Every so often I get an email asking me to compare APBA to Strat-o-Matic, APBA’s major competitor. I’m not about to ask a man to change his religion and in the same vein, I would extend the same courtesy when it comes to his favorite baseball simulation game, as much of a fan I am of APBA.
That said, Bruce Marcinczyk and I have been corresponding over email about the virtues (and perhaps the inadequacies) of both games. Thanks to Bruce for inspiring this article.
While I won’t waste my virtual breath by saying that the APBA sports gaming system is better (everything is so subjective), I can say that certain sports board game engines are more suited for some and their competitors are suited for others.
And the interesting thing is, the reasons why the APBA model works for me has little to with complex statistics comparisons. Mostly they are practical reasons.
Before I go on, here’s my disclaimer… I’ve played Strat-o-Matic enough games to know how it’s played but not enough to be an expert. If any Strat fan reads this and still totally disagrees with what I say in this article, flame away.
My reasons for staying with APBA:
1. Rhythm/Pace of Play
This is a big reason for me. This assumes you are either playing solo or have two managers who know the boards pretty well. If so, the dice rollin’ gets into sort of a cadence and not only can you get a few games in a short period of time, you and your opponent might be able to trash talk as well.
PS this doesn’t work when one manager knows the boards well and the other is a beginner at APBA. It almost works best if two beginners learn the game together unless you have a very patient teacher (“Strikeout. It’s a strikeout! I promise you every 13 is a strikeout! Don’t bother looking it up!” *fingers tapping*)
2. Cards are easy to “Read”
This seems like a piddly thing but for some reason, it matters to me. In APBA, all the numbers are where they’re “supposed” to be (usually). The best result is at 66, the next best at 11 etc. The result at 45 is almost always a 14, you know where I’m going with this.
The point is that I can look at an APBA baseball card and within 10 seconds, I could give you a good sense of what that card should hit in a full season (assuming average pitching).
On the same note, a good dice roll is a good dice roll and vice-versa in APBA. I can count on getting a similar result with Ryan Zimmerman as well as Eric Hinske with a dice roll of 44.
Like I said, it seems small but we (ok, maybe I) like to root for certain numbers to come up. It just makes it easier if you know what those numbers are on a consistent basis.
3. APBA is more Accurate
Again assuming MLB average pitching, APBA hitters tend to be more accurate (I’m talking accurate not necessarily realistic. see below) to their real life stats. Now when you’re in a 10-team league like I am where pitching is incredibly heavy, you can throw that out the window. But overall, APBA tends to recreate stats better in my opinion.
4. The APBA Game Engine is very modifiable
The game of APBA is immensely customizable. Like the game but don’t care for one or two of its features? Change it!
These days when we are getting away from from the do-it-yourself culture and are told we need to have everything force fed to us, the idea of getting a game AND CHANGING THE RULES is foreign to most people. But this is one of the best reasons I like the game of APBA dice baseball.
Don’t particularly care for the way handles the unusual numbers or error results? Then implement a randomized charts like the Unusual Play Chart or Error Chart. APBA’s pitching system not specific enough for you? Well there’s always the Master Game but you could also implement recognized and tested systems like the Coxx Pitching system, too.
To be fair, I’m sure Strat-o-Matic most likely has modifications to its game as well. I’m just not as familiar with the game.
Am I bashing the Strat-o-Matic game?
Not at all.
As I said, I’ve played the game (at least 20 or so games) enough to get an idea of how it is played. I found it fun and as near I could tell, it was realistic and accurate.
But I came back to APBA for the reasons I explained above but mostly… because it was the game I grew up with.
In the midst of writing this, I spoke to Brando, one of our managers in the IAL. Despite being in our APBA league, Brando enjoys Strat and finds a lot of advantages in the game.
It does incorporate some facets of baseball that APBA does not such as L/R matchups, increased fielding/range ratings, and more specific pitchers ratings. To put it simply, Strat wins the “realism” (as opposed to accuracy) battle (though I am sure there are some arguments to contrary).
