Playing APBA Baseball
© 1/16/2006
ABPA baseball is a simulation of the game. Taking the actual stats compiled by a player during a season and, using a magical formula known to everyone but me, creates cards for each player that. These cards can then be used to replay a season. The accuracy of the replay will vary from good to great. This depends on whether you are playing the basic version of the game (BG) or the master version of the game (MG). For the purposes of this tutorial, only the basic game will be discussed.
Basic Game Play
APBA baseball is played using two dice: one red and one white. The red die is normally larger than the white die. When the dice are rolled, there are not added together. Rather, the red die is red first and the white die second. Thus, rolling a red four and a white five is not nine but 45. Below are dice rolls.
All base situations, such as bases empty, runner on first and second, and bases loaded, have a separate results board. These boards contain the actual outcome of each play. The boards are divided into two parts: the hitting numbers (1 through 11) and the fielding numbers (12 through 42). Depending on the situation, the hit numbers will generate a hit or an out. Also depending on the situation, the fielding numbers will generate an out, an error, a walk or hit batsman, or, in rare instances, a hit.
Every player has a card that contains personal information, name, and position at the top (newer versions have basic statistics as well) and the hitting numbers underneath. The dice rolls are in black and the actually hitting outcomes are in red. Shown below is an older-sytle APBA card with the player name changed and the copyright information removed. This was done to protect us from the lawyers who patrol the Internet looking for easy prey.
After each dice roll, the hitting outcome number is looked up on the player's card and then compared to the appropriate base situation board for the play result. This continues until the game ends.
APBA Hitting Cards
APBA baseball cards have have two sections: the personal information and the hitting outcomes (as shown on the cards to the left and right). There are two types of hitter cards: single column (shown on the right) and double column (shown on the left). Single column cards are awarded to guys who hit many home runs or extra base hits (or, in rare extremes, players who hit incredibly few extra base hits). These cards play the fastest and rarely require rerolling the dice.
The double column card are normally given to non-power hitters who hit some extra base hits (usually a lot of doubles) but few home runs. Occasionally, a big home run guy will get a double column card with power numbers in the first column and the second. This is done to make a more accurate card but normally just ticks off game players.
As you can see, there are two columns of red hitting numbers. The second column is only used if the first column result yeilded a zero (0). For instnace, if a 22 is rolled, the first column shows a zero. The dice are then rolled again and the second column is used.
The best roll on any hitter's card is 66.
APBA Pitching Cards
Each pitcher is given one of four pitching grade (or ratings) from Grade A to Grade D (as in school, A is best, B is second, and so on). Grade A, B, and C pitchers and change the results for certain numbers. Grade D pitchers just get bombed. Unfortunately, on the hitting result numbers that effect singles (7-11) can be changed by the pitcher's grade. The extra base hit numbers (1-6) are never changed. This was only moderately improved in the master game and remains the weakest part of the game engine.
Each pitcher also receives ratings for their ability not to walk hitters (control) and ability to strikeout hitters. The control grades are Z, ZZ, and W. Pitchers with a ZZ will hardly ever walk a batter while Z pitchers will seldom walk about except with first base empty. Grade W pitchers are consider wild and walk batters by the score.
The strikeout ratings are X, Y and K. If a pitcher has an X, he will turn many ground outs into strike outs instead. The Y rating has the same effect on infield pop flies (but not as often as an X rated pitcher). The K rated pitchers strikeout even more batters. Sometimes, when a pitcher strikes out a lot of batters, he will be given both the X and the Y rating (and maybe a K). As such, he will strike out a batter when the boards indicate a strikeout for X, Y, or K grade. Additionally, grade A and B pitchers occasionally strikeout hitters, especially with two outs in the inning. For pitchers who strikeout very few batters, an R is awarded. The grade will turn strikeouts into ground outs or fly outs.
APBA Fielding
Each player receives a rating for the positions he played during the season. After a line-up has been created, the value for the player at each position is added. This sum then determines the type of fielding that team will have: fielding one, two, or three. Fielding one makes the fewest errors. Fielding two is considered average and makes more errors than fielding one. Fielding three is considered poor fielding and will make a bunch of errors.
Game Options and Innovations
In order to provide more managing options, the game provides for a set of optional rules. These include playing your infield in when there is a runner on third. This can lead to a hit but can also stop the run at the plate. Hit and runs can be attempted in certain base situations. Sacrifice bunts can be attempted (there is no bunt for base hit as that is already calculated into the hitting outcomes on the players card). Pitchers can get better (grade advancement) as the game progresses or get worse (grade reduction) if they get bombed. Optional fielding can be used that uses the individual fielder's rating rather than the team rating.
Many fans have also added their own touches to this amazing game. These innovations, such as more pitching grades, better control of extra base hits, and more accurate caught stealing statistics, increase the realism and add nuance to the game.
Conclusion
APBA basic baseball remains the fastest playing baseball simulations available. It's very accurate and, most importantly, fun. If you're a baseball junkie and love statistics, a "what-if" guy that likes to see what a player from 1927 might do in today's game, or just a baseball fan that enjoys a good game every now and then, APBA baseball is the game to play!
