OOTP is the type of game that can seem very overwhelming to newcomers, given all of the options and tools available to the user. Veterans of the series eagerly anticipate each yearly release, but for those skeptical of trying it out due to the complexities of the game, this guide is for you. There are three basic game types to choose from:

• Standard MLB, which is what this guide will cover.
• Historical Season, which is similar to Standard MLB, except that instead of starting with current day MLB rosters and settings, you can start your career with any MLB season dating back to 1871. Most of the tips in this guide can be applied to this mode as well.
• Custom, which is recommended for those who have played the game for some time as there are a lot of customizable options here. Once you are comfortable with OOTP, you will start many games using the custom game creation wizard.

When you choose to start a standard MLB game, you’ll want to first make some basic decisions as to what type of game you want to play. You have the option to run your team from the perspective of the manager, general manager, or both. I personally prefer to let the computer manage the games themselves as I find the front office experience a lot more fun. Plus, you’ll have the option to manage specific games whenever you feel like it.

Also, you’ll need to decide if you want total control over the entire league. If so, play in Commissioner Mode, as this will allow you to edit other teams’ finances, lineups, and more. This option can be changed at any time, so don’t feel locked in with your decision. For instance, in the most recent game I created, I turned on the option so I could move Josh Hamilton over to the Rangers. For a more realistic experience, you’ll want to enable the game to fire you if you underperform, at which time you’ll have to find new work.

After you select your team, the game boots up to your manager home page. First, I suggest taking a look at your manager settings. This is an important screen because you delegate some tasks to the computer. I like to maintain control over everything except for minor league lineups and minor league promotions and demotions.

If you want a more traditional GM experience, you can also elect to allow your manager to set daily lineups. This will allow you to progress faster by simming weeks or even months at a time. And if you plan on doing just that, you can select when the game will stop simulating to notify you that one of your players is injured.

From there, you’ll want to review the Game Settings. There are a ton of things you can edit and change, but there are some basic choices to make to help customize the game to your liking. Under the Global Settings tab, I like to change all of the rating system options from 1-20 to the MLB standard of 20-80.

As you can imagine, the League Settings tab has plenty of options. You can edit the league structure, team names and colors, and much more. For example, I always enable the DH in the NL, because I love offense. You can also decide whether to have your league automatically evolve. If you leave this on, you’ll see things like an increase to roster sizes, a change to the number of option years, etc.

After you have your league setup the way you like, it’s time to dig in and take stock of your team. Clicking the dollar sign icon towards the right will give you an overview of your team’s finances. It helps to see how big your payroll is now and going forward, your upcoming free agents, ticket prices, and much more.

Then take a look at your lineups. You can change these however you like, or you can let your manager set the lineups for you. Using the 7-Day Lineups tab lets you plan your lineups in advance. This is a great option if you want to plan some rest for your starters over the coming week.

If you notice any weak areas in your squad, you can try and improve though free agency or trades. The trade screen lets you see what offers you can get for current players on your roster, and it lets you try and craft a trade for that superstar or prospect you’ve had your eye on.

If you find a player you want to keep your eye on, right click on this name and add him to a shortlist. You can create multiple shortlists and easily see an overview of all shortlisted players with one click of the magnifying glass to the right. I like to create one just for the prospects within my organization, so I can see at a glance how the future of my organization looks. This also helps if you want to call someone up to the big leagues and are considering one of your blue chippers.

When you decide that you’re ready to get on with the season, you can choose to move time forward as slow as fast as you like. Sim one day at a time. Sim until the end of the month. Sim to the end of the season. Or even sim five or more years at a time. It’s all about how you want to play the game. I prefer to take it one day at a time, adjusting my team and lineup as dictated by injuries and performance. Don’t be afraid to send your under performing catcher to the minors for more seasoning.

As you can see, OOTP is big on customization. To get more familiar with all it has to offer, don’t be afraid to click around to all of the different screens. As you get more comfortable with the game, you’ll learn new ways to tailor it to your liking. While the Show has done a fantastic job at creating a realistic on-the-field baseball game, OOTP has mastered the front office experience. Dive in today and do your best to lead your club to years of continued success.