I've been playing APBA since I was 12; 41 years. Tons of great memories playing against friends and even playing solo; baseball, football and golf.
What I'm going to briefly explain is the best experience I've ever had.
I have the 1997 season and decided to play a best of 7 series between the Mariners and Orioles as both teams were playoff teams that year and the Orioles actually took out the M's in the divisional round, three games to one.
This was a face to face best of seven series against my 16-year old son. He is a modern kid that spends too much time on his electronic devices unless they are pried away from him. He's a good kid; just a young man born in 2004. He plays baseball (not this year as it was all canceled) and gets great grades; just finished his Sophomore year of high school.
Over time, I've convinced him to try APBA with me. Reluctant at first, I can tell he's grown to like it, even "asking" to play. We play the Master game.
I proposed this concept to him - best of 7 in pretend ALCS; he can take our hometown Mariners (we actually live in a suburb outside of what has become a crazed Seattle proper, but this is not a political email) - and I will manage the Orioles.
Cut to the chase - series is tied 3-3 with game 7 happening today. Mike Mussina vs Randy Johnson for a third time (we only used a 3-man rotation). Mussina won the first contest. Johnson the second. Now, game 7 for all the marbles.
The Mariners jump out 2-0 in the bottom of the first on a Roberto Kelly double, A-Rod triple and a sac fly from Edgar to LF.
It stays 2-0 to the 5th with Randy Johnson no-hitting the O's. But control becomes an issue amongst the strikeouts as RJ is a 20XY. In the top of the 5th, Johnson strikes out the side, but also walks four guys and in between it's 2-1 Mariners, and the no-no still intact.
To the 7th we go. No-no intact. Rafael Palmeiro (-7 vs LH) up; dice roll 66 for a 1 and the HR; the Orioles only hit ties it at 2-2!
Game stays tied at 2 as we head to the 10th. By now, both Mussina and RJ have given way to the bullpen's and the O's pen is much better than Seattle's.
Geronimo Berroa gets a single (2nd hit for the O's), with two out in the 10th off Bobby Ayala. My son then brings in Norm Charlton to face Palmeiro. Charlton is a 1 pt lefty. He gets the 5 point boost to make him a 6, then the added -7 and Norm's a 13. He gets Palmeiro out.
Bottom of the 10th.
Game tied at 2. Benitez on the hill for the O's; 18 XYW. Dan Wilson up. My son does not PH. Dice roll 66 for a 0, but Wilson is a -6 vs RH so the 18 is a 24 and the 0 turns into a 7. Single to RF.
No pinch runner despite my commentary to at least consider it.
Wilson was batting 9th.
Roberto Kelly up. Benitez gets him out. Fly out to LF.
A-Rod up; again an out; another fly out to LF.
Up to bat comes Ken Griffey Jr; the AL MVP of 1997.
Earlier in the game, my son tried to steal A-Rod in front of Griffey; rolled a 66 (would have been a HR, but A-Rod is caught stealing).
Enter Arthur Rhodes. 14 point, XYZ, left handed. Griffey is -9 vs LHP in 1997. Rhodes has got Griffey out multiple times in the series.
Two out. Wilson on first. Game tied 2-2.
Rhodes is a 19 to Griffey with the five point bump, and thus a 28 with the -9.
A trip to the World Series on the line.
Dice Roll 66 for a 1. HR from Junior and the Mariners win 4-2 and go to the World Series.
My son goes bananas. IT. WAS. AWESOME!
Thank you! Thank you!
☺��⚾
