OOTP Baseball:Screens and Menus/Player Profile/Player Profile/Strategy

The Player Strategy screen allows you to define specific individual player strategies that are used when you auto-play games:

The "Lock Strategy" button will prevent any changes from being made to the team's strategy when a new manager is hired.

The Player Strategy screen is completely optional. Even if you do not touch these settings, the AI will do its best to manage your team effectively when you auto-play games. These settings, however, allow you to micromanage where it suits your tastes. Additionally, if you play out your games, there is no need to configure your strategy settings, since you will determine your strategy on the fly!

If you enjoyed setting overall team strategies, then the Player Strategy screen will be right up your alley. If you have a lightning-fast runner and want to give him the green light every time he reaches base, you can set that preference here. Worried that your aged starter won't last the whole season? Put him on a limited pitch count here.

The Player Strategy screen is another two-paned screen. The top pane is a player list, on which you can take advantage of OOTP's Views, Filters, and many of the Common Drop-Downs. Review those sections to get a better understanding of how to manipulate the data on this screen to suit your needs.

The bottom pane starts out blank. To set a player's strategy, drag the player onto the bottom pane of the screen. This will reveal his strategy options. There are several sections in which to set player strategies, some for batting and some for pitching. Each player has both batting and pitching settings. Of course, you don't generally need to set pitching strategies for hitters. (If you don't have a designated hitter in your league, it's a good idea to set hitting strategies for your pitchers!)

Overall Strategy Tab

The info in the tables below can be found on the OVERALL STRATEGY Tab under the STRATEGY Tab on your teams page.

Global Strategy Settings

Option	Description
Starting Pitcher Max Pitch Count	If an individual pitch count is not set on a starter, then this setting will apply. Note: functions for the actual starter, so it will apply to openers if they are being used. Controls the maximum length to keep a starter in the game. While pitchers may slightly bypass their targets in some cases (ie. a long AB, or occasionally they may be left for another batter in an attempt to finish an inning). Most pitchers will be pulled roughly 10-15 pitches before they reach the pitch count, although certainly if they allow many runs can be pulled earlier.
Relief Pitcher Max Pitch Count	Similar to the SP pitch count limit, except for relievers.
Use of Openers	This setting will impact how often your team may consider using an opener. If the setting is set to a minimum value, then the team will never use an opener, even if players are designated as such. If the setting is shifted all the way to the max, then the team may elect to use an opener/follower even when not specified by other strategy settings (although generally only if the designated starter is tired or below average)
Opener Lineups	This is a toggle of either "No Opener Lineups" or "Use Opener Lineup"
If facing an Opener	If the option above is set to "Use Opener Lineup" this will allow you to pick "Base Lineup on Opener" or "Base Lineup on likely follower" So to pretty much break this down, if someone is using a left handed pitcher as an opener, but plan on bringing in a right handed pitcher after, you can try and have your team start your vs RHP over vs LHP
Defensive Substitutions	Defensive Substitutions: While defensive changes may happen anytime, especially as the team decides who to leave in after a pinch hit situation, as you near or pass the inning listed here, the team may opt to lean towards a more defensive setup. Otherwise, when the specified inning and score situation is in place, then defensive subs will be more aggressively considered. There may still be some cases where a defensive substitution does not take place (if the defensive sub is tired, or there is not enough improvement in defense by the specified replacements)
Position Player Pinch Hit starting in...	If set, then that will be a strict inning (unless if a player has their strategy set differently) in which to consider pinch hitting. As a default option, the inning will vary, depending on score, game importance, player talent levels, etc...
Default Batting bench when fatigue %	This setting will force any position player, if their fatigue level is below the set percent level, to sit for that game so they can rest. You can set this from 1-100 but most people will use around 90%
Default SP bench when fatigue %	Just like above this will force a starter not to pitch if their fatigue level is below the set percent level.
Default RP bench when fatigue %	Like the other two settings this will not allow a RP to pitch if their fatigue is below the set percent level. This is used to prevent tired RP from pitching. Now if all of your RP's are tired, this setting will be ignored.

