DH-less alternate universe

[KevinTMC]

I've been poking around with this game some, and planning out the alternate-history league I want to start when all the options and menus and features stop making my head spin quite so fast.

In my alternate historical universe, there will be no DH, ever. (There will, in fact, be a constitutional amendment outlawing AstroTurf and the designated hitter.) Or at least there will be, so long as that doesn't cause screwy things to happen from 1973 onwards.

Are there any pitfalls in trying this with historical rosters? Is there anything else I should be wary of fiddling with? (For instance, as Commissioner I plan to veto a lot of franchise relocations and ballpark demolitions.)

Oh, and can somebody fill in for me for two weeks at work so I can devote the time I need to properly learn and play around with this game?

[ctorg]

There are a few things to be aware of depending on how you plan to play your league out.

1. Since there will be less slots for starting players, expect some everyday players from real life not to have roles on teams. You may have an extreme overabundance of talent at 1B and maybe corner outfield, since these are generally the positions DHs play when they do play the field (therefore, that is where they will be rated by the game).

2. Make sure the game is not set to update the league structure automatically, or team moves and expansions will take place automatically without your input.

3. The same applies to the DH rule itself. It will turn on automatically at the proper point in the league's history, and depending on your settings, it could turn back on every year.

4. You probably shouldn't auto-recalc player ratings, since I think DHs who may learn positions in your version of reality lose that ability. I think.

I think that's about it. As long as everything is set right, you shoudn't have too many problems.

[Eddie Paxil]

In regards to outlawing Astroturf...

You are going to have to change many ballpark factors for stadiums. Use Gambo's stadium chart to do so. Download it here.

When recalculating ballpark factors there are two changes you'll need to make.

1. All indoor stadiums with turf must now become outdoor parks until the introduction of the retractable roof is feasible for a stadium of the size required for baseball. I'd say between 1987-1991. It would've been possible before, but these would've been the first cost effective years. However keep in mind that the first retractable roof stadiums with grass not turf didn't start arriving until later. I think The BOB (Chase Field was the first. Not sure.

2. Obvious one. Recalculate the ballpark factors with grass instead of turf.