On-Line league overload

[RobertoClemente]

Funny thing....

It seems (though it is probably always this way) that there seems to be an on-line overload.... Plenty of decent leagues, all seem to be well run and responsible.

Most have decent to outstanding web sites, Most use some form of utilities...BUT (wait for it)

There seems to be more leagues opening and fewer people to fill them.. Is it due to the wealth of leagues, a drop-off of interested managers or fewer people playing in general...

I think in reading a lot of "backstories" that most angles have been approached as a philosophy for the leagues existence. Some people like historical (super accurate) some historical (less stringent), some like fictional, some like a combination of both - (real teams, fictional players etc..)

But what I am curious about is:

1.) Are GM's drying up ?
2.) Is there too much to choose from ?
3.) What would make a "prospective" manager join one vs. the other ?

A good league is only as good as it's founders. Regular sims and updates - Prompt issue resolution and having events occur as laid out - No league can survive if this basic premise does not exist.

I think secondly is the "information vehicle" (ie..forum, site etc..) It needs to be able to convey all the league information in an easy to navigate fashion, Lots of "features" do not always mean "ease of use". And it has to have a solid up-time to allow users to feel comfortable that the site will always work

Community - without a active contributing community, You are doomed. Though not every GM writes all the time, And some write every day. You need a balance of regular postings to keep others interested. Sure it's great to get your exports done like clockwork - But if no one writes it will get boring and people will just stop showing up (once the novelty - See below wears off)

And lastly - The "WOW" factor - Nicely done, highly modified websites with tons of graphics, bells, whistles and utilities - The Novelty Factor... This is what draws people in the "new car smell" it is what makes most inagural seasons work - But after a while it becomes, well the same and if the things listed above are not happening than this one will eventualy no longer suffice

In short a well run, active, informative league (with some user interactivity features) should be succesful.......

But are they, You built it, Did they come ?

What are you the T.V. viewers at home looking for if you are thinking about a league or is there just a glut of leagues now and managers are just spread too thin ?

[satchel]

Originally Posted by RobertoClemente

It seems (though it is probably always this way) that there seems to be an on-line overload....

There seems to be more leagues opening and fewer people to fill them...

...is there just a glut of leagues now and managers are just spread too thin?

This would be hard to quantify. The Hardball Heroes league recently filled 80+ teams in two or three days. Different owners do prefer different types of leagues, so in the short-term, a certain style of league might take longer to find owners. For example, that Hardball Heroes league might have temporarily siphoned up those owners looking for its particular mix of ingredients.

The supply and demand of leagues and owners is a competitive free market, and I don't think there's a surplus of good leagues; quality leagues should always find quality owners.

[ptwarr18]

The World Baseball Hierarchy has 72 Owners right now, and we expand to 88 in a couple of weeks (all teams have been filled). Clearly, this league, like Hardball Heroes (mentioned above), has something that other leagues do not.

As a member, I think what draws me most above everything is the solid Commish and Asst. Commish as well as other executive board members. Everyone has a role whether it be managing the league, running sims, tracking finances (we use a custom finance system), or keeping track of league history. Its great to have people running the league that put so much into it because I know I will put in a lot of work on my team. I know the league is going to be around for a long time and I know if there are problems they will be resolved quickly and efficiently. That makes me happy and willing to commit my time to running a team to the best of my ability.

Most of the other GM's feel the same as me, and it becomes a part of our daily lives. I look forward to every sim and export like clockwork. I check out the forum everyday at all hours of the day because it is so active. The interaction among owners is greater than anything I've been a part of and its fun to interact, makes the league come to life for me. Not only the players, but each GM has their own personality and while I have never met the other GM's, I feel like I know them from forum interaction and talking on AIM just about the league happenings.

Finally, the original concept of promotion and relegation. It's simple to understand for new GMs and the novelty never wears off. I also liked being able to pick my city, team name, and logo.

That being said, key ingredients to a successful league in my opinion....
1) Outstanding Commissioner
2) Fun, Active Forums
3) Original Idea that differentiates the league from others