General Information
The WSFBBL will be strictly a net play baseball league. The WSFBBL will use the latest version of the SOM game (currently version 13) that is available at the start of each season. The full season will be completed with the version the league starts with unless it is determined that an update fixes problems with the current version that is used.
League Structure
The league will consist of the following officials and their responsibilities.
1. League Commissioner
A. Will oversee day-to-day operation of the league.
B. Keep league constitution updated.
C. Keep league website up to date.
D. Delegate authority to league officials.
E. Responsible for sending league files to all owners at the start of each cycle.
2. League Vice Commissioner
A. Will assume responsibility of commissioner duties in the absence of the league commissioner.
B. Will make game play decisions for owners in the absence of the league commissioner.
C. Will assist league commissioner in trying to get all game files and Computer Managers turned in on time by team owners.
D. Will assist in settling any dispute between members.
3. WSFBBL Board of Directors
A. Will be responsible for setting
up all league rules.
B. Will be responsible for assessing
rule violations and handing out penalties as they are stated in the rules.
C. Will act as Trade Review Committee.
8. League Members/Owners
A. Responsible for sending complete Computer Managers files, with pitching rotations to the league commissioner by a specified date and time (See Schedule Link posted on the website Home Page.)
B. Responsible for sending game files and box scores, PAC's to the visiting team and league Commissioner.
C. Responsible for finding another player to act as interim manager for any games that he cannot complete due to vacation, illness, or other responsibilities that make it impossible for him to play the games himself.
League Composition
1. The WSFBBL will be composed of two 12-team leagues, American League and National League.
2. Each league will be divided into 3 divisions, East, Central, and West.
WSFBBL Draft
1. The draft will be conducted through a designated forum, this being determined by the league Commissioner.
2. The inaugural WSFBBL Draft (2004) was a serpentine style draft. Draft positions decided by state lottery drawings. All drafts after 2004 starting with 2005 will be a straight style draft.
3. WSFBBL will draft 31 rounds in it's first year. Ballparks will be drafted as part of the draft.
4. The annual draft order beginning in 2005 will be determined by three methods. The 6 teams with the worst regular season records will each select a state for that states Pick 3 lottery drawing. The team that selects the state with the lowest number will select 1st. Draft positions 2 through 6 will continue with lowest state lottery number first. The World Series Champion will receive the last pick in the annual draft with the World Series loser receiving the next to last pick. Draft selections 7 though 22 will be determined by those teams’ regular season records with the worst regular season record selecting 7 and continuing through 22.
5. The annual draft, starting 2005, will be a straight draft style, whatever pick you have in round one, that team will have in all following rounds.
6. If 2 teams end up with the same regular season record then a head-to-head tie breaker will determine which team picks first. The team with the worse head-to-head record will pick first.
7. The draft will consist of at least 15 rounds each year with each team receiving one pick per round.
8. Each team must cut their
rosters down to 20 players after the league World Series. Beginning in 2006, this will be before MLB
play begins. IMPORTANT NOTE: EFFECTIVE
NEXT YEAR - 2006, YOU MAY KEEP ONLY THOSE PLAYERS SIGNED TO LONG TERM CONTRACTS
TO A MAXIMUM OF 20 PLAYERS. There will be a RESIGNING PERIOD after
the WSFBBL WORLD SERIES but before the MLB season begins where players may
be resigned at their current salary or the upcoming year's salary (whichever is
greater) if you desire to keep players not under contract for the upcoming
year. Resignings must be for TWO YEARS minimum. Note that since the
upcoming year's salaries will not be posted at that time, resigning
involves some speculation unless you have other sources for
determining the salary of a player. However, the salaries posted on
the usatoday site will override any other source. Defining Keepers will
become a non issue with this procedure since only players under LTC may be
kept. If you have less than 20 keepers, you will draft more players than
those who have 20.
8.1. Teams may designate players to be resigned,
up to a total roster count of 20 players, which will put their team Available
Cap Space over the Minimum Valid Draft Roster Salary Level. Minimum Valid Draft Roster Salary Level is
defined as the number of roster spots open after keeper designation times the
minimum MLB salary.
