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1992-05-28
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┌────────────────────────────────┐
│ FastBreak Fantasy Basketball │
│ Release 3.0 │
└────────────────────────────────┘
Contents
Introduction to FastBreak...........................Page 1
Minimum System Requirements.........................Page 3
Editing Keys........................................Page 4
Installation........................................Page 5
League Types...................................Page 5
Choosing Statistics............................Page 5
Update Types...................................Page 6
Personalizing FastBreak........................Page 6
Weekly Prize Fund..............................Page 7
Entering Team & Owner Names....................Page 8
Running FastBreak...................................Page 9
Program Layout.................................Page 10
League Update..................................Page 11
Player Edit....................................Page 12
Manager's Options
Select Team.....................................Page 12
View Starting Lineup............................Page 12
View Entire Roster..............................Page 12
Individual Player Options.......................Page 13
View Statistics............................Page 13
Change Position............................Page 13
Extend Contract............................Page 13
Release Player.............................Page 14
Change Real Life Team......................Page 14
Commissioners Options
Calculate League Standings......................Page 15
Print Newsletter................................Page 15
Reset Date......................................Page 16
Player Draft (or Auction).......................Page 16
View League Records.............................Page 18
Prize Fund Options..............................Page 18
Close Out Season................................Page 19
Exit Options
Registering FastBreak...........................Page 20
Exiting to DOS..................................Page 20
The General Manager's Disk..........................Page 21
Player Trades...................................Page 21
Signing Free Agents.............................Page 22
Error Messages......................................Page 23
Section I
AN OVERVIEW OF FANTASY BASKETBALL
Picture this:
You are at the Portland - Chicago game, 40 seconds remaining...
Bulls 104, 'Blazers 101...Drexler tries a 3 pointer....GOOD!...
And the guy in the seat in front of you spills his beer all over
himself while cheering for Drexler....Bulls bring the ball back
down the court...Pippin with the assist...Jordan slams it in...
and the guy in front of you dumps the remainder of his beer all
over YOU while cheering for PIPPIN and JORDAN.
The question is this:
How do you explain the behavior of the guy in front of you?
a) He is so drunk that he doesn't know whether it is raining or
Wednesday, let alone who is on what team.
b) He is a mental case with a bubble in his think-tank that could
float the Goodyear Blimp.
c) He is a member of a Fantasy Basketball League and he "owns"
Drexler, Pippin and Jordan.
The answer is <C>. He has joined the thousands of fans who have become
tired of watching the cretins who own and coach his favorite NBA or
NCAA basketball team run it into the cellar. As a member of a Fantasy
League, he gets the chance to become owner, General Manager, Chief
Scout and Coach for his very own team made up of real-life players.
Now Fastbreak Fantasy Basketball gives you the same chance. As a member
of a FastBreak League, the day to day decisions involving YOUR team are
YOURS to make. Do you bench Wilkens? Trade Barkley for Jordan? Extend
Bird's contract? When you own the team it's all up to you.
FastBreak Fantasy Basketball brings the exciting world of Fantasy
Basketball to your computer. Gone are the hours of pouring over the
sports section, armed with reams of paper, several pencils and a five
pound box of erasers as you try to get a handle on your league's
statistics. FastBreak will organize your league in a manner that will
reduce the time spent entering statistical information to about an hour
a week.
FastBreak will conduct your player draft, keep track of team rosters,
starting lineups, player contracts, league standings, fees & fines,
and print out your league newsletter for you. The program allows
rosters of up to 18 players per team and can be played for "big bucks"
or "just for fun".
If the program is set up as an Auction League (the "big bucks"
version) it can re-define the office pool. Players no longer need to sit
passively and watch the teams they drew in the pool but can build their
own team, wheeling and dealing their way to weekly prizes as well as the
season end pot.
-1-
The basics of FastBreak are simple. Grab 2 to 15 friends to form
a league. Each team selects up to 18 real-life basketball players
(you may use NBA, NCAA or even your local recreational league, the only
requirement is that you be able to get published statistics for the
players). These players then become the "property" of the owner that
drafted them and their real-life statistics become the basis for his
Fantasy League standings. FastBreak league standings are based on the
following 8 categories:
Field Goal Percentage
Free Throws
Three Point Goals
Rebounds
Assists
Steals
Blocked Shots
Total Points Scored
Each week the USA Today publishes the season total statistics
for all players in the NBA. If you use NCAA or other players you
will need an alternative source of stats for them. These stats
are entered into the program and FastBreak determines the league
standings based on 15 points for first place, 14 points for second,
13 for third, etc. in each of the eight statistical categories.
Weekly and season standings are based on each team's overall
performance in all eight categories.
While the basic of the game are simple it is loaded with nuances. Of
the 18 players on a Fantasy Team's roster, only 10 are "active" at any
time. Players who are not occupying an "active" position do not count
toward league standings. Thus the trick to a successful season is building
your team and then determining which players are "hot" and activating them
at just the right moment. While luck will allow the casual owner to pick
off an occasional weekly pot, the big winnings will invariably go to
the owner who is a student of the game.
-2-
************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE
************************
FastBreak requires the following minumum require-
ments:
720 KB OF FREE DISK SPACE. This can be free space on
a hard disk, two 360 kb 5.25 inch disk drives, 1
3.5 inch disk drive, or one 1.2 meg or one 1.44 meg
disk drive.
