Play by Play

Mr. Marlin · 02-16-2015, 06:52 AM

One of the areas of the game that has come a long way over the years is the play by play. Not so much the presentation (although there have been cosmetic changes for the better) but the amount of expressions and banter it has now. It's great. Please keep expanding that I love it!

I have two suggestions, one small, one a little larger. First, it would add to the immersion if the play by play guy could announce the attendance in the 7th inning like they do in real life.

The second is a little bigger. Why not make the play by play announcer a hirable position for the GM? He could appear as a member of the team staff, like a coach or trainer. Nowhere else. I am not suggesting modifying the play by play text in any way other than to lead off the broadcast with "This is Vin Scully coming to you from Dodger Stadium" for example. Name and Place variables already exist. One area the play by play guy can impact would be the team's Fan Interest. If hiring a popular or reputable Play by Play boradcaster gives the team a small to moderate boost in Fan Interest it would be worth the expense to do so. In real life the local radio & TV broadcast crews are team employees to I think it makes sense to add it to OOTP.

Trust me, as a Marlins fan listening to Dave Van Horne on the radio has been one of the bright spots in a few dismal seasons.

Quinton_Upchurch · 02-16-2015, 09:52 AM

Good suggestions and you're right about the PBP improvements in the past couple of years. Tip of the hat to pstrickert.

drksd4848 · 02-16-2015, 08:04 PM

I would love to see the pbp coded so it would read the out of town scoreboard as part of the text...

"Let's check the out of town scoreboard... it's the bottom of the 7th inning in Washington, Pittsburgh leads the Nationals 3 to 2. Harper with a home run and an RBI..."

Like that.

ToTheBackstop · 02-16-2015, 08:07 PM

PbP is hugely important to me (I play out every game for every team in the league, pitch-by-pitch, so the variety in the commentary and descriptions really help maintain my interest and prevent the game from becoming monotonous), so big kudos to those involved in this aspect of OOTP. Thank you!

Two additional suggestions -- one small, one a bit larger. Don't know if this is possible, but it'd be cool if the PbP could be more tightly coupled with player award history. Love that PbP now has stuff like "..he's 3rd in the league in HRs... 2nd in RBIs", but it'd be fabulous to be able to see stuff like

".. Now stepping to the plate, Doug Jones... he's the defending Batter Of The Year"
".. At bat, 3-time All-Star Rick Simpson.."
".. Coming to the plate, Ron Leaves... he was the Batter Of The Year in 2011.."
".. What a great catch by Hank Roland! That's why he has 5 Gold Gloves!"

On the lighter side, it'd be fun if the PbP was able to notice if a player is having a birthday in the game, e.g. "And stepping up to the plate is Frank Smith.. it's his birthday today! Happy 37th, Frank!", etc.

millhousebc · 02-17-2015, 12:47 AM

Tothebackstop I play out every game for every team in the league, pitch-by-pitch), damn, how long does it take you to get through a season? That is amazing

rpriske · 02-17-2015, 09:24 AM

I would really like the '3-time all-star' stuff, but would find the 'out of town scoreboard' stuff annoying. It is already right there on the screen.

swoboda · 02-17-2015, 10:38 AM

Not to beat an old drum too long, but PbP saying " the Pirates bullpen is now heating up..." when you are the team at bat would be nice.

swoboda · 02-17-2015, 10:41 AM

Come to think of it, it would be nice if your team is in the field and the PbP told you this about the team at bat as well Someday. ......

ToTheBackstop · 02-17-2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millhousebc

damn, how long does it take you to get through a season? That is amazing

It's roughly real-time or slightly slower, depending on how much time I can squeeze in for OOTP -- a week in the OOTP schedule takes around 1 - 1.5 weeks in real life. I gather (from the forums, etc.) that this "slow" approach is unusual, and initially I did start out by simming games and plowing through the schedule, but I've personally just found this "slow" approach to be more rewarding and allows for greater investment in this fictional dynasty. There's a greater attachment to the players when you're watching them play day-in, day-out as you do with players in RL. (I'm imagining that a superstar player retirement will hit you harder when you've been legitimately following him for ages, as opposed to simming his entire career over a few hours or a couple of days.) The day-to-day pennant races feel more exciting, the streaks more dramatic, etc.

