Hall of Fame in Online Leagues Questions

[Raderick]

An idea was brought up by a GM of the WCBL to create a Hall of Fame for the league. While I understand that the players that are usually in the Hall of Fame are the best of the best, there are some concerns that I have.

First off, as any other fictional online league with a initial draft to seperate the players, we have a bunch of older players who are really good players, and if the player were younger with the same ratings, they could very well put up 500 HRs, 3,000 hits, etc. Are there leagues out there who uses a formula of some kind, so in the first few seasons, you can induct players into your league hall of fame, and if so, what is the formula, and does it work well for your league?

Second, I would like to know for those leagues who does hold a hall of fame, what are the credentials needs to become eligible for the hall of fame. Does a player need 500 home runs? Does a pitcher need to win 250 games or hold a K/9 average of 9.0?

I'd like to see what other leagues handle this. It will surely help me out, and I'm sure it will help other leagues out if they decide to consider such a thing.

[kq76]

If you really want to get some of those pioneering greats in your HoF I think you really need to start electing HoFers before I think you would probably think of doing it. That way there's no more impressive competition from players who got to have longer careers. Otherwise, it's very difficult to get your head around the fact that those older greats really didn't have the same chance. That is, if you're willing to even give them a chance in the first place which I imagine many people just are not. Perhaps it's thinking, "so, other players didn't get the chance to play more due to injury or whatever else, we don't elect them so why should we elect the old fogeys?". To me however, without the play of those early greats to bring out the fans the league does not progress to its later stages. It's only right to honour the early greats.

If you do start late though and those pioneering greats are not making it then maybe you should have a special committee of the longest serving league members electing some of them as they probably have a greater appreciation of the good old early days.

[Dark Horse]

Like kq said it's next to impossible to elect the pioneering vets once the league gets going. Their stats just won't stack up. Very few have been nominated for the hall and only a couple have made it in.

As far as benchmark numbers, i'd suggest you don't use them. League stats tend to go in cycles with offense and pitching taking turns being dominant. And every league has its own settings so 30 HRs per season may be a lot in our league, but be a pedestrian number in another league. Concentrate more on career leaders and how often a player lead his league in a particular area. From their stuff like all star nomination, championships and awards can build an argument for a player.

Remember the real Hall of Fame didn't start out with benchmark numbers that is a relatively new occurence. Even now there is debate as to whether two of the more prominent benchmarks be changed. There is talk about perhaps 250 wins being the new benchmark for pitchers. And perhaps 600 home runs be the new mark for hitters.

[sporr]

Check out the USBA run by Scott Fite (LivnLegend). There is a pioneer wing of the HOF specifically for these players who had shortened careers due to the fictional league beginnings. Owners vote for the HOF each year and players need a certain number of votes to get in or stay on the ballot.