In this current situation in which we are sheltering-in-place, it is getting harder to find ways to play competitive APBA. Whether it be league APBA, tournament play or simply playing a pickup game with a friend, it may not be wise to take the traditional Face-to-Face route that we’re so used to.
Fortunately, there are ways to roll APBA against someone while “social distancing” at the same time. I’m going to list a few along with a few of their advantages and disadvantages.
Disclaimer: Many of these will employ online technology which may have a learning curve. They all require some sort of registration as well. Not all will be available for free depending on your situation.
What do we need to play APBA?
As I see it, APBA fans would like at least four functions from a interaction method in order to play APBA remotely.
- Voice: can you talk to your opponent?
- Video: can you see your opponent?
- Chat: can you type messages to your opponent?
- Accountability: can both opponents be assured what is happening in the APBA Game?
I will be rating each method if it fulfills any of these functions (hint: 66 is good, 12 is bad):
A word about accountability
Keep in mind that most of these methods require an element of trust between you and the people you are playing. In most cases, you both will not be able to see the dice roll and it will be important to establish trust between those you play with.
Let’s face it… it isn’t much different than mail leagues of the past. That said, if you are comfortable with that caveat, the lack of the accountability feature can be overcome.
Here is my list in no particular order…
Skype
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Voice:  | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability:  |
Skype is the old standby for the Illowa APBA League which I have been a part for 40 years. If for whatever reason, we can’t connect in person, we can connect via Skype.
The Microsoft product is free (with paid upgrades which I’ve never used). With Skype, you can call a friend and talk, see them, or even share your screen. A chat feature is available as well as the ability to share files.
In fact, I just played a four-game league series with my buddy John Brandeberry today. Since he lives in Montana and I live in Illinois, we fired up Skype. We got the series done in a matter of a couple hours and caught up what was going on in our lives at the same time.
If you’re on the go and don’t have access to a computer, you can download the Skype app for your mobile phone. In fact, Brando has attended a few of our league meetings via my phone.
Zoom
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
Zoom is a relatively new online collaboration tool which has gotten a lot of press because the workplace has migrated to the home and many have opted to use it. Like the other tools, Zoom offers video, voice and chat.
Zoom offers some features that others do not. It provides “Breakout Rooms” in that a large group can break out into several smaller groups. Like Skype however, there is no accountability without a webcam setup.
One other unique feature that Zoom offers is the ability to record the sessions so that it can be viewed again (or maybe posted online!).
The Zoom application is available for mobile devices as well as desktop computers.
APBA GO
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
Most of you know about APBA’s online version of the baseball game called APBA GO. In this context, APBA GO’s biggest advantage is accountability. Both opponents see the same “dice” rolled and there is little chance of a dispute.
As far as interaction, APBA GO does provide a chat function so opponents can hurl insults or “attaboys” towards one another. As of now, there is no voice functionality but that can be supplanted by using one of the other voice applications listed if you wish.
APBA Baseball for Windows
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
The current version of APBA Baseball for Windows (BBW) with the inclusion of the companion programs such as League Manager and Advanced Draft provides a different type of experience of computer APBA.
BBW is based on the Master Baseball Game and with proper administration, the accountability is there. Dom Provisiero speaks about this in Double Take’s recent interview of him. Dom speaks about using screen sharing software like Zoom or TeamViewer so both players can see the screen at the same time.
Using TeamViewer helps with the accountability factor tremendously. I haven’t used TeamViewer in a few years but according to Dom, it works very well to share screens and even give mouse control to your opponent.
Link to APBA Baseball for Windows website
Google Meet
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
Google Meet which has evolved from its previous version called Hangouts. Like Skype or Zoom, it supplies video, voice and chat functionality.
I personality have never used Meet or Hangouts. At this point, Meet comes with a price tag of $6 per month which also gets you lots of other nifty Google features if you are interested.
Google Meet and Hangouts is available for most mobile devices as well as desktop computers.
Note: Google Hangouts is still available as of April 2020 but Google plans to migrate the app fully to Google Meet.
FaceTime
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
If you and those you are playing live in the Apple ecosystem, FaceTime is an option. FaceTime is Apple’s video messaging system and from what I hear, it works very well.
FaceTime works well with Mac computers, iPhones as well as iPhones.
Unlike Skype or Zoom, there is no screen sharing feature with FaceTime as far as I know.
Mobile speakerphone
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
If it comes right down to it and that APBA series must be played, dialing up your opponent’s phone number on your mobile phone and putting them on speakerphone is a definite possibility.
I have rolled dice while on speakerphone on more than one occasion when playing a league series.
Mail APBA
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| Voice: | Video: |
| Chat: | Accountability: |
Back before the Internet, many APBA leagues were “mail leagues”. Each month, managers would write up instructions for how their team should be played and send them to the home manager. These would include lineups, rotations and any significant strategic moves that should be taken during the game. The visiting manager would send those instructions via postal mail.
Mail leagues still exist! Now with the advent of Internet and specifically email, that process is much simpler and quicker. Sending instructions over email can be done in minutes rather than days. Admittedly, this process misses the human element, of course.
To sum up, Face-to-Face APBA doesn’t have to come to a stop just because we’re being safer at home. It will just manifest itself in a different form until things get a little bit more normal.
How have you all connected with your fellow APBA fans? Is there a method you are using that I haven’t heard of yet? Chime in and let us know!
Until then keep rolling 66s!
Been doing a tournament via video streaming options. I prefer Facebook messenger video. Very good video and audio quality.