8.2. All players not designated as keepers will
be removed from a team's roster and included in the Draft Pool on the Keeper
Designation Deadline. Up until then, a
Team may adjust their planned roster.
No trading is allowed until after the Keeper Designation Deadline and
notification by the Commissioner that all teams have completed this task.
8.3. All teams must be at or above a Minimum
Valid Draft Roster Salary Level at least 5 calendar days before the draft. If not, the Commissioner will cut players
from the roster which were designated as "resigned" at the Keeper
Designation Deadline. Order of cuts
will be HIGHEST PAID resignee first, SECOND highest second, etc. until the
Available Cap Space exceeds the Minimum Valid Draft Roster Salary Level.
8.4. The penalty for late submittal of rosters
will be $250 K to be removed from the team's Available Cap Space even if there
are no resignings... at least tell me you will play with what you have!!
8.5. The penalty for keeping a roster complement
that requires roster cuts before the draft (see #3) will be $500 K per player
cut, to be removed from the team's Available Cap Space.
9. Each team must have a total of 600 AB for each position and 1400 Innings Pitched for that teams pitchers when the annual rookie/free agent draft is completed. It is the individual owner’s responsibility to make sure that their team is in compliance with this requirement.
Salary Cap Guidelines and Rules
1. Actual 2008 MLB player salaries will be used in 2008 WSFBBL season. (2009 salaries in 2009, etc.) Player salaries can be found at USA Today and are based on the salary data of June 1 (if available or a date designated by the Commissioner prior to the draft.)
2. Team SALARY CAP is $89 Million for
2008, which is the 2008 MLB average, and will be the MLB team average in
following years. No team may exceed the SAL CAP at any time.
3. Within one week after the acquiring a player via draft or free agency, you may sign a player to a long term contract (LTC). A LTC may be for 2 or 3 years only. A LTC freezes the player salary at the signed level for the length of the contract. Notify the Commissioner and Vice Commissioner of any LTC signings. Players not signed to LTC's within one week from acquisition are automatically signed to the end of the current season only.
4. Players may be Re-Signed when their one, two, or three year contract expires. But the player salary will be their MLB salary at the time of resigning.
5. Rosters must be 30 to
35 players at all times. You may cut a player to make room for
another but you remain responsible for the cut player’s salary for the length
of his contract unless someone else selects him from the Free Agent list.
The new team only transfers salary responsibility for the length of the period
that they sign the player for. No more than 20 players on the roster may
be signed to LTC's (See WSFBBL Draft #6.)
6.
If a player with a LTC is not designated as a keeper, he is considered
CUT and rule #5 comes into play.
7.
A suggestion is to RESERVE part of a team’s salary cap space to allow
for trades. This is not a requirement,
just a suggestion.
8. Rules changes with regard to Salaries are not retroactive.
Team Name and Ballpark Rules
1. All owners are allowed to change their team names before each season starts. No changes after the season starts. If a new owner takes over a team he will have to use that team name for the remainder of that season.
2. All teams will select a ballpark to play their home games in. Ballpark effects for singles and home runs will be used. Ballpark weather effects will be used.
3. At the beginning of each new season, any team wishing to change ballparks must declare that intent and release their ballpark at least 3 days before the Draft. All ballparks which are not assigned to teams are available for selection during the Draft and may be selected in any round of the draft.
4. Ballparks can also be traded. Players and draft picks can also be involved. You can only trade ballparks during the times when play is inactive. Once the season begins all teams must keep their ballpark until the end of the season.
Rosters
1. All teams will consist 30 to 35 players on their rosters. No team can go over 35 players or under 30 players. If there is a trade the team that goes over 35 players must cut one player to maintain 35 players, the team that goes under 30 players must pick up a Free Agent to maintain at least 30 players.
2. Each team can have a maximum of 25 players on their active roster during any cycle until September 1st of the game schedule. On September 1st the league will go to full rosters. The strat game allows a maximum of 25 hitters and 15 pitchers at any given time.
3. At the end of each season every team must cut their rosters to protect 20 players. (obsolete for 2006 season, see Draft rule #8)
4. Each team is required to carry at least 2 players at each position on their 25 man active roster. Any player eligible for more than one position can count for all positions he is available for.
