Billy Wallace I: Version 8: 1970s AIM Replay Manager (12/2014 edition)
Best with BFs on but not required. Not designed for draft league play. Be sure to check file dates for the latest manager.

Note: Billy Wallace is now Billy Wallace I. 

		BILLY WALLACE: 1970's DECADE REPLAY MANAGER 

			INSTALLATION

Wallace I consists of the following four files:


        MgrBW1.lib, MgrBW1.msy, MgrBW1.mob, MgrBW1.dct

If you are using APBA Baseball for Windows 5.75 then you must move the four above files into your "MicroManagers" folder. That folder is located here (the wording may be slightly different depending on what operating system you have):

            C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\APBA Games\Baseball\MicroManagers

If you're using BBW 5.5, the files can be placed in the BBW folder or directory.


		OVERVIEW OF MANAGERIAL STRATEGIES/STYLE
Note: Best for early to mid 1970 seasons, i.e., 1970-75. For other seventies seasons, try Billy Wallace II although both managers can be used for all of the season.

Billy Wallace I was originally the "template" manager for the specialized 1970s decade manager that uses manager's "cards". As noted above, he's designed for early to mid 1970's decade replays with AIM. This includes both AL and NL teams/rosters throughout that period. You do not need to use the "cards" when using Wallace. Many of Wallace's strategies were designed based on studyies of seventies boxscores available from Retrosheet.

Wallace I follows the general managerial style of the period. This includes:

1) A quick hook for AL pre-DH starters and NL starters with a much slower approach to pulling starters AFTER the DH was introduced. Similarly, he will permit quality relievers to pitch much longer with the DH in effect (e.g., 3+ innings). Relievers in pre-DH or NL leagues will generally have much shorter outings.

Wallace I does not set aside a starting rotation and, therefore, will occasionally use a starter in relief (if they compiled relief appearances during the year). This will usually be done late in close games or where a team's bullpen was thinned due to fatigue or injury. 

However, he will always "save" one possible starter (e.g., one or more GS) from being used in relief in order to start the next day (or game). Wallace I will employ both a "bullpen by committee" approach for teams with multiple closers or no single dominant closer. With such bullpens, he will greatly favor platoon advantages and will also be quick to summon another closer if the current reliever is struggling. For teams with one dominant closer, however, Wallace will usually stay with that stud reliever even if being hit hard unless the save has been blown. 

2) Wallace's offensive substitutions, meanwhile, tend to be more aggressive as you get deeper into the game. This will include attempts to pad or add to a lead in a threat situation. Platoon advantages or disadvantages come into great play, as well. 

3) Blowout strategies: Wallace will PH, PR or sub defensively for star players in lopsided games. He favors, in particular, using "itchy" substitutes (both offensively and defensively) and will be more aggressive in going to the bench if an "itchy" sub is available. 

4) Pinch-run Specialists: Several teams during the 70's, most noticeably the Oakland franchise, made great use of PR specialists or players who were used predominantly, if not exclusively, as pinchrunners. Wallace will aggressively use these players - not only in critical situations late (i.e, down or tied) but also to add to a close lead. In almost all situations, these players will only be used a pinchrunners and will be immediately replaced defensively. NOTE: be careful in editing these players PR and RUse numbers. Also, be careful that the League Manager lineup generator does use these players in the starting lineup. If that is done, many of these specialists will wind up tired for the next several weeks and, thus, won't be available for game use. 

5) Big innings vs. small innings: Wallace is programmed to use both the small ball and aggressive baserunning tactics of the K.C. or Oakland (see #4 above) clubs and many of the post-1975 (or so) franchises as well as the big inning, station-to-station styles that predominated in the early part of the decade (e.g, Boston, Pittsburgh) especially with DH teams. 

For additional information on this or other managers, visit The Digital Skybox at www.TheDigitalSkybox.com