If you want to play in a tried-and-true format and create your team right now, standard leagues (Classic and SSG) are open to the public 24/7.  But if you want to try something different, Custom leagues – created by customers – are there in abundance..

There are franchise leagues, progression leagues, captains leagues, high and low salary cap leagues, “rags to riches” leagues, alphabet leagues, place of birth leagues … the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Diamond Mind Online would not be the same if the Community did not include some of the most clever and prolific creators of Custom Leagues.  We’ll be featuring one of these in this space each month. 

This month we’re visiting with Doug (dorodgers) Rodgers.

Tell us something about yourself: age, occupation, marital status, where you live, and interests (apart from DMO, of course).

I’m 69 years old and have been retired for 5 years.  After spending 4 years in the Air Force, I landed a job as an electronic bench technician for a small startup computer company in 1978.   This launched a 41 year career in the computer and electric vehicle industries as a Technical Support and Field Service Manager. I am happily married to my best friend, Katrina and we celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary this November.  I grew up in Redondo Beach, CA and lived for 38 years in  Norwalk and Santa Springs, CA before moving to our mountain home in Big Bear Lake, CA 3 years ago.  I became a diehard Dodger fan in the sixties and baseball is my favorite sport.  I also enjoy Rock and Roll music.  I taught myself to play the drums when I was fifteen and have played off and on in bands since then.

When did you start playing DMO and how did it first come to your attention?

My older brother would play Strat-O-Baseball with me as a child in the 60’s.  I got into playing baseball simulation games when I inherited the Pursue the Pennant board game from him when he passed (which I still have).  I progressed to the computer game and then discovered the online version in 2007. 

Over the years you’ve played in many different Custom Leagues, both Classic and SSG.  Tell us about a few of your favorites.

Since I love the Dodgers, I have played in various Franchise Leagues where I manage them.  I am the commissioner for a long-running 5 year Franchise League as well as a year-by-year Replay League.

Is there any advice you would give to people who haven’t created a Custom League before, but would like to give it a try?

For those who have never created a custom league, you should give it a try.  Just use your imagination on a unique player pool, your favorite team, your last name or state you were born in to come up with a theme.