A COLOR MONITOR. This can be CGA, EGA or VGA.
YOU MUST HAVE THE STATEMENTS
FILES = 10
BUFFERS = 25
IN YOUR CONFIG.SYS FILE ON YOUR BOOT DISK. These are minumum
requirements. If the number of Files and Buffers specified in
your config.sys exceeds these numbers that's fine. If you don't
have enough files and buffers specified it is a simple procedure
to add the above statements to your CONFIG.SYS file. Simply load
your current CONFIG.SYS file (found in the root directory of your
hard disk or boot-up diskette) into your favorite word
processor and add the above lines. MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THE FILE
IN THE ASCII FORMAT (there will instructions on saving an
ASCII file in your word processor). DOS 5 users can use the
EDIT program that came with DOS 5. EDIT automatically saves
in the ASCII format.
-3-
******************
KEY CONVENTIONS
******************
In these instructions for FastBreak and within the programs
themselves the following conventions are used:
< > indicates a required key to be pressed on your keyboard.
For example <ESC> indicates that the escape key is to be
pressed.
The ^ symbol links a sequence of keys to be pressed. For
example <CTRL>^<Q>^<Y> would indicate pressing the control
key and holding it down while pressing <Q> and then <Y>.
<F1> indicates the F1 Function Key. <F1> is used to bring up
a context sensitive help screen anywhere in the program.
{PG.xx} indicates a cross-reference to another section of this
documentation. This symbol is also used in the help screens
to direct you to the appropriate pages of these instructions
should you need more help than is contained in the help screen.
*******************
EDITING KEYS
*******************
Throughout FastBreak, whenever you are required to enter or
edit text (such as player names, salaries or statistics) you can
use the following WordStar style editing commands:
<RIGHT ARROW> moves one letter or space to the right
<LEFT ARROW> moves one letter or space to the left
<INSERT> toggles the insert / overstrike mode
<ENTER> accepts the data and moves to the next field
<CTRL>^<Q>^<Y> (pressing <Q> and then <Y> while holding down the
control key) deletes text from the cursor to the end of the line
<CTRL>^<Y> deletes all text on this line
<CTRL>^<RIGHT ARROW> moves to next word
<F1> on-line context-sensitive help
-4-
*********************
INSTALLING FastBreak
*********************
FastBreak can be customized in many different ways so that it
may best suit your league's needs. In order to tell FastBreak which
options you want you must run the SETUP program. This creates the
file LD.CFG, which in turn tells FastBreak which options to use.
SETUP is a one time procedure that only takes a few minutes.
Once FastBreak is installed it will run for as many seasons as your
league is in existence without needing to be installed again.
Before you run SETUP you should know the answers to the following
questions:
How many teams will be in your league?
What are the names of the owners and what will each owner call
his team?
Will this be a DRAFT or AUCTION league {see below}?
If this is an Auction League, what fees will the league charge
for player trades, free agent signings and roster moves {pg.7}?
HARD DRIVE USERS - before running the SETUP program create a
directory on the hard disk to hold the program files. Make sure that
you are starting from the root directory of the drive by typing the
command "CD \". Then create a subdirectory by typing the command
"MD LD" . Log to the directory you just created by typing the command
"CD LD". Place the FastBreak distribution diskette in the A: drive and
copy the files from the distribution diskette by typing "COPY A:*.*".
Type "SETUP" to begin the installation process.
FLOPPY DISK USERS - before begining installation make a copy of
the distribution disk by placing your DOS diskette in the A: drive.
Type the command "DISKCOPY A: A:" and then follow the prompts. Your
original distribution diskette will be the SOURCE DISK, the backup
will be the TARGET DISK. When finished place the original diskettes
in a safe place. Insert the backup disk in your A: drive and begin
the installation process by typing "SETUP".
***************
LEAGUE TYPES
***************
The first option in SETUP you will have is the type of league that
you want to run. You have the option of a DRAFT LEAGUE or an
AUCTION LEAGUE.
An AUCTION LEAGUE is one where players are selected in a
player auction {pg.16}. The price paid at the auction for each player
becomes his "salary" for the length of his contract. In an auction
league, the league charges a fee to teams making player trades and
signing free agents. These fees go into the league's prize fund and
are distributed as prize money. FastBreak can be set up to pay all
the prize money at season end or to pay a percentage each week to
the weekly winners {pg.7} and the remainder at the end of the season.
-5-
A DRAFT LEAGUE can be played for cash or "just for fun".
Players are chosen in a round-by-round player draft based on the
teams standing the previous season. If you elect to play for cash
prizes, each team pays an annual franchise fee and is charged for
signing free agents and making trades to make up the prize fund.
To select the league type, use the <UP ARROW> and <LEFT
ARROW> keys to move the highlight over the desired league type
and press <ENTER> to select.
***************************
CHOOSING THE UPDATE TYPE
****************************
The next step is to choose the manner in which to update your
player's stats. You may choose either the BOX SCORE update or the
USA TODAY update.
We heavily recommend using the USA TODAY update. Each Tuesday
the USA TODAY publishes the season total statistics for the NBA.
