by no means am I frustrated....the right world will come along...and the key is "not to jump on anything" I am scrolling the worlds as we speak...and have gotten a very good response from 1 private world....thanks again for the advice, and the information.

In my experience, I think you would be able to get into a private world without too much trouble if that's what you wanted.

Also, for my first team, I picked a train wreck on purpose. I could see this was a pretty complicated sim and figured my rookie mistakes wouldn't have much incremental impact on a lousy team. Took me awhile to turn it around, but I learned a lot and the results were worth the wait.

One other thought, look closely at the division you are considering. If one team "owns" it, it might make it that much harder to make the playoffs. However, if the other teams are in rebuild mode, or simply weaker hands, it gives you a faster shot at the postseason.

gbuck, as a fellow newbie, the best thing I can recommend is to invest (more than) a few hours perusing these forums and then to invest (more than) a few hours looking at some of the long-running leagues and their players' performances. You can sort of get a better feel for what the ratings mean and what would be important to you.

Speak intelligently on the forums and you'll probably end up invited to some of the private worlds as well.

Time spent up front before getting going is time well spent.

thanks silent and dwoolery...by the way...what is wrong with my speaking? I guess I do not sound intelligent :)

You could also try being a replacement for an abandoned team. Great way to check out a league and learn the game.

Quote: Originally Posted By jvford on 10/28/2009
You could also try being a replacement for an abandoned team. Great way to check out a league and learn the game.

Best advice yet.

Quote: Originally posted by gbuck39 on 10/28/2009thanks silent and dwoolery...by the way...what is wrong with my speaking? I guess I do not sound intelligent :)

Ah, the tone we can read into the printed word....nothing wrong with your speaking - nothing implied..

I was just joking silentpadna....... nothing taken the wrong way....

Join one of the public leagues for a season. Learn how the game works, and make mistakes - noone cares its just a public league anyhow. Then you have a season of experience and you can leave the trash public league and join a private one.

thanks csherwood......

Also, when joining a public league, if you want a decent team, look at the leagues with 8-12 openings -- one of those teams is probably half decent. Sure, you will have to wait longer for the season to start, but there is still plenty to do in evaluating your players and trying to plan for budget day.

Quote: Originally Posted By csherwood on 10/28/2009Also, when joining a public league, if you want a decent team, look at the leagues with 8-12 openings -- one of those teams is probably half decent. Sure, you will have to wait longer for the season to start, but there is still plenty to do in evaluating your players and trying to plan for budget day

For example, I just looked at Williams, 5 or 6 of the 10 open teams were between 72-78 wins last season. not awful by any means. Oneofthe teams won 89 games so may be good.

Quote: Originally Posted By csherwood on 10/28/2009Join one of the public leagues for a season. Learn how the game works, and make mistakes - noone cares its just a public league anyhow. Then you have a season of experience and you can leave the trash public league and join a private one

Not a good idea. Good leagues will look at the one-and-done and you won't have a prayer in hell of upgrading into private leagues.

If you join a public league, plan to stick with it for a few seasons. Good leagues are looking for long-term builders that will stick with a franchise through some sub-.500 seasons.

Participate in league chat, you'll learn who is helpful and who isn't. You'll get your name recognized by the league members, who might have openings in other leagues that will be advertised. If the league has a blog, get some visibility there too.

The longer you stick with a league, the more likely you are to be invited to join other leagues. If you bail ONCE, you'll be branded.

so taking a team in Williams may be better than joining a private league...until I get my feet wet, and do not get overwhelmed?

Hunter , a private world was so generous and accepting. They offered me a part of their world as a new owner. I just want to do good, and not let them regret it.