United States Baseball -- A New Beginning!

[jaysdailydose]

December 19, 2013

"...and now, with the MLBPA refusing to change their stance on biological passports, on top of the Biogenesis scandal fallout... and the players refusing to take the field again until these problems are dealt with, who knows when or even IF the MLB will continue play? And, even if they do, with the players AND the owners being so corrupt, do we even want them to? " said Buster Olney of ESPN when asked about all the problems plaguing the league.

After all of the scandals that have plagued MLB over the past two decades, there is now a threat toward play being halted for the foreseeable future. What people didn't know was that extremely wealthy and influential people had been moving behind the scenes for almost the entire past year -- and a solution was on the horizon.

---

December 22, 2013

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, and long considered one of that league's most outspoken owners -- had been known to covet ownership of an MLB franchise, even moreso after he was rebuked and not allowed to purchase the Chicago Cubs of the National League just a few years prior. Now, many had wondered why Cuban had called a press conference, with the Mavericks struggling so mightily. But, he had made it clear that the NBA, and professional basketball would NOT be the subject of the presser.

"I know so many of you have wondered why I called this press conference," Cuban began. "As is well known, I have desired for many years to own a professional baseball team. For whatever reason, I was deemed unfit to purchase one, even though I've long been known as one of the best owners in the NBA, and someone who helped that league achieve the level of excellence it has today."

"So, it is with great pleasure that I bring this news to you. With the MLBPA and the league heading down the road towards a major stoppage, and even dissolution of the league, that we make this announcement." Cuban continued.

"We have now filed an antitrust suit against both MLB and its Players Association in regards to their agreements allowing full control of the territorial areas surrounding MLB franchises. They have kept myself and many others who would have made excellent owners out of their club for years now. With today's injunction, and with the blessing of Congress, I make the following announcement..."

"First and foremost, we are announcing the construction of a new stadium in EVERY continental US state. The reason behind this is simple. Starting in 2015, we will open the doors of the United States Baseball league."

Pandemonium streaked around the newsroom. A new baseball league? Being started by Mark Cuban? Questions were flying around the room fast and furious as Cuban continued his statement.

"The courts have seen now that MLB has broken their antitrust protection with the federal government. Competitors were squashed, and maybe no one had the resources to truly challenge them before! That is no longer the case."

"First, we are appalled by MLB and its players refusal to clean up the sport. While obviously there are plenty of clean athletes in the game, the scandals show that not enough is being done to make the sport pure again. We look to change that. We also look to take those who have never had a professional franchise in their area to truly enjoy and follow America's pastime. Let me go through how we are structuring the league, and let you know that our first games will proceed in 2015, after construction of the ballparks has completed."

"I will now pass the podium off to my associate, Mr. Jason Jackson, who has been influential in the design and policies of the new league, and will fill all of you in on this amazing league that will begin very soon. We look to bring classic baseball back to the American forefront, and we feel now that we have the tools to do so. Jason, the floor is yours..."

I will fill everyone in on the details of the new league in the next post, just wanted to setup some backstory to make what I'm doing here a bit more plausible. Welcome to the USB!

EDIT: QUICKSTART NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE USB! Download HERE: http://www.mediafire.com/download/hc...QUICKSTART.zip

[jaysdailydose]

Alright, now that we have some backstory laid down in place for you, I'd like to step "out of character" for a moment and explain this dynasty report for you. I'd also like to point out that I'm not trying to imply anything about the great game of baseball, the MLB, the MLBPA and any players past or present. I just wanted to have a plausible backstory as to why we're going with a new fictional league.

United States Baseball

· League starts in 2015.

· No player on any MLB or MiLB roster, nor owners, coaches, personnel, or scouts will ever be accepted into the USB. This will be roleplayed as "refusal of MLBPA to accept advanced testing, including biological passports" to play in the new league.

· I will NOT be running MLB side-by-side. I'll break it into story form, but you will NEVER see MLB players in this wholly fictional universe.

· 48 ML teams, one for every state in the continental United States. They will be split into two leagues, the Eastern States League, and the Western States League.

· Alaska and Hawaii will not be given ML franchises, but rather will each have a 10-team "college" feeder setup as two "Advanced Baseball Academies" for those that are looking to pursue baseball as a career and don't wish to attend college. These will be known as the Alaskan Baseball Academy (ABA) and Hawaiian Baseball Academy (HBA) respectively. These two "college" feeders have their player creation modifiers set slightly higher than the NCAA feeders, so there will presumably be a few extra high-level prospects coming from the academies.