Offensive Strategy Settings

Option	Description
Stealing Bases	Defines the frequency with which the player will attempt to steal bases
Base-Running	Defines how aggressively the player will run the bases (attempt to stretch a single into a double, for example)
Hit and Run	Defines how frequently the player will use the hit and run play, in which one or more baserunners are put in motion before the ball is hit. The batter tries to make contact whether the pitch is a ball or strike. Hit and run plays can result in a runner going from first to third on a single, or even scoring from first on a double. This play is usually put on with a good contact hitter at the plate.
Sacrifice Bunt	Defines how frequently the player will try to advance baserunners using the sacrifice bunt.
Squeeze Bunt	controls how often to try for a squeeze play (bunt runner home from 3B)
Bunt for Hit	Defines how frequently the player will try to bunt for a hit.

Pitching & Defensive Strategy

Option	Description
Pitch Around	Controls how early and often to pitch around batters. The higher the setting, the earlier in the game it will be considered, and the less gap needed between the next batter's talent level, in order to call for a pitch around
Intentional Walk	Controls when and how much talent gap to consider an intentional walk. Adjusting the slider will adjust what talent gap is needed to consider an intentional walk, as well as how early.
Hold Runners	This controls how often to attempt a pickoff throw. A higher modifier will throw over to the base more in an attempt to pick off runners
Infield In: Corners In: Guard Lines:	These settings all control how early to modify the infield defensive alignment, as well as a little bit in what situations (ie. a low infield in slider will not bring the infield in in larger score differences)
Use Infield Shifts	This impacts both how early and how often to run infield shifts on batters. A lower slider may not shift as aggressively early in the game, whereas a high shift slider will attempt to shift on more players, all the time.
Use Outfield Shifts	This impacts the left-right shift of outfielders. Do note that many players have a (slight) natural tendency to push balls in the air to the opposite field. Varying this setting will tend to control more who gets shifted against, with the higher the setting the more players that may get shifted.
Shift Outfield Depth	This controls when and how often outfield depth will be adjusted (both playing in and shallow for weak hitters, or deep for power bats). While some situations will always still play in or deep, the higher the strategy slider, the potentially more than the outfield will shift in those cases, and the more batters will be considered as potentially "power" or "weak" hitters in order to apply the shifts.

Substitution Strategy Settings

Option	Description
Hook Starting Pitcher	this will control how aggressive the AI will replace the pitcher. A hook setting of Very Quick will very aggressively move to replace the pitcher, a hook setting of Very Slow may end up trying to get an extra few batters out of the pitcher, even past the point they would be "tired".
Hook Relief Pitcher	Defines how quickly the computer will pull this pitcher when used as a reliever. (An opener will use the Starting Pitcher hook)
L/R Pitching Matchups	This is mostly related to "LOOGY" usage. It will also impact how often to replace a pitcher with an opposite-handed pitcher during normal gameplay situations
L/R Batting Matchups	In pinch-hit situations, how much to value or consider platoon advantages when selecting the hitter. This can both impact how early to potentially remove a player who is at a platoon disadvantage, and which hitter to potentially use as a pinch hitter. Note: if the Min PH Inning is set for the team or player to anything other than "Default", then this setting is not used in how early to consider pinch hitting for a player at a disadvantage.
Pinch-Hit for Pitchers	This impact how aggressive to pinch hit or double switch for pitchers
Pinch-Hit for Position Players	This impacts how aggressive to pinch hit for position players. If "Default" is set for min inning, then a higher pinch hit setting will start hitting for players earlier. It always controls how much of a gap between players may be needed in order to consider pinch hitting. Very low settings will rarely if ever hit for a position player, settings at the max will consider a pinch hitter very frequently.
Use Pinch Runners	This impacts how aggressive to pinch run for players.