FastBreak's statistical input was written with the USA TODAY's format
in mind to make the data entry easier. However, you may use any paper
that publishes the SEASON TOTAL statistics with the USA TODAY update
type.
If you do not have access to the USA TODAY (or a paper that
publishes season total stats), or wish to update your league DAILY,
choose the BOX SCORE update. With this type of update you enter the
stats for the previous game only and FastBreak totals the stats for
you. Daily updating makes player transactions a bit easier but entails
much more work for the commissioner.
Regardless of update type, FastBreak reduces data entry to about
an hour per update for an 15 team league.
************************
PERSONALIZING FastBreak
************************
The next screen in set up allows you to enter much of the data
that personalizes FastBreak to your specifications. This is especially
true of Auction Leagues because here is where you set up your league's
fee and fine schedule.
When editing any of these fields, use the EDITING KEYS shown on
page 3. If you just want to accept the default answer to any field
just press <ENTER> to move on. If you decide you need more information
before continuing press <ESC> to exit the program.
1- LEAGUE NAME: can be up to 30 characters
2- COMMISSIONER'S NAME: enter the name of the person who handles
your league's update, prize fund, etc.. The name can be up to
30 characters.
3- NUMBER OF TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE: FastBreak will handle from 2 to
15 teams.
4- THE DISK DRIVE / DIRECTORY FOR TEAM DATA: the default is the
current drive/directory. You may choose another drive or
directory as long as it already exists.
- 6 -
5- LENGTH OF STANDARD PLAYER CONTRACT: how long will each player
be "owned" by the team that drafts him? Default is 3 years.
At any time before the player reaches the final year of his
contract he may be re-signed (at a substantial pay raise)
{pg.13}. A player's contract expires at the END of the final season
of the contract. EXAMPLE: a player whose contract expires in 1991
will be under contract until you choose the CLOSE OUT SEASON option
{pg.19} at the end of the 1992 season. He will then be eligible to
be drafted by any team in the 1993 player draft.
6- AMOUNT OF ANNUAL SALARY INCREASE: how much per year does
a player's salary increase when he is re-signed. Default is $5.
Example: You currently own Larry Bird whose contract is $18. If the
salary increase is $5 and you extend his contract for 3 years, his
salary would become $33 per year (18+5+5+5). Fees for salary increases
go into the prize fund. Additional information on re-signing is found
on {pg.13}.
7- PLAYER AUCTION SPENDING LIMIT: how much is each team allowed
to spend during the player auction at the beginning of each
season. Money spent at auction makes up the majority of the
prize fund. The default is $300.
8- FEE FOR PLAYER TRADES: how much does the league charge for
a player trade (regardless of how many players are involved).
The default is $5.
9- FEE FOR FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: how much does the league charge
a team to sign a free agent. A free agent is a player who is
unowned by any other team AFTER the player draft. Fees for
free agents signings are added to the prize fund. This fee is
in addition to the player's salary. For further information
on signing free agents see {pg.22}.
10-FEE FOR ROSTER MOVES: how much (if anything) does the league
charge to move a player from reserve to an active position.
The default is one dollar.
****************************
WEEKLY PRIZE FUND
(Auction Leagues Only)
****************************
FastBreak can be set up to pay weekly cash prizes as well as the
normal season-end prizes. The weekly prizes are based on each team's
performance during the previous game ONLY as opposed to their season
to date. This gives teams that find themselves out of the running for
the total season prizes an incentive to keep on competing right to
the end of the season in hopes of capturing the weekly prizes.
If you answer "YES" to a weekly prize fund a window will open
asking you for the number of weeks in a normal season. (This would
be about 26. To determine count the number of Tuesdays in the season
on a calendar). You are then asked for the amount of prize money
to pay the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. The total weekly prizes
(1st+2nd+3rd) times number of weeks MUST be less than the Auction
Salary Limit times the number of teams.
- 7 -
EXAMPLE: Our 7 team league has a $300 auction day spending limit.
This gives us a $2100 start to the season (or slighlty less depending
on actual spending on auction day).
We pay $20 for each weekly winner, $10 for 2nd, $5 for 3rd over
a 26 week season. This means every week we pay out $35 and over a 26
week period this amounts to $910. This leaves us about $1190 to divide
at season end among the top 4 teams (player transactions add to this
amount.)
You need not worry about doing all this calculation, Fastbreak
will do it for you. Just enter the numbers you want for 1st, 2nd and
3rd for each week and the program will show you what the proposed
payoff would do to your season end prizes. If you want to adjust the
payoffs just answer "NO" when asked "IS DATA CORRECT?" and you will
be allowed to re-enter any or all of the data in this section.
**************************
ENTER TEAM & OWNER NAMES
***************************
The final step in installing FastBreak is to enter each of the
team owner names and the names of the teams. You may use the up
and down arrow keys or <ENTER> to go from field to field. Use the
editing keys {pg.4} to edit text. After you have finished each team
and owner, you will be asked if the data is correct. Use the <LEFT
ARROW> & <RIGHT ARROW> keys to highlight your choice. Press <ENTER>
to select.
-8-
******************
RUNNING FastBreak
******************
FastBreak is a simple program to run. The program is based on
a series of menus and most of the time you just select the item
you want from the appropriate menu. You will sometimes need to
enter player's names or data from the newspaper. Any time you enter
data you may use the editing keys {pg.4} to edit your entry.
FastBreak is basically a simple game. Each owner selects up to
18 players in a player draft or auction, depending on the league
type. Before each game of the season each owner gives the league
commissioner a list of the players that will be the starters on his
team for the week. When the statistics come out in the paper the
commissioner enters them into the program and FastBreak will then
calculate the league standings.
League standings are based on the following categories:
Field Goals
Field Goal Pct.
3 Point Plays
Rebounds
Assists
Steals
Blocked Shots
Total Points
In each category 15 points are awarded for first place, 14
points for second, 13 for third, etc.. The league's standings are
based on the total points from all categories.
The purpose of the games is to determine who can build and
maintain the best team overall by making use of the player draft,
making key trades, and signing free agents. The owner must not only
build the best team possible but know when to use his players.
-9-
******************
PROGRAM LAYOUT
******************
FastBreak's menus are laid out as follows. We will follow the
menu outline as we explain each option and any of the rules that
apply to that option.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Update Manager's Commissioner's Exit │
│ Statistics Options Options to Dos │
└──────┬─────────────────┬───────────────┬──────────────────┬───────┘
│ │ │ │
┌──────┴────────┐ │ ┌───────┴─────────────┐┌───┴──────────┐
│LEAGUE UPDATE │ │ │ Calculate Standings ││Register │
│STAT EDITOR │ │ │ Print Newsletter ││Exit to Dos │
└───────────────┘ │ │ Player Search ││ │
│ │ Re-Set Date │└──────────────┘
│ │ Hold Player Draft │
│ │ Prize Fund Options ─┼─┐
│ │ Close Out Season │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ ┌────┴───────────────┐
┌───────┴───────────────────┐ │ Funds Remaining │
│ Select Team │ │ Distribution │
│ View Starting Lineup │ │ Accounts Receivable│
│ View Entire Roster │ └────────────────────┘
│ Individual Player Options├───┐
│ Print Out Roster │ │
│ │ ┌─┴───────────────────────┐
└───────────────────────────┘ │ View Statistics │
│ Change Position │
│ Extend Contract │
│ Release Player │
│ Change NBA Team│
└─────────────────────────┘
To access any of the options on the main menu use the <LEFT
ARROW> and <RIGHT ARROW> keys to open the windows. Use the <UP
ARROW> and <DOWN ARROW> to move the highlight within the window.
Press <ENTER> to select.
- 10 -
LEAGUE UPDATE
FastBreak's unique method of updating stats will save you many
hours of slaving over the paper. Instead of entering all of the
stats for the players on team 1 and then all of the stats for the
players on team 2, etc. FastBreak sorts all the players into groups
based on their REAL LIFE teams. In other words you update all of the
Atlanta Hawks, then all of the Boston Celtics, then all of the
Charlotte Hornets, and so on through the Washington Bullets.
After you have finished each team you are given the option of
continuing to the next team or returning to the main menu. In this
way you can split the update into several sessions if time does not
permit you to finish in one session. The next time you access LEAGUE
UPDATE you will return to the team that you left off with.
USA TODAY UPDATE:
As each player in turn comes up you will be presented with a
window containing the statistical category and his season total in
that category to date. If a stat is unchanged from the previous update
you may press <ENTER> to move to the next stat. You may move up and down
the categories by using the UP & DOWN ARROW Keys. Enter the stats for
ALL PLAYERs regardless whether they occupy an active position. FastBreak
will subtract any stats acquired by inactive players and count only
active stats toward league standings.
BOX SCORE UPDATE:
Enter the stats for the previous game only. FastBreak will total
the season stats for you. Enter the stats for ALL PLAYERS regardless of
position. The program will deduct stats of reserve or farm players from
the active stats for you.
********************
IMPORTANT NOTICE
********************
Due NOT re-enter the LEAGUE UPDATE to make corrections to a
player after the update has been finished. FastBreak calculates each
players weekly stats as it writes the player to disk. If you go back
into the League Update function to correct a player's stats you will
corrupt your weekly stats. If you need to make a correction use the
Correct Player Stats option.
- 11 -
********************
Correct Player Stats
*********************
To edit a player you must first tell the program which player
you want to work with. When you select the edit function a window
will open that will allow you to input a search string. You need
not put the entire name in, FastBreak is capable of searching for
the player based on any part of his name and the search is not case
sensitive (you may use upper or lower case letters). For example the
search string "WIL" would turn up "Willy Smith","John Wilson" and
"Gary Williams" because each of these names contains the search
string. The more precise your search string, the more narrow the
search becomes. When the search turns up the correct player answer
'NO' to "CONTINUE SEARCH".
Once FastBreak has located your player you will be presented with
a choice of categories to edit. Select the proper category just as
you did with the LEAGUE UPDATE. You will then be presented with a
window that looks like the LEAGUE UPDATE window except that there
are 3 columns rather than one for each stat. These columns are labeled
SEASON, BENCH and LAST WEEK. Season stats are the players total stats
for the season just as they are listed in the newspaper. Bench stats
are any stats accrued by this player while he was on the "bench"
(reserve list) or prior to the time that he was owned by his current
team. Last week's stats are the player's stats in the previous game
only. Enter the stats in each column and category or press <ENTER>
to accept the default statistics and leave it unchanged.
