Coaching Question

[DesktopDynasties]

How much impact does coaching have on player performance? Obviously, the pitching coach impacts the pitchers and hitting coach impacts the hitters ... but what role does the bench coach play? I have a bench coach assigned to my team in an online league who is rated 90-100 across the board and I'm wondering if I'm misusing him as a bench coach.

Also, aside from handle veterans and handle rookies ... how much impact does a manager have on the team?

[1998 Yankees]

The manual says this:

The higher this rating [teach hitting/pitching/fielding] is, the more likely young players are to develop [hitting/pitching/fielding] skills, and the more likely veteran players are to perform at their expected level or above.

As far as handling players:

Higher handling ratings can positively affect a player’s development, performance, aging, and more.

The part that I am not sure about is whether these effects are cumulative; that is, does a manager who is good at teaching hitting supplement the hitting coach's ratings, or is it the coach alone? Does a good bench coach supplement a manager's player handling capability?

My guess is yes, they are cumulative. If not, why have a bench coach in the game at all? I would be interested to see what other members have to say on this.

[DrSatan]

I used to use coaches, but couldn't see any real benefit. I don't use them anymore and I'm getting about the same results. I've had bad coaches and great coaches, but haven't seen an impact either way. I had one year where I forgot to hire a hitting and pitching coach and my team was in the top 5 in every pitching and hitting category. I've read in other threads that people don't really bother with coaching anymore.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by DrSatan

I used to use coaches, but couldn't see any real benefit. I don't use them anymore and I'm getting about the same results. I've had bad coaches and great coaches, but haven't seen an impact either way. I had one year where I forgot to hire a hitting and pitching coach and my team was in the top 5 in every pitching and hitting category. I've read in other threads that people don't really bother with coaching anymore.

I dunno about that. On something as important and obvious as this is in the game, I have to go with what the designer has said about their influences on player development. I have no specific links, but I do remember Markus making statements to that effect on these boards, and I am sure beta testers were all over this aspect.

Plus, your post is the first that I can recall that implies coaches have no effects on outcomes ("I'm getting about the same results"). No other member has said coaches were inconsequential. Like scouting, coaching introduces a variable in the game for greater challenge, but some game players prefer not to use it. In that case, it's like returning the game to a level playing field, no effect on results. The fact that you are getting the same results as before, winning or losing with coaching off, is not an indication that coaching does not work when it is on.

[injury log]

I thought the bench coach's primary job was to teach fielding?

[TNCubsFan]

Originally Posted by injury log

I thought the bench coach's primary job was to teach fielding?

I am with you on this also. But I also remember Marcus saying in a thread that the bench coach was like a secondary pitching and hitting coach too. So 98 Yank may have it right.

I play with coaches and scouts. I find that the money I sink into my scouting and player development tends to help burn budget dollars when it comes time to sign free agents. It must help a bit because this is the only version, and I have played since 3, that I dont have a WS championship in.

[DrSatan]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I dunno about that. On something as important and obvious as this is in the game, I have to go with what the designer has said about their influences on player development. I have no specific links, but I do remember Markus making statements to that effect on these boards, and I am sure beta testers were all over this aspect.

Plus, your post is the first that I can recall that implies coaches have no effects on outcomes ("I'm getting about the same results"). No other member has said coaches were inconsequential. Like scouting, coaching introduces a variable in the game for greater challenge, but some game players prefer not to use it. In that case, it's like returning the game to a level playing field, no effect on results. The fact that you are getting the same results as before, winning or losing with coaching off, is not an indication that coaching does not work when it is on.

I was just saying what I noticed about the coaching system. I suppose it could be tested by taking 1 team with great coaching at the ML level and simming the same year about 10 times, and then do the same thing only give the team really bad coaching. If there's a noticeable difference then coaching has an affect, but if there is little difference then I would say coaches are just a waste of money. You could probably do the same thing with minor league coaching, but you would want to do 5-10 year sims so you can track development, bust rates, etc. I don't have the time right now, but if someone wanted to do this, I think it would answer the question for everyone.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by DrSatan

I was just saying what I noticed about the coaching system. I suppose it could be tested by taking 1 team with great coaching at the ML level and simming the same year about 10 times, and then do the same thing only give the team really bad coaching. If there's a noticeable difference then coaching has an affect, but if there is little difference then I would say coaches are just a waste of money. You could probably do the same thing with minor league coaching, but you would want to do 5-10 year sims so you can track development, bust rates, etc. I don't have the time right now, but if someone wanted to do this, I think it would answer the question for everyone.

Did any beta tester out there have this assignment?

[findinghomer]

Originally Posted by DrSatan

I was just saying what I noticed about the coaching system. I suppose it could be tested by taking 1 team with great coaching at the ML level and simming the same year about 10 times, and then do the same thing only give the team really bad coaching. If there's a noticeable difference then coaching has an affect, but if there is little difference then I would say coaches are just a waste of money. You could probably do the same thing with minor league coaching, but you would want to do 5-10 year sims so you can track development, bust rates, etc. I don't have the time right now, but if someone wanted to do this, I think it would answer the question for everyone.

this is one aspect of the game ive always wondered if it worked? do coaches really make an impact. would be nice to have confirmation so we dont waste money on hiring coaches that play no role in performance.