I could go on about the other features of Strat but one, I’m not really qualified and two, it’s not really the focus of this blog.
I’d love to hear comments on this article especially from APBA fans who have played Strat-o-Matic. What was your impression of the game and why did you come back to APBA.
66s!
Lon: Great analysis sir….With regard to you observation about SOM base stealing….I require the runner to first obtain a lead before attempting a steal….The lead obtainment range is the same as his safe range (just to keep it simple)…I also have a pick off on a roll of 20 just to raise that possibility…..A little arbitrary is all of this and in need of refinement based up actual individual attempts +and even frequency of pick offs for that part if it) but it does serve to control the exaggerated usage of the higher rated base stealers….Again, great analysis Lon and thanks!
My above comments relate to SOM basic game….The advanced game has establishing lead requirements which are very well done…..Sitting down today to playy annual Jackie Robinson APBA Classic….1953 Brooklyn Dodgers vs. 1931 Homestead Grays-one of greatest teams many say of all time.
Played a lot of both in my day.Mostly APBA but a lot of Strat.
interested ,mostly in older season replays.
For me the cards for apba are much superior to strat not only in card stock but also in the tactile sense of holding them in your hand.
Visually as well I think but there tastes might differ.
Granted I was in a play by mail league for several seasons Ive played much more Apba than Strat.
In strat I like the defense ratings especially when they went to range /error ratings.
Find pitching rtings a tossup depending on ones needs.
While accurate l/r rating for batters and pitches is an objective plus for strat looked at coldly if your playing a 154 games season its probably not important.
Tournaments and Playoffs wd be different -then Strat has theoretical edge.
Two design decissions Stet went with I never liked
First their downgrading of players with limited at bats and monster stats.I understand the company didnt want stats skewed by overuse but in a season replay id like my guy with 10 hr in 30 ab to come close to that.
to me you address overuse by limiting ab in league play -I expect most season replayers dont exceed ab and ip by much and in the league I played in standard was ab +10% same with ip.
League penalties for overuse were draconian .
What I personally dislike about Strats approach vs Apba is the generic pitching cards-that is just me.
In practise It makes sense but if you happen to have a pitcher that in limited appearances has a torrid hitting card like say 72 terry Forster its fun to see if you can reproduce the hitting numbers-no chance of that in strat.
Hello. I’m extremely new to APBA. I’ve been playing Strat for over 40 years. I recently sold all my strat sets to buy APBA baseball. I have the golf game, which is absolutely magnificent. After watching a ton a APBA videos on YouTube I have decided to make the switch. My biggest concern is the pitchers card, does it really alter the outcome of game. APBA seems to take into account the defense behind the pitcher. The symbols on the card give the pitchers some personal attributes. What I really like about APBA is my kids 13 and 10 want to play games with me. They enjoy finding the results on the charts.
Another reason, the website and customer service has been nothing but stellar. Thank you and Roll on ????????
(“Strikeout. It’s a strikeout! I promise you every 13 is a strikeout! Don’t bother looking it up!” *fingers tapping*)
Very funny!!
Congratulations to Brad! He “wins!”
He refers to others as children???? Hilarious!!
looking for APBA master game chart for 1969 baseball season?
Your reference to religion was very relevant. I love articles like this, because it helps me to learn. I love to compare games. If I have one area of skepticism it is the declaration that APBA is more accurate. I see this often from APBA players with little evidence. From my study of both game designs, I can’t see how APBA could ever be more accurate than SOM. Unfortunately, I think the only way to settle that is to run tens of thousands of simulations, and I’m not aware that anyone has done that.
Another observation about both APBA and SOM strat players is their comment that by looking at the construct of the card, they can assess the strengths and weaknesses of the players. At least with SOM you can do that directly by looking at the stats at the bottom of the card.