How can I do thus?

italyprof · 04-01-2026, 12:24 PM

Not sure why I can't figure this out. I want to play starting in 1871 or earlier as the calendar date. A random debut historical league. But I don't want the specs of 1871 - I want 16 teams, 5 man rotations, 25 man rosters, 154 games.

Do I first set up the game for a later season when these are the case and tgen change the date to say, 1865 or 1871?

When I try to start in 1871 it gives me 1 man bullpen where I want 5 pitchers, and of course 9 teams.

Anyone else try this using historical random debut players?

Thanks!

pholmer · 05-13-2026, 03:58 AM

Hi, Italyprof. I have been trying to do something similar for a while now. My goal is to have the 16 MLB teams and 16 Negro Leagues (NL) teams combined into the same game (.lg), starting in the 1920s. I have spent a lot of time on rosters for the NL teams; as you probably know, the NL players moved around a lot. I also wanted to make the rosters for all teams in a manageable (for me) format that OOTP would accept. The game is pretty finicky about which rosters it will allow you to import. You probably already know a lot of the following, but not everyone who reads this will. So forgive any overexplaining.

I've decided to try two things to achieve my goal. First, I will use Dr. Doom's Database Converter to make a historical_database.odb file that contains all the data I want, including getting players on the right teams instead of being randomly assigned or dumped into a free agents list. This converter works both ways, .odb into components and components into .odb. If you are unfamiliar with Doom's converter, you may want to break down an .odb file so you know what kind of data you need to include in the .odb files you create. (There are several .odb files, but the historical database is the main concern.)

Second, when I create the game, I will choose a fictional league rather than a historical one. Why fictional? Integrated Baseball in the 1920s is, ipso facto, fictional to begin with. The fictional game can include historical teams and players. Hopefully, I'll get a little more latitude while creating a fictional game that allows me to get what I want. It's a trial-and-error endeavor. Don't be afraid to throw away any failed attempts you get. Patience, time, and effort will get you there eventually. Good luck, and let me know if I can help in any way.

On another subject, our first conversation related to my post about the two Rube Fosters. Since then, I have continued collecting data on like-named players. I now have a spreadsheet with about 100 players who share a name with another player(s). Besides Rube Foster, other well-known players like Bob Gibson, Frank "Home Run" Baker, and Bernie Williams are on the list. If you would like a copy, I'd be happy to share it with you. Just let me know whether you use a Mac or a PC; I use a Mac, but when I export the file to an Excel format, the pictures don't transfer, but all the other info does. Talk to you soon, I hope.

04-01-2026, 12:24 PM	#1
italyprof All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,032	How can I do thus? Not sure why I can't figure this out. I want to play starting in 1871 or earlier as the calendar date. A random debut historical league. But I don't want the specs of 1871 - I want 16 teams, 5 man rotations, 25 man rosters, 154 games. Do I first set up the game for a later season when these are the case and tgen change the date to say, 1865 or 1871? When I try to start in 1871 it gives me 1 man bullpen where I want 5 pitchers, and of course 9 teams. Anyone else try this using historical random debut players? Thanks!

05-13-2026, 03:58 AM	#2
pholmer Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 213	Have it your way Hi, Italyprof. I have been trying to do something similar for a while now. My goal is to have the 16 MLB teams and 16 Negro Leagues (NL) teams combined into the same game (.lg), starting in the 1920s. I have spent a lot of time on rosters for the NL teams; as you probably know, the NL players moved around a lot. I also wanted to make the rosters for all teams in a manageable (for me) format that OOTP would accept. The game is pretty finicky about which rosters it will allow you to import. You probably already know a lot of the following, but not everyone who reads this will. So forgive any overexplaining. I've decided to try two things to achieve my goal. First, I will use Dr. Doom's Database Converter to make a historical_database.odb file that contains all the data I want, including getting players on the right teams instead of being randomly assigned or dumped into a free agents list. This converter works both ways, .odb into components and components into .odb. If you are unfamiliar with Doom's converter, you may want to break down an .odb file so you know what kind of data you need to include in the .odb files you create. (There are several .odb files, but the historical database is the main concern.) Second, when I create the game, I will choose a fictional league rather than a historical one. Why fictional? Integrated Baseball in the 1920s is, ipso facto, fictional to begin with. The fictional game can include historical teams and players. Hopefully, I'll get a little more latitude while creating a fictional game that allows me to get what I want. It's a trial-and-error endeavor. Don't be afraid to throw away any failed attempts you get. Patience, time, and effort will get you there eventually. Good luck, and let me know if I can help in any way. On another subject, our first conversation related to my post about the two Rube Fosters. Since then, I have continued collecting data on like-named players. I now have a spreadsheet with about 100 players who share a name with another player(s). Besides Rube Foster, other well-known players like Bob Gibson, Frank "Home Run" Baker, and Bernie Williams are on the list. If you would like a copy, I'd be happy to share it with you. Just let me know whether you use a Mac or a PC; I use a Mac, but when I export the file to an Excel format, the pictures don't transfer, but all the other info does. Talk to you soon, I hope.