much every set except ATG9. Maybe someone can add a dash of common sense in the next decade before they release ATG10, but I won't hold my breath.

They really screwed this game up.

Super relievers are bad, but 4 guys pitching 95% of your innings is good?? Why not just carry 4 pitchers only?

I thought this was supposed to be the most realistic GM/ Managerial experience? When they took away control of the bullpens and raised the rpice of relievers they ruined the game.

And by realistic, I don't mean exactly realistic statistics, I MEAN REALISTIC CONTROL OVER THE TEAM LIKE A MANAGER AND A GM WOULD HAVE.


Until people complain about the tiny rosters, the mash unit teams and the SUPER STARTERS with NO CONTROL OVER THE BULLPEN THIS FORMAT IS GOING TO SUCK, MASSIVELY. I mostly just play the Daily Game, The Mystery Game, and the retro sets, including ATG8. PEACE OUT