The Swamp

Alright, ready to do this again?



Last year's thread

For those new, Out of the Park Baseball is a game that allows you to simulate an entire baseball universe, managing teams on the field or from the front office, and playing out season after season. Last year we created a fictional baseball universe, and then led a franchise made up of Swampers through a simulated season.

• This will be a direct continuation of last year's game, picking things up for the new season.
• I will manage the daily lineups and depth charts of the Swamper team(s), with in-game results simulated by the computer.
• Major roster moves or other important team decisions will be put up to Swamper polls.

We'll also be setting up a second team for the season (see the next post for details).

This year's version of the game comes out on March 22, after which I will import our league and get everything set up. Our season will be run to roughly coincide with the real-life MLB season. A few other things:

• The process of doing the weekly updates last year was pretty time-intensive, so I'm thinking of an alternate approach for this year. There's a way to export all the game's files as HTML and then post them to an online space where they can be browsed through in their entirety, like navigating an ESPN site. I'll see about doing this for the stats, standings, etc., with a shorter weekly summary calling attention to the most noteworthy news.
• Last season saw some inordinately high offensive numbers around the Swamp Baseball League—there were players with 72, 64, and 58 HR, and 8 players hitting over .350. For the upcoming season, I'm going to adjust some things on the back end that should moderate this a bit. Not a return to dead-ball era levels or anything, but stats should look more historically "normal."
• Most of the new features for this year are under-the-hood things, but of note is a substantial upgrade to the in-game graphics. It's not going to look like MLB The Show or anything, but should be pretty neat to see. I'll see about posting some highlight videos during the season.

===== HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED =====

If you participated last year, your in-game persona will roll over to the new season.

If you didn't sign up last year, and would like to see yourself in the game, post here or send me a PM with the following info:

-Preferred position (list at least two)
-Preferred uniform number
-How you bat/throw (Right/Left/Switch)
-Your hometown

Also—There is an add-on program that lets you add your real face to the game. If you'd like to do this, send me a clear, front-facing photo and I'll get it in.

OFFSEASON TRANSACTIONS / NEW TEAM SET-UP

Last year saw the Burlington Sports Frogs capture the Bensell Conference Northeast Division with a record of 101-61, and then go on to win the inaugural Swamp Baseball League World Series. Business continues as usual, however, and we'll pick up by wrapping up some offseason moves:

The following players were not re-signed by the Sports Frogs, becoming free agents:

- Duff
- sancarlos
- degenerasian (who opted out of the final year of his contract - BOO!)
- mister d (who rejected our extension offer - DOUBLE BOO!)

What I'm planning to do is consolidate all the departing players on one other team, and then fill it out by moving over some of the other Swamper players. Along with establishing a rivalry, this will allow more of those who originally signed up to see time as regular players, rather than being buried on the bench or in the minors. The spare spots on the two teams will be filled out with various other Swampers past and present.

Here are the current Sports Frogs I'm considering moving to the rival team. If you don't want to change teams, or aren't on this list and want to move, speak now or forever hold your peace:

- rass or Giff
- P.D.X.
- Rams Fanny
- BSF21 if he's still butthurt about losing his job to EnochRoot
- Rush or chedda
- Johnnie or L-Jam

See the poll above to help decide where the new team should be. After that, we'll decide which specific team to take over.

I mean, Giff should be wherever he gets to watch as much as play, no?

A_B wrote: ↑Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:05 am I mean, Giff should be wherever he gets to watch as much as play, no?

He should be a scout and starting pitcher.

Brontoburglar wrote: ↑Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:44 am

A_B wrote: ↑Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:05 am I mean, Giff should be wherever he gets to watch as much as play, no?

He should be a scout and starting pitcher.

From what I heard, relief pitcher might be more accurate.*




* - I heard the same as all you guys.

Play me or trade me. Just because he fixed my website doesn't mean Enoch is going to hog the limelight all year.

I'm in the play me or trade me camp as well. I realize you won't control what the other team does, but Frog Minors is not where the fun is.

im stoked to be returning in my role, and hopeto help solidify a second title against the imposter froggies. I love my team and personally vote Giff stays with us, so we can make sure he is always okay

Hoping to get a few more votes on the poll so we can get a consensus answer on where the second team should be.

Rams Fanny wrote: ↑Mon Mar 05, 2018 6:37 pm I'm in the play me or trade me camp as well. I realize you won't control what the other team does, but Frog Minors is not where the fun is.

