The IBL Game

The Internet Baseball League used the Pursue the Pennant board game during its first four years of operation. PtP was considered to be one of the most advanced and accurate table-top baseball simulations of its time. However, when PtP failed to produce a card set for the 1995 MLB season the IBL decided that it was time to use the vast baseball simulation experience of its members to create the most realistic game available.

As a starting point, the IBL Game Design Team decided in early January of 1996 to attempt to reverse-engineer the PtP game system. This would serve a double purpose: (1) it would give the team valuable experience in the game design process, and (2) if successful, it would provide the IBL with a viable pseudo-PtP solution to the 1996 IBL season.

The IBL season started two weeks late, but the PtP system was successfully re-produced! Cards were distributed in postscript form. The only changes to the charts were the fence distances, wild plays, and special rules for Coors Field. After the 1996 season, IBL members voted to continue to use their own game, and thus the design team started work on the 1997 set.

The IBL Game is now a product distinct from PtP, with its own charts and rules. We believe that this is the best table-top baseball simulation available, and that it is improving with every release. We hope that you enjoy our game!

Special Thanks

The IBL would like to thank Retrosheet for releasing their 2007 MLB play-by-play data early enough to be used for this project. Without this data the card creation process would be significantly more difficult.

Lead Designer:

Design Team:

Greg Abcarian

George Blas

Christian Beliveau

Chris Hartjes

Nelson Lu

Rusty Peltz

Larry Selleck

Matt Sivertson

Contributors: