🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992May22.1...@newshost.lanl.gov> mas...@beta.lanl.gov (David A. Masten) writes:
>
>(1) I've heard its a real bitch to program it.  Whats your experience?
>    And how much extra does it cost?  
>
It is true that the Micromanager (as it is called) is no easy feat to 
master.  It is partially menu driven but you will truly be "programming"
the manager.  Remember that this game was written for the average joe so
it is not that difficult.  The manual is also very helpful in the learning
process.  If you have an uneasy feeling about this particular program you
can call Miller Assoc. (makers of the program) at 1-800-654-5472.  They
can send you some literature and otherwise explain the program in easy to
understand terms.  They are very receptive to questions in all my dealings
with them.  The Micromanager costs $50 direct through APBA or $32 mail
order (quote from Chips and Bits).

>(2) I don't think it would matter what pitches you program.  Unless they
>    radically changed the game APBA doesn't work on a pitch by pitch
>    basis. What I was considering really only pertains to you-play
>    games. Where you as the hitter try to guess what pitch is coming.
>    And the pitcher tries to outguess you.  In the typical game, you
>    just choose one and the pitcher chooses another.  But in real life,
>    hitters and pitchers have their strengths.  So you guess fastball
>    with Dibble on the mound.  He may cross you up with a change, but
>    his change would be that of an ordinary pitcher.  Actually this
>    could work in a text-based game, but it would have to be a pitch
>    by pitch game.  And you'd have to rate every pitcher for each pitch
>    type (maybe just a modifier to his overall stats).  This would get
>    real complex in a hurry.  But it would be hot!
>
I was somewhat misleading here.  The APBA baseball selects the pitches
based on percentages in real life (eg Gooden threw fastballs "x %" of 
the time, so he throws fastballs "x %" of the time in the simulation).
However, another program called Wizard allows you to make changes to the
players stats, so you can influence the actual pitches thrown.  Along
these same lines you can alter any players stats, create players, etc.
Miller Assoc. created another program which is an encyclopedia of stats
($30 direct) which downloads the stats directly into your game to avoid
having to input the stats manually.

I did get off on a tangent with my initial post.  I knew that you were
talking about a different sort of game than APBA has to offer, but what
the heck I wanted to talk about the text-based games.

>>APBA is still the leader in statistical realism and league replayibility
>>(with PtP closing the gap daily).  With the addition of a externally
>>programable coach, your true coaching skills and knowledge of baseball
>>should shine through (or fade away).
>
>Is it really good in realism?  I only played a few games and got a no-
>hitter by '90 Clemens (ok, he did have a 1.93 ERA that year), plus a 
>few 1,2,3 hitters by other top pitchers.  I didn't have the stat
>compiler so I can't say overall how the stats come out.  But it seemed
>like it favors pitchers.  Anyone have long term experience?
>
Not bad actually, but I'm more into creating leagues through drafting
of players, etc so I don't care so much about "team repeating".  I
believe it places alot of emphasis on pitchers but not to the extent
that it destroys the statistical nature of the game.  With the Micro-
manager, you can limit this effect further by having greater control
of the baserunners, etc.

>A game that took all this into account would be hot.  But could they
>sell enough to justify the effort/cost?
>
>Dave Masten

I'd buy one :-).

Bill Lechner
w...@pmafire.inel.gov