Graded Auto Leagues

It is deflating to sign up for an Auto League and when all teams are loaded find a number of Legends, All-Stars and MVPs sprinkled throughout the league. I recall seeing some entry level leagues being available at some point, maybe there wasn't enough interest, but I don't see them anymore. I don't consider myself Entry Level, but I am certainly no expert. To buy a 5 team package and end up supporting these far superior players by losing the leagues they win and earn credits from is a losing proposition.
Being a community, not just an online game, I think Strat can make more of an effort to cultivate play at multiple levels. One comparison I like to use as an example is horse racing. There are Maiden races that are for horses that have yet to win a race. Once a horse wins they can no longer race in a Maiden race, they move up. It's even better in horse racing because a horse, doesn't have to race a Secretariat in every race. Beginners and Starters in Strat face Secretariats in every race. Not a great way to build a community.
I am not against open competition of all levels, that should always be an option and at this time there is no shortage of that. I know when I sign up for a league, especially a tournament I am opening myself up to a butt whooping which is okay since that is a great way to learn and challenge yourself.
Finally, as much as Strat is a hobby for the users, it is a business. I would think that it is good business to make a more concerted effort to cultivate the newest users to growing the business exponentially. The message boards are an excellent forum, but real communication and a level playing field for new players would go a long way. I am getting tired of financing Strat for the Legends,

Agree. Used to be rookie leagues but they ended that. You do see some leagues set up with descriptions like “only for managers with less than __ championships’ and similar but there are complaints that the experts cheat by using different sign-ins.

One note, being an MVP or All Star (I am neither) only means that you have played a lot of teams. The win-loss percentage is more indicative of expertise. I could suggest that you start a 12 team league of your own with the requirement of having played less than 100 teams to join. It's easy to do and will accomplish what you are looking for.

Being a community, not just an online game, I think Strat can make more of an effort to cultivate play at multiple levels. One comparison I like to use as an example is horse racing. There are Maiden races that are for horses that have yet to win a race. Once a horse wins they can no longer race in a Maiden race, they move up. It's even better in horse racing because a horse, doesn't have to race a Secretariat in every race. Beginners and Starters in Strat face Secretariats in every race. Not a great way to build a community.
I am not against open competition of all levels, that should always be an option and at this time there is no shortage of that. I know when I sign up for a league, especially a tournament I am opening myself up to a butt whooping which is okay since that is a great way to learn and challenge yourself.
Finally, as much as Strat is a hobby for the users, it is a business. I would think that it is good business to make a more concerted effort to cultivate the newest users to growing the business exponentially. The message boards are an excellent forum, but real communication and a level playing field for new players would go a long way. I am getting tired of financing Strat for the Legends,

The comparison to horse racing maiden races is a good one. Seems like a wise idea to have maiden race type leagues as an option. I would be interested in playing a Maiden Race Strat league, for players that have never won a league. Or, a league with say, only 3 or fewer playoff teams also appeals to me. Or a league for players with below a certain winning percentage.

Playing my 15th team right now. This is first one played since about 2015 and rediscovering the more I learn, the less I know.

The counter to this is that even vets lose to rookies. I’ve been in dozens of leagues where I’m the most seasoned player and I finish out of the race.

Also, you should ask vets in the league for advice. As long as you’re not in my division I’m full of free and fair advice.

This is good to know. Gives me some hope for current league I'm in. Although even when losing, this game has been much fun to play. But nice to know there is some chance of winning, as I do enjoy that more than losing.

I believe.20XX sets are the most competitive. Limited number of cards and they change every year.
Experienced managers may have an advantage when they are first released. Once a couple leagues are played the "bargains" become known by looking at the stat history and record book tabs.

I was not aware of this. Thank you.

When looking at the stats history, what do the player numbers 1-10, in the usage column, represent?

I was not aware of this. Thank you.

When looking at the stats history, what do the player numbers 1-10, in the usage column, represent?

Frequency of use. 10 means almost always used down to 1 rarely

I like the idea of a maiden league; lord knows I got tired of getting clobbered when I was new. You'll see one in the League Directory every now and then, but I wish there were more. But for now, there is an ATG9 league for managers with fewer than 7 championships. (Better than nothing, at least everyone has a reasonable chance.)

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/league/472565