Minor DMB Game Enhancements

DMB published a minor patch after our season started last year, and thus we were not able to reap the benefits. .  This upcoming season will be simmed using the new patch; here are the enhancements:

• Pitcher won't be removed for pinch runner if he's throwing a no-hitter.
• When late in game and behind, pitcher will not automatically bunt if base runners are needed.
• Improved defensive substitution logic when player changing positions.
• Improved substitution logic when replacing OFer removed for PH/PR.
• CM wasn't bunting enough before the 4th inning.

DMB hasn't published anything to give us an idea what "improved" or "wasn't bunting enough" means, but these are all positive developments.

PS.  #1 is so incredibly awful I can't believe it hadn't already been fixed.  I cannot imagine my pitcher, tossing a no hitter, was allowed to bat only to be removed for a pinch runner.  ATB uses a DH so this was a non-issue for us.

Which Stats does DMB Use?

Brian B asked a great question earlier this week, "What categories does ATB actually use stats from? I seem to remember that RBI's and Runs aren't even input, I'm assuming wins and losses are not input for pitchers."

I thought I posted these answers in this blog previously but couldn't find it.  Forgive the re-post if  this is old news! 

Batters
At Bats
Hits
Doubles
Triples
Home Runs
Hit By Pitch
Walks
Intentional Walks
Strikeouts
Sac Flies
Ground into Double Play

- Games, Runs, RBI, and Sac Bunts are not required
- Stolen Bases and Caught Stealing are technically not required, but they are used to determine stolen base ratings

Pitchers
Batters Faced
Innings Pitched
Hits
Home Runs
Hit By Pitch
Walks
Intentional Walks
Strikeouts

- Games, Shutouts, Games Finished, Wins, Losses, Saves, Runs, Earned Runs, Wild Pitches, and Balks are not required
- Starts and Complete Games are technically not required, but they are used to determine durability.

How DMB Treats Spot Starters

The Rage noticed some wacky lineups the computer was using. His Depth Chart had the following:

Instead, the AI ran out this lineup three days in a row:

What happened? From the DMB Help File:

You select who plays each defensive position and the batting order. If necessary due to injuries, fatigue, or the desire to give a spot starter his share of playing time, the computer manager adjusts the starting lineup and batting order. When adjusting the batting order, the computer manager moves the newly-inserted players up or down in the order based on their ability, but preserves your saved batting order as much as possible.

The Rage depth chart had Chick Hafey spot starting 50% of the time. The Computer apparently thought Hafey leading off was ludicrous, and changed the entire lineup around rather than attempting to run out a plodding .250 OBP player at the top of the lineup.

So - be careful with the depth charts. Your lineup may not be what you think!