EVANGELINE CHAMPIONS - 17

The 17th season turned out to be another interesting one in Evangeline League. Despite nordique93 having the top record in the ML for the 7th time his bid for a 7th pennant was ended early by the stiff competition coming from Arizona and captain10a. The two have been trading off NL World Series appearances the last three seasons. In the end there was upset as left32 and the Austin Black Socks came out of the AL to take the pennant, the first for the AL since season 3! The AL has only won 3 times, twice it has been lefty32 who also won in the AL when he was managing the Honolulu Haloes in season 2. This also marks the first time the AL has won both the ML and AAA pennants in the same season. Congrats to Augusta winning two of three appearances in pennant series this season and also to Syracuse who set a new wins record in the High a with 111 wins! Good luck down the stretch in season 18 all! Enjoy!


Rookie League
Season (NL-AL)

17. Richmond (1) buckeye0611 - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Pawtucket (AL) soxyanks12, 57-19

16. Cheyene (2) Schlemiel - Augusta (2) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 59-17

15. Chicago (5) trapapoodle - San Diego (5) cobcommish
Best season record - Arizona (NL) captain10a, 58-18

14. Pittsburgh (2) Philpitt - San Diego (6) cobcommish
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 61-15

13. Louisville (1) buckeye0611 - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 53-23

12. Jacksonville (1) mpate10 - Houston (3) blownranger
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 54-22

11. New Orleans (3) kbrick - Augusta (1) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 56-20

10. Pittsburgh (5) Philpitt - Salt Lake City (6) eyetoeye
Best season record - Chicago (NL) reggie988. 56-20

9. Tuscon (1) captain10a - San Antonio (2) PoconoMets
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 57-19

8. Cheyenne (6) Schlemiel - Cincinnati (1) minor3rd
Best season records
- Cincinnati (AL) minor3rd, 53-23
- St. Louis Coyotes (NL) Cubrunner, 53-23

7. Chicago (1) reggie988 - Cincinnati (3) minor3rd
Best season record - Chicago (NL) reggie988, 59-17

6. Pittsburgh (3) Philpitt - Salem (2) lenbo1212
Best season record - Cincinnati (NL) minor3rd, 63-13

5. Los Angeles (4) DodgerBlue13 - Seattle (3) sbarrouque
Best season record - Austin (AL) noccolo, 59-17

4. Chicago (1) reggie988 - Houston (6) blownranger
Best season record - Chicago (NL) reggie988, 62-14

3. Mexico City (1) joeboxer73 - Omaha (2) lankford16
Best season record - Houston (AL) blownranger, 56-20

2. NO PLAYOFFS
Best season record - Jacksonville (NL) mpate10, 63-13

1. NO PLAYOFFS
Best season record - Santa Cruz (NL) vdaino, 56-16



Low A
Season (NL-AL)

17. Scranton (2) bingles - Augusta (2) mgraczykowski
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 108-36

16. Richmond (5) buckeye0611 - Augusta (2) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 111-33

15. Pittsburgh (1) Philpitt - Helena (1) eyetoeye
Best season records
- Helena (AL) eyetoeye, 103-41
- Pittsburgh (NL) Philpitt, 103-41

14. Richmond (1) buckeye0611 - Las Vegas (1) campbell1972
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 107-37

13. Buffalo (6) cusumano3231 - Augusta (3) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Austin (AL) lefty32, 102-42

12. New Orleans (2) kbrick - Salt Lake City (6) eyetoeye
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 105-39

11. Scranton (6) bingles - Houston (4) blownranger
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 110-34

10. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - Salt Lake City (1) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 107-37

9. Chicago (1) reggie988 - Pawtucket (5) phillyfan33
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 98-46

8. Syracuse (3) eacadca - Seattle (5) sbarrouque
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 106-38

7. Los Angeles (4) DodgerBlue13 -Salt Lake City (5) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salem (AL) lenbo1212, 113-31

6. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Boston (4) jedielvis
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 106-38

5. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Salem (5) lenbo1212
Best season record - Washington D.C. (AL) sean102385, 106-38

4. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Salt Lake City (2) eyetoeye
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 106-38

3. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Columbus Clippers (2) basilleaf
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 105-39

2. Syracuse (6) eacadca - Salt Lake City (2) eyetoeye
Best season record - Columbus Clippers (AL) basilleaf, 104-40

1. Trenton (1) shiffy - Omaha (6) lankford16
Best season record - Trenton (NL) shiffy, 112-32


High A
Season (NL-AL)

17. Pittsburgh (5) Philpitt - Augusta (3) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 111-33

16. Syracuse (5) eacadca - Montgomery (3) ovechkin008
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 107-37

15. Richmond (2) buckeye0611 - Las Vegas (1) campbell1972
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 105-39

14. Buffalo (1) cusumano3231 - Helena (5) eyetoeye
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 95-49

13. Trenton (3) shiffy - Las Vegas (5) campbell1972
Best season record - Buffalo (NL) cusumano3231, 99-45

12. Pittsburgh (5) Philpitt - Salt Lake City (5) eyetoeye
Best season records
- Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 100-44
- Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 100-44

11. New Orleans (2) kbrick - Las Vegas (2) campbell1972
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 105-39

10. New Orleans (6) kbrick - Salt Lake City (1) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 104-40

9. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - Salt Lake City (5) eyetoeye
Best season records
- Houston (AL) blownranger, 102-42
- Salem (AL) lenbo1212, 102-42

8. Burlington (3) nordique93 - Houston (2) blownranger
Best season records
- Houston (AL) blownranger, 94-50
- New Orleans (NL) kbrick, 94-50
- Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 94-50

7. Trenton (2) shiffy - Salt Lake City (2) eyetoeye
Best season record - Austin (AL) noccolo, 101-43

6. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - New Orleans (NL) kbrick, 100-44

5. Syracuse (5) eacadca - Houston (6) blownranger
Best season record - Austin (AL) noccolo, 101-43

4. Santa Cruz (1) vdaino - San Antonio (2) PoconoMets
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 107-37

3. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Houston (4) blownranger
Best season records
- Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 103-31
- Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 103-41

2. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Salt Lake City (1) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye

1. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Salt Lake City (2) eyetoeye
Best season record - Atlanta (AL) dawgfan1974, 100-44


AA
season (NL-AL)

17. New Orleans (4) kbrick - Tampa Bay (2) gomiami1972
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 98-46

16. San Francisco (5) tricky24 - Seattle (3) sbarrouque
Best season record - Helena (AL) eyetoeye, 94-50

15. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Las Vegas (1) campbell1972
Best season record - New Orleans (NL) kbrick, 99-45

14. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Augusta (2) mgrczykowsk
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 105-39

13. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Salt Lake City (5) eyetoeye
Best season records
- Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 96-48
- Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 96-48

12. Pittsburgh (5) Philpitt - Las Vegas (5) campbell1972
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 103-41

11. New Orleans (4) kbrick - Pawtucket (1) phillyfan33
Best season record - Pawtucket (AL) phillyfan33, 107-37

10. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Pawtucket (3) phillyfan33
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 105-39

9. Pittsburgh (6) Philpitt - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 98-46

8. New Orleans (4) kbrick - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 99-45

7. Syracuse (2) eacadca - Seattle (5) sbarrouque
Best season record - Pawtucket (AL) phillyfan33, 107-37

6. New Orleans (1) kbrick - Salt Lake City (1) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 100-44

5. Syracuse (2) eacadca - Houston (2) blownranger
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 101-43

4. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Boston (5) jedielvis
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 103-41

3. New Orleans (3) kbrick - Omaha (5) lankford16
Best season record - New Britain (AL) 2U23L, 109-35

2. Chicago (3) reggie988 - Atlanta (2) dawgfan1974
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 109-35

1. Syracuse (2) eacadca - Houston (5) blownranger
Best season record - Santa Cruz (NL) vdaino, 94-50


AAA
Season (NL-AL)

