Strat-o-Matic Baseball, Anyone?

Grim.Reaper · February 16, 2016, 09:28:16 PM

Quote from: WYBaugh on February 16, 2016, 09:23:52 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on February 16, 2016, 08:53:16 PM
Did you buy the hi res ballparks? If so, worth it?

I did because I'm an old idiot and checked the hi-res ballparks on installation. Having done so when you start a game it asks for the code and if you don't enter it errors out of the entire game. I'm sure I could have uninstalled but then worried about activations, etc so said eff it and bought them.

They look good if not a little stretched on my 26"...will need to not play it in full screen.

I did the same thing with my install, but I uninstalled versus buying:). I have a 39 inch monitor so I wonder how stretch it would become....hate to reduce the screen since I like all the widgets I can display. Maybe I'll see what the community has to offer before buying....thanks for the info.

WYBaugh · February 16, 2016, 09:35:46 PM

You are a smart man!!

GJK · February 16, 2016, 10:50:35 PM

I tell you, I'm really enjoying the PureSim baseball. I'm playing it in season mode (you have a choice on season or career). My AI managers handle the minors and callup's so I don't have to worry about that. I just manage my lineup's and then put on plays as desired. I'm playing the 2014 season as the Rangers and am 3-0 to start the season (swept the Phillies). The game is fully customizable and was able to use the mods that people made for OOTP for the faces, logo's and ballparks. The interface is clean and very simple to use and I like that I can use the keyboard shortcuts to control just about everything (not a lot of clicking). If you're a stat tweaker, the player databases are in simple MS Access db's, so they are easy to modify to suit your own tastes. I also like that ballpark measurements, elevation and wind tendencies are factored in. This fits my needs perfectly and again - for the price (free), it's worth a look (last update was a year ago but hoping that they keep working on it).

Grim.Reaper · February 17, 2016, 06:45:55 AM

Nope you can't beat free:). The developer has been in many places....on his own, wolverine, matrix, back on hi own, etc. he does this as a part time thing so understandable that he might not keep up with things. I always thought it had a good start and has potential, but I just prefer a game that is a little more predicatable with support and updates. But again it is free, so really no room to complain.

Grim.Reaper · February 17, 2016, 09:29:45 PM

Played a few more games and have come to the conclusion pirates pitching sucks:) haven't won a game since my first one and pitchers giving up a lot of runs. Hopefully this weekend will have time to start a season to see how things play out and make a final decision whether I like it enough to spend more money on add ons.

GJK · February 18, 2016, 07:34:41 AM

I had a real nail-biter last night vs Tampa Bay. Had a 2-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. My setup man had closed out the 8th wonderfully and my closer was ready to try and close things out. Soria got his first save of the year a few games ago, but it was sketchy. Would he be able to close out this one? It went down like this:

Bottom of the 9th (Score: TEX 2, TB 0)
**** PITCHING CHANGE.......Now Pitching for Alexi Ogando...Joakim Soria
He has a 9.00 ERA, 1 Save(s) and 0 Blown Save(s).
No Outs, Bases Empty
Joakim Soria Pitches to CF Desmond Jennings
Desmond Jennings Today: 0 for 3
Pitch 1: (1) (In Play)
Desmond Jennings flies out to shallow right (Distance: 238)
1 Out, Bases Empty
Joakim Soria Pitches to 1B James Loney
James Loney Today: 1 for 3
Pitch 3: (4) (In Play)
Singles to left.
1 Out, Runner on First
Joakim Soria Pitches to DH David Dejesus
David Dejesus Today: 0 for 2
Texas managerial strategy: They're looking to prevent the extra base hit.
Texas managerial strategy: Outfield is deep and straight-away.
Pitch 5: (9) High, Ball 4
Soria gives up a walk to Dejesus
1 Out, Runners on First and Second
Joakim Soria Pitches to RF Wil Myers
Wil Myers Today: 1 for 2
Texas managerial strategy: 1st & 3rd basemen will try to prevent the extra base hit.
Texas managerial strategy: Outfield is deep and straight-away.
Pitch 2: (11) (In Play)
Singles to left.
James Loney Scores!!
Texas 2 - Tampa Bay 1
Extra base taken by runner. Defense made the throw.
Hitter took an extra base on play on lead runner.
David Dejesus moves to third.
Wil Myers moves to second.
1 Out, Runners on Second and Third
Joakim Soria Pitches to LF Matthew Joyce
Matthew Joyce Today: 1 for 3
Texas managerial strategy: Not taking chances with Matthew Joyce.
Pitch 4: (15) Ball 4
Joyce is walked intentionally.
Pinch hitting for Jose Molina: Logan Forsythe
1 Out, Bases Loaded
Joakim Soria Pitches to Logan Forsythe (.000 0 HR 0 RBI)
Pitch 3: (18) Swings and Misses, Strike 3
Forsythe strikes out!
2 Outs, Bases Loaded
Joakim Soria Pitches to SS Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar Today: 1 for 4
Pitch 4: (22) (In Play)
Yunel Escobar pops out to Andrus

Inning Summary
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, and 3 Left on.
The Score: Texas 2 Tampa Bay 1

Final Score: Texas 2 - Tampa Bay 1
Joe Saunders Gets the WIN.
Jeremy Hellickson Gets the LOSS.
Joakim Soria Gets the Save.

