How to Play SOMBB via NetMeeting

• If you don't have it already, you'll need the latest version of Microsoft's NetMeeting program.  It can be downloaded for free by following this link: www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting.

1. Both players connect to the Internet, and start NetMeeting, at the predetermined game time.
2. Unless otherwise agreed upon, the home team manager should host the game.
3. In order to connect to the host's computer, the visiting manager will need to know the host's IP address.  Your IP address changes each time you connect to the Internet.  To find your current IP address: From the "Help" menu in NetMeeting, choose "About Windows NetMeeting".  Your current IP address will be listed at the bottom of the info box that appears.  Write this number down and click "OK".
4. The host will then contact the visiting manager via e-mail, ICQ, or another agreed upon method, with his current IP address.
5. After receiving the host's IP address, the visiting manager will click on the "Place Call" button, located on the top left of the NetMeeting Program.  In the "To:" dialog box, enter the address given to you by the host manager and click the "Call" button.  The host manager will receive an "Incoming call" message and click "accept".  You are now connected to each other!
6. If you and your opponent both have audio capabilities (i.e. mic & speakers), you should be able to speak with each other.  If one or both players do not have audio capability, or the quality is poor, you can click the "Chat" button located at the bottom of th NetMeeting program.  This will open a chat box where you can type message to each other.
7. The host now starts the strat-O-Matic game on his computer (you can also have it running before you start NetMeeting in order to save time).  The host will now click the "Share Program" button located at the bottom of the NetMeeting program.  Choose Strat-O-Matic Baseball from the list and click "Share".  Also click "Allow Control" and check the box next to "Automatically accept requests for control", then click "Close".
8. Using voice or chat, confirm that the visiting manager can see the game on his computer.
9. The client player should now choose "Full Screen" from the "View" menu of the shared application.  This will allow you to see the whole game screen without having to scroll.
10. The host manager should now proceed to the SOMBB "Game Setup" screen.  The host manager will fill in the "League", "Team", "Team", "Month", "Day/Night", and "Manager" info (if playing an unscheduled game).
11. Set up should now proceed in the following manner: Visitor chooses his starting pitcher, host chooses his starting pitcher, visitor sets his lineup, and host sets his lineup.  Both parties confirm that they are ready to play and the host chooses "Play Ball".
12. That's it!  You're now ready to play.

Tips & Etiquette:

• Make sure you are both using the same screen resolution to play the game.
• Use a "blank" stadium background to play your games (see link at left for how to do this).
• The batting team should control the action (i.e. clicking the "Swing Away" button).
• The batting manager should wait about 5 seconds between batters to allow the other manager the opportunity to take control of the mouse to make lineup/strategy decisions.
• After making lineup/strategy decisions, the fielding manager should rest the mouse pointer next to the "Swing Away" button to let the batting manager know that he has completed his actions.

This is the setup and play procedure that I have used in my NetMeeting games and it has worked flawlessly.