17. Kansas City (2) nordique93 - Augusta (2) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Helena (AL) eyetoeye, 97-47

16. Kansas City (2) nordique93 - Helena (5) eyetoeye
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 111-33

15. Syracuse (5) eacadca - Helena (5) eyetoeye
Best season record - Pittsburgh (NL) Philpitt, 100-44

14. Burlington (2) Nordique93 - Ottawa (2) rdorrian
Best season record - New Orleans (NL) kbrick 100-44

13. New Orleans (3) kbrick - Atlanta (1) dawgfan1974
Best season record - Trenton (NL) shiffy, 94-50

12. Pittsburgh (6) Philpitt - Austin (2) noccolo
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 99-45

11. Philadelphia (2) trapapoodle - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 104-40

10. Trenton (6) shiffy - Austin (2) noccolo
Best season record - Seattle (AL) sbarrouque, 100-44

9. Tucson (3) captain10a - Las Vegas (1) campbell1972
Best season record - Las Vegas (AL) campbell1972, 94-50

8. Burlington (6) nordique93 - Honolulu (5) slider15
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL) eyetoeye, 95-49

7. Burlington (3) nordique93 - Salt Lake City (1) eyetoeye
Best season record - Salt Lake City (AL), 111-33

6. Los Angeles (2) DodgerBlue13 - Austin (2) noccolo
Best season record - Salt Lake City, 100-44

5. Santa Cruz (6) vdaino - Austin (1) noccolo
Best season record - Austin (NL) noccolo, 98-46

4. Cheyenne (6) Schlemiel - Toronto (1) phillyfan33
Best season record - Cheyenne (NL) Schlemiel, 101-43

3. Chicago (1) reggie988 - San Antonio (2) PoconoMets
Best season record - Salem (AL) lenbo1212, 96-48

2. Cheyenne (1) Schlemiel - Atlanta (1) dawgfan1974
Best season record - Cheyenne (NL) Schlemiel, 111-33

1. Kansas City (5) desi1180 - Salt Lake City (5) eyetoeye
Best season record - Atlanta (AL) dawgfan1974, 103-41


ML
Season (NL-AL)

17. Arizona (4) captain10a - Austin (1) lefty32
Best season record - Kansas City (NL) nordique93, 109-53

16. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - Seattle (4) sbarrouque
Best season record - Kansas City (NL) nordique93, 128-34

15. Arizona (3) captain10a - Augusta (1) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Augusta (AL) mgraczykowsk, 116-46

14. Trenton (5) shiffy - Augusta (1) mgraczykowsk
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 111-51

13. Burlington (1) nordique93 - Austin(2) lefty32
Best season record - Burlington (NL) nordique93, 115-47

12. Wichita (5) buddy_bee - Houston (6) blownranger
Best season record - New Britain (AL) 2U23L, 111-52

11. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - New Britain (1) 2U23L
Best season record - Kansas City (NL) nordique93, 121-41

10. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - Houston (2) blownranger
Best season record - Kansas City (NL) nordique93, 121-41

