Matthew writes with questions on starting a replay:
Hello, I’m enjoying your blog, especially the ’66 replay.
I did single team replays growing up with pops, all late 80s to 90s. I’m just reentering the APBA world in my early 30s.
I’d like to do a replay of an earlier period to learn more about the era and its players. While the year is still TBD, I was wondering if you would kindly share some tips, Dos and Don’ts, and things every newbie should know.
I respect and agree that each replay should be tailored to each individual’s unique goals and time allowance. Still, I’m sure there are common rookie mistakes, and I’d love to hear from a veteran like you on how to avoid them.
Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks so much in advance. I appreciate any help I could get!
In answer to Matthew’s question, I’m always willing to give hints and tips (and solicit those from readers) but at the same time, I’m hesitant to be too dogmatic about how one should do their replay. There are many types of replays and many reasons we do those replays so I don’t want to squelch any creativity, if you will.
So rather handing out ‘Dos and Don’ts’, I’m listing a few questions a replayer might want to ask before getting too involved in full blown replay. 
1. What is the point of your replay? Do you want to achieve statistical accuracy? Are you going to follow/root for a certain team? Some APBA fans put together “what-if” scenarios for their replays pitting one era against another (which is probably a whole different topic altogether).
2. On a similar vein, are you looking for an accurate replay or a realistic replay? In other words, do you want your replay to simulate what actually happened or what COULD have happened? This will affect how you handle injuries, player usage and even player transactions. For example, when your real life platoon left fielder starts hitting .400, will you really bench him?
3. What game do you want to play? Basic Game, Master Game or BBW? For some, this decision has already been made up but it’s worth thinking about. If you’re playing Basic Game or Master Game, will you implement any modifications for the game or just play the game out of the box?
4. How much time will you have to devote to the replay? This might make the difference between taking on a full NL/AL replay as opposed to just one league (or even one team). It may also determine how much research you want to invest in stat-keeping and tracking transactions. You may be more interested in just rolling the dice and having fun.
5. How realistic do you want the replay to be? Will you implement the trades and other transactions during the season or just use the cards as they come in the APBA team envelope? Are you going to use actual lineups and rotations or make up your own? Also, if you don’t use actual lineups/rotations, will you limit player usage in some fashion?
6. How detailed will your stat keeping be? I stress this because if you don’t plan ahead, going back and re-calculating sac flies (for example) can be pain. Also, how will you keep your stats (Excel? BallStat? Pencil and paper? :)) Get your stat process down before you start your replay. I speak as an authority as I’ve had to alter my process a week into my replay and it’s caused issues.
7. And of course, what season will you be replaying? Some fans want to learn about a particular era of baseball history. Others are a fan of a team and want to see them defend their real life title (or see if they can do better!). Even others want to replay a particular pennant race to see what will happen if they were manager. Give it some thought. Do a little research on the seasons you are interested in (Baseball Reference is invaluable). Some years have great teams but also some some teams that are pretty poor. If that’s not your thing, beware.
These questions are pretty non-specific when it comes to APBA games. In some respects, they can be applied to Baseball, Football, or any sport which has a season that you can replay.
I emphasized to Matthew that there are no right or wrong answers to any of the above questions. These answers will help establish a process in your replay and decide your priorities. The replay is what you make it and that is what makes APBA so great. It’s a very customizable game and you can have fun with it in any capacity.
A few more tips I’ll pass on
A test run before you do a full replay can be invaluable. Geoff Giordano from the APBA Football Club, suggests the same thing. A tournament, short-season, or even one or two series per team will give you an idea if the season is for you. It will also determine what stats you want you want to keep and how. In short, it will get you thinking on how to establish a process for your replay so you won’t go in cold for your full replay and wonder “what do I do now?”.
Don’t be swayed by the purists among us who are detail-oriented and need to have “everything right” to do a replay. If you just want to roll the dice, keep track of wins and losses for each team then throw away the score sheets afterwards, that’s fine. It’s your replay. Do with it what you want. That said, the more you put into your replay, the more you will get out of it. Tracking stats, comparing them to real life, and sharing them with other fans can be part of the fun.
A little research even beyond the real life stats can help bring some life to your replay. A good source is Bill James’ Historical Baseball Abstract. Even if you don’t subscribe to Bill James’ theories, that book is chock full of information about what baseball life was like in each era.
Geoff also passes on this tip:
Clarify any tricky rules about which you’re not sure to make your replay consistent — but don’t beat yourself up if you make a “bad” call here and there (chalk it up to the vagaries of the game, “breaks,” etc.).
It’s okay if the replay is taking a while. Chuck Lucas is just finishing up his 1959 AL/NL replay and that has taken him around eight years. If you need to, take a break from it or break it up with a smaller project. I’m doing that with my 1966 season now (though I hear the ‘66 Cubs calling my name).
Like Matthew, ask for help if you want advice. If you don’t know anyone who plays APBA, get on the APBA Between the Lines forum or the many APBA Facebook groups (APBA Baseball, APBA Games, APBA Football Club are just a few). You can also ask The APBA Blog, too.
Most of all, have fun with it!
Well this article could not have come at a better time. Ever since Tom’s Monster vs. Terribles project began I had been toying with a project I have had rolling in my head since my 1905 replay ended.
I am currently involved with my current replay which is 1903 and this is where your number 4 point becomes VERY important.
In the dead ball era there are only 8 teams per league, and it’s a 140 game schedule, but it still takes me between a year or two to complete, and that is if I devote every moment possible to it.
There are times I wish I had shortened the schedule to 100 games as I have an unrealistic goal of doing every year possible.
What I have planned when I reach more current years is to play just the 140 game schedule to help even the playing field for statistical purposes and to help speed up the play process.
While I don’t know about how other rollers handle the long road of a replay I find myself hitting little burnout points and have to put the replay on the back burner.
So my advice to those considering a team, league or season replay is pace yourself and try not to get too hung up on rules. The main point is to still have fun.
Hi Scott,
Chuck tells me that he rolled a game every other day or so in his 1959 replay. He’s almost done.
That said, I do like my side project since I can play a game and yet, see the end in sight.
Maybe a one-team 162 game replay? Those can be fun.
Also, one thing I didn’t mention in the article… if you have a buddy who has similar interests in a replay, share the load. Brando and I ALMOST finished a 1979 NL replay once. :)
Hey Matt,
Just echoing Tom’s comments …you have to do
whatever replay you are comfortable with. When I started 1959 it was March of 2006. I’ve now finished the AL and have about 24 games or so to go in the NL.
I post infrequently although I like to do that…I just can’t fit it in. I’ve had fun by going at my own pace.To keep variety in my replay I’d alternate between the American League and the National League schedule.Most importantly have fun and pick something that works for you!!