Steve Black.: Non-AIM Modern, Draft, DH/non-DH  (11/20/2003)

Team/Custom modern draft league manager 			

                                              ----	STEVE BLACK   -----

Black is a custom manager designed to handle a non-AIM modern draft league roster. While he has some team specific programming, he should be okay to try with different rosters. Information to note include:

Pitching:
Starters in Relief:
All pitchers with zero starts may relieve. In addition, all pitchers with starting grades of 6 or lower may relieve in blowout games (+/- 6 runs) and all pitchers with dual grades (starting and relieving) may also pitch in relief. All other pitchers not falling under these standards are considered starters.

Closers and/or Super-type closers are by adjusted grades - grades plus/minus control ratings (AG). Super closers are the highest graded pitcher (reliever) with a Z in his control ratings. Caution here then: If your team has one Z pitcher with a 8 grade, he will be used as the super closer over another reliever with a 20 grade and NO Z rating. So, Black was designed for a roster that had a high grade reliever who also had a Z control rating.

Superclosers will be limited to generally one inning outings; but they may pitch in the 8th with one or more outs and with two/three runners on). If a team has more than one supercloser, the reliever with the highest AG and a Z will be used as the primary supercloser and the other(s) used as setup relievers. Other closers have adjusted grades of 13-16 and will be used as a team's primary collection of closers (highest AGs used first) if no supercloser is available. These closers may pitch multiple innings. Setup relievers (highest grade downward without Zs or second highest Z) will be used to setup the supercloser. One batter specialists are used not only as setup relievers but in critical non-save situations late (against high platoon matched hitters). 

Note: if your team doesn't have a Z reliever, Black will use the backup or "normal" closer strategy. A good idea as to the difference would be the strategies used for a team that had a closer with 40 saves versus one whose top closer had only 13 saves. With the former, the super closer would likely relieve in EVERY save situation late - especially at the start of the ninth. The latter, obviously, would be more selectively used and that team would likely have more complete games.

Black, then, uses two styles: one for superclosers who pitch generally the ninth only. Setup relievers are used in the 6/7/8 innings. If no supercloser is available, a normal closer pattern is used. 

Starters pulled automatically at or after 10 innings (and, obviously, at other times as well). No blowout or hook for starters with safe leads. They go nine.

Relief pitchers are limited to two innings per outing unless in extra innings.


Offense: 
Small ball: steals and H&R influenced by steal chance (actual steals also plays a smaller role).  Very limited stealing to base runners with 25 or more steals and steal chance of 24 plus/minus any defensive lead. No steals of third or double steals. Limited bunting except late. SO per AB and  SH per AB greatly used to rate bunters. Miller III/IV pinchhitting and other sub strategies used. E.g., will PH for DH with a platoon disadvantage; will PH ahead to add to lead late (but best defensive players stay); PH to H&R; PH to bunt in critical situation late or to squeeze; PR to steal but quite limited.

Subbing in lopsided games from 7th onward; lots of double switches to take out players before the 8th in non-DH rules. Better defensive players late (8/9 with 1-5 lead).