9. Kansas City (1) nordique93 - New Britain (1) 2U23L
Best season Record - Kansas City (NL) nordique93, 119-43

8. Pittsburgh (2) Philpitt - New Britain (5) 2U23L
Best season record - Burlington (NL) nordique93, 110-52

7. Burlington (2) nordique93 - New Britain (1) 2U23L
Best season record - Pittsburgh (NL) Philpitt, 110-52

6. Syracuse (1) eacadca - Boston (2) jedielvis
Best season record - Syracuse (NL) eacadca, 111-51

5. Pittsburgh (1) Philpitt - Seattle (2) sbarrouque
Best season record - Pittsburgh (NL) Philpitt, 108-54

4. Santa Cruz (3) vdaino - Hartford (4) mr_stickball
Best season record - New Orleans (NL) kbrick, 106-56

3. Los Angeles (6) DodgerBlue13 - Houston (2) blownranger
Best season record - Pittsburgh (NL) Philpitt, 107-55

2. Santa Cruz (2) vdaino - Honolulu (4) lefty32
Best season record - Seattle (AL) sbarrouque, 110-52

1. New Orleans (2) kbrick - Baltimore (2) slider15
Best season record - Kansas City (NL) desi1180, 110-52


THE TALLY

Rookie - Pennants - NL 8, AL 7, Best Season Records - NL 7, AL 11
Low A - Pennants - NL 11, AL 6, Best Season Records - NL 6, AL 12
High A - Pennants - NL 8, AL 9, Best Season Records - NL 5, AL 17
AA - Pennants - NL 8, AL 9, Best Season Records - NL 4, AL 14
AAA - Pennants - NL 13, AL 4, Best Season Records - NL 5, AL 12
ML - Pennants - NL 14, AL 2, Best Season records - NL 14, AL 3

(Ties for Best record count as 1 for each team)

NEW WINNING RECORDS

Here are the winning percentage records as they stand at the end of season 16. Congratulations to Nordiques93 on a new ML record and good luck to all future challengers!

League - Current Record Holder (S. W-L, W%), Season 16 records are bolded.


ML - Nordiques93 (16. 128-34, .790)

AAA - campbell1972 (16. 111-33, .771), eyetoeye (7. 111-33, .771), Schlemiel (2. 111-33, .771)

AA - 2U23L (3. 109-35, .757), eyetoeye (2. 109-32, .757)

High A - campbell1972 (16. 107-37, .743), eyetoeye (4. 107-37, .743)

Low A - lenbo1212 (7. 113-31, .785)

Rookie - minor3rd (6. 63-13, .829), mpate10 (2. 63-13, .829)

RECORD BREAKING WINS IN SEASON 16?

With only a dozen or so games left in the minors and into the stretch drive in the ML it looks like we have a few teams competing for the record books in winning percentage. Here are the best season records of all-time in the Evangeline League and this season's closest competitors. Congrats to all on a very competitive season. (GR - Games Remaining)

League - Current Record Holder (S. W-L, W%)
- Current Leaders (W-L, W%, GR)

ML - Nordiques93 (10. 121-41, .747), Nordiques93 (9. 121-41, .747)
- Nordiques93 (99-33, .750, 30)

AAA - eyetoeye (7. 111-33, .771), Schlemiel (2. 111-33, .771)
- campbell1972 (102-30, .773, 12)

AA - eyetoeye (2. 109-32, .757), 2U23L (3. 109-35, .757)
- ovechkin008 (85-47, .664, 12), Schlemiel (85-47, .664, 12)

High A - eyetoeye (4. 107-37, .743)
- campbell1972 (98-34, .742, 12), mtorabdaddy (98-34, .742, 12)

Low A - lenbo1212 (7. 113-31, .785)
- campbell1972 (102-30, .772, 12)

Rookie - minor3rd (6. 63-13, .829), mpate10 (2. 63-13, .829)
- campbell1972 (52-15, .776, 9)

INSTANT IMPACT

Mgraczykowsk has a chance at an Evangeline League record. He is 15 wins shy of the record (held by Phillyfan33) for biggest turnaround in a GM's first season after taking over a franchise. Here's a look at the 19 franchises that have improved under new management in EL history (original owners don't qualify, since we don't have records from the season before you took over):

Dif..Prev..1syYr..GM/Owner
+45...42.....77...Phillyfan
+37...57.....94...JohnnyDancer
+34...40.....74...Bigstegs
+30*..49.....79+..Mgraczykowsk
+28...53.....81...Spainard
+18...68.....86...Buddy Bee
+18...50.....68...Noccolo
+16...51.....67...JoeBoxer
+16...66.....82...Wigsluvslave
+13...42.....55...Deerhunter63
+12...78.....90...MrStickball
+11...81.....92...Lefty32
+10...52.....62...Bingles
+10...42.....52...Chowren
+9*...62.....71+..Pboys
+8....43.....51+..Rdorrian
+7....68.....75...BigOrange64
+4....72.....76...Rawagman
+3....82.....85...Slider15

Blog Interview: Dawgfan1974

Atlanta Peaches (AL) dawgfan1974 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Who is Dawgfan1974?
I am a 34 year old husband, father and businessman residing in the NE GA mountains.

How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
Through an internet search for sports fantasy simulators

Which games of ours have you played?
Sim baseball, basketball, football, clutch racing, gridiron and hoops dynasty, and of course HBD.

Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
Drawing and architecture, reading (mostly Ayn Rand), and a renewed interest in video games with the Wii

Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
Ayn Rand, Ty Cobb, Warren Buffett, Andrew Jackson, and the most odd man out Willie Nelson

Who are your favorite players of all-time?
Ty Cobb, Greg Maddux, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Jack Lambert

Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
die hard Braves and GA Bulldog fan.

Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
baseball, basketball, football

What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
a hole in one.

What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
Recently my HBD team in sharkey's world won 102 games and took our lcs to 7 games, but lost. not much, I know, but the season before I took over they won 47 I think and their minors were decimated. The 5-season plan worked.

In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
I like to keep player payroll below 85 and ideally around 60-70M. Of course I have not had a team that was worth 100 M yet. I'm usually moderate on training and medical and try not to go over 15 on coaches which is a lot easier since we can retain them now. I have spent more on scouting recently which seems to have improved my drafts at least.

How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
I have learned many hard lessons in both. In free agency I try to weigh who is leaving us against who I have coming up and who may possibly be available. I don't mind paying for consistent talent, but have had to overpay to get by. I usually go through arb. with every eligible player once, then go long term with core players, and either trade or release the backup types.

What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
I try to rehire as many as possible as long as they are quality to begin with, then try to scoop up some blossoming minor league talent where possible.

How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
I promote future ML talent every season, and fill out the rosters with whatever I can get. Some may spend 2 yrs in AAA waiting for someone to leave. ST plays very little role in my ML roster unless I have two good players at the same pos. that I am considering putting on the ML squad.

What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
I like to have 5 starters, 3 LR, 3 SU, 2 CL in the rotation. in the lineup I just basically try to start w/good eye or contact and speed, then contact/power, then fill it out with your weaker guys. It just depends on what you have I guess.

What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
For hitters i like good contact and a good eye above all, and for pitchers good splits and gb/fb.

How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
I have learned to build through the draft, look for superstars in international. I will try to go all out for 1 or 2 intl. guys a season but that's about it. I don't really do much with waivers, although I probably should. I like to keep the future ML'ers on a steady rise and rarely demote anyone except the "fillers".

Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
Apparently not at all effective here. This was my first team and I really screwed up some things, but my other team, the 2nd team, is starting to look somewhat like a dynasty type team.

Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
In Evangeline it would have to be John Hernandez from a few seasons ago, and in the other league I currently have a great young trio at 2nd, SS, and 3rd.

How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
not enough. probably 15 min. each day. would like to double that at least to be more competitive.

Who are the users you respect the most?
I have been fortunate to be in two very good worlds w/a lot of good long-term owners. for the most part I respect all of them. It's only occasionally that I run across someone I have a problem with. GD and HD brought out the worst in people when it came to recruiting. But in HBD there seems to be enough continuity with owners that most co-exist very well.

What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
The complexity. the ratings that make the players and trying to fit them all together under a salary cap to produce a winner.

What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
Of course I would like to be able to sign coaches long-term, fire them etc., more flexibility to transfer budget, and would like to see the pitching/hitting balanced a little better. The game has always seemed to me to favor offense. but understand for a guy who used to buy games (sports only) just to sim. them over and over HBD is great. no real complaints here.

If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?

I would probably be a AAA, possibly ML, backup 1B with a good glove, good patience, makeup, avg. durability/health, 15 speed, 70 contact, 30 power, 50 rhp, 70 lhp, 80 eye. yeah a definite rule 5 journeyman type.