· This league has four levels of affiliated minor leagues, with each USB franchise having their four teams all hail from cities within the state of the major league franchise.

· 100 team NCAA feeder league, complete with logos, ballcaps and uniforms for all squads. An actual reason to follow a feeder league, as we will also be crowning a College World Series champ every season.

· 40 team High School feeder.

· No DH *EVER*. 2011 settings (but I put HR totals to .900) and custom financials based on Orcin's in the most part. Very High Detail set on ALL leagues including the NCAA and HS... There will be nearly 8 years of data on some players when they hit the Amateur Draft. Trading is set to Average frequency, Hard Difficulty, Favor Prospects. Ratings by AI evaluation at 30-40-20-10. Aging/Dev set at .250/1.000/.375/.900.

ALL of these leagues have FULL graphics including logos, caps, and uniforms, except for the High School feeder. ALL NCAA teams have their logos, and uniforms and caps done as well. (Thanks to eriqjaffe for the NCAA work, and to Silvam14, Illeracula, and ANYONE involved in the "States Project" and the "Cities" Project. All of these folks have been invaluable in the creation of this league, and I can't thank any of you enough for what you have done for this community to make this game more customizable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

· I will be taking over the Michigan franchise, known as the Michigan Motors. The only "real" human that I am associating with this league will be Mark Cuban, who I will edit in as the owner of the Texas Lone Stars.

I've long wanted to do a league of this size, but never had the time to customize everything to my liking in previous years. With all the great graphics available, and my medical situation -- I was able to finally construct a fictional league that I wanted to put my name on and write about. I couldn't be more excited.

Last, but not least, I have some members here at OOTP that I wish to thank before embarking on this journey. Orcin and Gehrig38, you two have long been the reasons behind me wanting to do a fictional universe, and I hope that I can make this report something you would be proud to call your own if it were. I'd also like to thank NYY#23 and VanillaGorilla. Your projects both showed me there are so many ways to play this game, and I wouldn't be to this point without the both of you as well.

The next post will be the introduction of the Motors GM -- but if any of you have questions about the league, please post them. I am not "reserving" any posts in this thread, and can't wait to bring you the USB!

[chucksabr]

Sound interesting. I will be especially interested in seeing how the Wyoming team evolves, since the biggest market it could play in is under 100,000 in population who is below average in income. Montana should be interesting, too, given their largest city has only 160,000 people in their metro area as well. Not sure how these teams won't get run over by larger market teams. But then, maybe that's simply too real world a consideration for your league. I'll actually be rooting for Wyoming to win the whole thing.

Anyway, great backstory. I'm cooking up an idea myself and I will use your write-up as a guide for when I do mine.

[pgjocki]

I really like this concept, and I am interested in how the team from Illinois will fare. Are you editing the owners in relation to the states to be more likely to spend money? Additionally, everyone knows that Illinois has a fair share of corruption up in the Chicago market...

[jaysdailydose]

Originally Posted by pgjocki

I really like this concept, and I am interested in how the team from Illinois will fare. Are you editing the owners in relation to the states to be more likely to spend money? Additionally, everyone knows that Illinois has a fair share of corruption up in the Chicago market...

I'm actually still tweaking the financials... I thought I was completely ready to start posting, but was not quite happy with what I was seeing.

As far as editing the owners, I'm not doing that, but I am planning on giving the team draft budgets according to the population of the cities they are based in (and I put the ballpark in the city with the largest city by population according to recent research.)

I currently have a post up in general discussions to bounce some ideas around, but I am probably just going to do the league with a .600-.800 Financial Coefficient, and just let the chips fall where they may.

EDIT: With the way that the game engine processes the extra teams, the contracts are going very high within the first two free agencies. I'm guessing, through my research, that adding in the extra teams makes the players signing realize that there is a LOT more cash in the league... hence why I am toying with the financial coefficients at this point. It is either that, or just let the finances go where they may... as this is a fictional league, I don't necessarily have to get all whacked out over it, as long as the finances work for the league!

Thanks for the early interest, I just wanted to make sure things are as perfect as I can make them before starting the gameplay!

[NYY #23]

Good luck, and I'll be following along.

[MarkCuban]

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

December 19, 2013

December 22, 2013

"First and foremost, we are announcing the construction of a new stadium in EVERY continental US state. The reason behind this is simple. Starting in 2015, we will open the doors of the United States Baseball league."

Pandemonium streaked around the newsroom. A new baseball league? Being started by Mark Cuban? Questions were flying around the room fast and furious as Cuban continued his statement.

