** The Philosophies to Win with Hank Smith **

3) What advice would you give to other players?

How would your advice differ for  novice, some, medium or very experienced players to have success with their own baseball team? I would tell all players to follow the action (dice rolls and results) when you’re at bat and in the field. Everyone misreads a card now and then and you need to catch it when it is to your disadvantage to win and even when it is to your disadvantage to be honest. Honesty is more important than winning.

4) Elements of the game;

    How important to you is;
    a) pitching (starters/relievers)

I’ve always considered starting pitching more important than relief pitching because the average starter goes six innings every four days and the average reliever only goes three (a maximum of four) innings every four days in STAR Tournaments. However, that said, in 2006 their was a big difference between relief pitchers ratings while a large number of starting pitchers were virtually the same. So, after the first handful of starting pitchers a lot of relievers were picked before a lot of starting pitchers. And, a lot of teams with good middle relief and closers won a lot of tournaments.

    b) hitting (on base / average / power)

Most successful teams have a lot of good on base hitters. I believe that batting averages can be very misleading and usually not a very good way to evaluate a hitter. I like power hitters at the plate with two or three good on base guys on base. There’s no better feeling than hitting a grand slam homer. That was my biggest thrill in organized baseball and is always a thrill in league or tournament play. 

    c) defense

I have always been a big fan of good defense. Having a one fielder at shortstop or second base (or better yet a one at both positions) can erase a lot of singles and walks your pitchers have allowed. That said you really want the best overall player at each position. If a player can generate more runs on offense then he allows on defense that’s the player I want. However, I will never again play with a four fielder in left and right field. That combination will just kill you!

    d) bench (pinch hitting, backup support)

I like a bench that includes a good left-handed pinch hitter. Also, I like one or two utility players that will keep me from getting a player locked into an unfavorable match-up with a pitcher and not be able to pinch-hit. Usually I have at least four two-way (they start against lefty and righty pitchers). One tournament this year I had seven two-way players. But, in any event, I need players on the bench who can start against pitchers the one-way player can’t.

    e) usage (for leagues) N/A  (only answer if you are involved in a league)

    f) money (for leagues) N/A  (only answer if you are involved in a league)

    g) ballpark (single/hr factors)

Usually before and certainly after your first pick you should have a general idea of what type (hitter’s or pitcher’s) park you will be drafting for and playing in. Can this change during the draft? Sure. A couple players slip in the draft and you can use them and the make-up of your team can change dramatically. One of the nice things about DSIM is that it will tell you as the draft goes along what ballpark of those still available is best for you.

What do you think is the best combination of the above elements?

I like to have a balanced team. Another way of saying that is that I try to draft the best player that will fit on my team. I want the players that will give me the greatest positive run differential which over the course of a season should translate to the most games and tournaments won.
 

Part IV-Intangibles

1) How much of a person’s success is luck?

In the short term like one season or one tournament luck is huge. I say winning a league or tournament is 1/3 drafting, 1/3 managing, and 1/3 luck. The more games you play the less luck becomes such a large factor. That said, when it is game seven of the World Series, two out, and bases loaded anything can happen and usually does.

2) How do you feel about face-to-face play versus using the computer?

I feel that all forms of SOM have their advantages and disadvantages. I like face-to-face tournaments because I can get in a lot of games in a weekend. It is exciting to pit your skill against another human being. And, I like the idea of having an equal chance of getting Alex Rodriguez in 2006 on my team as everyone else for that season. I’ve found it difficult to play in face-to-face leagues because I have a busy life Monday through Friday. I like computer play because you can play faster and the computer keeps the statistics.