[lightgrenade07]

For my fictional historical simulations, I typically start in the 1850s using 1871 stats until I progress to the actual year of 1871.

It's not historically perfect, but from the perspective of 2024, this captures the overall feel.

Why do I do this?

When I start my National League in 1871, I prefer to start with teams & players that have actual histories.

So the idea is, the teams & players that are around in 1871 aren't just spawning spontaneously. These teams & players had been in independent amateur leagues for about 15-20 years, before going on to form the first bona fide major league.

Of course, you could ask "Well, lightgrenade07, what about how you're spawning these teams & players in the 1850s?" And my answer to that is, I'm okay with that, because I'm trying to create an in-game origin story for major league baseball. It would be fun to create an in-game origin story for an older amateur league, but that's not my central focus to the extent that my fictionalized MLB is.

Not all of my response is applicable to your situation. However, parts of the above may apply - and if that's not the case, I do apologize. Either way, I will be following this discussion with interest.