Microsoft Corp.’s MSN is debuting an online series that lets users help manage a real minor league baseball team, part of the online unit’s effort to bolster its original programming.

Created with production shop LivePlanet, “Fan Club: Reality Baseball” gives MSN users a chance to affect the outcome of the Schaumburg Flyers, a minor league team based outside of Chicago.

“Fan Club” users can select the team roster, set a batting order and choose pitchers, for instance. That input will be collected used in the team’s decision-making on and off the field through the rest of the season, MSN said Tuesday in a statement.

The show is among a handful of online reality programs debuting this summer that allow users to get involved in the shows as individuals or groups.

The online content for MSN’s ad-supported show also includes videos from the first half of the team’s season, including game highlights and behind-the-scenes clips.

Players and family members will also get to blog on MSN Spaces in connection with the show.