"The courts have seen now that MLB has broken their antitrust protection with the federal government. Competitors were squashed, and maybe no one had the resources to truly challenge them before! That is no longer the case."

Yep, sounds like me.

[jaysdailydose]

All testing has been completed and I am in the process of removing all testing games from my drives and loading the dynasty. I'll be doing the inaugural draft tonight, and awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay we go!

I'll be posting what pick we have shortly. I am hitting the "randomize draft order" button one time to simulate the inaugural draft order lottery. We'll also have a look at our owner and staff situation very soon!

[jaysdailydose]

Jan 1, 2015

Subject: Michigan Puts Jason Jackson on the Pedestal -- Signs as GM

The Michigan Motors think the future is looking much brighter for the team now that they have signed Jason Jackson as their new GM.

He will be presented at a press conference today.

Tomorrow at the Inaugural Draft it will be the first chance for the new skipper to show off his skills. The Motors will have the 18th selection of the draft!

[jaysdailydose]

January 1, 2015

Subject: Dan Melendrez Initial Draftee of United States Baseball!

United States Baseball has welcomed the first ever draft pick into the league. With the first selection, the Montana Grizzly Bears have selected 25-year-old RF/1B Dan "Biscuit" Melendrez.

Melendrez's greatest tools, according to the Motors scouting department, are his speed, contact, and eye. His speed is literally off the scale, and at 25, he looks to anchor the Grizzly Bear outfield for years to come.

We'll be back with the first selection for the Motors, and then we'll complete the draft and be back with more news later on!

Dan "Biscuit" Melendrez
Montana Grizzly Bears

[jaysdailydose]

January 1, 2015

Subject: Center Fielder Jesse Cook is Motors First Pick

The Michigan Motors selected one of the top center fielders in the draft with their first selection, taking 27-year-old Jesse Cook with the eighteenth selection of the Inaugural Draft.

Cook is looked at as a perennial Gold Glove level defender, and an elite hitter with possibly the best eye in the new league.

Jesse Cook
Michigan Motors

[jaysdailydose]

January 9, 2015

Subject: Post-Draft Roster, Depth Charts, Rotation





We feel very strongly about our team, as we have a lot of talented youth and high-character guys. The rotation will be anchored by 22-year-old Steve Muller and 23-year-old Jose Cuevas, giving us a formidable 1-2 righty/lefty punch.

The offense will take us as far as Jesse Cook, Zach Lux and Steve Krauskopf can take us. They make as strong a 3-4-5 as there may be in this league.

We went through and hired an amazing staff, but I am just "roleplaying" it as I had the right to hire my own staff when I was given the job. I have left the minor league management systems alone for the first season, and will go with my owners hires in those areas while I get used to the Motors organization.

I have been up a long time now and it is very late, but we will get up to the initial season tomorrow.

Also, I should note that scouting is on "Normal", and ratings are on the 20-80 scale, with ratings > max... so yes, my bullpen has absolutely ridiculous stuff.

[jaysdailydose]

Here is a list of all the teams so everyone knows the nickname of their state allegiance. In *most* cases, I tried to make the state nickname relevant, but avoiding nicknames that mesh with real teams if at all possible. I wasn't able to wholly avoid this in the minors, but I think everyone will be pleased.



United States Baseball takes its eight division winners into the postseason to compete for the Championship. There are not, and will never be wildcards, in this league. For sustained postseason success, you must win your division every year.

(If there are any nicknames for your state that absolutely do not make sense, please let me know. I was using mainly state birds, state animals, known nicknames where they fit, and the like. Thanks, and enjoy!)

[jaysdailydose]

Here's a look at our NCAA setup!




The individual conferences have been split into two subleagues of 4 conferences. The College World Series seeds are determined by the four Conference Champions from each subleague, along with the 4 best other records from the subleague.

[jaysdailydose]

April 6, 2015

Subject: Top 100 Prospects List Published

The season is about to start, so it's time to publish the annual Top 100 Prospects list. This year 22-year-old starting pitcher Jared Miles of the Kentucky Gray Squirrels is the #1 prospect overall.

Here is the top 10:
1) SP Jared Miles, 22, Kentucky Gray Squirrels
2) LF Pat Fagan, 18, Missouri Bluebirds
3) SP Chris Johnson, 23, Wyoming Cowboys
4) SS Keith Pitcher, 21, Oklahoma Raccoons
5) SP Jerry Cook, 18, Washington Apples
6) 1B Victor Carrillo, 22, Vermont Maples
7) SP Peter Burger, 22, West Virginia Black Bears
8) CF Javier Onofre, 23, Utah Rocks
9) LF Danny Wynn, 18, Wisconsin Doves
10) C Dan Shepherd, 24, Nebraska Meadowlarks

--------------------------------------------------

Subject: Personal Message from the Owner: Season Expectation

Jason,

I have now decided on the goal for the coming season. After evaluating several factors, I have come to the conclusion that you should win it all this year!