**************
SELECT TEAM
**************
Each of the options under MANAGER'S OPTIONS requires that you
choose a team to work with. In other words before you can view a
team's starting lineup you must first tell FastBreak WHICH team's
lineup you want to view.
When you select the option SELECT TEAM a window will open that
shows every team and owner in your league. To select a team, use the
UP & DOWN Arrow keys to move the highlight to the team you want to
work with. Press <ENTER> to select.
**********************
VIEW STARTING LINEUP
**********************
This option allows you to view the players that are currently
designated as starters on the selected team. This option is useful
in determining who a team's starters are, what changes could be made
to enhance performance and if all starting positions are full.
Press any key to exit this option and return to the main menu.
- 12 -
********************
VIEW ENTIRE ROSTER
********************
Viewing the team's entire roster allows you to see players that
are currently on the "bench" or reserve list. This allows you to see
how many roster spots are left open in case an owner wants to make
a trade or sign a free agent.
Press any key to exit this option and return to the main menu.
***************************
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OPTIONS
***************************
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OPTIONS is the area of the program that allows
you to view a player's statistics, change his position, extend his
contract, release him as a free agent or change his NBA team.
When you choose this option a window opens up allowing you to
choose the player on the selected team that you wish to work with
or view. As soon as the player is chosen a sub-menu opens as follows:
VIEW STATISTICS
CHANGE POSITION
EXTEND CONTRACT
RELEASE THIS PLAYER
CHANGE NBA TEAM
RETURN TO MAIN MENU
Use the <UP ARROW> and <DOWN ARROW> keys to select the option
on the sub-menu and press <ENTER> to select.
The options are as follows:
VIEW STATISTICS opens a further sub-menu that allows you to choose
whether to view the player's contract stats or his
playing stats. Contract stats will show you the time
remaining on his contract, salary amount (Auction
Leagues), and how he was acquired by this team (draft,
free agent signing, or trade). Playing statistics are
shown as ACTIVE (the stats accrued while he was a
starter and that count toward league standings, BENCH
(the stats accrued while the player was inactive
or before he was owned by this team, and LAST
WEEK (the player's performance during the previous
week).
CHANGE POSITION allows you to move the player from the bench (reserve)
to the starting lineup (active) or vice versa. Some
leagues charge a fee when a player is moved from a
reserve position to the starting lineup {pg.7}.
EXTEND CONTRACT (auction leagues only) allows you to extend the
amount of time that you own a player. An extension
automatically gives the player a substantial raise.
The raise is determined by the annual salary increase
that you decided on during installation {pg.7} and the
number of years that you wish to extend the contract
(1-5). For example if you own a player whose current
salary is $10, your annual increase is $5 and you
wish to extend his contract by 3 years. The player's
new contract would pay him $25 per year (10+5+5+5).
- 13 -
You may only extend a player's contract one time.
At the end of the extension the player automatically
becomes a free agent and may be drafted by any team
during the ensuing player draft.
A player who is under an extended contract has a
GUARANTEED CONTRACT. If he is released before the
contract has expired any money remaining over the
length of the contract must be paid into the prize
fund.
You MAY NOT extend the contract of a player
after the Player Auction during the final year of
his contract. After the Auction the player begins
playing out his option and will become a free agent
at the beginning of the ensuing season.
Contract extensions are not available to draft
leagues because there are no salaries paid in a draft
league and no reason why a team couldn't tie up it's
major stars for their entire careers.
RELEASE PLAYER releases this player as a free agent available to
any other team in the league that wants him. If
this player's contract has been extended it is
considered a guaranteed contract and any money
remaining on this contract must be paid to the
prize fund before the player may be released. {see
Extending Contracts above}.
CHANGE REAL TEAM allows you to move the player to the appropriate
real-life team in case he is traded or goes else-
where as a free agent. This keeps him in the right
order during the League Update function {pg.11}.
****************************
PRINT ROSTER
****************************
The final option under Manager's options is Print Roster. This
option allows to make a list of the selected {pg.12} team's players.
You are given the choice of printing the player's contract status,
which lists the player's name, salary and the date that his contract
expires, or his active stats. Active stats are those stats accrued
while he held a position on this team's starting lineup. These are
the stats that count toward this team's league standings. Any stats
that this player compliled before he was a member of this team
(including active stats on another team if he was acquired in a
trade or as a free agent), or while he was on the bench (reserve)
DO NOT count toward this team's league standings and are NOT active
stats.
-14-
*****************************
THE COMMISSIONER'S OPTIONS
*****************************
*********************
CALCULATE STANDINGS
*********************
At any time AFTER you have finished the LEAGUE UPDATE you may
CALCULATE STANDINGS.
As previously mentioned, FastBreak standings are based on each
team's ranking in each category with 15 points going to first place,
14 points to second, 13 to third, etc.
While it calculates the season standings, FastBreak will also
calculate a second set of standings based on the team's performance
for the previous week. This set of standings is based on what each
team's players did during the previous week ONLY! This set of
standings can be used to make weekly payoffs in an auction league
{pg.7} or just for "bragging rights" in a draft league. The weekly
standings can also be used to show why there is a sudden increase
or decrease in a team's standings in any area.
