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Player Data

Summary: Player data - explaining all the non-rating fields and characteristics of players

Name

Each player's name is generated randomly, based on common U.S. names from the 1990s. A player's name has no impact on his performance. Some lucky teams may have a Winthrop or two (see StoryOfWinthrop).

Position

Each player has a primary position - this is the position for which their defensive ratings are judged for. If a player plays out of position, his Range and Glove ratings (but not his Arm rating for any position except Catcher) will be reduced. The actual reduction depends on the qualified position of the player and the position he is playing at. Generally, players at more difficult positions see a lesser reduction than players at easy positions. For example, a shortstop playing first base will not have a significant drop in performance, but a first baseman playing short will. Specific details can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions help file.

Age

The age (in years) of a batter. Can never be less than 17; there is no theoretical upper limit, but they'll retire before they get too old. Players age one year at the end of each season, and the effects of aging will take their toll. As players age, their ratings increase, then decline. Not all ratings peak and decline at the same rate - Speed, for example, peaks early, whereas Discipline peaks late. Similarly, not all players peak at the same age (some blossom early, some are late bloomers), and not all players decline at the same rate (some decline rapidly, some decline slowly). Generally, players should reach their peak performance (i.e. get as close to their potential ratings as possible) sometime in the late 20's. When a player retires, the age shown is the age he was at the time he retired.

Experience

How many years of experience a player has. Experience is increased by one after each season in which a player had at least 130 plate appearances or 30 innings pitched. Has no real impact on performance in the game at this time.

Bats and Throws

The hand by which a batter bats and throws. An "S" indicates a switch-hitter. Switch-hitters will always bat on the opposite side of the plate from the opposing pitcher.

Height and Weight

Purely informational. Height never changes - players are assumed to be at their adult height when they start playing professional baseball. Weight can change over time, especially as a player ages and his ratings change (young players who bulk up in their 20's, older players who slow down and get a little porkier, etc.). No significant impact on game performance (but some say a tall first-baseman with a good stretch is worth something).

Salary

The amount of money you're team is paying this year for a player. Player contracts are automatically re-negotiated at the end of each season, and players automatically resign with their team. Although CSFBL does not impose any strict salary cap, all teams have $50 million to spend. Money not spent on salaries is used towards player development, drills, and scouting. You can not negotiate a player's salary; they know what they want, and they're going to get it - unless you cut them.

Career

Reflects how well the player feels about continuing his career. Players that feel good about their career are less likely to retire. Generally, most young players and players that continue to perform well and get playing time in later years will still feel pretty good about continuing their careers. The happier a player is, the greater his chance to come back next year. A player unhappy with his career has a fair chance to end his career at the end of the season. You can offset a player's desire to retire by giving him playing time, but if he performs poorly, it may do more harm than good.