Game Getting Frustrating

[OldVern]

Maybe I'm jut going about OOTP the wrong way but I'm starting to get a little frustrated.

No matter how hard I try I just cannot get my chosen team to win a match. The pitchers are constantly tired if not downright knackered and whinge as soon as they've thrown a couple of balls.
The batters seem incapable of hitting a ball other than running it straight down to first base and getting themselves out, or lofting it into the welcoming hands of an outfielder. At times, wonder if I've put the England cricket team out there,

Options as a GM or Manager seem very limited once the season starts, other than varying the rotation of pitchers and batters. I can't find any option to get your coaches to work on the weaker players or have set objectives for training/practice sessions. As a manager I should be able to "motivate" both the team and individual players either via chat or maybe a match "bonus" but that is absent.

Perhaps I should have started with a higher level team rather than in the minors, but sadly what I thought would be a good sports management sim is now starting to annoy, not entertain me.

[UltimateAverageGuy]

Lol

[OldVern]

Originally Posted by UltimateAverageGuy

Lol

Thanks for the really helpful tips.

[Syd Thrift]

They added more coaching options in 22 but the game isn’t really FM for baseball, it’s its own thing. I guess a couple general tips:

- if you’re playing modern day baseball, you’re going to use your entire 12 or 13 man staff. The general rule in baseball nowadays is you let your starter go through the opposing lineup twice and maybe into a third time before you pull them. If they’re pitching well, like throwing a shutout, maybe you can stretch them a little, but generally what you’re going to see is you’ll need to pull your starter in the 6th or 7th, occasionally earlier, and then go to your bullpen usually one inning per guy at a time.

- Defense is extremely important, especially at the up the middle positions - center field, shortstop, catcher, and second base. One thing a lot of people overlook is “catcher ability”, which reflects the ability of real life players to frame pitches and work with their pitching staff - a guy with a high ability will actually cause pitchers to throw more strikeouts and fewer walks.

- as you might notice, having a 13 man staff usually doesn’t leave you with a lot to do at least grand strategy wise on offense, especially in the AL. You can platoon guys a little bit, especially at catcher, but it’s not as heavily used a strategy as it was in the 1980s, for instance.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by OldVern

I can't find any option to get your coaches to work on the weaker players or have set objectives for training/practice sessions. As a manager I should be able to "motivate" both the team and individual players either via chat or maybe a match "bonus" but that is absent.

Perhaps I should have started with a higher level team rather than in the minors, but sadly what I thought would be a good sports management sim is now starting to annoy, not entertain me.

Unlike football and FM baseball is a game that is played almost everyday leaving little time for practice. It is possible that your particular team may have too many overmatched players. Do you see any red down arrows in the transaction view? That could explain part of your problem.

[OldVern]

Thanks guys, that has given me something to work with.

I’m guessing the “strategic” or management part of the game comes into its own between seasons, when you’re looking to offload your useless players and hire some better ones.

I shall persevere!

[Bobbyraz49]

I love this game.
It took me an entire season to figure a lot of things out. But wow...its worth it.
My suggestion is to start with a MLB team that has some promise and learn the ropes. I play as the GM and manager of a team. I play one pitch mode and play EVERY game. Watch the pitch count at the start of every inning for your pitcher. 90 pitches is usually the max for mine. Each pitcher has different attributes including stamina.
I have learned so much about this game from this forum. You will find many helpful folks here.
Check the forums often and don't be afraid to ask for questions !!!!
While I am no expert, please feel free to PM me if you need assistance.

Also.... sometimes it may be best to "try" to rid your team of certain players in the month of July.
Most of my players are between the ages of 24-30.

[Pembroke]

As Bobbyraz49 said, the Major League teams offer you more options to improve your players (trades, etc.).



I haven't played as a minor league team, but I wonder if you can also sign Free Agents (under the League menu and/or along the right side menu look for Transactions). You can cut some of your worst players, at least in terms of not having potential, and perhaps sign some better ones to replace them. (as RchW said, those red arrows are candidates to be replaced)


Good coaches should help (especially with Development or Mechanics, as far as I can guess), but it will take months normally for any significant growth as they have to learn, also develop new habits. Defense should improve as they gain experience playing a particular position.

[Leo_The_Lip]

Originally Posted by OldVern

Thanks guys, that has given me something to work with.

I’m guessing the “strategic” or management part of the game comes into its own between seasons, when you’re looking to offload your useless players and hire some better ones.

I shall persevere!

I've seen many soccer fans make the mistake in overall strategy that is revealed in your second paragraph. That is, you don't "offload" useless players and "hire" better ones in baseball. Yes, there are free agents, however there are good reasons their old teams let them go--money being one.

The only sustainable way to get better long term is to draft high potential kids for your farm system and let them develop in the minor leagues. Carefully watch their improvements/failures and promote and cull.

This is unlike worldwide soccer and is the most difficult concept for soccer fans to grasp.

I hope that helps, it is truly the best way to play a baseball game.

[mytreds]

You should probably learn about a sport a bit more before trying to play a simulator for it. Imagine someone completely new to football playing FM. They’d be lost for days. I can imagine that’s where most of your frustration lies. I’d recommend you watching some Let’s Plays on YouTube to help you adjust to OOTP. Even older versions of the game are still applicable. Like FM, OOTP is basically a 40$ roster update every year. The main mechanics don’t really change.