Thinking of a 1908 Replay

[KG Erwin]

I just got a great book from the library called "Crazy 08", which really takes you back nearly 100 years. I've wanted to play that season out, but PS has problems with the deadball era.

For me, personally, setting up the correct ballparks isn't an issue, but the available photos are poor quality (too bad). You gotta remember than even the first-generation "classic parks" hadn't been built yet.

Then there's the pitching staffs, which (then) had maybe only 7 or 8 guys. With even the 35-man realplayer rosters, fictionals will insinuate their way in.

Some of you guys play in the deadball era, so how have you worked around these issues?

[LetsPlay2]

Hey bud !!

I have played a few from 1901. Here is what I have observed :

1) The fictionals seem to stay in the minors. I have not had a problem with fictional pitchers

2) The photos dont bother me so much but the Ballparks seem to be pretty close to actual dimensions

3) If you go here : Baseball
Look at the Team Histories section. It shows ballpark info, the team names over the years, etc

4) Stats are real close except in Philadelphia's case in the NL. The Baker bowl rolls out a lot of HRs in the first year then seems to settle down.

5) I moved player photos from the 1800 folders into the 1900 folder, so the older players will have actual photos

I really enjoy that era. However I have moved, for the 1st time, to fictional association. I must say I like it so far

[Nukester]

I gave up with trying to get the exact ballpark for the early years, and just go with where the team played a little later. Here are the parks I use when setting up my 1903 season (the year I usually start my historical sims):

Here are the parks I use in 1903:

New York (NL) - Polo Grounds
Boston (AL) - Fenway Park
Brooklyn - Ebbets Field
Cleveland - League Park
Chicago (NL) - Wrigley Field
Philadelphia (NL) - Baker Bowl
New York (AL) - Yankee Stadium
Washington - Griffith Stadium
St. Louis (NL) - Sportsman Park
Cincinnati - Crosley Field
Pittsburgh - Forbes Field
Chicago (AL) - Old Comisky Park
Detroit - Tiger Stadium
Philadelphia (AL) - Shibe Park
St. Louis (AL) - Sportsman Park
Boston (NL) - Braves Field

Ive been toying with the idea of putting the Highlanders / Yankees (my prefered team of choice) in the Polo Grounds instead of in Yankee Stadium so early.

As far as pitchers in the early years, the game really doesnt do too bad of a job as far as the rotation and staff size. Im pretty sure that the CPU will only have like 7 pitchers on the major league roster, with 4 of them as starters and 3 of them as middle relief. It doesnt even asign a closer, which is good. Of course, you have to fill 25 spots, so there are alot of batters that might not do much, on your major league roster

I also noticed that I still have to jack my HR slider ALL the way down, somewhere betwen 1-5, usually about 2, or else guys still might hit 20+ HR's. With the stadiums above and the slider set to 1 or 2ish, the numbers have been really good.

My only gripe is that there are still not enough complete games for starters. Its a little better than it was a few versions ago, but still not nearly enough. In the 1903 season I just finished, Addie Joss led the league in CG with 18 but he started 38 games. He should be up around 30ish CG I would think. In real life in 1903 he started 31 games and had 31 complete games. Other than that, I think it plays a pretty good game of deadball baseball.

I dont play out many games though, so Im not the one to ask about the onfield deadball stuff.

[LetsPlay2]

I get my ballpark info from :

List of Major League Baseball Stadiums

and

Clem's Baseball

[KG Erwin]

Thanks for the info, guys.

[dneely]

KG:

1908 is the one season I have always wanted to replay, and basically for the same reasons. I have read two book on the '08 season (including Crazy '08 a great book and read BTW!!!) and feel like I have a good sense of what baseball was like that year and during that era. The problem is I can't find a game other than DMB or Action where you can get anything close to decent stats. I have tried PureSim and OOTP and both leave me dissatisfied because of the screwy stats, closer use and pitching rotation problems.

I would be the first guy in line to buy a game that will give me an enjoyable replay for a year like 1908. Yes I can get the stats in Action and DMB but they are more like reading a database than getting a FEEL for baseball in the 1908 season....goodness I'm fussy.

Let us know of your progress, but I suspect to come anywhere close you will need to create an XML file just for that season/era. I have lobbied with Shaun for years to create "era specific" XML files but with no luck so far. I am clearly not smart enough to create one myself but again I would be more than willing to lay down some cash to anyone that can.

[KG Erwin]

I agree with the era-specific XML, Dave. I'd tried putting together a pre-1910 PS template, but didn't have much success.