Also, I just like watching (or "watching") baseball games. We're all baseball fans here, so I imagine everyone has this in common!

I can definitely understand that this "slow" approach is not for everyone -- different strokes, time limitations, "play it your way", etc. I'm certainly not stating this is "right" or "correct" -- this is simply the approach that personally works for me, is all.

(Oh yeah, +1 to the OP for the kudos for Dave Van Horne! Excellent broadcaster!)

Anyway, sorry for derail, and back to PbP discussion...

IanIachimoe · 02-17-2015, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheBackstop

It's roughly real-time or slightly slower, depending on how much time I can squeeze in for OOTP -- a week in the OOTP schedule takes around 1 - 1.5 weeks in real life. I gather (from the forums, etc.) that this "slow" approach is unusual, and initially I did start out by simming games and plowing through the schedule, but I've personally just found this "slow" approach to be more rewarding and allows for greater investment in this fictional dynasty. There's a greater attachment to the players when you're watching them play day-in, day-out as you do with players in RL. (I'm imagining that a superstar player retirement will hit you harder when you've been legitimately following him for ages, as opposed to simming his entire career over a few hours or a couple of days.) The day-to-day pennant races feel more exciting, the streaks more dramatic, etc.

Also, I just like watching (or "watching") baseball games. We're all baseball fans here, so I imagine everyone has this in common!

I can definitely understand that this "slow" approach is not for everyone -- different strokes, time limitations, "play it your way", etc. I'm certainly not stating this is "right" or "correct" -- this is simply the approach that personally works for me, is all.

(Oh yeah, +1 to the OP for the kudos for Dave Van Horne! Excellent broadcaster!)

Anyway, sorry for derail, and back to PbP discussion...

agreed. I don't play out every team's games, but always my own & some minors.

def helps with immersion.

I love this game. it is march yet??

jpeters1734 · 02-17-2015, 03:08 PM

I never thought about hiring broadcasters. I doubt it will ever make it in the game but it is a pretty cool idea. There would be some comfort in seeing the same broadcaster call the game for several years

Craig Scarborough · 02-17-2015, 04:41 PM

One thing to add - there was, as of OOTP15, still a bug in the pbp where a player's combined minor/major leagues statistics are referred to in the play-by-play. This is done with every player who has minor league experience this year. It's a little jolting when the announcer refers to the player's 35 homeruns and 95 RBIs when he's hit only one HR with 3 RBIs in major league play.

Has this been fixed for 16?

BusterKing · 02-17-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Scarborough

One thing to add - there was, as of OOTP15, still a bug in the pbp where a player's combined minor/major leagues statistics are referred to in the play-by-play. This is done with every player who has minor league experience this year. It's a little jolting when the announcer refers to the player's 35 homeruns and 95 RBIs when he's hit only one HR with 3 RBIs in major league play.

Has this been fixed for 16?

Yes, Markus confirmed the following to me in a pm:

"I finally was able to track the bug down and fix it Someone provided league files which enabled me to find the issue."

skunkle333 · 02-17-2015, 08:30 PM

It would be great to see varied expressions at times referring to what the batter had done in his previous at bat or various hits etc.

Rather than just always stating in detail and variety what is going on at the time more varied references with some color pointing to previous at bats etc would add some more life to the already colorful commentary.

pstrickert · 02-17-2015, 10:08 PM

Jack, I've made this request multiple times. Once, I even thought it was about to be added. Hopefully, Markus will agree to add at least a couple of my (30 and counting) PbP-related suggestions before release. I guess we'll see.

skunkle333 · 02-17-2015, 10:36 PM

Sure hope so. Appreciate your efforts.