Player Limitations
1. All hitters are limited to their actual number of at bats listed on their cards plus 10% added to that total. No rounding of numbers.
2. All pitchers are limited to
their total number of innings pitched on their cards plus 10% added to that
total. No rounding of numbers.
3. The MLB Stats in the game will be ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THE EXTRA 10% ALLOWANCE. This means that the ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM AB or IP for your players is shown as the MLB stats. You are not allowed to exceed the AB or IP by 1 without penalty… see
4. A Starting Pitcher cannot pitch in relief if he doesn't have it listed on his card. A Relief Pitcher cannot start a game unless he is listed as a SP / RP on his card.
5. All starting pitchers are limited to 40 starts during a season. This does not include the post season.
6. A pitcher that starts a game must pitch at least 4 innings or give up 4 runs before he can be taken out of the game. Any pitcher who starts a game during a cycle may not relieve in that cycle.
7. Players can only play positions listed on their cards. WSFBBL does not use OF mobility rule.
Trading Rules
1. All trades made during a cycle will go into effect the start of the next cycle.
2. All trades must be emailed to the League Commissioner by all teams involved. The league commissioner will then email confirmed trades to the league trade committee for review.
3. Trading deadline to submit all trades during the season will be the night before each cycle ends.
4. Multiple player trades are allowed such as 2-2 deals and 3-1 deals. If an uneven trade is made the team with more than 35 players must cut a player to the free agent pool, the team with less than 30 players must pick up enough players to complete his roster.
5. Multiple team deals are allowed such as one deal which involves 3 teams.
6. Next years draft picks can be traded. Draft picks 2 or more years away cannot be traded.
7. Draft picks for the next season can only be made after the current season starts league play, and through that seasons draft ( ie 2005 draft picks can only be traded once the 2004 WSFBBL season begins and up through the 2005 free agent draft.) Each season’s begin date starts after the league draft is complete.
8. Trading deadline will be as indicated on the LEAGUE SCHEDULE PAGE.
9. Any trades made during a cycle will not go into effect until the next cycle. The league commissioner will make all roster moves and send out an updated league file. After the league file is sent out all managers should check their roster for accuracy and then send in their computer managers.
10. Trading will commence every year after the WSFBBL World Series has been completed AND Keepers have been designated (cuts are made at that time and may not be traded). The League Commissioner will send out e-mail to all owners to let them know when trading can resume.
League Schedule
1. The WSFBBL plays a 162 game schedule.
2. We use a flex schedule, meaning games scheduled during a cycle can be played out of order. Once a series starts it should be finished before any team starts another series. The first step of game setup by the home team when starting a regular season series is to select “GIVE REST”.
3. WSFBBL will have an All Star game. The players selected will be determined by the strat game itself in the awards voting section. The All Star managers will be the managers of the teams who participated in the previous year’s World Series. The Ball Park will be rotated between leagues (2004 NL, 2005 AL, etc.) with the hosting league selecting the ballpark to be used. Ballpark selection is to be made prior to the regular season start. The World Series will open at the ballpark of the team representing the League which wins the All Star Game.
Playoff Format
1. Each division winner will make the playoffs.
2. There will be ONE wild card team from each league. This team will be selected by the best records in each league after the division champions have been determined. Playoff seeding is as follows: The Wild Card will play that leagues #1 seed in the League Division Series in a 7 game series. The #2 and #3 seeds will also play a 7 game series in the League Division Series. Both winners of the League Division Series will face off in the League Championship Series in a 7 game series. Both League Champions will face off in the World Series in a best of 7 series with the team representing the league which won the All Star game hosting games 1 and 2.
3. In the event of a tie for a Division Champion we will use MLB rules which state that the 2 teams involved will use their head-to-head records to determine the divisional champions.
4. In the event of a tie for Wild
Card, we will use MLB rules which state that there will be a one game playoff
between those 2 teams exactly one day after the regular season. The home team
for the wild card tiebreaker will be determined by each teams head-to-head
record against one another. The team with the best head-to-head record will be
home team. If their head-to-head records are a tie the league Commissioner will
flip a coin to determine who will host.
