Many of the people here have played Strat-o-matic and/or APBA. I stumbled across a blog the other day which was comparing the two. APBA does not have lefty/right match-ups. SOM does. APBA does not have individual pitching cards. SOM does. You look at a SOM card and see easy to read results such as HOMERUN, strikeout, WALK, pop out (2b), DOUBLE. You look at an APBA card and see results such as 66, 45, 14. I once played a couple of games of APBA. In their game, Mark Lemongello (Chocolate Pudding) was a better pitcher than J. R. Richard. It does seem that APBA possibly had some influence on the book Universal Baseball Association. That's nice.

I don't understand why anyone who has played both games would think APBA is better. 

I never played APBA, but I really can't see any game better than start-o.  I would really like to hear from the APBA people.

this is abuse...arguments are down the hall.

That's just a contradiction.

no it isnt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeqVGP-GPM

I've played both and the advanced SOM version (back of the cards) is as real as I've ever played.  I agree with your points about APBA-it's generic.  The only reason I would think anyone would would prefer APBA is it is a "simpler" version and would appeal to the casual fan. 

Growing up, nine friends and I would re-play entire seasons with SOM.  You really become a student of the game when you have to manage righty/lefty splits and matchups, clutch plays/hitters and pitchers, etc...

We used to have SOM draft leagues in college. Good times.....

"I neveh... played... the game."
- Howard Cosell

"I never had sex with that woman...."
- Bill Clinton

I played Strat-o and Sports Illustrated Hall of Fame (and had fun with a buddy, making new player cards for Joe DiMaggio and Billy Williams) but not APBA (more Dungeons and Dragons when I had the chance). Easy to believe SOM is the more realistic.

"Yo mama!"
- Muhammad Ali

"Your little girls... or goats."
- ISIS

Strat in the day was the thinking man's game.  Played that first, then was introduced to APBA which paled in comparison. 

Ethan Allen/Cadaco - All Star Baseball


http://www.ebay.com/bhp/cadaco-all-star-baseball

Actually had the Sports Illustrated Game which was taken over by Arco  (not sure of the spelling).

It had lefty righty for hitters but not pitchers.

You would role for the pitcher s first, look at his chart and if it wasn't an out or a walk or hit , you would then role on the batters chart.

It was more realistic than start-o in one aspect that the pitcher controlled the game.