Ian, you have been putting this game together for a long time it really shows. This game has so much depth and is so steeped in reality that I totally understand why people really love playing your game and with fictional players! What ever happens I have created it on my table and I have no history to screw that up, its my world. The reality of getting 13 runs and 20 hits and being shut out in the next game is totally real. How many times have you said I wish they would saved some of those hits for tomorrow in real life.
Obviously I really am enjoying myself,
Stuart G.
"Your pitching fatigue, rest, and poise system might be the best implementation of Pitcher fatigue/usage I’ve seen in many, many games, including MLB sims."
Bob Bohi
"I also really like fictional players, because I can draft a league, not knowing what to expect, or be disappointed by the performance of real players, and basically write a storyline that’s completely new."
Frank Burgo
"On-Deck Baseball is amazing! I can't believe how quickly and fluidly the game plays. I'm a huge fan of the individualized batter and pitcher grids, it's very easy to tell at a glance what type of performance you can expect from each player. For example, when I see a pitcher with -2/-3 ratings but lots of GB on their card I can quickly imagine a guy who doesn't fool batters with his stuff but can keep the ball in the infield with a heavy sinker when he is on. Little things like this make for a very immersive experience."
Andrew Sasinowski
"And one of the most interesting (at least to me) aspects is the use of Fatigue points for pitchers and then applying that to Pitcher's rest. This (handling the pitchers/bullpen) is something that I believe many tabletop gamers take for granted (and basically don't do much in this area) and I am finding it quite eye-opening and fun to see how some pitchers are not available (or at least at full-strength) until fully rested."
Curt Roberts
"Not sure how I happened upon this game, but I am sure glad I did! A very unique engine that individualizes each player in every category imaginable! Just an example - Turning a double play takes into account the two fielders ability and the runner's! I guess the best thing I can say about it is... It's a blast to play! And in the end that's what matters most! Thanks Ian for all the time and research you put into your first class project! Keep up the good work!"
Ray Price
"The overall quality is the best I've come across. And it's in my top 2 for best game play system"
Casey Wieczorek
"I ordered On Deck Baseball just a few days ago and it arrived very quickly. That is a plus for me when ordering. Love the fact that little time is wasted from order to arrival. It came as advertised, ready to play. I ordered the All Star special. I love the care of trying to personalize each player and organizing team colors and logos. It is easy to tell who the stars are. Very nice presentation. The box they come in is just as nice. It sorta reminds me of back in my youth buying packs of ball cards. And can definitely be used as storage.
Presentation of the teams and players *****”
Jim Ferguson
- "Received the game Thursday and spent all evening going over the rulebook with youtube, I thought getting a good grasp on how to play. But ah no. Struggled on a couple things.
Well...
Played 3 learning games today took me just under 3 hours. Alot of back and forth to the rulebook. I played the pro version.
I took the rookies and sorted out position players and 6 pitchers per side, no subs. I kept the total points real close within 5 so teams were pretty much the same caliber. Named the teams Westenders visiting the Eastside Boys. PLayed a 3 game series just to learn the rules.
Game 1:
Westenders 3
Eastside Boys 5
10 innings. Walk off 3 run HR in the 10th inning.
Game 2:
Westenders 6
Eastside Boys 2
3 HR's hit in game
Game 3:
Westenders 3
Eastside Boys 4
The intensity was there especially toward the end of the 1st game going in to extra innings and the end of the 3rd game with the home team trying to hold on for the win and series win.
Here's my mini-review:
Pros:
-Pitcher / Batter interaction
-Fielding and Arms (they have there own ratings) come into play during the game
- One big surprise was the base runner jump and pitcher hold runners rules. Really like these. I had speedsters raring to go but could not get the jump. It was cool.
-The double play game mechanics. It takes a lot longer to go through the mechanics but it is all dependent on the individual players arms/fielding and taken from the runner's card so his speed level is part of the equation. You get to really see why/how the DP works. I had one situation where the base runner on 1st beat out the throw (safe) at second and the batter got thrown out at first. That was interestingly cool. Loved it.
-Pitcher fatigue rules using the stamina rating. This is pretty neat where the pitcher after using up his stamina may get a reduction in his throwing ability.
-Player values. Not only will it help for draft leagues but also for free agency/salary cap situations.
Cons:
-Just a personal thing for me, I don't need player graphics. It doesn't enhance my game play and it takes up space on the card. I may be in the minority here but I just don't player graphics. Teams graphics yes I like that. Also, it may, possibly, get confusing if you do your own draft league to have your teams all have different colored uniforms. Maybe that won't be a big deal after a while.
Overall I really liked the game play. If I had to rate this out of 10 stars I would rate it a "10". There is a lot here to immerse yourself in. I think this is a very well thought out game system. Glad I jumped on it.
-John"
Well...
Played 3 learning games today took me just under 3 hours. Alot of back and forth to the rulebook. I played the pro version.
I took the rookies and sorted out position players and 6 pitchers per side, no subs. I kept the total points real close within 5 so teams were pretty much the same caliber. Named the teams Westenders visiting the Eastside Boys. PLayed a 3 game series just to learn the rules.
Game 1:
Westenders 3
Eastside Boys 5
10 innings. Walk off 3 run HR in the 10th inning.
Game 2:
Westenders 6
Eastside Boys 2
3 HR's hit in game
Game 3:
Westenders 3
Eastside Boys 4
The intensity was there especially toward the end of the 1st game going in to extra innings and the end of the 3rd game with the home team trying to hold on for the win and series win.
Here's my mini-review:
Pros:
-Pitcher / Batter interaction
-Fielding and Arms (they have there own ratings) come into play during the game
- One big surprise was the base runner jump and pitcher hold runners rules. Really like these. I had speedsters raring to go but could not get the jump. It was cool.
-The double play game mechanics. It takes a lot longer to go through the mechanics but it is all dependent on the individual players arms/fielding and taken from the runner's card so his speed level is part of the equation. You get to really see why/how the DP works. I had one situation where the base runner on 1st beat out the throw (safe) at second and the batter got thrown out at first. That was interestingly cool. Loved it.
-Pitcher fatigue rules using the stamina rating. This is pretty neat where the pitcher after using up his stamina may get a reduction in his throwing ability.
-Player values. Not only will it help for draft leagues but also for free agency/salary cap situations.
Cons:
-Just a personal thing for me, I don't need player graphics. It doesn't enhance my game play and it takes up space on the card. I may be in the minority here but I just don't player graphics. Teams graphics yes I like that. Also, it may, possibly, get confusing if you do your own draft league to have your teams all have different colored uniforms. Maybe that won't be a big deal after a while.
Overall I really liked the game play. If I had to rate this out of 10 stars I would rate it a "10". There is a lot here to immerse yourself in. I think this is a very well thought out game system. Glad I jumped on it.
-John"