5. No limits to usage (AB and IP) in the Playoffs. Players will be eligible to pitch as a SP
only if they pitched 80 innings in MLB and as an RP if they pitched 40 innings
in MLB. Position players must have had
200 AB in MLB to be eligible (exception Catchers are eligible with 100
AB). Note that SP's may be used in
relief roles. All pitchers are governed
by the Strat Boardgame Rules; i.e., pitchers who started in their last
appearance must rest the number of days indicated in the SUPER ADVANCED
STARTING PITCHERS REST CHART located on the Super Advanced Miscellaneous
Charts. Pitchers may not be used more
than two consecutive days in relief.
SP's shall be a flexible game time decision and may be changed from the
rotation given in the Computer Manager after game 1 of the series... Home Team
selects SP first, then Visiting Team selects.
Strat Computer Game Settings
1. Rules
A. Main Rules - Set to Maximum Rules
Under MAX RULES, select only Pitch Around Option, Bunt for Hit, and Robbing HR Rule
B. Stealing - Set to Super Advanced Steal System
C. Miscellaneous - Use Miscellaneous Rules
D. Injuries - Do Not Use Injuries
E. Groundball A - Allow GBA on Pitchers Card
F. BP/Weather/Clutch
1. Use Ballpark Effects
2. Use Weather Effects
3. Use Clutch
G. Strategy - Set to Super Advanced Strategy Charts
H. Closer - Set to Use Closer Rule
I. Pitcher Fatigue - Set to SADV Fatigue (no pitch count)
2. Lineups and Usage Rules
A. Visiting team and Home team Lineups - Primary
B. Scheduled Days Off - Do no give schedule days off. We insert rest before each series
C. Minor Leagues - Minor Leagues 40/25 Method
D. Use Super HAL Bullpen - Use Super HAL Lineup Subs
E. Auto Swap - No Auto Swap-O-Matic
E. Over Usage - Ignore Over Usage
F. No DH
Game Play Rules
1. The Edgar Martinez Rule
A. Since this league will not use a DH, all players with DH only ratings will be assigned their previous year positions, range, and e-ratings. In a case where the player was also a DH the previous year, that player will be assigned the position of 1B with a range of 5 and the maximum e-rating.
2. Players can only play the positions on their cards. WSFBBL does not use OF mobility rule.
3. If any manager makes a mistake and substitutes a player to a wrong position, and neither manager catches the mistake, and the pitch and hit buttons are depressed, what ever the play result is will stand. We will not undo plays because a manager makes a mistake. When the mistake is caught by either manager control will be given to the manager that made the mistake so he can correct. The player that he has to take out of the game will be unavailable for the remainder of the game.
4. If after any play the net connection is lost, and after reconnecting that batter is up again. The home team will switch to manual entry and enter the results of the play that happened before the net connection was lost. Entry mode will then be changed back to what the teams were using before the net connection was lost.
5. If any pitcher qualifies as both a starter and a reliever he can only start OR relieve during any one cycle.
6. Rest will be given by the home team before each series. The procedure for giving rest is, at the Game Setup screen, bottom center of that window there is a box that says "Days Off" the home manager will click on that box, another window will appear asking if you want to rest for 15 days, select yes or OK.
7. No team can move players to and from their 25 man active rosters during any cycle. The only player moves that can be made can be done when setting up your computer managers for each cycle.
Miscellaneous Rules and Penalties
1. This is a net play only league. If any manager cannot play his scheduled games he is responsible for finding an interim manager to manage his team while he is unavailable. No games will be carried over from one cycle to another. Any games not played will be auto-played by the league commissioner. If games being auto-played for a specific team without that manager notifying the league commissioner or assistant league commissioner, will result in having the WSFBBL Board of Directors determining if that manager needs to be removed from the league.
2. All computer managers will be sent in by a specified day and time. The FIRST offense penalty for not having your computer manager to the league commissioner on time will be a warning email that your only “freebie” is now gone. The SECOND offense penalty results in a $200K cap reduction for the following year. The THIRD offense will result an additional $300k cap reduction. Any FURTHER offenses will result in additional $500K cap reductions and the WSFBBL Board of Directors will determine if that manager needs to be removed from the league. These penalties are member specific; should a replacement member take over a team which has been assessed penalties, those penalties will be removed.
