PROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER MANAGER
Table of Contents
Update
Computer Manager
Pitchers
Batters
Manager
Tendencies
Computer
Manager Player Settings
Computer
Manager Pitcher Settings
Update
Default Lineups
Exporting
the Computer Manager
Other Important
Information
UPDATE COMPUTER MANAGER (Located in the Team menu)
This function allows you to customize the decisions that the computer manager will make during autoplay games. There are specific settings regarding pitchers, batters, and manager tendencies. There are also specific player settings which can be used by double clicking on a player's name in the box which lists the batter and pitcher names.
Towards the bottom of the screen is a Player Information Box that displays information on the currently selected batter or pitcher from the scrolling list of players.
Note that if the computer manager is locked you will need to know the key before being allowed to update it.
In the pitchers section you can define your starting rotation, setup relievers, and closers.
The starting rotation has room for 7 pitchers. If you wish to use a 4-man rotation you should leave the #5 spot blank. You can use the #6 or #7 spots to define a fifth starter or a spot starter. To set the relief switch refer to Relief Settings chart below.
If a pitcher is rated with an * then use
Never. Otherwise:
RELIEF APPEARANCES SUGGESTED SETTING
0-4 Never
5-9 Sometimes
10+ As needed
If you double-click on a pitcher in the scrolling box you can make detailed individualized settings for that pitcher -- see Computer Manager Pitcher Settings.
In the batters section you can define pinch hitters, pinch runners, and defensive replacements. You should list the defensive replacements in priority order. To properly define double-switches please see Double-Switches in the Strat-O-Matic Help file.
If you double-click on a batter in the scrolling box you can make detailed individualized settings for that batter -- see Computer Manager Player Settings.
In the manager tendencies section you can define how often you steal bases, bunt, hit-and-run, use relief pitchers, and how aggressively you run the bases. All these options can be set by on of the following: Very Aggressive, Aggressive, Normal, Conservative, or Very Conservative.
Bunting, hit-and-run, and base-running settings are subjective. The makeup of your team will dictate how you set these options. Closer usage should be set to normal unless the team has a closer who gets more than 75% of his team's saves. Then you would set closer usage to maximize. To set Using Relief or Intentional BB's please refer to Relief Usage or Intentional Walks screen.
The settings for holding a runner have three components. The first determines the minimum steal percentage at which to hold. For instance, if you set the SB at 60% and the base runner has a 55% chance of stealing the base, then he will not be held. The second component determines the minimum lead percentage. For example, if this is set at 30% and the runner has a lead percentage of 25%, then he would not be held. The final tendency that can be set is the minimum percentage to steal a base. This setting simply says the base runner will never attempt a steal unless his safe percentage is at least a given number. So you could set it to 70%, and no attempts would ever be made unless the runner had a 70% or higher safe percentage.
COMPUTER MANAGER PLAYER SETTINGS (Accessed from the Team/Update Computer Manager dialog)
When viewing the Manager window, click on "Team" on the menubar at the top of the screen. Then click on "Update Computer Manager" in the menu that drops down. A scrolling list with players' names will appear on the left side of the screen. Scroll down to the player you wish to change and double click on his name. This will give you access to the computer manager's setting for individual players on an individual team.
Some of what you can set are:
You can tell the computer manager to follow the guidelines listed below. However, please keep in mind the computer manager must sometimes override these guidelines due to player overusage and other concerns.
Avoid lefties or righties - try to pinch-hit a particular batter against a pitcher who throws from the other side. For instance, try to have a right-handed batter pinch-hit against left-handed pitchers, only.
Bunt, hit-and-run, and steal more or less - these are adjustments from the team-wide settings so you can try to tailor your strategy by player.
Don't pinch-hit for versus lefties or don't pinch-hit for versus righties.
Avoid using as a pinch-hitter during blow-outs - This saves the player's at-bats.
