Tabletop SportCast

Summer has arrived on the tabletop, and episode 259 is all about turning the page from a busy spring into a fresh season of gaming. James recaps his Q2 gaming numbers, including 154 sessions, 37 different games, 23 projects, and a spring table led heavily by baseball. He also looks back at key projects like the 1973 Hall of Fame Starting Pitcher Project, the 1986 MLB Tournament, XSE’s road to Apex...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James sits down with Roy Paeth for a Father’s Day conversation about games, family, community, and finding time for ourselves. Roy shares his journey from Strat-O-Matic Football and Statis-Pro Baseball to rediscovering tabletop sports games during COVID, eventually finding his way to live gaming conventions and a welcoming community of fellow hobbyists. T...

This week on the Tabletop SportCast, James sits down with Ian Brooke, designer of On Deck Baseball, for a conversation about creating a baseball game that captures more than just stats on a card. Ian shares the game’s origins, the importance of fictional leagues, player artwork, fatigue, confrontation rolls, and the design choices that help each game tell its own story. Along the way, they discuss...

This episode explores how to categorize tabletop sports projects into five tiers based on size and commitment, helping gamers plan and execute their projects more effectively. The host shares personal insights and frameworks to tailor project scope to individual preferences.

On this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James explores the art of managing baseball teams in tabletop sports games. He discusses the balance between historical accuracy and personal strategy, from replaying seasons with realistic usage patterns to creating your own managerial style within historical guardrails. In Around the Table, he shares updates from around the hobby, and highlights from hi...

In Episode 254 of the Tabletop SportCast , James Cast recaps his experience at Digital to DiceCon 2026 and explores what happens after the convention ends. From new games and community connections to project ideas and post-convention motivation, this episode focuses on how tabletop gamers can turn convention energy into meaningful action at the home table. James also shares thoughts on avoiding th...

In this episode, S.T. Patrick shares insights on game design, the hobby's golden age, and the impact of AI on game creation. The host, James Cast, along with S.T., explore the evolution of sports simulation games, the importance of quality over quantity, and the future of the hobby. In this in-depth interview, S.T. shares insights into designing sports simulation games, focusing on basketball...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James takes a closer look at playtesting and why “just play it and tell me what you think” usually is not enough. Using the DMAIC process — Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control — he breaks down how playtesting can serve a different purpose at each stage of game design. The episode focuses on how designers can ask better questions before, during,...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James Cast takes a look at The Universal Baseball Association, Inc., J. Henry Waugh, Prop. by Robert Coover — a novel that may be one of the most fascinating books ever written for tabletop sports gamers. He summarizes the story of Henry Waugh and his deeply immersive fictional baseball universe, then explores the UBA from a gamer’s perspective, including...

On this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James Cast recaps IndiCon 2026, explores the milestone 250th episode, and reflects on the community of tabletop sports gaming. Keywords tabletop sports gaming, IndieCon 2026, podcast milestone, community, game design, project planning, interviews, hobby events Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 250 Episodes: A Milestone Reflection 01:17 IndieCon Recap: Conversati...

In this episode, James discusses his preparations for IndiCon, shares insights on planning gaming projects, and highlights what makes a great gaming event. He emphasizes the importance of good games, access to designers, and the power of community in enhancing the hobby experience. keywords board games, IndieCon, gaming events, game design, community, project planning, sports board games, game dev...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James reflects on the winter season of tabletop gaming, shares insights on project management, and previews the spring season's plans, including upcoming events and new projects. keywords tabletop gaming, winter recap, spring plans, game projects, in-person events, hobby seasonality key topics Winter gaming recap and metrics Project management and in-...

In this episode, James discusses how he prioritizes his hobbies and projects, balancing game playing, content creation, and game design. He shares practical strategies like effort vs. value analysis and routine management to make informed decisions about where to focus his limited time. keywords hobby prioritization, time management, game design, content creation, effort vs. value, hobby routine,...

James explores the impact of AI on the tabletop hobby, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards and authenticity. He highlights common pitfalls of AI-generated content and advocates for thoughtful, intentional use of AI tools to preserve the creativity and trust within the community. keywords tabletop gaming, AI, creativity, hobby standards, content quality, community trust, game d...

In this episode, James reflects on his 2024 Mets replay using History Maker Baseball, analyzing what worked, what didn't, and lessons learned. He explores the nuances of managing a full season replay, the impact of strategic decisions, and how the replay mirrored or diverged from real life. keywords sports replay, baseball simulation, history maker baseball, Mets 2024, tabletop sports, sports...

James explores his unique approach to tabletop sports replays, emphasizing the 'mixtape' method that blends historical accuracy with personal creativity. He shares insights on how to tweak seasons for a personalized experience, balancing authenticity with ownership. keywords tabletop sports, replay projects, mixtape approach, sports gaming, alternative history, season tweaking, game design...

This episode explores managing playing time in tabletop basketball, highlighting common pitfalls like the average minutes trap and offering practical frameworks for more realistic and strategic coaching. Learn how to use game context, foul trouble, and game plans to enhance your tabletop gaming experience. keywords tabletop basketball, game management, coaching strategies, game mechanics, sports s...

TABLETOP SPORTCAST — EPISODE 242 Sitting Down With… Dave Jackson! (Box Seat Baseball) Runtime: ~1:11:00 Guest: Dave Jackson (Box Seat Baseball community contributor + “How To” video creator) EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, James sits down with Dave Jackson to talk Box Seat Baseball—why it has such a loyal following, what makes the engine feel so “baseball-real,” and how to get rolling whether you...

Guest: Al Wilson (3d6 Gaming) Topic: FDF Fantasy Draft (Fast Drive Football – Fantasy Draft Expansion) Format: Pre-recorded interview (no “Around the Table” segment this week) Draft Day chaos… but on the tabletop. In this episode, I’m joined by Al Wilson of 3d6 Gaming to talk about FDF Fantasy Draft , an expansion that turns Fast Drive Football into a head-to-head (or solo) experience built around...

Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James explores the world of underrated sports in tabletop gaming, presenting a countdown of the top 10 games that deserve more attention. From bowling to golf, each game is discussed in terms of its unique appeal and gameplay mechanics, emphasizing the drama and excitement that these sports can bring to the tabletop. Keywords tabletop sports, unde...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James sits down with Andy Sexton to discuss the intricacies of running co-op projects in tabletop sports gaming. Andy shares his journey into tabletop gaming, the appeal of co-op projects, and the challenges faced in maintaining engagement. The importance of statistics in making games meaningful is emphasized, along with the role of community involvement...

Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James dives into the winter season of tabletop sports gaming, discussing what games and projects he plans to focus on during this quieter time of year. He reflects on the transition from football to basketball and hockey, emphasizing the importance of thematic gaming aligned with real-world sports events. The host outlines his winter execution pla...

Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Mark Unger and Ron Juckett about their experiences in the sports gaming community and the exciting documentary project they are working on. They discuss the art of sports broadcasting, the importance of storytelling, and the human interest elements that make sports gaming a unique hobby. The conversation also touches on...

Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, James discusses his annual plan for 2026, themed around women's sports, and outlines the structure and goals for the podcast. He shares insights on project planning, including quarterly projects, tournament structures, and game design goals, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in gaming and community engagement. Keywords Tabletop Sports,...

Summary In this episode, James Cast reflects on his tabletop gaming experiences in 2025, discussing the goals he set for himself, the variety of games played, and the balance between gaming and content creation. He emphasizes the importance of finding enjoyment in the hobby, drawing inspiration from favorite teams and historical contexts, and engaging with the community. The conversation highlight...