Player Strategy Settings Tab

You can also find this strategy tab under the teams page by clicking on the Strategy Tab and then Player Strategy Tab. This section will be broken down into two sections, Pitcher and Batter. When you click on this tab, on the left hand side you will see all the players on your team. To start to set a players strategy just left click and hold on their name and drag to the right and drop in middle panel. NOTE: To see and set your minor league players, you must first select and by under your minor league team. You can always right click on a players name (From any page that has a list of your players like the Organization page) and select "Set Game Strategy" to quickly enter a teams strategy page.

MODE

What is the mode setting? There are 2 main modes for player strategy settings: Adjust to team strategy settings, and Override team strategy settings. MODE will not be placed in all these tables. For batters, they have this option once (Unless they are designated as a two-way player) under the offensive strategy section and pitchers will have it twice, once for offensive strategy and once to pitching strategy.

Adjust to team strategy settings: If this option is selected, then the player strategy (in general) will ADD to the team setting. So if the player strategy is set all the way to the max, but the team setting is all the way to the min, then adjusting to team strategy will "cancel out" and the player will be treated as if their setting is in the middle. Generally, the combined settings cannot surpass the limits of any one slider.

Override team strategy settings: In this case, the player setting will completely override the team setting, regardless of score and inning. So if this is selected, you may max out a single player's steal slider, for example, while setting the team slider to the min, and the player will attempt to steal frequently. However note that this applies to ALL settings. In some cases, this will be the only way to maximize an individual setting (in the case listed, if the team slider is at a min, then using "Adjust" will not be able to push a player's individual setting past the mid-point).

Offensive Strategy

These settings are the same as the global settings above but give more precise control over your player as the explanation based on the MODE selection.

Option	Description
Stealing Bases	Defines the frequency with which the player will attempt to steal bases
Base-Running	Defines how aggressively the player will run the bases (attempt to stretch a single into a double, for example)
Hit & Run	Defines how frequently the player will use the hit and run play, in which one or more baserunners are put in motion before the ball is hit. The batter tries to make contact whether the pitch is a ball or strike. Hit and run plays can result in a runner going from first to third on a single, or even scoring from first on a double. This play is usually put on with a good contact hitter at the plate.
Sacrifice Bunt	Defines how frequently the player will try to advance baserunners using the sacrifice bunt.
Bunt for Hit	Defines how frequently the player will try to bunt for a hit.

Depth Chart Settings (Position Player)

Option	Description
Force Start/Use at Position	Forces the AI to use a certain player at a specific position, regardless of what the AI thinks is the best fit for the player.
Force Lineup Spot	Forces the AI to use a certain player in a specific place in the batting order vs. either LHP or RHP.
Bench when fatigue %	Specifies the minimum fatigue percentage level that will force this player to be benched.
Available as Def Sub if Tired	Tired: If checked, then the player may be subbed into the game as a defensive sub. If unchecked, then the player will not be considered as a valid defensive sub (although may still be used as a PH if that setting is set, or always in case of injury or other substitution which forces them in)
Min Inning to remove for defensive sub	This drop down box will allow choices for default, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th inning to chose when to remove this player for a defensive sub.
Min Inning to insert as defensive sub	This drop down box will allow choices for default, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th inning to chose when to put this player in as a defensive sub.

Pinch-Hit Settings

Option	Description
Never lift for a pinch hitter	Check this box when you never want to pinch hit for the selected player. This setting is typically used for elite hitters.
Save for high leverage PH Chance	When considering pinch hit options, if checked, the player will not be used in a low leverage pinch hit chance, and will be more likely to be used in a high leverage chance. Note that this setting may not force them to be used in those situations - the top PH options or other bench players may still be used ahead of them. But it will prevent them from consideration in a low-leverage situation
Never use as a pinch hitter when tired	Check this box to prevent the computer from putting in a tired player to pinch hit. This setting is used in cases where you put someone on the bench to rest him, and you don't want him to become fatigued by playing in the game.
Min Inning to remove for a Pinch Hitter	the override setting to the team setting, as described above. Note: This ALWAYS overrides the team setting if specified, other than "Default" which will use exactly as the team has specified.
Pinch Hit for Player	player setting relating to the "PH for Position Player" setting on the team. Adjusts or overrides the team setting, as specified.
PH Platoon Usage	When being considered as a pinch hitter, will adjust/override the team L/R Batting Matchups setting. Will also be used in consideration by the player potentially being pinch hit for as well

