I haven't played on whatifsports in a while but I always really liked the sim league baseball game even though I was always pretty crummy at it. I got a new job in an office for the first time in a couple years so I have the time to actually play again and look at my team everyday. For whatever reason the diamond legends league looked interesting to me so I decided to join one of those open leagues instead of the traditional leagues I played in the past. I realize there are probably a thousand threads on different tips for people starting out and if no one wants to answer that's fine. I was just wondering if there were some basic strategies I should practice while starting to draft my team. Thank for the help! 

Draft while sober.

OLs have become more cookie-ish than ever.  At least 1/3 the teams have similar strategies: 

(1) Dead-ball pitchers, especially from 1908
(2) Modern (1970s-1990s) high fielding percentage, high average switch hitters

Or to sum it up in five words: Addie Joss and Bip Roberts.

And Bob Milacki closing.

Posted by thunder1008 on 8/5/2011 3:13:00 AM (view original):
Draft while sober.

That's just awful advice.

Posted by lesliechow on 8/16/2011 4:52:00 PM (view original):
Welcome back.  Now, some advice.  Play HBD.  SLB is for simple-minded fools.

I demand that you delete this post!

Posted by crazystengel on 8/16/2011 7:26:00 PM (view original):

Posted by lesliechow on 8/16/2011 4:52:00 PM (view original):
Welcome back.  Now, some advice.  Play HBD.  SLB is for simple-minded fools.

I demand that you delete this post!

Wow, it worked!

I haven't played an open league in a while (themes instead). I have never won a championship either, but I don't field many teams. I just entered
a regular open league and there are a couple of owners with huge ratings and many championships. I guess I was naively hoping to avoid almost
certain defeat to a big win owner. Is it even worth playing in a regular OL?

Depends on what your goal is. If you're looking for the easiest path to a championship possible, I'd try one of those 'Win your first championship' theme leagues. If there isn't one of those at a cap you're comfortable with, start your own league.
If you're looking to be the best you can be, then don't worry about the championships. Just find a cap level that interests you and start studying how to manipulate baseball teams at that level. If you worry about you instead of worrying about them, the championships will come in time.

Posted by crazystengel on 8/16/2011 7:26:00 PM (view original):

Posted by lesliechow on 8/16/2011 4:52:00 PM (view original):
Welcome back.  Now, some advice.  Play HBD.  SLB is for simple-minded fools.

I demand that you delete this post!

This isn't on point to the question that was asked, but while I certainly don't agree with lesliechow's opinion of SLB owners, I currently have a franchise in HBD and believe me, it's hardly anything like SLB. It's extremely detailed and can also be quite overwhelming. Not only do you have to manage 6 (rookie league, low A, high A, AA, AAA, and majors) teams with players who have a gazillion different attribute ratings, you have to hire coaches, scouts, medical and training staffs, and negotiate with free agents, you also have look at international proscpects and know when to promote players to higher levels. So, if you think you have to micro manage in SLB, it's nothing compared to HBD.

Sometimes you're rewarded by the SIM god for being original.  The secret is finding the right combination of players and pitchers that will reward you with the prize.  It comes with time and observing what the successful owners are doing.  Selecting the right field for your team is paramount and, quite frankly, something that I haven't mastered as of yet.  I find that it's probably safer to select a pitcher's field if you want to win games.   Hope this helps.

To try to answer your question, you'll have to determine what kind of team you want, what you're comfortable with and also take into consideration how much available time you'll have to manage your team. If you want a team with strong starting pitching, something that I tend to prefer, look for pitchers with erc# of 2.00 or less.  They'll be expensive, but remember, aside from a few exceptions in this game, you get what you pay for.  And if you make it to the playoffs, those type of pitchers are worth their weight in gold because you'll need guys who can beat Addie Joss, Ed Walsh, Mathewson, Maddux, and Cy Young, the type of pitchers you'll likely face in the playoffs in OLs. 

how many would consider this game simple?