Ballpark Concept...

BigCity · 02-10-2006, 05:13 PM

As many of you may know, one of my most common contributions to the community has been various ballparks - both real and fantasy. In thinking about what might be done for the new game - I was trying to conceptualize a different format from the one (view) that is always behind the plate. Although I understand this is the best way to place your defensive players, I'm wondering if the defensive players are, in fact necessary. Let's take a look at an OOTP in-game screen...

The view of the ballpark is certainly nice, but in truth, it doesn't express the entire personality of the structure. Most of us do not sit right behind home plate in the upper deck - so we don't normally have this view of the field... and what is it we like about going to a ballgame? Don't we feel that excitement as we pull in the parking lot, wait in line, walk around the interior, etc? The game image above gives us a very static view of the game. We see the player's names, positions, and recent stats where they actually stand on the field. If we removed the info boxes - THAT is what we see when we go to a game. So, what am I getting at?

I'm thinking of using the center block of the screen to show a baseball situation - in the ballpark it's suppose to be, of course, but without the player info boxes. I'm thinking the only player boxes that should be on the screen are the men on-base. The pitcher/batter situation is already on the bottom of the screen - and the fielders are described in the PbP. If the player positions were added to the lineups in the lower left, that could be a quick reference if we weren't real familiar with the team(s).

This would leave the entire center block to be used as an "art area" to express the park in many creative ways (of which I will be posting some at BCB soon). In addition, let's expand this idea a bit....

What if Markus provided the option to "rotate" nine(9) slides (by inning) for each ballpark? Each inning, a new view of the park (or "display") would be shown. Wouldn't this give a "dynamic" feeling to the game?

What do you think?
BC

reds1 · 02-10-2006, 05:54 PM

Intriguing idea, BC. I think its definitely worth exploring.

I always thought it would be neat to have the view from the perspective of the field manager in the dugout or from the GM's box (including part of the ledge where you would look out on).

Or maybe see the view from the roof seats beyond Wrigley Field!

BigCity · 02-10-2006, 08:19 PM

Runners on base would be listed along the bottom 1B-2B-3B placement labels.

echolodge · 02-10-2006, 08:49 PM

I think this is a great idea, Big City.

Having played many baseball simulation games, it does seem they all are locked into the idea of having to display the defensive player "boxes". Wouldn't it be neat if changing weather and time of day conditions could gradually appear on the screen within the various views of a given stadium or ballpark? Imagine the sun setting behind Wrigley Field and shadows lengthening as Ryne Sandberg strokes the winning single to end a 17 inning marathon or a steady rain ruining the plans of your opponents high-powered running game. Just an idea.

Are the current plans to have the playing field graphics pretty much the same as the ones from OOTPB 6.51?

Malleus Dei · 02-11-2006, 08:55 AM

I use the standard layout. I have tried the other, more utilitarian ones, that have been kindly made available and have found that I far prefer the standard one because the players on the field are laid out just as the players are in a real game, and I have played and watched so much real baseball that my mind is attuned to that pattern to the point where I can take everything that I need to with only a brief glance. I can't do that with the non-standard formats.

Accordingly, I will continue to use the standard format. Your mileage may vary.

Cooleyvol · 02-11-2006, 09:05 AM

BC, isnt this a moot point until we have access to the layout in the new release?..............unless, of course, you have access to that already.

Malleus Dei · 02-11-2006, 12:44 PM

I have it on *extremely* good authority that BCB is a beta tester.

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 08:03 PM

Not too many good pictures of this ballpark. I've enhanced an old B&W photograph....

RchW · 02-11-2006, 08:43 PM

I like this view, or more so, a "crows nest" view, high up over center field. I don't think I'd have a problem reprogramming my mind to the outfield view. It seems one could visualize doubles hit into the gaps better.

BC do you have a file for this?

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I like this view, or more so, a "crows nest" view, high up over center field. I don't think I'd have a problem reprogramming my mind to the outfield view. It seems one could visualize doubles hit into the gaps better.

BC do you have a file for this?

If you mean a "dat" file, then we get into a whole other discussion LOL.

Ballpark factors are set based on each parks relation to what other parks are in the league you are playing. In other words, you have to know what ballparks your teams will be playing in before you can set the ballpark factors - since they all have to average "100".

This park is for my MLB/PCL merger, so what I can do is write up an article on how I will set my ballpark factors for my league... and will help explain how everyone else can do the same based on the ballparks they choose to use.

RchW · 02-11-2006, 09:00 PM

I was thinking .bmp or .jpg. I just like the view.

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I was thinking .bmp or .jpg. I just like the view.

Oh, you can "right-click" on the image and do a "save as" to any format you like

RchW · 02-11-2006, 09:08 PM

Dohh!

Too much wine at dinner.

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

Dohh!

Too much wine at dinner.