3. Player Over Usage Penalty. Any manager who over uses a player's At Bats or Innings Pitched, or uses a starting pitcher for more than 40 starts, will be penalized. If any player goes over his usage limitations the team involved will have its salary cap reduced $500K of the next years cap. The penalty for overusage is $500K for each player overused even if overused in an Autoplayed game. If the manager is removed from or quits the league, a replacement owner will not be assessed the penalties. Overuse means ***by 1 AB or 1 IP***
4. All managers must carry at least 2 position players on their 25 man active roster at all times. A multi-position player will count for all positions listed on his card. This rule means that there must be eligible players on your bench for all positions when a game starts.
5. There will be no throwing of any games to try and gain a better draft position. If it is determined by the WSFBBL Board of Directors that manager will be terminated from the league.
6. All game files, box scores, and PAC's are to be sent immediately after a series is complete. These files will be sent to the League Commissioner and your opponent. The penalty for not sending game files and box scores in within 24 hours or before the Cycle deadline will be as follows. FIRST offense will result in that owner being placed on probation for the remainder of the year. FURTHER offenses will result in $1 Million reduction of salary cap the following year and the WSFBBL Board of Directors will determine if expulsion from the league is necessary.
7. When sending files, send game files, box scores, and PAC's. Also after you have zipped this files into one file right click on the zipped file and click on rename. If the series is played between Puget Sound and South Arkansas on April 13, 14, 15 then rename the file as follows. Pug@Sou 4-13,14,15. The League Commissioner has a lot of files to keep track of. If a crash occurs or something else happens it saves a lot of time knowing what games to look for rather than sorting through a lot of files.
8. For any violation where a team loses a draft pick for the annual draft that team will not be allowed to trade any future draft picks for the year in question.
9. In the event of games being auto-played and any player goes over his usage limits the team will receive the same penalty as stated in Section 3 above. This is a NETPLAY ONLY LEAGUE so this possibility should never occur.
10. In the event that a manager or team is penalized there is an appeal process. You can appeal the decision to the WSFBBL Board of Directors. You must submit facts via email, meaning email that was sent to the league and or to your opponents. The Board of Directors will then discuss your appeal and make a ruling.
11. CHEATING
A. Any manager caught cheating will be terminated from the WSFBBL Immediately!!!
A-1. The WSFBBL Board of Directors has been set up to enforce all rules and penalties. The Board of Directors were set up to act as a check and balance so the League Commissioner does not have total power over the league.
A-2. These rules have been set up to keep this league to be competitive and long lasting.
A-3. The Board of Directors will hand out all penalties enforced. The League Commissioner does not have single authority to enforce league penalties.
14. MLB RULES
A. In the event a situation arises that is not addressed in this constitution the WSFBBL will use MLB Rules!!!
B. If it is a strat specific situation then the WSFBBL Board of Directors will make a ruling and a new rule will be instituted.
WSFBBL Salary Cap Incentive Program
1. World Series Winner - $2 Mil Cap Add
2. World Series Loser - $1 Mil Cap Add
3. League Championship Winners – see World
Series payouts (no additional payoff for making it to the World Series)
4. Division Championship Winners - $250K Cap Add
5. Division Winners - $250K Cap Add
5. Wild Card Winners - $100K Cap Add
6. MVP - $250K Cap Add
7. Cy Young - $250K Cap Add
8. Rolaids Relief Winner - $250K Cap Add
9. All Star Team Selections - $50K Cap Add (End of Season All-Star Selections by the Strat Game)
9. Gold Glove Winners - $50K Cap Add
10. Silver Slugger Winners - $50K Cap Add
Any awards received for the 2004/2005 WSFBBL season are only good for the 2005/2006 season. IE: If team salary cap stays at $70 mil and you are awarded $3mil for the 2005/2006 season. For the 2006/2007 season your team salary cap will be $70 mil.
All awards are for AL and NL (Separate) other than World Series winner and loser.
