drafting: historical and amateur
 

When I was playing the 6.5 version, I was able to not only have a historical draft, but also an amateur draft as well. At different times of course. One was in june like normal(amateur players), then the other one was in the off season(historical players). I like to play the older leagues (starting in 1901 and going up). But I can't figure it out with the this new version ootp 2006. I want to continue to bring in the older players, but since I added a few more teams then in reality for 1901 and on, I want more players available for them as well. I don't want to just automatically add them to their original teams. After the 1901 season, I want it to be all fair game. I want the old timers to still be part of the game, but not neccessarily with the team they really played for. Is this possible?

Sure is.

Use Commish mode, go to Transactions, select create fictional player. That opens a dialog that allows you to choose among four levels of development/age types, to select whether or not to create players to be included in the current draft, to select random or specific positions for your creations, and to determine the numbers of each of your choices.

After doing the above you may well need to edit some of the results--doofus names are an ongoing problem, as are the occasional bizarre ratings assignment---but overall it is simple and relatively painless to do. I'm employing this process in my own 1901-onward replay which includes divisional play and 8 additional teams. Works quite well so far.

Do I need to do this every year, or just in the first draft?

Meaning...each year I have to do the whole procedure of "Use Commish mode, go to Transactions, select create fictional player. That opens a dialog that allows you to choose among four levels of development/age types, to select whether or not to create players to be included in the current draft, to select random or specific positions for your creations, and to determine the numbers of each of your choices."

...or it will automatically do it for the drafts in the future?

I like setting the draft for one day, say June 10th, having it import real rookies on May 11th, then moving the draft day 2 days to June 12th and unchecking import real rookies. this gives me enough players for the 25 round draft. you could also hold the import draft in say in april or any other date and then a non-import draft at another date.