LOL... happens to all of us

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 09:47 PM

Malleus Dei · 02-11-2006, 10:50 PM

Dear Mr. Big City:

When I right-click my computer won't let me save it as a .png.

What am I doing wrong?

BigCity · 02-11-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malleus Dei

Dear Mr. Big City:

When I right-click my computer won't let me save it as a .png.

What am I doing wrong?

It must be that version of Linux your using

Malleus Dei · 02-12-2006, 09:35 AM

Red Hat rules!

BigCity · 02-12-2006, 10:11 AM

I came across this rare B&W aerial photo of Gilmore Field, and again enhanced it with some color, billboards on the outfield fence, and the actual Gilmore scoreboard in center field.

canadiancreed · 02-12-2006, 10:16 AM

BCB, when doing parks do you just do like real-life parks, or do you also design from stratch as well?

02-10-2006, 05:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigCity All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, Great Lakes Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Ballpark Concept... As many of you may know, one of my most common contributions to the community has been various ballparks - both real and fantasy. In thinking about what might be done for the new game - I was trying to conceptualize a different format from the one (view) that is always behind the plate. Although I understand this is the best way to place your defensive players, I'm wondering if the defensive players are, in fact necessary. Let's take a look at an OOTP in-game screen... The view of the ballpark is certainly nice, but in truth, it doesn't express the entire personality of the structure. Most of us do not sit right behind home plate in the upper deck - so we don't normally have this view of the field... and what is it we like about going to a ballgame? Don't we feel that excitement as we pull in the parking lot, wait in line, walk around the interior, etc? The game image above gives us a very static view of the game. We see the player's names, positions, and recent stats where they actually stand on the field. If we removed the info boxes - THAT is what we see when we go to a game. So, what am I getting at? I'm thinking of using the center block of the screen to show a baseball situation - in the ballpark it's suppose to be, of course, but without the player info boxes. I'm thinking the only player boxes that should be on the screen are the men on-base. The pitcher/batter situation is already on the bottom of the screen - and the fielders are described in the PbP. If the player positions were added to the lineups in the lower left, that could be a quick reference if we weren't real familiar with the team(s). This would leave the entire center block to be used as an "art area" to express the park in many creative ways (of which I will be posting some at BCB soon). In addition, let's expand this idea a bit.... What if Markus provided the option to "rotate" nine(9) slides (by inning) for each ballpark? Each inning, a new view of the park (or "display") would be shown. Wouldn't this give a "dynamic" feeling to the game? What do you think? BC

02-10-2006, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
BigCity All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, Great Lakes Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Sample of Wrigley Field Runners on base would be listed along the bottom 1B-2B-3B placement labels.

02-10-2006, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
echolodge Minors (Single A) Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Great Idea I think this is a great idea, Big City. Having played many baseball simulation games, it does seem they all are locked into the idea of having to display the defensive player "boxes". Wouldn't it be neat if changing weather and time of day conditions could gradually appear on the screen within the various views of a given stadium or ballpark? Imagine the sun setting behind Wrigley Field and shadows lengthening as Ryne Sandberg strokes the winning single to end a 17 inning marathon or a steady rain ruining the plans of your opponents high-powered running game. Just an idea. Are the current plans to have the playing field graphics pretty much the same as the ones from OOTPB 6.51? Last edited by echolodge; 02-10-2006 at 08:51 PM.

02-11-2006, 09:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cooleyvol Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Woodland Mills, TN Posts: 5,993 Thanks: 57 Thanked 506x in 304 posts	BC, isnt this a moot point until we have access to the layout in the new release?..............unless, of course, you have access to that already. __________________

02-11-2006, 08:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigCity All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, Great Lakes Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Lane Field, San Diego Padres of the PCL Not too many good pictures of this ballpark. I've enhanced an old B&W photograph....

02-10-2006, 05:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,639 Thanks: 81 Thanked 159x in 96 posts	Intriguing idea, BC. I think its definitely worth exploring. I always thought it would be neat to have the view from the perspective of the field manager in the dugout or from the GM's box (including part of the ledge where you would look out on). Or maybe see the view from the roof seats beyond Wrigley Field!

02-11-2006, 09:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigCity All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, Great Lakes Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Gilmore Field, home of the PCL's Hollywood Stars

02-12-2006, 10:11 AM	#19 (permalink)
BigCity All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, Great Lakes Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Gilmore Field, PCL's Hollywood Stars I came across this rare B&W aerial photo of Gilmore Field, and again enhanced it with some color, billboards on the outfield fence, and the actual Gilmore scoreboard in center field.

02-12-2006, 10:16 AM	#20 (permalink)
canadiancreed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11,025 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 463 Thanked 116x in 85 posts	BCB, when doing parks do you just do like real-life parks, or do you also design from stratch as well? __________________ Once upon a time I stated if I ever got a warning it was time to go. It looks like that day has finally come.

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