Roster Strategy Settings

• Use as a Two-Way Player - If this is checked, the Pitching Strategy section of player strategy will show up above the Roster Strategy Settings. To control if a player is to be used as a two-way player. If checked, then he will show up on both lineup and pitching rotation lists, and will be considered available to use either batting or pitching. If not, then he will only be used as his overall position is set to. For minor league players, if AI control of promotion/demotion/strategy is set to minor league managers, then the AI manager may override this setting based on their perception of the player. To avoid this, use the "lock player to team" box above, which will prevent that AI control. (NOTE: Under pitchers this setting is in the middle panel over the right panel *If using split page vertically option*)

Option	Description
Bench Player for X Days	Setting this number above 0 causes the player to be benched. This means he will not participate in any games regardless of whether he is listed in the lineups or depth charts. This is often used if you want to force a pitcher to rest heading into the playoffs, etc. There is no morale penalty for benching a player. (NOTE: Under pitchers this setting is in the middle panel over the right panel *If using split page vertically option*)
Bench Player if DtD Injury	To control how and when to play a player if he has an injury that he can play through (Day-to-Day injury). Letting the manager decide will use the same logic as an AI team can use, otherwise, you can specify what overall severity to sit players for. This severity is separate from the individual effects, so, for example, a pitching injury severity will be mostly based on the "influences throwing" impact, but can be modified by the others too. (NOTE: Under pitchers this setting is in the middle panel over the right panel *If using split page vertically option*)
Use as a two-way player	If this is checked, the Pitching Strategy section of player strategy will show up above the Roster Strategy Settings. To control if a player is to be used as a two-way player. If checked, then he will show up on both lineup and pitching rotation lists, and will be considered available to use either batting or pitching. If not, then he will only be used as his overall position is set to. For minor league players, if AI control of promotion/demotion/strategy is set to minor league managers, then the AI manager may override this setting based on their perception of the player. To avoid this, use the "lock player to team" box above, which will prevent that AI control. (NOTE: Under pitchers this setting is in the middle panel over the right panel *If using split page vertically option*)
Lock to Team/Lock strategy settings	Checking this box locks the selected player to his current team. This means that the AI will never promote or demote this player. It also locks all the strategy of this player and prevents the AI from changing the strategy you have set. If you are in control of these settings under your manager settings, then there is no need to check this box, but if you have your minor league managers designated to run your minors, then you will want to use this check box. (NOTE: Under pitchers this setting is in the middle panel over the right panel *If using split page vertically option*)

Pitching Strategy

Option	Description
Hook Starting Pitcher	this will control how aggressive the AI will replace the pitcher. A hook setting of Very Quick will very aggressively move to replace the pitcher, a hook setting of Very Slow may end up trying to get an extra few batters out of the pitcher, even past the point they would be "tired".
Hook Relief Pitcher	Defines how quickly the computer will pull this pitcher when used as a reliever. (An opener will use the Starting Pitcher hook)
Pitch Around	Controls how early and often to pitch around batters. The higher the setting, the earlier in the game it will be considered, and the less gap needed between the next batter's talent level, in order to call for a pitch around
Intentional Walk	Controls when and how much talent gap to consider an intentional walk. Adjusting the slider will adjust what talent gap is needed to consider an intentional walk, as well as how early.
Hold Runners	This controls how often to attempt a pickoff throw. A higher modifier will throw over to the base more in an attempt to pick off runners
Infield In: Guard Lines:	These settings all control how early to modify the infield defensive alignment, as well as a little bit in what situations (ie. a low infield in slider will not bring the infield in in larger score differences)
Use Infield Shifts	This impacts both how early and how often to run infield shifts on batters. A lower slider may not shift as aggressively early in the game, whereas a high shift slider will attempt to shift on more players, all the time.
Use Outfield Shifts	This impacts the left-right shift of outfielders. Do note that many players have a (slight) natural tendency to push balls in the air to the opposite field. Varying this setting will tend to control more who gets shifted against, with the higher the setting the more players that may get shifted.
Shift Outfield Depth	This controls when and how often outfield depth will be adjusted (both playing in and shallow for weak hitters, or deep for power bats). While some situations will always still play in or deep, the higher the strategy slider, the potentially more than the outfield will shift in those cases, and the more batters will be considered as potentially "power" or "weak" hitters in order to apply the shifts.
Aggressive Tiredness Hook	If selected, the pitcher will be more aggressively pulled when they are tiring in the game, even if they are pitching well or the team has a comfortable lead.

