MLB Showdown Cards

#ShotsFriday Psychographics: Smallballers

                Very interesting week for #Shotsfriday. We have a three way tie for second with four shots thanks to @Orioles881 picking up a shot with Giancarlo Stanton. @Kris_Barnes7 and @Jmoeller05 also picked up a shots with Stanton. That makes 3 for @Kris_Barnes7, 2 for @Jmoeler05 and seven for Stanton. @BenBoozer623 also picked up his third shot with Khris Davis’s first (the other Khris Davis). Remember to tweet us who you think will homer in todays game using the hashtag #ShotsFriday or at me @MLBShowdownguru.

                Today I am finishing the last of our “Psychographics” series. I have enjoyed explaining why I think players play Showdown at the most core level. If you think I have missed a major reason why people play our game (over other games) please contact me in the comments or via E-mail: Redsoxman2011@Gmail.com

                Our final psychographic, as those who read the Monday article (when it is up) know is our Smallballers. Smallballers in short want to make decisions to win or lose the game. Smallballers know that there is a lot of luck that goes into a game of Showdown. Somewhere around 150 rolls of a 20 sided dice determine the outcome of any game. Smallballers want to remove a lot of the “credit” and “blame” for wins and losses and put those things back on the player.

                 These players want to play games where they have lots of decisions. The three primary ones are stealing/advancing, substituting and switching pitchers. The way that these players ensure these situations come up is that they build their team around the decisions they want to make.

 If they want to steal they will have lots of speed A players and especially value +20 speed players. They aren’t against stealing with speed B players, but speed A players guarantee event against the best defenses they can still attempt advances. They also can choose not to make that decision. That is still a decision to them.

If they want to make lots of switches you will see and interesting combination of players on the bench. A high OB guy may be a pinch hitter to be. A low OB, monster chart player might but a fun switch in player. A +20 speed player will be a pinch runner. A +5 fielding middle infielder may also be a late inning switch. Of course any player that fits more than one of those molds is an even more desirable candidate.

 If they want to make lots of bullpen moves they may carry 7 different relievers. These won’t all be 6 control, 1-15 out for 150 point players. You will see a range of control and outs and point costs. You will likely see a 2 IP guy and usually at least one 1/3 IP guy. This usually means lower IP starters.

What we do to ensure we make a game that is fun for our Smallballers is ensuring there are a certain amount of +20 speed players for starters. We also try and ensure there is at least one speed A player at each position (when possible). We also ensure the utility player pool is stockpiled. By making 12 hitters per team we have a good amount of utility players. We make sure there are ten 1/3 IP players and ten 2 IP players in each class. We want to make sure all tools are available for these players to make teams that can be manipulated.

10: @TomWyliehart – 2012 Champ

4: @Avery25

4: @BucNforthecard

4: @Roktikitiki

4: @Orioles881 (1)

3: @MLBShowdownguru 

3: @Benboozer623 (1)

3: Kris_Barnes7 (1)

2: @Youngfarm

2: @TherealJohnR (1 Extra pick)

2: TweeterLeGrand
2: @JMoeller05 (1)

1: @Piatz1019

1: @KyleVanPelt – 2011 Champ

1: @GregLeasure

1: MLBShowdown247 

Playerboard

11: Jose Abreu

7: Giancarlo Stanton (3)

4: Pedro Alvarez

3: Josh Donaldson

2: Mark Trumbo

2: Miguel Cabrera

2: Chris Davis

2: Nelson Cruz

1: Albert Pujols

1: Josh Hamilton

1: Mike Trout

1: Justin Upton

1: Yeonis Cespedes

1: Starling Marte

1: Joey Votto

1: Troy Tulowitzki

1: Yasiel Puig

1: Scott Van Syke

1: Brandon Moss

1: Adam Dunn

1: Jose Bautista

1: Khris Davis (1, the other one)