Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams (1989) Board Game

Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams is a board game released in 1989 by The Avalon Hill Game Co. It is a simulation sports game that allows players to recreate historic baseball matchups using statistical data from real players. The game is designed for 1–2 players and has a runtime of around 20 minutes.

Game Components of Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams

Player cards: For most Major League players, including position players and pitchers, with detailed ratings and statistics.

Fast Action Cards (FACs): A deck of 98 cards with random results, using an octal system to generate numbers from 11 to 88.

Game board: A rectangular board resembling a baseball diamond, with spots for placing player and pitcher cards.

Additional cards: For bunting, base stealing, extra bases, and other game actions.

Charts and scoresheets: For determining outcomes such as base stealing and extra-base hits.

How To Setup Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams

Setting up Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams involves choosing teams, pitchers, and lineups. Each player card indicates the positions a player can play and the number of games they can play in a season. The game board is arranged to resemble a baseball diamond, with spots for the player and pitcher cards. The Fast Action Cards are shuffled and ready for use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Random Number Generation: Using the Fast Action Cards to simulate game outcomes.

Pitcher-Batter Interaction: The outcome of an at-bat is determined by comparing the pitcher’s PB rating to the number on the Fast Action Card.

Advanced Actions: Managers can make decisions such as bunting, base-stealing, and hitting-and-running, which are resolved using the Fast Action Cards and player ratings.

Game Objective: To simulate a realistic baseball game or season, with the goal of winning games and potentially a championship.

Player Experience

Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams offers a deep and immersive baseball simulation experience. Players can engage in both solitary and head-to-head play, managing teams and making strategic decisions. The game’s complexity and attention to detail make it appealing to baseball enthusiasts and fans of simulation games. The ability to create custom player cards adds a layer of personalization and replayability.

Pros

High Customization: Players can create their own player cards using provided formulas.

Realistic Simulation: Includes features like injuries, rainouts, and ejections, making the game feel authentic.

Strategic Depth: Allows for advanced managerial decisions, adding a layer of strategy to the game.

Community Support: Despite the game being out of production, it still has a dedicated following with new card sets being created and shared.

Cons

Complex Setup: The game requires a significant amount of setup and understanding of the rules.

Time-Consuming: Creating custom player cards can be labor-intensive.

Out of Production: New official cards are no longer produced, though the community continues to support the game.

Personal Thoughts on Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams

Statis Pro Baseball Great Teams is ideal for baseball aficionados and those who enjoy deep, strategic simulations. The game’s ability to recreate historical teams and players, along with its high level of customization, makes it a treasure for fans looking to relive or reimagine baseball history. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and the time required to set up and learn the rules.

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