As it calculates the standings, FastBreak will compare each
team's performance for the week in each selected category to determine
the league records. FastBreak keeps records for the best single week
performances in the history of your league.
In auction leagues that have chosen to make weekly payoffs
the program will ask you if you wish to make the weekly payoff after
it is finished with the standings calculation. If you choose to make
the payoff the top 3 winning teams' accounts will be credited and
the week of play will be advanced. You may choose to re-calculate
the week's standings again before the next update but DO NOT PAY
WEEKLY WINNERS MORE THAN ONCE PER WEEK. To do so will corrupt your
weekly winnings' accounts.
******************
PRINT NEWSLETTER
******************
FastBreak will print your league's newsletter for you listing
season and weekly standings, any player transactions (releases,
trades or free agent signings) that have transpired since the last
newsletter, any fees due to the prized fund and the current league
records for each statistical category with the team that set the
record and the date it was set.
You also have the option of adding up to 15 line of
commissioner's notes, allowing you to add your personal touch to the
newsletter. This can be used to denote upcoming league meetings,
outstanding performances by a team or player or any of the wit and
wisdom unique to FastBreak commissioners.
When adding commissioner's notes use the editing keys {pg.4} to
edit your text. MAKE SURE THAT YOU PRESS <ENTER> AFTER EACH LINE TO
FIX THE LINE INTO MEMORY.
The newsletter function also allows you to choose whether to
print to your printer or to a disk file. Printing to a disk file
allows you to further edit the entire newsletter with your favorite
word processor.
-15-
*****************
Re-Set Date
*****************
The re-set date function allows you to set the date within
FastBreak if your computer's clock / calendar is not working or
is inaccuarate. Use the editing keys {pg.4} to enter the new date
using the format MM/DD/YY where MM is the month's number, DD is
the day of the month, YY is the year. For example May 4, 1992
would be entered as 05/04/92.
********************
PLAYER SEARCH
********************
The Player Search function allows you to determine which team
(if any) owns a player. Choosing this function will open a window
that allows you in input a name or any part of a name to search
for. The search is not case sensitive (you may use upper or lower
case letters).
*******************************
Hold Player Draft (or Auction)
*******************************
The player draft (or auction depending on the league type)
is held before the beginning of every season.
NOTE: If you didn't acquire the program before the season
started, not to worry. Just go ahead and hold your draft. FastBreak
will prompt you for any statistics accrued by the players prior to
the draft and will deduct them from stats accrued AFTER the draft.
You will be given proper credit for all stats accrued by your
active players from the time of the draft on.
AUCTION LEAGUES ONLY: (Draft Leagues skip ahead to pg.16)
When you enter the AUCTION function, any players whose
contracts are due to expire at the end of this season will be
marked as playing out their options. You will NOT be able to
re-sign these players after this date. They will be released as
free agents at the end of the current season.
FastBreak will then go through the entire roster and deduct
the salaries of any players held over from the previous season
from the Auction Spending Limit {pg.7}.
EXAMPLE: Team A retained players from last season whose
contracts totaled $190. The Auction Spending Limit
for this league is $300. Team A would have $110
to spend on new players during this draft.
(300 - 190 = 110).
After the auction is over each team must pay the amount spent
on player salaries into the prize fund including the salaries of
new players AND the players retained from the previous season. If
Team A in the above example spent $90 on new players the owner
would owe $280 to the prize fund at the end of the auction
($190 in old contracts plus $90 in new contracts = $280 total).
Team owners take turns nominating players for the auction.
Once a player is nominated bidding begins. The bidding proceeds
until only 1 owner remains. The amount bid becomes the player
salary, payable to the league's prize fund at the close of the
auction. It is now the next owner's turn to nominate a player and
the cycle begins again.
-16-
The auction continues until:
A: all teams' rosters are full
B: all teams have expended their auction spending limit
or
C: there are no more owners interested in aquiring any
more players.
DRAFT LEAGUES:
In a Draft League players are chosen in a round-by-round draft
with the order of the draft being based on the team's finish during
the previous season. The last place team would have the first
choice, the next to last team would choose second, etc.
NOTE: In a draft league's initial season the draft order is
determined by the computer at random at the time of the draft.
ALL LEAGUES:
Before each player is drafted (or purchased) a window will
open offering you the following choices:
SELECT PLAYER: choose a player
VIEW STARTERS: take a look at the lineup to determine what
positions need to be filled or strengthened.
VIEW ROSTER: look at all players owned by this team to
determine how many roster spots are open and
the players that are on the "bench" (reserve).
TRADE PLAYERS: allows you to trade for players already owned
by another team. See PLAYER TRADES {pg.21} for
the procedure involved. DRAFT LEAGUE NOTE:
Although the program does not keep track of
traded draft choices, you may trade choices using
the SELECT ANOTHER TEAM option below when the
traded choice comes up. Drafting order will
return to normal on the next round.
SEARCH FOR A PLAYER: allows you to determine if a player is
already owned by another team. See PLAYER
SEARCH {pg.16} for the procedure.
SELECT ANOTHER TEAM: use this option if you arrived at this
window in error by selecting the wrong team,
want to trade this select to another team (see
above), or just were using this window to view
a team's roster or starting lineup.