Remove for a defensive substitute with a lead - The computer manager will search the bench for a better defensive player and bring him in if one is found.
COMPUTER MANAGER PITCHER SETTINGS (Accessed from the Team/Update Computer Manager dialog)
When viewing the Manager window, click on "Team" on the menubar at the top of the screen. Then click on "Update Computer Manager" in the menu that drops down. A scrolling list with pitchers' names will appear on the left side of the screen. Scroll down to the pitcher you wish to change and double click on his name. This will give you access to the computer manager's setting for individual pitchers on an individual team.
Some of what you can set are:
You can inform the computer manager to follow the guidelines listed below. However, please keep in mind the computer manager must sometimes override these guidelines due to player overusage and other concerns.
Avoid lefties or righties - try not to bring this pitcher into a game when a left-handed or right-handed batter is at-bat. Also if this pitcher is in the game already against a batter he should avoid in a key situation then try to bring a relief pitcher in for him.
Quick/slow hook - A quick hook means you'll have less patience with this pitcher when he gets into trouble. A slow hook means you're willing to stick with him longer. Typically you might want to quick hook the lousy pitchers on your team and slow hook your ace.
Mop up - try to use this pitcher in blow out games.
Max 6 or 7 innings - If this pitcher gives you only 6 or 7 good innings in a start, then get him out of there and let your bullpen handle the rest of the game. You might want to use this for starting pitchers who aren't good, especially if you have a strong bullpen.
Can relieve when tired - Typically the computer always tries to avoid using tired pitchers in relief. However some relief pitchers pitch even when tired and rack up a tremendous number of relief appearances. For pitchers like those you can put this setting on.
Avoid using during blowout - Use this with your best reliever so that you don't waste his innings pitching in a blow out game. However be aware that sometimes even players with this attribute set on will relieve at times during blowout games, because of current status of the other members on the pitching staff (injured, tired, being over-utilized, etc.).
Avoid using before the 6th inning, 7th inning, 8th inning, or 9th inning.
Maximun of 1 to 2 innings in relief or 2 to 3 innings in relief.
Issue fewer intentional walks with this pitcher on the mound - This is great for gopher-ball pitchers.
UPDATE DEFAULT LINEUPS (Located in the Team menu)
To set the default lineups, just click and drag the player into the spot in the lineup. Your default lineups will be saved and e-mailed with the rest of your computer manager settings.
EXPORTING THE COMPUTER MANAGER
Click on your team in the league.
Click on the Team drop down menu at the top. Then click on Export Computer Manager.
You will then be prompted to enter a key to lock your computer manager. DO NOT ENTER YOUR OWN CODE!. All profiles need to be open so the opposing teams can select the correct starting pitcher for each game.
When you are done, click on OK.
After you do this, you will see a box that displays directories where you can save the file. Name the file the same name as your team (for example - Mets, Yankees, Reds, etc.). Then save the file in a directory (folder) that you can find later on.
Finally, send your manager file via e-mail to matthew.gabriel3@verizon.net . Do this by attaching the file (you just saved) to your e-mail. For most people, this means clicking attach, then finding the file you saved, and double clicking the file. Then send.
Make sure you do not change your inactive players (the ones generally in blue). If you want to play around with the teams in games, I suggest you play exhibition games only or copy the league and rename it. You can use that "dummy" league to play around with.
Make sure that you understand that not only do you have to "Update the Computer Manager," but you also have to "Update Default Lineups." This topic is found just below the Computer Manager update under the Team drop down menu.
IMPORTANT - Be very careful with batters and pitchers that have very few at bats and innings pitched. Make sure that when you set their profiles, you make sure you limit their playing time as much as possible. For example, for batters, make sure you check the boxes like "Don't pinch hit vs. lefties," "Don't pinch hit vs. righties," and "Avoid using PH in blowout."
Make sure you not only set the player profiles but also the manager tendencies.
When you are done programming your computer manager, just click on save.