Here's how to get setup with the new league file and some tips to help you quickly become familiar with American Baseball Legion.
Starter File:
- Make sure you are on the latest OOTP patch, just to assure compatibility.
- Close OOTP if it's running
- Download "AmericanBaseballLegion.lg.zip" from the StatsPlus site (under links): Starter File 23
- Move the downloaded zip to "saved_games" down your OOTP path (usually down My Documents if a standard C: drive setup on a PC, but otherwise easy to find)
- Extract that zip in saved_games - be careful not to extract within another folder called Amer*******.lg. The zip will remain, but you will also have AmericanBaseballLegion.lg (again under saved_games). That is your league file. You can delete the zip later if you like.
- Close all the folders and open OOTP and load your game file.
- Find "Guest FM" (the guest GM account) on the list (no p/w needed) to get in.
- Download the newest file within the game File > Online League > Download latest file
- If the Commissioner has you in the game, go back up to File > Load game and reload AmericanBaseballLegion
- Click on you own name now and use the p/w given to you by the Commissioner (suggested you change with an upload to make it your own)
- Before doing anything your first time with your team, it's recommended you go to File > Online League > Export your team via FTP (just to make sure the upload works, before making any changes)
- Welcome to your team!
The basic process is to download the latest file once the Commissioner has simmed a week.
Reviewed your results and make any changes required, or you feel you need to, and the last thing to do each time would be to "export" your game file using the same process listed just above.
If you make more changes before the next sim, always export when done.
By the way, the latest league file is also always available on the "export tracker" page too.
Have fun!
Tips (for newcomers and as a refresher for any GM:
Read, and become familiar with, the rules.
ABL does not have many rules, but the ones we have are very important!
Be sure to review these: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4
Any questions, don't be afraid to ask!
Slack & our Forum
Slack (for which you should have received a personal invitation) is great for quick communication, trade talks, and real-time help, whether on your desktop/laptop or on your device. You can find the mobile app where you usually find yours.
Forum (index.php) is the place long-term documentation will be posted. And example being the league rules.
StatsPlus
This is where you will find much of the additional info, outside the game (https://statsplus.net/americanbaseballlegion/)
Standings, Report links, a lot of statistical information, award voting, the draft, and file export confirmation.
We also use the StatsPlus Trade Tool to propose and confirm trades. When confirmed, the trades will be posted on a Slack channel.
The export tracker (https://statsplus.net/americanbaseballlegion/exports) is part of StatsPlus and will show your most recent export. I would recommend you also set a Slackbot confirmation of your export in the Slack preferences.
You'll need to sign up using Slack for this site!
Posting Trades - Use the StatsPlus Trade Tool
To post a trade, here are the steps:
- Make sure you have reviewed the rules.
- Check your trade in the game in the Trade window, just like a solo league. Enter your trade and dtermine if the game will allow it before proceeding.
- Once you have the trade outlined, visit the Trade Tool in StatsPlus https://statsplus.net/americanbaseballl ... de/#create
- Enter your trade there, just like in the game. Then hit propose to signal the other GM for confirmation.
- Once confirmed, the trade will be posted in the Slack channel #trades_confirmed.
- If you want to instruct the Commissioner about any roster moves prior to the sim, use the THREAD function to add to the trade confirmation.
- There is help available above the Trade Tool window, but also here https://wiki.statsplus.net/web-tools/trade-tool
Install the newest images file
Found on the league StatsPlus page at "Links" (https://statsplus.net/americanbaseballlegion/), images can be downloaded and unzipped to your saved game so that you have the latest logos for the teams. Here's where to export each folder (these directions are for Windows users):
- Images: Unzip to .../Out of the Park Developments/OOTP Baseball 22/saved_games/AmericanBaseballLegion.lg/news/html/images - The four files will ask to overwrite what is already there.
- Jerseys and Ballcaps: Unzip to .../Out of the Park Developments/OOTP Baseball 22/saved_games/AmericanBaseballLegion.lg/
Finally, important reminders:
- Before diving into any blockbuster trades GET TO KNOW YOUR TEAM, YOUR NEW LEAGUE, AND THE OTHER GM's
- If you are asked about specifics players immediately after joining, it might be an idea to put that player "on the block" to maximize your return and not just deal with one inquiry privately. Obviously there is value in that player.
- We want ABL to be a great, and long-term, experience so know the market before you act after taking over your new team.
GOOD LUCK!