Player Cards

The title bar of the Batter Card shows the full name of the currently selected batter as well as the batter's steal and bunt rating (see How Ratings are Calculated).  In addition, the Batter Card shows the probabilities for all the possible outcomes that can occur when a batter steps to the plate. 

Each Batter Card contains probabilities for two batters: the currently selected batter and the league average batter (see League Averages).  The probabilities on the left of the card are for the currently selected batter and the probabilities on the right are for the league average batter.  These probabilities are based on the real-life statistics (see How Basic Probabilities are Calculated) and are the driving force behind how the player will perform in a simulated game. 

Displayed at the bottom of the Batter Card are the  probabilities that the selected batter and the league average batter will get on base (OBP) and and get an extra base hit (EBP). 

While the Batter Card is a great way to compare the selected batter against the league average, the actual probabilities used during a game depend on the combined probabilities of both the current batter and the current pitcher.  These probabilities are shown on the the Combined Card.

Reading the Pitcher Card

The title bar of the Pitcher Card shows the full name of the currently selected pitcher as well as that pitcher's durability rating (see How Ratings are Calculated for more information about ratings).  In addition, the Pitcher Card shows the probabilities for all the possible outcomes that can occur when a pitcher faces a batter. 

Each Pitcher Card contains probabilities for two pitchers: the currently selected pitcher and the league average pitcher (see League Averages).  The probabilities on the left of the card are for the currently selected pitcher and the probabilities on the right are for the league average pitcher.  These probabilities are based on the real-life statistics (see How Basic Probabilities are Calculated) and are the driving force behind how the player will perform in a simulated game. 

Displayed at the bottom of the Batter Card are the  probabilities that the selected pitcher and the league average pitcher will allow a batter on base (OBP) and and give up an extra base hit (EBP). 

While the Pitcher Card is a great way to compare the selected pitcher against the league average, the actual probabilities used during a game depend on the combined probabilities of both the current batter and the current pitcher.  These probabilities are shown on the the Combined Card.

Reading the Combined Card

The Combined Card is only populated when a batter and a pitcher are selected at the same time.  The left-hand side of the Combined Card shows the probability that an event will occur if the selected batter faces the selected pitcher in a simulated game.  The right-hand side of the Combined Card shows the probability that an event will occur if the average batter faces the selected pitcher in a simulated game.    This card is a great way to determine how well a given batter will do against a given pitcher.  It is also a very good way to compare the selected batter to the league average batter.

In addition to the combined probabilities, the Combined Card also displays several adjustments that have been made to the batter's probabilities.  These adjustments are based on the pitcher's skill, the fatigue of the pitcher, the side of the plate the batter is hitting from, the arm that the pitcher throws with, the position of the infielders, the current home ballpark, and any playing time usage penalties.  A bonus or penalty for the batter is shown in the title bar as a percentage increase or decrease in the batter's chance of getting on base.

For example, if the pitcher is tired and throws with their left arm, and the batter bats from the right-side of the plate, the batter will get a double bonus.  The first bonus is assigned because the pitcher is tired and a second bonus is the result of the batter hitting right-handed when the pitcher throws left-handed.  Batters can also be assigned a penalty when the matchup is lefty vs. lefty or righty vs. right.  The degree of the bonus or penalty is determined in the Split Options dialog box.  See Split Options for more information about how the bonus/penalty is calculated.

At anytime, you can see a break down of the adjustment by hovering your mouse over the adjustment arrow to display a tooltip window.  This window will list the magnitude of each contributor to the current adjustment. 

The Combined Card is the most import card because its contents are used to determine the outcome of a pitcher/batter matchup during a simulated game.  Specifically, each outcome (SO, OUT, BB, etc.) is represented using a range.  This size of the range is directly proportional to the probability of the outcome.  When the pitcher throws a pitch to a batter in a simulated game, the game engine rolls a die with 1,000 sides.  Each number on the die represents 0.1% and the result of the roll determines the outcome.  When playing a game, the Combined Card is animated to add suspense to the result of the roll.  You can control the speed and duration of this animation in the General Options and In Game Options.

Anytime a batter's probability exceeds the league average for that probability, the probability will be highlighted in red.  This makes it easy to see the batter's strengths and weaknesses with just a quick glance at the card.  This is true in all three of the player cards.

Finally, during a game the combined card will indicate when a pitcher becomes tired by appending (Tired) to the end of the current pticher's name.