QUIT DRAFT (or Auction) will open a sub-menu that allows you
to CONTINUE DRAFT (in case you selected QUIT by
mistake, QUIT FOR TODAY (exit the draft and
return another time to finish it, or CLOSE OUT
DRAFT (meaning you are finished with the player
draft or auction for this season). If you elect
to CLOSE OUT DRAFT you will not be able to re-enter
the draft until after you choose the END SEASON
option under commissioner's options.
When a player is chosen a window will open that allows you
to input his name. Use the editing keys {pg.4} to accomplish this.
Auction league teams will be asked for the player's salary
(the amount paid at auction for this player) at this time.
You will then be asked to assign this player to a position
(or to reserve). A window will open showing all the positions on
the team and the player that currently occupies them. Use the UP,
DOWN LEFT & RIGHT ARROW keys to highlight the position you want
-17-
this player to occupy. Press <ENTER> to select. NOTE: selecting an
occupied position will automatically move the player that previously
occupied that position to RESERVE.
The next step is to inform the program of the real-life team
that this player plays for. This will keep the player in the proper
order for the stat update. A screen will open showing all of the
available teams. Use the UP, DOWN, LEFT & RIGHT ARROW keys to
highlight the team. Press <ENTER> to select.
If the major league season is already under way you will be asked
to input any stats that have already been accrued by this player.
The league update section {pg.11} shows the procedure used here.
As each player is drafted (or purchased at auction) he becomes
the property of new owner until:
A: his contract expires {pg.7}
B: he is released by this owner {pg.14}
or
C: he is traded to another owner {pg.21}
The selection of players continues until all rosters are full,
all teams have expended thier auction spending limits (auction
leagues) or there are no owners who wish to acquire any more players.
*************************
VIEW LEAGUE RECORDS
*************************
FastBreak keeps records of the best weekly performances of the
teams in your league. Records are kept in each statistical category
installation. Choosing this option allows you to view the best weekly
performances by the teams in your league. Press any key to exit the
League Records window and return to the main menu.
*************************
Prize Fund Options
*************************
This option will open a sub-menu with the following choices:
VIEW WEEKLY WINNINGS
VIEW TEAM EXPENDITURES
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
VIEW PRIZE FUND TO DATE
VIEW WEEKLY WINNINGS allows you to view the amount won to date
in weekly prizes by each team in the league.
VIEW TEAM EXPENDITURES allows you to view the amount spent by
each team this season. Expenditures include
player salaries, trade fees and free agent fees.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE allows you to adjust the amount owed to the
prize fund by the teams. When you choose this
option a window will open showing all the teams
in the league and the amount each team owes to
the prize fund. Select the team by using the
UP & DOWN ARROW keys to move the highlight. Press
<ENTER> to select. When a team is selected, a
window will open that allows you to enter the
amount of the payment received. FastBreak will
deduct the payment received from the amount owed.
Accounts receivable are printed in the newsletter
so that each owner will be aware of the amount
he owes the prized fund for league fees.
-18-
********************************
CLOSE OUT SEASON
********************************
Choose this option to end the current season. Choosing this
option zeros out all player statistics, league standings and
the prize fund in preparation for the next season. All players whose
contracts are due to expire will be released as free agents at this
point.
At this time each team will be required to submit a list of the
10 players that will be carried as the off season roster. All players
that are NOT on this list will be released as free agents and will
be available to be drafted by any team in the player draft or auction
at the beginning of the next season.
A window showing the entire roster of each team will be opened.
You will mark the players that the teams wishes to keep by using the
UP, DOWN, LEFT & RIGHT ARROW keys to highlight the player and then
pressing <ENTER> to "mark" the player. "Marked" players have a check
mark along side their name. A running total of the number of "marked"
players is maintained in the bottom corner of the screen for your
convenience.
NOTE: If you release a player who has been signed to a extended
contract before his contract expires you MUST pay the amount remain-
ing on his contract to the prize fund for the following season.
Remember extended contracts are GUARANTEED contracts.
If you make a mistake or change you mind about a player he can
be "un-marked" by using the same procedure used to mark him. If a
"marked" player is re-selected the check mark next to his name
disappears and the number of "marked" players is reduced by one.
Continue "marking" players until you have reached the 18 man
limit or have "marked" all of the players you wish to keep on the
off season roster.
As soon as a team is finished selecting it's off season roster
the next team in the order appears. This procedure continues until
all the teams in the league have selected the players they will hold
over for next season.
-19-
************************
Register FastBreak
************************
Selecting this option will print a registration form on your
printer. Send the registration form along with your check or money
order for $35 to:
McS Custom Software
PO Box 1032
Fortuna, Ca. 95540
Credit card users may now purchase FastBreak by calling:
1-800-242-4775
The registered version of the program includes laser printed
documentation and a free copy of the GENERAL MANAGER'S DISK that
allows you to become a big-time wheeler dealer in your league as
you make the block-buster player trades and sign the free agents
that pave your way to the league championship.
****************************
EXIT TO DOS
****************************
This is the ONLY safe way to exit the program and return to
your computer's operating system. Turning off or re-booting the
computer in the middle of the program may leave files left open
and data unwritten to the disk.