Trust you and your family are doing well.

pstrickert · 02-17-2015, 10:40 PM

Thank you, Jack. Hope you and the mrs. are doing well. God bless.

Mr. Marlin · 02-18-2015, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeters1734

I never thought about hiring broadcasters. I doubt it will ever make it in the game but it is a pretty cool idea. There would be some comfort in seeing the same broadcaster call the game for several years

I just think it would be cool if the PbP led off with "This is Dave Van Horne from high atop the press box at beautiful Marlins Park" (or something like that) rather than "Welcome to the action".

rpriske · 02-18-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusterKing

Yes, Markus confirmed the following to me in a pm:

"I finally was able to track the bug down and fix it Someone provided league files which enabled me to find the issue."

This is GREAT news!!!

r0nster · 02-18-2015, 10:19 AM

Would prefer the announcers to mention scores for teams that are in playoff hunt in September for as many of us would be scoreboard watching throughout the game

02-16-2015, 06:52 AM	#1
Mr. Marlin All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,245	Play by Play One of the areas of the game that has come a long way over the years is the play by play. Not so much the presentation (although there have been cosmetic changes for the better) but the amount of expressions and banter it has now. It's great. Please keep expanding that I love it! I have two suggestions, one small, one a little larger. First, it would add to the immersion if the play by play guy could announce the attendance in the 7th inning like they do in real life. The second is a little bigger. Why not make the play by play announcer a hirable position for the GM? He could appear as a member of the team staff, like a coach or trainer. Nowhere else. I am not suggesting modifying the play by play text in any way other than to lead off the broadcast with "This is Vin Scully coming to you from Dodger Stadium" for example. Name and Place variables already exist. One area the play by play guy can impact would be the team's Fan Interest. If hiring a popular or reputable Play by Play boradcaster gives the team a small to moderate boost in Fan Interest it would be worth the expense to do so. In real life the local radio & TV broadcast crews are team employees to I think it makes sense to add it to OOTP. Trust me, as a Marlins fan listening to Dave Van Horne on the radio has been one of the bright spots in a few dismal seasons. Last edited by Mr. Marlin; 02-16-2015 at 10:29 AM. Reason: My iPad's text to speech stinks!

02-16-2015, 08:07 PM	#4
ToTheBackstop Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 151	PbP is hugely important to me (I play out every game for every team in the league, pitch-by-pitch, so the variety in the commentary and descriptions really help maintain my interest and prevent the game from becoming monotonous), so big kudos to those involved in this aspect of OOTP. Thank you! Two additional suggestions -- one small, one a bit larger. Don't know if this is possible, but it'd be cool if the PbP could be more tightly coupled with player award history. Love that PbP now has stuff like "..he's 3rd in the league in HRs... 2nd in RBIs", but it'd be fabulous to be able to see stuff like ".. Now stepping to the plate, Doug Jones... he's the defending Batter Of The Year" ".. At bat, 3-time All-Star Rick Simpson.." ".. Coming to the plate, Ron Leaves... he was the Batter Of The Year in 2011.." ".. What a great catch by Hank Roland! That's why he has 5 Gold Gloves!" On the lighter side, it'd be fun if the PbP was able to notice if a player is having a birthday in the game, e.g. "And stepping up to the plate is Frank Smith.. it's his birthday today! Happy 37th, Frank!", etc.

