Another spin on game-created schedules

[Mr. Capo]

It’s well known that the schedules created in-game are not very realistic. And I realize that making a good schedule IS very complicated; I’ve tried my hand at it a few times.

Whenever possible, I like to play with a real (imported) schedule, but depending on the league structure, there is not always one available. In these cases, I am stuck with an in-game generated schedule.

Personally, I can live with teams having the same days off, even when they are Saturdays or Sundays. The real problem is that all the same pitchers keep facing each other all the time.

What if, following each off-day, a certain portion of computer-managed teams (say, one-third) were forced to randomly skip a starter, or in some other way jog their rotation, so as to vary the match-ups? That would be a decent workaround to what is, IMO, the biggest problem with in-game created schedules. It might not be hard to implement, since it would not depend on the league structure.

[Curtis]

Have you tried setting your rotations to 'use lowest rested starter'? As some starters get bombed early in games and get to jump ahead in the rotation, it'll gradually lead to 'one vs. four' situations. Also, if you jump a lefty ahead one place to face a mostly-lefthanded lineup, that'll lead to a mismatch the next time through.

Personally, I like having my ace face my opponent's ace; I assume it'll bump up attendence. Who would you rather see Tom Terrific pitch against — Steve Carlton or Wayne Twitchell?

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Who would you rather see Tom Terrific pitch against — Steve Carlton or Wayne Twitchell?

Am I Tom's manager or pitching coach? Then Wayne Twitchell for sure.

[Mr. Capo]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Personally, I like having my ace face my opponent's ace;

I like it too, just not all the time. In a real world schedule, the aces will match up quite a bit as it is. One of the appealing things about baseball is the great variety of situations that occur. I also like to have the chance to see my #4 starter have a great outing, and beat their #1.

One workaround I've used is to set the league to use a 5-man rotation (strict schedule), and use a 4-man rotation (highest rested) for my own team. That's not quite realistic, either, but at least it produces a greater variety of match-ups.

[endgame]

On a related note, I'd like to eventually see the AI make its own decision independently about what rotation size to use and for how long to utilize it. Right now, if you select 5 man rotation, it's a universal decision and no team will do anything but that, even though it "may" rotate its fifth starter now and then with a reliever. But the more individuality in AI decisions of this nature, the better.

[Craig Scarborough]

This has always bugged the heck out of me as well. I'm not sure why SI hasn't contacted the maker of the Stickware utility to license the algorithm he used.

[akw4572]

Originally Posted by Mr. Capo

It’s well known that the schedules created in-game are not very realistic. And I realize that making a good schedule IS very complicated; I’ve tried my hand at it a few times.

Whenever possible, I like to play with a real (imported) schedule, but depending on the league structure, there is not always one available. In these cases, I am stuck with an in-game generated schedule.

Personally, I can live with teams having the same days off, even when they are Saturdays or Sundays. The real problem is that all the same pitchers keep facing each other all the time.

What if, following each off-day, a certain portion of computer-managed teams (say, one-third) were forced to randomly skip a starter, or in some other way jog their rotation, so as to vary the match-ups? That would be a decent workaround to what is, IMO, the biggest problem with in-game created schedules. It might not be hard to implement, since it would not depend on the league structure.

And therein lies the key to why I can't stand using game generated schedules.

[akw4572]

Originally Posted by Craig Scarborough

This has always bugged the heck out of me as well. I'm not sure why SI hasn't contacted the maker of the Stickware utility to license the algorithm he used.

Amen to that!

[davep1967]

Originally Posted by Craig Scarborough

This has always bugged the heck out of me as well. I'm not sure why SI hasn't contacted the maker of the Stickware utility to license the algorithm he used.

I sent them the code before 2006 went out

[PotatoPeeler]

So does Stickware still work for OOTP? I know it worked for 6.5 but I didn't try it in 2006.

[JHruska]

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

So does Stickware still work for OOTP? I know it worked for 6.5 but I didn't try it in 2006.

IIRC, someone made a mod that would automatically convert any 6.5 schedule, including Stickware, into the 2007 format.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by JHruska

IIRC, someone made a mod that would automatically convert any 6.5 schedule, including Stickware, into the 2007 format.

There may be another one forthcoming which will convert OOTP6/6.5 schedule files to OOTP2007. Time will tell.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by JHruska

IIRC, someone made a mod that would automatically convert any 6.5 schedule, including Stickware, into the 2007 format.

You got a link?

[JHruska]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

You got a link?

No, I can't remember any details. I double checked, and I do have the program, but it's name is simply Converter.exe, and I'm not finding a read me, so that's not exactly helpful in remembering who created it or where I got it.

[JHruska]

Dola,

I think this is it.

OOTP 6.0/6.5 to OOTP Baseball 2006 Schedule Converter

Since they have repeatedly said the schedule format wasn't changed from 06 to 07, I'm assuming this will still work.