-20-
****************************************
USING THE GENERAL MANAGER'S DISK
(registered version only)
****************************************
The GENERAL MANAGER'S DISK (GM.EXE on the distribution
diskette) allows you to "wheel & deal" in your fantasy league. You
now have the options of making the block-buster trades and signing
that high priced free agent.
Type "GM" from your startup directory to initialize the GENERAL
MANAGER. Select the team that you want to work with by using the
UP & DOWN ARROW keys to highlight it and then press <ENTER> to
select. (Press <ESC> to exit the program and run FastBreak).
GENERAL MANAGER gives you the following options:
TRADE PLAYERS
SIGN FREE AGENT
Highlight the option of your choice and press <ENTER> to select.
*******************************
TRADE PLAYERS
*******************************
Use this option to trade players with another team. When you
choose this option a window will open allowing you to see all the
players on your team and the position they currently occupy.
Choose the players that you wish to trade to the other team by
"marking" them. To "mark" a player, use the UP, DOWN, LEFT & RIGHT
ARROW keys to highlight him and press <ENTER>. A player "marked"
for trading will display a check mark next to his name.
If you change your mind about a player or "mark" him by mistake,
he can be "un-marked" by using the same procedure you used to "mark"
him. A running total of players "marked" appears in the bottom corner
of the screen.
When you have "marked" all of the players that you wish to trade
press <ESC>. A window will open showing you all of the "marked"
players and asking if these are correct. Answering "NO" will return
you to the initial Player Trade screen with all players "un-marked".
Answering "YES" will allow you to continue.
When all the players on the first team have been "marked" and
verified as correct you will be returned to the team selection window
where you will select the second team involved in the trade and repeat
the process of "marking" players the players involved in the trade.
As soon as the players on the second team are "marked" and
verified the program will make the trade and charge the trade fee
to the trading teams accounts.
Fees due to the prize fund from player trades are published in
the league newsletter.
-21-
When a player is traded to another team, his contract remains
intact. The player's salary remains the same (although it is not
charged to the new owner until the next player auction), if it is
an extended contract it remains guaranteed, and it expires the same
year as it was originally set to expire.
Players acquired in a trade are automatically assigned to a
RESERVE position so as not to interfere with any existing player
positions on their new team. Use the ASSIGN POSITION option under
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER OPTIONS to move a new player to an active position.
Statistics accrued by traded players up until the time of the
trade remain with the team that traded them. These stats are
reflected in the "RELEASED PLAYERS" area of the roster printout.
********************************
SIGNING A FREE AGENT
********************************
Free agents are players that are unowned by any other team
AFTER the player draft (or auction). You may not sign a free agent
during the off season.
Auction leagues should decide on a minimum salary for free
agents (ours is $10). This is charged to the team acquiring the
player IN ADDITION to the league's free agent fee {pg.7}.
After each week's standings calculation, each team in the league
may submit a list of any free agents it would like to add to it's
roster. If the players involved are not on any other team's list they
are automatically added (up to the 18 man limit). In an auction league
the team acquiring the free agent pays the miminum free agent salary
in addition to the free agent fee.
If more than one team list the prospective free agent on their
list an auction is held with the player going to the highest bidder
(auction league) or the player is given to the team with the lowest
league standing (draft league).
A player signed as a free agent is signed to a one year contract.
His contract must be renewed before the season is closed out {pg.19}
or he will automatically become a free agent again.
-22-
ERROR MESSAGES
If you get one of the following errors messages your equipment is
somehow at fault. Here are the error numbers and the way that they
can be corrected:
Error 7: OUT OF MEMORY. Your computer does not have enough
memory. This sometimes occurs on the DOS SHELL
command used to backup files. You may exit the
program and type "copy *.dat a:" from the dos prompt
to accomplish the same thing.
Error 24: DEVICE TIMEOUT. Indicates a printer error. Is your
printer turned on and on line?
Error 25: DEVICE FAULT. Indicates a serious hardware problem
probably with printer.
Error 51: INTERNAL ERROR. Again indicates a serious hardware
problem.
Error 53: FILE NOT FOUND. Do you have the correct data disk
in the correct drive?
Error 57: DEVICE I/O ERROR. Indicates a printer problem
Error 61: DISK FULL. You have too many files on your data disk.
Make a new data disk or try copying LnDRV.DOC to
another disk.
Error 67: TOO MANY FILES. You have too many files on this disk.
See Error 61.
Error 68: DEVICE UNAVAILABLE. No printer is on line.
Error 70: DISK IS WRITE PROTECTED. FastBreak needs to access the
disk. Remove the write protect tab.
Error 71: DISK NOT READY. Close the disk drive door.
Error 72: DISK MEDIA ERROR. Is this disk formatted? See your DOS
manual for info on formatting a disk. If this is a
formatted disk then it has gone bad.
Error 75: PATH/FILE ACCESS ERROR. Usually caused by an insufficent
number of handles. This error can be corrected by
adding the lines:
FILES = 10
BUFFERS = 25
to your config.sys. See page 2 for details
Error 76: PATH NOT FOUND. See Error 75
If you get an error on listed here, please contact:
Maranatha Custom Software
PO BOX 1032
Fortuna, Ca. 95540
We will be glad to help in any way we can. If the problem lies with
the program we will make corrections and rush you a corrected version
free of charge.
-23-