02-17-2015, 09:24 AM	#6
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 23,988 Blog Entries: 1	I would really like the '3-time all-star' stuff, but would find the 'out of town scoreboard' stuff annoying. It is already right there on the screen. __________________ Rusty Priske Poet, Canadian, Baseball Fan ````````````````````````````````````````

02-17-2015, 10:38 AM	#7
swoboda All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Guarding The Line Posts: 1,205	Not to beat an old drum too long, but PbP saying " the Pirates bullpen is now heating up..." when you are the team at bat would be nice. __________________ "...If you want to look ahead to the bottom of the ninth, the Mets will be sending up Buddy Harrelson, Jerry Buchek , and Don Bosch, we'll be right back after this word from Rheingold Beer" The late great Lindsey Nelson

02-17-2015, 10:41 AM	#8
swoboda All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Guarding The Line Posts: 1,205	Come to think of it, it would be nice if your team is in the field and the PbP told you this about the team at bat as well Someday. ...... __________________ "...If you want to look ahead to the bottom of the ninth, the Mets will be sending up Buddy Harrelson, Jerry Buchek , and Don Bosch, we'll be right back after this word from Rheingold Beer" The late great Lindsey Nelson

02-16-2015, 09:52 AM	#2
Quinton_Upchurch All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 779	Good suggestions and you're right about the PBP improvements in the past couple of years. Tip of the hat to pstrickert.

02-16-2015, 08:04 PM	#3
drksd4848 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,816 Blog Entries: 1	I would love to see the pbp coded so it would read the out of town scoreboard as part of the text... "Let's check the out of town scoreboard... it's the bottom of the 7th inning in Washington, Pittsburgh leads the Nationals 3 to 2. Harper with a home run and an RBI..." Like that.

02-17-2015, 12:47 AM	#5
millhousebc Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 161	Tothebackstop I play out every game for every team in the league, pitch-by-pitch), damn, how long does it take you to get through a season? That is amazing

02-17-2015, 03:08 PM	#11
jpeters1734 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Juust a bit outside... Posts: 5,622	I never thought about hiring broadcasters. I doubt it will ever make it in the game but it is a pretty cool idea. There would be some comfort in seeing the same broadcaster call the game for several years __________________ "Cannonball Coming!" Go Bucs!! Founder and League Caretaker of the Professional Baseball Circuit, www.probaseballcircuit.com An Un-Official Guide to Minor League Management in OOTP 21 Ratings Scale Conversion Cross-Reference Cheat Sheet

02-17-2015, 04:41 PM	#12
Craig Scarborough All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 551	One thing to add - there was, as of OOTP15, still a bug in the pbp where a player's combined minor/major leagues statistics are referred to in the play-by-play. This is done with every player who has minor league experience this year. It's a little jolting when the announcer refers to the player's 35 homeruns and 95 RBIs when he's hit only one HR with 3 RBIs in major league play. Has this been fixed for 16?

02-17-2015, 08:30 PM	#14
skunkle333 All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2006 Location: St. Louis metro area...IL side. Posts: 643	It would be great to see varied expressions at times referring to what the batter had done in his previous at bat or various hits etc. Rather than just always stating in detail and variety what is going on at the time more varied references with some color pointing to previous at bats etc would add some more life to the already colorful commentary. __________________ Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Adjust accordingly. Don't forget to try PStrickert's great 1959 World Series Quickstart Mod for V12 & V11 !! At Padresfan's site.

02-17-2015, 10:08 PM	#15
pstrickert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,741	Jack, I've made this request multiple times. Once, I even thought it was about to be added. Hopefully, Markus will agree to add at least a couple of my (30 and counting) PbP-related suggestions before release. I guess we'll see.

02-17-2015, 10:36 PM	#16
skunkle333 All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2006 Location: St. Louis metro area...IL side. Posts: 643	Sure hope so. Appreciate your efforts. Trust you and your family are doing well. __________________ Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Adjust accordingly. Don't forget to try PStrickert's great 1959 World Series Quickstart Mod for V12 & V11 !! At Padresfan's site.

02-17-2015, 10:40 PM	#17
pstrickert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,741	Thank you, Jack. Hope you and the mrs. are doing well. God bless.

02-18-2015, 10:19 AM	#20
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Would prefer the announcers to mention scores for teams that are in playoff hunt in September for as many of us would be scoreboard watching throughout the game