I'm trying to start as the St. Paul Saints in the American Association, but I'm somewhat dissatisfied with the default setup. Three questions:
First, the Can-Am League and the American Association are grouped together in the game, but IRL are separate entities (they used to play each other to fill up their schedules up until a couple years ago). Is it possible to add two new leagues (the C-A and the AA) and move the existing teams into them, or is this going to be a more onerous process?
Second, the American Association has some interesting roster rules to help preserve competitive balance.
Here's a link to the official rules, but in brief:
- The roster size is 23, with a 1 man disabled list. (During the offseason, teams may have up to 28 players under contract, without regard to any of the following restrictions. The 23 man roster rules come into effect 2 days prior to opening day.) Of those 23:
- 5 must be rookies (players with less one year of service, defined below). Teams may choose to field a 22 man roster and only carry 4 rookies.
- Up to 6 may be "LS-4" (a player with less than 5 years of service), of which up to 2 may be "LS-5" (less than 6 years of service)
- Up to 5 may be veterans (6 or more years of service - but if a player has 6 or more years of service but has not reached the age of 26 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-4. If he has not reached the age of 24 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-3.)
- A year of service for American Association players is 75 official at bats or more in a National Association or independent league or leagues, or 30 innings or more pitched in a National Association or independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. For independent and short season/rookie league service, the first two years of service equals one National Association year. For foreign players, the classification and salary level will be determined by the league office.
So my second question is obviously "how much of this can I replicate given the limitations of the game?"
Finally, is there a mod that includes the independent team logos and ballparks?
Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.