Wed Jan 29, 2025 8:14 am
although I haven't played in that kind of league, I can understand the sentiments, and maybe be more tolerant of lesser experienced players (which isn't hard to do as I'm super new)
if I was learning tennis, or chess, or anything with strategy involved, and if I was always playing vastly superior players, I might learn "what I should do", but "actually being able to do it, in a competitive environment" (the opponent isn't letting me win for example) would not be so easy or probable....thus, I'd be getting a lot of "book knowledge", but not as much practical experience.....its when someone can compete with others of near skill and a little better, that they feel they have a chance to win, or score that point (and they do), and the outcome isn't so fixed.....
this helps them to develop an ounce or more of confidence, as well as the technical/skills aspects
I don't think newbies begrudge anyone from playing in a "champions only" league, where most/all of the teams are veritable experts.....reciprocally, it could be argued the beginners deserve the same respect, and allow them to "cut their teeth" and learn.....
nobody sees the daily roster management of each team during league play....we basically judge or evaluate the other teams not only on performance but on roster makeup....if the newbies want to learn from experienced players, they could review old leagues/rosters of successful GMs.......they don't need to be forced (without options to play easier leagues) to compete against the best from the gitko
compare it to little leagues....if my son is at T-ball level skill, and shows up at the field and gets put into a fast pitch league much higher level than him, "how much is he really going to learn ?''''....let the kid learn how to run, hit, field, throw a little, and then move up the ranks, like minor league MLB players do from single A > double A > triple A > the show
just 2 cents worth of food for thought, totally respect dissenting viewpoints