Grim.Reaper · February 18, 2016, 07:09:27 PM

Is that from Puresim or Strat?

GJK · February 19, 2016, 12:23:25 PM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on February 18, 2016, 07:09:27 PM
Is that from Puresim or Strat?

The Poor Man's Strat....PureSim

Grim.Reaper · February 19, 2016, 07:13:33 PM

Gotcha..thanks

Grim.Reaper · February 19, 2016, 08:09:44 PM

Losing streak continues, although at least made it to extra innings:)

BOXSCORE: 2015 Kansas City Royals At 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates

Royals AB R H RBI Pirates AB R H RBI
A.Escobar SS 4 1 2 1 G.Polanco RF 4 1 0 0
B.Zobrist 2B 5 0 0 0 S.Marte LF 5 1 2 2
L.Cain CF 5 0 0 0 A.McCutchen CF 4 0 2 1
E.Hosmer 1B 3 2 2 0 N.Walker 2B 5 0 0 0
M.Moustakas 3B 4 0 0 0 P.Alvarez 1B 5 1 1 1
S.Perez C 5 2 3 3 J.Harrison 3B 5 0 2 0
A.Gordon LF 5 0 1 1 F.Cervelli C 4 0 0 0
A.Rios RF 3 0 0 0 J.Mercer SS 5 0 1 0
W.Davis P 0 0 0 0 G.Cole P 2 1 1 0
C-K.Morales PH 1 0 0 0 A-A.Ramirez PH 1 0 0 0
K.Herrera P 1 0 0 0 J.Blanton P 0 0 0 0
F.Morales P 0 0 0 0 D-C.Stewart PH 1 0 0 0
R.Madson P 0 0 0 0 A.Bastardo P 0 0 0 0
C.Young P 2 0 0 0 E-S.Rodriguez PH 1 0 0 0
D.Duffy P 0 0 0 0
B-J.Dyson RF 3 0 0 0
-- -- -- --- -- -- -- ---
Totals 41 5 8 5 Totals 42 4 9 4

A-Pinch Hit For Cole In 6th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (RF) For Duffy In 6th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Davis In 9th Inning
D-Pinch Hit For Blanton In 9th Inning
E-Pinch Hit For Bastardo In 11th Inning

Royals.......... 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 - 5 8 0
Pirates......... 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 9 0

Royals IP H R ER BB SO HR PC
C.Young 4 2/3 4 4 4 3 3 1 83
D.Duffy 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 21
W.Davis 2 1/3 1 0 0 0 2 0 29
K.Herrera WIN 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 34
F.Morales 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5
R.Madson SAVE 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 10
Totals 11 9 4 4 3 11 1

Pirates IP H R ER BB SO HR PC
G.Cole 6 7 4 4 1 7 2 105
J.Blanton 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 34
A.Bastardo LOSS 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 30
Totals 11 8 5 5 4 9 3

ATTENDANCE- 26,171 TIME- Night WEATHER- Average
UMPIRES- Kerwin Danley, Lance Barksdale, Quinn Wolcott, Gary Cederstrom
T- 3:00
LEFT ON BASE- Royals: 7 Pirates: 8
DOUBLE PLAYS- Royals: 0 Pirates: 0
DOUBLES- S.Marte-2, A.McCutchen
TRIPLES- A.Escobar
HOME RUNS- A.Escobar, S.Perez-2, P.Alvarez
RBIs- A.Escobar, S.Perez-3, A.Gordon, S.Marte-2, A.McCutchen, P.Alvarez
STOLEN BASES- A.Escobar
WALKS- A.Escobar, E.Hosmer-2, M.Moustakas, G.Polanco, A.McCutchen, F.Cervelli
STRIKE OUTS- B.Zobrist, L.Cain-3, E.Hosmer, A.Gordon, A.Rios-2, K.Herrera,
G.Polanco, S.Marte-2, A.McCutchen, P.Alvarez, F.Cervelli-2,
J.Mercer-3, C.Stewart
2-out RBI- S.Marte-2, A.McCutchen, A.Gordon
RLISP 2-out- B.Zobrist, N.Walker-2, A.Rios, A.Ramirez, M.Moustakas
TEAM RISP- Royals: 1 for 4 Pirates: 2 for 6
WEB GEMS- Top 1st: Andrew McCutchen robbed Ben Zobrist of a Homerun!
Bot 8th: Ben Zobrist robbed Pedro Alvarez of a base hit.
Bot 8th: Alcides Escobar robbed Josh Harrison of a base hit.

