A few questions by a noob

[Nez477]

Just bought version 8 and had a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to...

1) How do I know if my defense is playing good defense? Is there something in the PBP that tells me that the defense factored into a play? In other words, if I have a 1 in RF is there a way I can tell how often that poor rating hurts me? I'd like to know how often the pitcher is to blame and how often the defense is to blame. Errors are easy to see obviously but would love to know how it affects hits/outs

2) Is there a way to view other team's trading block? The AI has been making moves, and granted, I'm only 12 games into my first season, but I'd like to see who is on the trading block so I can look at my options

3) I'm confused about scouting. I get random e-mails from my head scout saying player a is improving or player b we were wrong about... is scouting set to automatic with my own team? I'm really not sure what the best strategy for scouting is and how I can use it to better my team.

4) Is there a way I can see who is currently unhappy with my team? Other teams? I know I can click on the player and see morale and the smiley faces, but was wondering if there is a report.

5) Is giving a player who is on a cold streak a day off a good idea? Through 12 games Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins are hitting a combined 11-108!!

6) What does the pbp mean? There are weird letters/numbers after results. Is there a guide out there? Perhaps this addresses my first question as well.

I may have more, but this game is pretty great (coming from a life-long strat-o-matic player, this is right up my alley). But it's hard for me to get used to not knowing exactly how the in-game engine works.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Kelric]

Originally Posted by Nez477

Just bought version 8 and had a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to...

1) How do I know if my defense is playing good defense? Is there something in the PBP that tells me that the defense factored into a play? In other words, if I have a 1 in RF is there a way I can tell how often that poor rating hurts me? I'd like to know how often the pitcher is to blame and how often the defense is to blame. Errors are easy to see obviously but would love to know how it affects hits/outs

Well, the game doesn't track several stats that help us decide how a defense is playing, but you still have a few options. First is going to individual player pages and looking at their Range Factor. The higher the number, the better. Means they are getting to more balls. Secondly, and this one factors a bit more luck into it, you can go to individual pitcher pages and look at their BABIP (batting average on balls in player). A good defense will consistently make that number lower, though some bad luck will pop up from time to time to inflate. Lastly is the league wide fielding report, which will show put outs, total chances, double plays, .etc, etc.

2) Is there a way to view other team's trading block? The AI has been making moves, and granted, I'm only 12 games into my first season, but I'd like to see who is on the trading block so I can look at my options

I don't think the AI keeps a trading block. If they do, I never look at it.

3) I'm confused about scouting. I get random e-mails from my head scout saying player a is improving or player b we were wrong about... is scouting set to automatic with my own team? I'm really not sure what the best strategy for scouting is and how I can use it to better my team.

The best strategy for scouting in OOTP8/2007 is to shut it off.

4) Is there a way I can see who is currently unhappy with my team? Other teams? I know I can click on the player and see morale and the smiley faces, but was wondering if there is a report.

This is another feature I don't use, so someone else will have to answer this.

5) Is giving a player who is on a cold streak a day off a good idea? Through 12 games Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins are hitting a combined 11-108!!

I don't know if anyone has tested that it actually works, but I certainly would give them a day off. Or two.

6) What does the pbp mean? There are weird letters/numbers after results. Is there a guide out there? Perhaps this addresses my first question as well.

I haven't played a game in so long, I couldn't tell you.

[1998 Yankees]

Responses:

Originally Posted by Nez477

Just bought version 8 and had a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to...

3) I'm confused about scouting. I get random e-mails from my head scout saying player a is improving or player b we were wrong about... is scouting set to automatic with my own team? I'm really not sure what the best strategy for scouting is and how I can use it to better my team.
For minor leaguers, treat those messages as "heads up" stuff. I collect them all and review them half-way through the season and in the offseason to see if they jibe with performance and they may or may not be enough to take action. Others may want to take immediate action, but I rely more on performance. You do want to pay attention to messages about major leaguers, however; you could get advance warning about players about to decline. If these messages bother you, go to Game, Game Setup, Player & Picture Options and uncheck Report All Player Talent Changes. There are a couple of other options on that page to dial down Talent Change Randomness and Disable Player Development altogether, but be careful with those (press F1 for help).

4) Is there a way I can see who is currently unhappy with my team? Other teams? I know I can click on the player and see morale and the smiley faces, but was wondering if there is a report.
There's no report per se, but the roster page will show everybody's morale if you have the Default View on.

6) What does the pbp mean? There are weird letters/numbers after results. Is there a guide out there? Perhaps this addresses my first question as well.
Happy to pick up my buddy Kelric, BoSox fan though he may be:
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...on-please.html
I am sure that he feels the same way about me.

I may have more, but this game is pretty great (coming from a life-long strat-o-matic player, this is right up my alley).
I was a SOM guy too. This is better.