Just to clarify: I'll be running both teams, so anyone who moves to the second one should get regular playing time. When the Sports Frogs and Team TBD play each other, I'll set the lineups etc. as usual, then have the computer sim it out.

Can we switch up our roles a tad?

I've been throwing simulated games and doing throws in the outfield...my arm is stretched, wouldn't mind being more than just long/middle relief.

Rush2112 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:52 am Can we switch up our roles a tad?

I've been throwing simulated games and doing throws in the outfield...my arm is stretched, wouldn't mind being more than just long/middle relief.

Rush Ohtani.

This is going to Gunpowder's breakout season as a legit superstar.

Posish: Centerfield, 3B
#: 13, 69, 96 (whatever isn't taken)
Bats Righty, Throws with both Feet
Kralendijk, Island of Bonaire

Johnny Carwash wrote: ↑Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:43 am [*]Last season saw some inordinately high offensive numbers around the Swamp Baseball League—there were players with 72, 64, and 58 HR, and 8 players hitting over .350. For the upcoming season, I'm going to adjust some things on the back end that should moderate this a bit. Not a return to dead-ball era levels or anything, but stats should look more historically "normal."

Now your making virtual wlu_lax6 more grumpy...which based on last year is hard to do...

I'm just here for the threesome jokes.

Closing the poll so we can move ahead with the next steps. The option to put our second team in the Shrew Conference pulled ahead, which is good as it will give us the opportunity to see a side of the league we didn't see too much of last year.



So, do we want to take over one of the existing teams, or go through the same process from last year of coming up with our own city, name, colors, etc?

Rush2112 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:52 am Can we switch up our roles a tad?

I've been throwing simulated games and doing throws in the outfield...my arm is stretched, wouldn't mind being more than just long/middle relief.

Sure, I can make you a starter.

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:58 pm Posish: Centerfield, 3B
#: 13, 69, 96 (whatever isn't taken)
Bats Righty, Throws with both Feet
Kralendijk, Island of Bonaire

Welcome, by the way. Any other lurkers please feel free to join.

New poll up to decide whether we want to take over one of the existing teams in the Shrew Conference, or create a new one from scratch like we did before. If we choose to create a new one, we'll use polls to choose the home city, team name, uniforms, etc.

Here are the final standings from last year for a refresher on the teams:

As long as it is someplace warm.

Your Mom's Box Sox

I vote new team.

Should relocate a team to New Jersey since every other Swamper lives in New Jersey. But put it somewhere shitty like Atlantic City.

Montclair McButterpants

Ha. But has to be Upper Montclair.

Montclair Fat


Elizabeth Taylors

Looks like the option to create a new team is running away with the vote, so we'll start taking candidates.

Here are the guidelines:

1. To fit in the Shrew Conference's regions, it should be from the Midwest, South, or Western U.S.
2. Can't be a real-life major league city, or one that would be a realistic candidate for expansion/relocation.
3. Can't be an overly affluent or "trendy" place.
4. Should have a population of at least 10,000.
5. City name being fun to say is a major plus.

After we have a few, I'll compile and put up to the next poll.

Mississippi Tape

Camden Deeads

Gunpowder wrote: ↑Wed Mar 07, 2018 12:16 pm Elizabeth Taylors

That is gold!

Macon Bacon
Jackson Pollacks
Baton Rouge Red Sticks
Tempe Cocks

Moreno Valley Girls

Memphis Bengals

Charlotte Webs

Billings Cycles

Port St Lucie Diamonds

Mobile Homes

Chandler Bings

Lincoln Towncars

Tyler (TX) Veeps

Burbank Robbers

Moscow (ID) Colluders

Katy OKs.

Pullman Cars

Pensacola Cocas

Mobile Phones

Tripoli Giffs

Tupelo Honeys

Love all of them!

Little Rock Stars

New Mexico Americans

Winnipeg Peggers

Bakersfield Dreamers

Beaufort Scales

Macon Whoopee (was apparently an ice hockey team, though)

Dalton Carpetbaggers/munchers

Tijuana Brass

Nogales Nopales

Calexico Graphers

Jackson Five would be a great basketball name. Too bad there weren't nine siblings.

Birmingham Sandwiches

Savannah Whites

Gunpowder wrote: ↑Wed Mar 07, 2018 3:01 pm Savannah Whites

This could cause some controversy in the media...