GJK · February 20, 2016, 12:00:48 AM

Your Pirates are tied with Detroit for the best record in the Majors (5-0) starting my season. I just suffered my first loss of the season to Tampa Bay. Gave up too many long balls. Something neat about PureSim that I hadn't noticed before is a weekly "paper" is published giving a run-down of the week. It shows the hits leader, pitching leaders, sabermatics score (top players), injury reports, trade details and highlights from the week. Nice feature.

There's only a few things that I wish PureSim had though and would be interested to know if Strat has this:

1. Ability to swing the infield/outfield around to play dead pull hitters.
2. The need to warmup pitchers in the bullpen. That's always a neat feature in OOTP and other baseball sims that I've played. In PureSim, you just sub the pitcher as needed.

And that's about it.

Andreas, you've played PureSim- aside from the fact that support is iffy (we still don't know if there will be a new version for this season as there was for last), what features does Strat have that are lacking/missing in PureSim? Are you pleased with the purchase or still too early to tell?

Grim.Reaper · February 20, 2016, 05:21:57 AM

From my perspective, it will take awhile to really know if strat is something I will stick with every year. If you play other replay games like ActionPC and Replay Baseball, it is made with the same mold and might not be worth purchasing because not enough different and in some cases the other products "may" be better depending on your on desires. Just a couple of random points.

1) Already discussed many times, but cost is a big factor with me. Not just for the base game, but all the add-ons you would want. Also, it seems each year's new version only has minor enhancements and a list of bugs it fixes (don't like paying for bug fixes) but your kind of forced to buy it since some seasons won't work without it and you can't play the latest season since it is bundled. The counter argument to the cost is the fact most people who play strat are die hards and certainly get their money's worth.

2) Included stadium pictures are not that great, at least on my screen...very grainy and just not good to look at. Sure, I could buy the $30 add-on to make them look better:) Screen fonts are sometimes hard to read as well, but maybe that is an issue with my monitor, although I don't see that in any other game.

3) Actual on field game play is fairly basic, you have the standard pitching/defense options and the standard batter options, nothing really surprising here. I do wish there was a little more included for strategy since I find myself often just clicking the "Next Pitch" button without putting a whole lot of time making decisions. Its based on a card and dice game, so I guess not surprising.

4) Outcomes seem realistic so I don't think that is an issue. Stats/ratings seem to matter and nothing too crazy gets generated.

5) When it comes to playoffs, you have to sort of manually setup...it has an option to generate a playoff league, but it takes extra steps and not contained within the same year you played it.

6) There are a lot of game options to allow you to play the game you want....as played lineups, basic/advanced, etc. It will take me awhile to figure out what is all there, but flexibility is there from what I can see.

7) Looking in the forums, seems like there are roster issues and from the comments people make, seems like it is a quality issue every year, especially with transactions being correct.

8) Strat has always had the reputation of having poor customer service and you can still see comments to that fact in the forums and other places. Sometimes takes them days to return support questions and I even read in one manual that if you call them it is something like $1.99 per minute for the call...not sure if that is left over from the past or still in effect. If so, that is crazy.

Keep in mind I am very new to this game so some of my comments may not be 100% accurate and a strat expert might have different views or ways of doing things....

If you like baseball season replays and you don't already own some of the other ones out there, I think it is worth a look....but if you play the others and are satisfied, not sure there is enough here to make you switch, at least in my opinion. I don't regret buying it since I always wanted to see what the hype was about and I do enjoy playing it, just not sure it will become my main "go to" game for baseball.

Grim.Reaper · April 02, 2016, 08:14:45 AM

The daily option out soon so you can play along with the season...still on the fence but really intrigued

weateallthepies · April 04, 2016, 07:53:53 AM

Just as an alternative, I've been enjoying Digital Diamond Baseball.

http://www.digitaldiamondbaseball.com/

Again very much a replay kind of game, but for me the low cost and the fact that all the seasons and libraries are available for free swung it for me.

Grim.Reaper · April 04, 2016, 06:12:14 PM

Quote from: weateallthepies on April 04, 2016, 07:53:53 AM
Just as an alternative, I've been enjoying Digital Diamond Baseball.

http://www.digitaldiamondbaseball.com/

Again very much a replay kind of game, but for me the low cost and the fact that all the seasons and libraries are available for free swung it for me.

Never tried that one.....saw a version 6 being worked on, maybe I'll give a try once that is released