Pitching Limits (0 = No Limit)

Option	Description
Pitch Count	May also be set directly from the staff, will generally act as a max pitch count for the pitcher. If set, they will use this value, and not what is set in the team strategy setting.
Batters Faced	If you wish to limit the pitcher by how many batters they face rather than directly by number of pitches, this option may also be used. If both this and a pitch count are set, then whichever is reached first will generally trigger the pitcher being removed. Like with pitch counts, there may be cases where a pitcher goes past the limit (ie. to finish an inning).

Pitching Staff Settings

Option	Description
Force Role	If the AI is setting up the depth charts, can use this to force into either a starter, closer, or general relief role. If the mananger controls the staff, then this may potentially only act as a suggestion. Of note: usually starters who have a forced role will be placed as the #1 starter, as they are filled before others. If this is not desired, then either more starters need roles forced, or you may need to take manual control.
SP Bench when fatigue %	Similar to the batter's option, if this is set, then fatigue below this amount will treat the pitcher as "tired" for the game, and thus likely either avoid pitching them or use an emergency starter instead. Note that this applies to their pitching fatigue, and will also apply according to the role they are intended to be used for (ie. if they are set as a SP, but are not in the starting rotation, then the game may check this value against their "RP Fatigue" level which may differ from what is shown in player popups)
RP Bench when fatigue %	Works the same as SP Bench when fatigue %
Use as Opener/Use as Follower	These will set the secondary pitching role, so a pitcher may only have one of them specified at a time. If set, they will be considered first as an opener or follower if the team settings allow it. Do note that if you have a starter set as a follower, if no player with a designated opener setting is available, the game may choose any reliever to fill that role (or skip the opener/follower for the game and run it traditionally). The opener setting is generally used to first choose an opener option, and the game will generally choose a player with the opener setting even if they are slightly more tired instead of choosing a reliver who is not specified as an opener.

There are two ways to handle an Opener/Follower system, differing slightly in their exact mechanics:

• Set starters in the rotation normally, and in their game strategies, set them to be Followers. In your bullpen, set some relievers (usually around 2) to have a secondary role of Opener. When a starter's spot in the rotation comes up and he's marked as a Follower, one of the Openers will start instead if they're rested. If no Openers are available, the starter will start himself (unless opener usage for the team is set to "always" in Team Strategy, in which case a random reliever will be used.) Using this method, the Openers may still pitch other games in the bullpen according to their primary role, so that situation is more likely to happen.
• Put relievers in the rotation with their strategy set to Opener, and then put the starters in the bullpen with their secondary role set to Follower. In this case, the Openers will never pitch in relief, but the Followers may, leading to them not being rested enough to work as a Follower in a particular game.

Note that in both cases a player placed in the rotation must use the Player Strategy option to set his status as an Opener or Follower, and a player in the bullpen must use the Secondary Role to set his status as an Opener or Follower.

The league-wide AI use of Openers can be set in the General Strategic Tendencies section of the Stats and AI tab of the League Settings screen.