Hey guys!  Thanks for all the info!  I consider myself NEW to HD, because I haven't played it for a few years.  I played it before and was not very good.  One of the things that I learned between the last time I played and now, is that you need to ask for help to get any better.  And that's what I'm doing now.  I don't really remember this game at all, so it all seems new to me.  Nice to see a few names here that I recognize-BJ and fireblasters79.com.

I actually joined a league as of yesterday.  It is a private league made with some well known GD coaches in it.  I look forward to the new adventure.  Feels weird starting at the bottom again-I'm doomed! Ha ha!

If they had the fireblasters79.com e-mail in HBD I would have likely gotten 5 or more by now.

The Courtesans are just beginning to build depth in the minors.

A few mistakes while learning hurt and it has taken a while but in 2 or 3 seasons we should see a big difference.

If not we wont need the website calling for my job,I will resign.

What kind of mistakes did you make Blasters?

First rule:  If you're not sure, don't do it.

It's much easier to correct a non-move than it is to make a dumb 5 year deal or lopsided trade go away.

Not understanding the ratings caused me to make a trade that I shouldnt have.

Watch the 3 for 1 offers.Folks will take advantage of you as a newbie and the way they do it is to offer 3 mediocre players for 1 of your studs.

Perhaps you think you are getting a terrific hitting shortstop but what you get is a really good left fielder because he may be listed as a SS but doesnt have the fielding  skills required to be a SS.

There are so many categories it is easy to miss something.

I have left millions of dollars unused in at least 2  seasons.I mean 20+ million waiting on that great international FA that didnt show up.Instead  of getting a very good player or 2 I got nothing and that has set me back.

Me,I enjoy learning things on my own which means learning the hard way.I ask a few questions here and there but not many so I suggest you ask away to guys like MikeT and such because you will be able to shorten the learning curve.

I just found this new site:

www.dontfireblasters79justyetheseemslikeaswellguy.com

Arfy, the best advice I ever had, was from a forum post by plague.  In your first season, don't make trades and don't sign long term contracts.  Use that first season to learn about your team and see where your most glaring needs are.  And I agree with blasters, I almost always reject 3 for 1 trades now.  You usually give up a stud for AAAA crap. I would rather trade stud for stud and be careful of the projected ratings.  Don't get caught up in what your players could be, but concentrate on what they are now. It takes a few seasons to see how players improve, how the ratings are impacted by makeup, etc...

Of course I left out that while I took plague's advice that first season, I completely wrecked my team in the second season, making bad trades and signing bad contracts.  I was foolish enough to think I had the game down after one season!