In desperate Need

[Robbo1222]

Need help. Live in UK. Love Baseball, Crap at managing it.

Can you help? Managing D-Backs (2005). Spring Training, have played 7 lost 6 (1 win a fluke)!

What basic tactics would i be best advised employing at the start of the first few innings and then later e.g 6th onwards if scores tied, or behind by a few etc (ALL help welcome). Would prefer quite aggressive tactics rather than conservative.

What is the best way to set Batters line up? (High on Base Percentage to lead off or Hitting Average)? What then further down the order?

Also is there a bug in the game? Had the bases loaded on about 5 occasions in this time, each time still with 2-3 outs remaining, yet never managed to convert even a single. (Bunts foul out then struck out Bunting). Am I missing a useful tactic here.

Cheers.

[KBLover]

For the lineup, personally I like good OBP (on base percentage) on my 1st and 2nd spot hitters. Hopefully, at least one of them will get on base. If they have some ability to steal bases, I'll let them go at will, hoping to move into scoring position (2nd or 3rd base) right off the start.

For my middle place hitters 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th - I like a high batting average. This is one area I don't want .200 batting average and 150 walks. I'd rather 50 walks and a .320 batting average. Reason being - it's the top two's job to get on base a lot, then everyone near them to get them home and the best way is with hits - especially if they are power hitters, either for HR or gap power (preferrably HR of course - but a consecutive string of doubles can be highly effective..and considering there's usually more 30 doubles hitters than 30 HR hitters..)

From 7th to 9th - I like some more getting on base and more of the "small ball" abilities, like bunting or having high avoiding Ks so the hit-and-run is a good option.

So my lineup, ideally, in terms of player types is:

1st: OBP (hopefully with some speed/stealing)
2nd: OBP (hopefully with some speed/stealing and/or high avoiding Ks)
3rd: AVG with either good 2B or HR power (slugging pct)
4th: SLG (looking for the high damage here - got people set up on base I'm hoping and now time to put the runs up)
5th: SLG with some OBP (my highest OPS, that is OBP + SLG, hitter usually goes here. I give this guy a dual-role: drive in anyone on base, and/or setup the weaker bottom to start a rally)
6th: AVG (any power nice, but mainly get hits to keep the pressure on)
7th to 9th: OBP with good avoiding K's if possible

Pretty much an OBP sandwich. OBP at the top and bottom with AVG and SLG in the middle.


For spring training - I don't worry much about winning or losing. Spring is the time to try stuff out, see what might work strategically, and give some players chances to develop against big-league competition and a chance to evaluate them.

Any half-decent young players in AAA, especially those on the 40-man roster (if you're using 40-man rosters), will get a shot in spring training. I usually make them the starter and the established player gets to play once every 2 games so they can get sharp too. Biggest thing I like to see is staying healthy (of course) and positive steps in a player's development. Win/Loss is down on the list for me.


Concerning your poor fortune with the bases loaded - sometimes it happens. I would, though, look to see who's making those outs the most. It might be a sign of a subtle lineup shift being needed. Of course going 0-for-5 isn't saying too much. Now if you're 0-for-30 with the bases loaded somewhere down the line - then there's a red flag to be sure - and a sign something (or someone) in the lineup needs to go/be moved!

[Robbo1222]

Wow KB - Brilliant Info there. Batting order tremendous. Thanks. Will update here later how I progress. No doubt will have more questions for everyone before too long.

Cheers.