Statis Pro Baseball: Difference between revisions

published by [[Avalon Hill]] in 1978, and new player cards were made for each new season until  

1992.  A licensing dispute with [[Major League Baseball]] led Avalon Hill to cease production of new cards.  The game, however, came with instructions for players to create their own cards, so each year many people produce their own player cards, and some even sell them online.

Due to the nature of the gameplay, the game was suitable for both solitary and head-to-head play.

== The Game Set ==

The game set included player cards for most Major League players from the previous season, for  

all of the [[Major League Baseball team]]s, with [[position player]]s and [[pitchers]] receiving different types of cards.  In earlier sets, [[National League]] pitchers were assigned two cards - one for pitching and one for hitting - but this was changed by 1988, when each team was assigned a single card representing all its pitchers.

The set also included a rectangular game board, which resembled a [[baseball diamond]].  Around the diamond were arrayed spots to place the stack of cards for the batters and pitchers for each

team.  There were also several cards which allowed results from bunting, base stealing, extra  

bases, etc. to be determined (see below).

To facilitate play, a large deck of cards with random results was used.  These were called Fast  

card had four results - two per side, one right-side up, one upside-down - which increased the  

possible number of results.  The random numbers ran from 11-88, excluding numbers ending in 9 or 0 (i.e., 11-18, 21-28 ... 81-88), for a total of 64 numbers.  The cards also contained further information used for gameplay (as detailed below).

Additionally, the game included "out" sheets to enable the player to determine how [[out]]s were made during a particular [[at-bat]] (see below for more detail). Finally, tracking play was done with [[scorecard]]s, similar to those used to track the results of a real Major League game, but with additional spaces for information necessary for the game.

(This section would be improved by pictures of the player cards)

Batter cards contained the following information:

Name

CHT (type of hitter): R, L, or S (right, left, or switch) plus N or P (normal or power), for six combinations (RN, RP, LN, LP, SN, SP)

In addition, each batter would have ranges for the following results (proportionate to the  

Out: Out (consult chart for type)

Pitcher cards contained the following information:

Name

Out: Out (consult chart for type)

Much like a real game, a game of Statis Pro Baseball would begin by choosing teams, pitchers,  

and 10 games at [[catcher]]; similarly, a pitcher might indicate 10 games as a [[starter]], and  

25 as a [[reliever]]).

Each at-bat was simulated the same way.  First, a Fast Action Card (FAC) would be drawn to  

card to determine the result of the at-bat.  If the PB number was "out of range," the resulting  

Randon Number would be compared to the batter's card to determine the result.

To used an example, suppose a PB 2-9 pitcher is in the game, and that the PB number drawn is 6.  This is "in range" (that is, between 2 and 9).  Next, a Random Number is drawn - let's say that number is 41.  Looking at the hypothetical pitcher's card, we see that 41 is a strikeout.  Thus, the at-bat is complete.  If, however, the original PB number drawn was 10, it would be "out of range" and the Random Number would be compared to the batter's card.  For this hypothetical batter, 41 is a [[home run]].  Using this example, we can see that the results depend a lot on whether the PB is "in" or "out" of range - simulating whether the pitcher or the batter controls that at-bat.  Thus, 2-9 pitchers will be more effective because they control more at-bats than 2-5 pitchers.

Most of the results of any given PB and Random Number draw will be obvious to those who know  

to determine the type of out.  Matching the CHT code with the FAC, the type of out could be  

determined.  The outs used standard baseball scorekeeping (1=Pitcher, 2=Catcher ...  

the out charts to determine the exact result, based on number and position of the runners on  

base.  The codes were as follows (using shortshop as an example):

F6 = Flyball out to Shortstop (runners hold)

G6A = Groundball out to shortstop (runners advance)

Finally, if the code had an asterisk next to it, a final FAC would be drawn to check for error.  This was done by comparing the error range on the FAC to the error rating of the fielder.  For example, if the fielder's error rating was E2 and the error rating on the FAC was F8 to F10, then there would be no error.

In order to simulate "clutch" play, every player was assigned rating for BD (clutch hitting) and CD (clutch defense).  These situations would be initiated by PB numbers on cards reading either BD or CD.

BD would only apply if runners were on base.  In that case, a second FAC would be drawn for the  

the Random Number fell outside the hit range on either the Chart or the card, play would resume  

with a new PB number.

If CD was drawn as the PB number, a second FAC would be drawn to determine the position  

Number, the CD chart would be consulted to determine the outcome of the play.

Very occasionally, a PB number of Z would be drawn.  Z indicated an unusual play, and would  

fewer games missed in real-life, the fewer games missed in the simulation).

Though an entire game could be played as described above, Statis Pro had a number of advanced  

features to simulate managerial/coaching decisions such as [[bunting]], [[base-stealing]], hitting-and-running, taking extra bases, playing the infield in, etc.  In most cases, these would be done by the manager of the hitting team announcing a decision before the draw of a PB number for a new batter.

In order to steal a base, for example, the manager would announce which runner was stealing.  A  

FAC would be drawn, and the resulting Random Number would be compared to the base-stealing chart on the game board.  The results varied based on whether the runner was stealing second, third, or home.  Depending on the draw, it might be necessary to consult the runner's SP  

(base-stealing) rating.

To [[sacrifice bunt]], the process would be the same as for stealing, except that the sacrifice  

bunting chart would be used.  The results would depend on the Random Number and the batter's Sac (sacrifice bunting) rating.

From the pitching side, in order to simulate fatigue, every pitcher would be assigned a two  

compared to the hitter's card.  Because of this, it was usually advisable to remove a pitcher  

once his reduction hit zero (or even before).

== Online community ==

cards, using the formulas provided in the game instructions.  Some have even created new FACs to make the Random Number and PB Number draws more truly random.  Others have created new rules in order to add further realism to the game (such as rules for foul balls, special rules for  

different ballparks, etc.).

== External links ==

*[http://tabletopbaseball.org/sp.html Statis Pro Baseball @ Tabletop Baseball Games]

*[http://forums.delphiforums.com/statispro2004/start Statis Pro Baseball Advanced Forums]

*[http://statispro.blogspot.com/ Alternate Statis Pro Card Creator]

[[Category:Sports board games]]