AL East Questions and Answers

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.271	12th		Fielding %	.973	32nd		ERA	4.99	28th
Home Runs	271	4th		Double Plays	440	2nd		Strike Outs	1078	20th
Runs	891	4th		+ Plays	30	32nd		OAV	.279	27th
Steals	55	31st		- Plays	63	32nd		Saves	42	21st

You've got 4 world series titles to your name, what's brought on the success?

My World Series titles are mainly luck, I've built some pretty good teams but playoffs rarely go as they should. I just try to remain consistent and competitive, and its challenging with some of my divisional foes.
You've got 3 active teams going, two of which you are the original owner and this one where you stepped in after two seasons. What's the advantage and disadvantage of being original owner and coming in later?

I'm not sure which is better as far as an existing team or brand new team. They both have their pluses and minuses. I do enjoy being the only person to have run the teams though when looking at records and things like that.
Knowing you're a Tampa Bay Bucs' fan, what did you think of their offseason so far and what are you expecting this season?

I am a massive buccaneers fan, yes, and I'm very happy with the offseason they've had....I think there's good things on the horizon as they've addressed their glaring weaknesses well. All I want is for them to get into the playoffs and they'll have a shot!

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.284	1st		Fielding %	.984	15th		ERA	4.29	14th
Home Runs	194	18th		Double Plays	391	9th		Strike Outs	1184	1st
Runs	893	3rd		+ Plays	57	16th		OAV	.261	13th
Steals	108	22nd		- Plays	49	27th		Saves	40	22nd

You've finished 2nd in the division in seasons 2 and 3, followed by winning the division in seasons 4 and 5. What's led to the success with this team?

I believe the hitting has been the top reason for the team doing well. The pitching wasn't bad. The fielding could have been better.

You're currently running 9 active teams, what's the difference here in NCAA II compared to the other worlds?

I took a couple of those teams as one or two season favors. I really like hopkinsheel's worlds. They are ran very well, are filled fast, and seem to have no drama. If something happens in his worlds, it is taken care of immediately. In others, it doesn't seem to run as well. Pine Tar has had a hiccup, but it would be right below hop's worlds.

You're a relatively new owner (33 seasons under your belt, 12 of those in Billy Beane). What's the advice you have now that you wished you would have earlier on?

I really appreciate what hop, tk, and bighead did in putting Billy Beane together and recruiting new players. They gave a lot of information to the new guys which was very helpful. They recommended reading the developer chats and forums. I wish I had read more on the forums.

The one area that I didn't see mentioned but which I have found very helpful more recently has been coach hiring. I used to put out 2 or 3 offers for each coach that I needed. After a couple of days, I would be in #1 for each coach. I wouldn't necessarily get the top coach just one of the them. How the sim decides, I don't know. After thinking about it, I decided to just offer to one coach and move on if I couldn't afford them and I wasn't #1. It has helped me get better coaches and save some money.

I did try the C in RF that MikeT mentioned on the forums. I am not a fan unless the C can just absolutely smash the ball, and you have no better option.

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.256	24th		Fielding %	.981	27th		ERA	5.23	30th
Home Runs	158	30th		Double Plays	392	8th		Strike Outs	926	32nd
Runs	686	27th		+ Plays	85	6th		OAV	.287	30th
Steals	119	21st		- Plays	25	10th		Saves	34	29th

This is your first season in NCAA II, what made you want to join this world?

I was looking for a second team and ran across NCAA and saw that they had an active blog and turn over looked minimal. I reached out to hopkin and he was kind enough to respond to my question and after a few site mails said he had an opening in NCAA II. I had pretty much made up my mind on taking the team even without looking at it but overall I have no complaints about the team.

We know you haven't been here very long but what's the plan with Pittsburgh? Will you be going for it this season or rebuilding?

Past experiences have dictated that I tear a team up and start over which is what the original plan was going into this season. After a long look at the team I've decided that with a few key pieces I may be able to make a run at the playoffs. So the current plan is to ride the team out till near the trade deadline. If we're in shape for a playoff run then I may try to improve an area. If we're not then it'll be a wholesale fire storm on all older veterans. So I've got my fingers crossed and hoping a few FA signings will get me to the playoffs.

	Offense				Defense				Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Avg.	.275	8th		Fielding %	.984	15th		ERA	4.58	19th
Home Runs	198	16th		Double Plays	381	13th		Strike Outs	1054	23rd
Runs	835	9th		+ Plays	55	18th		OAV	.267	17th
Steals	103	24th		- Plays	29	12th		Saves	35	27th

You're in other worlds, what's the draw for you to play in NCAA II?

This league has committed owners. When I searched for an additional league I spent time looking up the longevity that NCAAII owners had in other leagues. I feel this gives a good indication of stability. Moreover this league has a great proactive commissioner in hopkinsheel and even your blog reports are welcome and a draw to league owners.

You've made 6 trades in the two season's you've been here, that's more than some owners have made in all 5 seasons. Is trading a part of the game you enjoy and use to build a team?

I think that trades can successfully benefit both trading partners and are a keep part of building. It was tough to deal 2 time MVP Sandy DePaula and he went on to win a W/S and then huge $ as a free agent. He had no future for me and now I still have three key players from that deal that are part of my future. Both sides won in this deal.

Boston College has only 1 season finishing over .500 (S1) but you came close last season finishing 82-80. What's the plan to get the franchise back over .500?

The plan hit a bump last year when I got stuck with lots of wasted dollars in IFA but I look for talent fm this pool again in Season 6. I have already tried a couple of trade offers and I have two excellent prospects that are close to ready that I am looking to deal. The goal is a 5 game improvement this year and that will get us over .500 and maybe a wild card spot.