Good Luck!

Luke Tuttle

Mr. Tuttle is regarded as "Understanding" and "Generous" but this is still a lofty expectation. I felt I drafted well (I drafted the major league squad, and let my staff handle the minors with me filling in their gaps post-draft.)

We finished the spring with the best record in our division at 16-8, one game ahead of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin at 15-9. Our only injury of note was to reliever David Rodela who will miss around the first two weeks of the regular season with a herniated disc in his back.

[jaysdailydose]

Other Spring Developments and Opening Day Overview



SP Matsu Matsuda was beaten out for the fifth starter spot by Nick Faust.

[jaysdailydose]

Week 1 Notes – 3 vs Kentucky (1-2), 3 vs Wisconsin (2-1)

· 04/07: KY 6, MI 2 – Cody Bourque (KY) 3-4, HR (1), 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 2R
· Colin Knapp became the first Motor to homer while pinch hitting in the seventh.
· Felix Salgado of Louisiana became the first man to hit three home runs in a USB game!
· 04/08: KY 6, MI 1 – Joe McCashland (KY) 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K, W
· 04/09: MI 4, KY 1 – Jose Cuevas 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 8 K – Rodrigo Miranda 3-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
· 04/10: MI 6, WI 3 – Steve Krauskopf 2-4, HR (1), 2B, 2 RBI – Chris Calzadilla 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 5 K, W (1-0)
· 04/11: MI 13, WI 9 – Zach Lux 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB – Nick Faust 1.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB, ND
· 04/12: WI 7, MI 1 – Brad Sisk (WI) 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 K – Steve Muller 7.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 5 K, L (0-2)
· The Motors first overall selection in the inaugural draft, Jesse Cook, is off to a 1-21 (.048) start, with zero homers and just one RBI.
· Eastern Player of the Week: Maryland C Tony Garcia, 10-25 (.400), 4 HR, 6 RBI
· Western Player of the Week: Arizona RF Luis Ruiz 11-24 (.458), 3 HR, 6 RBI
· Next Week: 2 at Pennsylvania, 4 at Georgia

[jaysdailydose]

Week 2 Notes – 2 at Pennsylvania (1-1), 4 at Georgia (0-4)

· 04/14: PA 8, MI 5 – John Hunt (PA) 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 RS – Leonardo Vasquez 1.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 4 HR
· The wind was blowing out to center at 12 MPH, but still, he has to keep the ball in the ballpark. His ratings indicate this to hopefully be an isolated incident.
· Jesse Cook finally broke out of his slump with a homer in his first AB after the day off.
· 04/15: MI 7, PA 4 – Danny Gonzalez 4-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 RS – Jose Cuevas 8.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 K, W (2-0)
· 04/16: GA 3, MI 2 – Jose Hernandez (GA) 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K – Calzadilla 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K, L (1-1)
· 04/17: GA 5, MI 1 – Keith Betzel (GA) 1-4, GS (1), 4 RBI – Nick Faust 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K, L (0-1)
· 04/18: GA 1, MI 0 – Jim Morris (GA) 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K, W – S. Muller 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 HR, 6 K, L (0-3)
· 04/19: GA 4, MI 1 – Allan Royster (GA) 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2-0)
· Eastern Player of the Week: 1B Terry Hughes (NJ) 9-17 (.529), 3 HR, 6 RBI
· Western Player of the Week: 3B Amare Morris (WA) 12-22 (.545), 2 HR, 8 RBI
· Next Week: 4 vs North Carolina, 3 at Ohio

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

Subject: Personal Message from the Owner: Season Expectation

Jason,

I have now decided on the goal for the coming season. After evaluating several factors, I have come to the conclusion that you should win it all this year!

Good Luck!

Luke Tuttle

Oh oh.

Yeah, good luck!

[jaysdailydose]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Oh oh.

Yeah, good luck!

I'll need every bit of luck I can get with the way the offense is performing at this point. Looks like we got cold moving north to Michigan after a hot spring with the bats.

Good to see you following along! LOVING playing fictional with this kind of depth... I just could never get into fictionals without having logos and unis and the like, now that I can -- WOW.