Cheyenne Raptors (NL) Schlemiel View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is the Schlemiel?
A: I am a 67 year old man who tries to do things right but screws it up each and every time -- hence, schlemiel

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: That is a fine question, but I plead oldheimers disease because I just don't recall.

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: Sim baseball and football and HBD. Came to Evangeline thru Kbrick's AAA league (probably following vdaino - going to beat him one of these days.)

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: Backpacking with background of wildlife and range management. Women.

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: The Lord Jesus (OMG), Carol my deceased wife, Lonna my murdered fiance, St. John of the Cross, and Al Kaline

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Al Kaline, Bob DiPietro (a minor league 3b), Willie Mays, Y.A. Tittle, Greg Minton (load the bases 1st then get them out - lights on closer).

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: '53 and '84 49ers, '55 SF Seals, all Giants good and bad.

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: baseball and some football. Lots of tennis out of high school.

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: Win the California State 65-70 Mens Tennis
Championship. Tour the 4 grand slam tournaments in one year.

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: Breaking a eleven game losing streak even more than the World Championship.

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: Growing up before free agency I still try to emulate those days, so am more loyal to my players than real life is now. So, I sign my core to long term contracts and allocate that to my player budget with 3 million extra. Get max scouting all departments except international which I avoid (too costly), training more and more.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: I don"t yet allow enough players to go into free agency until they approach ages just over 32. Core players I sign longterm, others I let go thru arbitration and take those as they come. I rarely sign free agents for the Major club but fill in the minors thruout the season.

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: Generally rehire to avoid hassle and frustration. Generally stress hitting coaches in pitcher home parks and pitching in hitter parks. Sometimes wait till end to pick up pretty good talent.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: Good spring training stats consideration in first call to majors, parttime for major plyrs to avoid injury. Watch who computer selects for particular situations off the bench or bullpen. Promotion based on merit as well as talent and letting 3A older players leave determine roster levels.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: Use APBA technique: 1) on base % and speed and SB success. 2) Bat control and speed to avoid double plays and enable hit and run and sacrifice. 3)Best all around hitter on team for rbi - should not be slow speed. 4) Very good power and on base % to lead off an inning. 5) High average hitter to bat in leavings. 6) hitter with more power than #7 ) (and maybe even #5). 8)on base % and SB success to set up sacrifice by pitcher.
Start with best 5 rotation. Observe quality starts and make adjustments. Sometimes drop down to 4 man rotation and back to 5 towards end of season. For me, many good relievers because I tend to end up with quality but not great stamina starters.

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: For batters power (groundballs thru the infield travel faster for power bats and thus more singles than same ball hit by low power bat) and batting eye combined with pushpull. For pitchers patience rating (home runs seem to occur more often by pitcher challenging the batter early in the count with to good a pitch) and control with lefty-righty almost as important.

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: I love prepping the draft knocking down for injury, no control, difficult to sign potentials. I don't mess with internationals directly - let someone else sign them. I check waivers every cycle especially for minor league critical positions. Promotions made infrequently during season when obvious mismatch develops. Demotions rarely also, except into rookie league roster. Otherwise, promotions at end of season or beginning of next depending upon money available.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: My strategy develops a team into a every year dynasty capable of attaining new lows each subsequent year. More trading or free agent adroitness would help but goes against my baseball old time (never thought I would say that) roots.

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: Each of my teams seem to have maybe two - no coincidence they do well which helps. Always a fan.....lol

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: I have time usually to spend about 10 minutes per team per cycle and do. The change in the minors they made allowing several players to be switched in or out at the same time allowed me to buy into another world.

