Useful Information

This page contains useful information for players re this league. There are a few things, especially for new players that we can post here and I'm sure we'll add more topics as we go.

How to play

Contact the next person on your schedule and arrange a time (need about 2 hours) for a game.  On the date/time of that game, one of you will host the other.  All this means is that the host is allowing his computer to be open to another computer connecting to it for a little while.  This is how the two people miles away can play the same software game at the same time.

    Before the scheduled game time:  The commissioner will have sent what is called pregame files to both teams.  Both players should save the pregame files to your receive folder.     

Host:  You will need to turn off any security firewall for the length of the game.  You will also need to know your IP address to share with your opponent.  Use whatismyip.com and it will be right on the home page.  Note: this IP address changes every time.  So do not write it down once and think you are good.  Check it via whatismyip every game you host.  Do this before your game time so you can get right to playing. 

     Time of the game:  Both owners will start the strato game( not the league manager).  In the start game window you will see in the top left a list of leagues to choose from.  We are 2014.  If the pregame files were saved into your receive folder, the teams and week # will appear in the New Game field near the middle of the screen.  Click that game to highlight it.  THE HOST will click launch new game server from the choices on the right under network launch types.  THE GUEST will click join server under the same selections.  Both owners click the launch button near the middle right (by the delete, exit and rules buttons).

For the Host a launch server window will pop up.  It will read machine name, server IP, game name, game port and player name.  You do not have to do anything other than note the game port number which is almost always 6501.  You will tell this to the GUEST who needs to enter on their end.  Then click OK.

The GUEST will see a similar window pop up after they had clicked launch.  It has machine name, client IP, server address, server port, player name and client port.  You have to enter in the HOST's IP address in the server address field.  You then have to make sure the server port is the same as the hosts.   Then click OK.

This will load the game screen and you are off.  

WHEN YOU ARE DONE.  The winner must send the commissioner the post game file.  It will be in your send folder as soon as you close out the game.  

When the Commissioner sends the league file what do we do?

Just before the beginning of the season. The Commissioner will send an email with an attached file. Each team owner must:

Download this league file and save it in your strato folders.  There is a league subfolder you can save it under but it doesn't really matter as long as you know where you saved it.

Once downloaded, open the league manager.  Click the league button on the top for a slew of options.  Near the middle, you will see restore league.  Click that and browse to find where you saved the file.

Now you should see all the teams.  Select yours and click the team button near the top.  There are a a few options.  

Click Computer Manager and wait a second.  This will bring up the depth chart for your team.  Notice there is a pull down with formation choices and a tab with off and def.  Set your depth chart, including punt returners.  

Note: If you want a player to start in every formation and he is not, use the replace button.  It allows you to say, my QB for all formations should be Big Ben.  It saves a lot of typing.

Once you have the off and def depth set, you may close that window.  Click the team button again and now click manage team.  Click the specials tab and the only thing you are allowed to change here is your kick returners.  All the other options MAY NOT BE CHANGED.  Once your kick returners are ok, close out of that window.  

Lastly, this file must then be sent back to the commissioner.  Click the league button again.  Near the middle of the list of options you will see "export coach file".  Click that and a window will pop up to explain what you are doing.  

Click ok.  The coach file is saved under strato/subfolder "SEND".  Send the commissioner an email with that coach file.  It will be called something like Yourcity.coach

Once the commissioner receives all of these, he/she will send out a new league file and we can start playing.

Minimal player positions required for your team

In order for the strat-o-matic pc game to validate your team you must be able to field all possible formations (even if you don't intend to use them.)  In order to do so.  Please adhere to the min roster requirements below which will allow you to ensure your team gets validated and you don't lose your last blind pick for a 0/0 something..

Thanks for the tips Phil you are totally cool

MIN Players
QB 1
RB 3 (min 1 HB, min 1 FB, remaining can be either FB or HB)
BB 1 (this is a tricky one; usually can be your FB & some TE are rated as BB.  HOWEVER: Keep in mind, there is a formation that requires 1 FB AND 1BB.  so you will need to be able to field a BB and FB simultaneously).
WR 4 (min 1 must be designated Flanker, min 1 must be designated Split end.  In most 2 wr sets it requires specifically a SE and FL.  so you cant play 2 WR designated as FL at the same time in these sets.  you will need to run 3 or more WR to get your 2nd FL on the field.)
TE 2
Kicker 1
Punter 1
KOR 2
PR 2  (so i know i said you may only need 1 PR or KOR, The computer manager has a requirement for a 2nd PR and the roster has a required drop down for 2nd KOR.   To be on the safe side i would suggest maintaining 2 of each)
LE 1
RE 1
DT 3 (this can be many combinations, however keep in mind you must be able to field a 5-6.  so must be able to play a LT/NT/RT at the same time.  Keeping in mind NTs can play either RT/LT and RT/LT can play NT.  The only combination of DTs that really wont work is all RT or all LT.  Though remember,  any tackle playing out of their natural position subtracts 1 from rating)
LOLB or LLB 1
ROLB or RLB 1
ILB 2 (same as w DTs,  many combinations of MLB/RILB/LILB will work,  but cant have only 2 RILB as no one will be able to play LILB)
DB 6 (min 1 ea designated as LCB, RCB, SS, FS.  remaining 2 can be from any position as they are plugged into nickle and dime formations as DB1 and DB2)

 Dont forget OL. I forgot to list, tho they're pretty straightfoward; 1 ea: LT, LG, C, RG, RT