On a relatively frequent basis, I’m asked how my replays are going and why I chose the seasons in which I’m immersed. And while it’s unfortunate that my theory of actual reality (where did that phrase come from?) more than occasionally gets in the way of rolling dice, the Strat-O-Matic box has finally been reopened and this guy gets to dive back into pieces of baseball history that bring happiness and warmth as the winter darkness looms.
My gaming table has two occupants upon it these days..
1974 American League
1962 National League
In choosing 1974, I decided I wanted to simply relive my youth. Then again, I was 6. How much does one truly remember–in detail–about his or her 6th trip around the sun? Honestly, not much. But, that’s also not the point. We’ll return to that later.
When replaying a season, I do not do all sorts of work to ensure the season “comes out right”, ending as close to real life as possible. I play the game. I think that’s what Hal Richman wanted us to do–open the box and play! In my replays, I’m the deity who puts everything in motion. And just as a real life season does, it unfolds based on the plays, happenings and choices (not to mention dice rolls) made during the season (on my table top). If I spend more time making sure most everything is the same as it was during 1974, I’m spending a lot less time enjoying the game.
Interesting things done for this project include…
- Use of the actual 1974 schedule, played by game (not series). I prefer to play each day individually while others enjoy playing each series as it comes.
- Use of part time players via the Strat-O-Matic card app (printed on card stock). Since the only ’74 set available is the original, 24 card set, I wanted a few extra players. I’m hoping we get a reprint of this season soon.
- Use of the advanced side, for L/R matchups and HBPs. I don’t use advanced fielding–that takes away from my enjoyment of the game as it unfolds. I want rhythm and pace, not advanced metrics and more time trying to figure out what the end result is).
- Electronic scorekeeping by iScore. I don’t want to be figuring out batting averages and ERAs more than I’m rolling the dice for the games. And I want to be able to share progress frequently.
The project reached the end of May, 1974 awhile back–and I put it down to pay attention to my ’62 NL, which is currently in the latter half of the same month. I switch off to keep things fresh and interesting, feeling it’s a good thing to “cleanse the replay palate” occasionally in order to maintain interest. I’ll be updating our little community on that project as soon as we hit the end of that month.
But why would a guy like me want to begin a project like this to relive a year in his youth that’s difficult to remember in detail? Simply put, my father. By unwrapping these cards, reading these names and taking that trip back in time, I get to feel his presence next to me. When one of his favorite players does something marvelous (a Frank Robinson home run, a pitching performance with a mountain of strikeouts for Nolan Ryan, etc.) I hear him cheering in my mind. I get to feel what I most assuredly saw when I was 6…my dad enjoying baseball and showing me what it was all about.
Yet I’m also taken back in time to that first feeling of what it’s like to be included and celebrated in a group of baseball fans–and belonging to a community. Isn’t that what my point has been since I started my internet presence? Community, belonging, enjoyment and fun.
Nevertheless, enjoy this link to some numbers and progress in the summer of 1974. You can thank the good people at iScore for creating a great app that gives us these reports so easily and neatly. It makes for such simple sharing. Know that this guy is enjoying this season unfolding on his table top. And rest assured that he also feels more connected to his father now than ever, simply by playing a few games of Strat-O-Matic and getting lost in the moments. Truly, it doesn’t take long to feel dad next to me, enjoying the action and exhorting his favorites to succeed. Come to think of it, that feeling is going to be a wonderful source of warmth this autumn and winter.
I think I’ll get back to my cards and dice now. I’m fairly certain I hear Dad calling. There must be a game on.
Bruce is a SABR Membership Ambassador, Social Media Director of the Baseball Memories Chartered Community and Chair of the Northern New England Chapter, serving the great states of Maine and New Hampshire.