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: Vdaino because I am always looking at his backside in the standings it seems. Actually all of them that sustain themselves thru the difficult times. Like in tennis which I teach - there is little sympathy but a whole lot of empathy.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: The building of teams in the minors and watching the progress on their cards.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: Coaching so can hire a manager at the major level for 3 years with several subcoaches associated with him, and perhaps one coach position missing occasionally allowing promotion of minor league coaches. Second, scouting which misses ratings (what was the name of that dodger catcher- Giants fan here) and allows a top prospect to be way down in the draft and upon signing realization is made that guy has major league potential. Third, a ruling that allows me to have a 151 game lead on Vdaino before the season gets underway.

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: I would be a bench coach in this league at the major level roasting opponents, moving my fielders around to parts of the dugout where the beer can be found, intercepting opponent signs as to where their beer can be found, and otherwise being my usual obnoxious good self.

Durham JAGUARS (NL) PBOYS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Q: Who is PBOYS?
Paul Chastain, 40-year old married Florida boy with a 9-month-old baby boy, born in Orlando, sales manager at auto dealership, spent ten years in the air force.

Q: How did you learn about whatifsports.com?
A: don't really remember, probably search engine

Q: Which games of ours have you played?
A: mostly dynasty but have tried them all at least one time.

Q: Besides sports, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?
A: I don't really have time for hobbies with a nine-month-old. This is my first baby and after doing what I want when I want for 20 years its a shocker to say the least. lol

Q: Which five people, past or present sit at your dream roundtable discussion?
A: Elvis, Travolta, Hugh Hefner, Ty Cobb, Joe Namath

Q: Who are your favorite players of all-time?
A: Cal Ripken, Pete Rose, Dale Murphy, John Smoltz

Q: Which are your favorite teams of all-time?
A: 1991 Atlanta Braves

Q: Did you play baseball or basketball (or other sports) growing up?
A: Baseball every day

Q: What is the top sports-related thing you want to do in life that you have not yet done?
A: Be at a world series game seven

Q: What would you consider your greatest WIS moment?
A: Season 3 gerhinger, world series winner

Q: In Hardball Dynasty, how do allocate your budget?
A: I look at free agency first and if i have a chance to win this season will make bold moves to get certain players that will help, doesn't always work out though. If I have no shot I will build through international free agency and draft prospects.

Q: How do you approach off-season events with players such as arbitration and free agency?
A: If its a player I plan on keeping for a while and can afford the salary in the budget I will pay what he wants so that he doesn't get negative

Q: What is your general strategy for hiring/re-hiring coaches?
A: I hate hiring coaches, more and more of my budget is going towards coaches now just cause you can't lock them up for more than one year.

Q: How do you finalize rosters at each level? What role does spring training play in your decision making?
A: I look at my 40-man roster mostly at what they did the year before at what level and their age plays into it also.

Q: What is your basic strategy for setting your starting lineups and pitching rotation?
A: Same as everyone else, put your best players on the field and hope for the best

Q: What do you believe are the most important individual player ratings for performance?
A: Hitters - contact and vs rhp, pitchers - walk ratio and vs rhb

Q: How do you approach in-season player events like the draft, international prospects, waivers and promotions/demotions?
A: Do your homework early on what players I would like to focus on.

Q: Do you think your strategy will be conducive to building a multi-season dynasty? Or, do you feel that your team may be great for a couple seasons, but then must rebuild?
A: Dynasty

Q: Do you have any favorite players from any of your HBD teams?
A: If they are on my roster they are my favorites

Q: How much time do you spend on your Hardball Dynasty teams? How much do you think is necessary to be competitive?
A: I'm off and on all day until I get home then the wife and baby occupy my time

Q: Who are the users you respect the most?
A: av84aal and Pubs

Q: What is your favorite aspect of HBD?
A: living the baseball dream through the internet with other washups like myself around this great country of ours.

Q: What is your least favorite aspect of Hardball Dynasty? As it is still a relatively new game, if you could change three things about HBD, what would they be?
A: Coach hiring, coach hiring and coach hiring

Q: If you were in one of our games, which sport would you play? At which position? And, what would you be rated?
A: Shortstop 80 good contact, great range, good speed with a hot head