CONSTITUTION
Last Revised:
January 2012
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I.
Introduction
A. Brief
Overview
The Days
of Summer Baseball League (DSBL) uses the latest release of Diamond Mind
Baseball and the most recent complete season's player disk, to draft payers from
teams in the National League and form our own 14 team league. The DSBL features
a limited player pool, minimized player carry over from year to year, a unique
minor league farm system and a player retention system that requires foresight
rather than hindsight. The DSBL strongly
encourages interaction between league members and a long-term commitment in
order to create a friendly environment where members can share experiences and
enjoy game of baseball.
B. League
Structure & Game Play
1.
Divisional structure – There will be three divisions, two divisions of five
teams and one division of four teams.
The regular season is 162 games.
Each team will play a nearly balanced schedule. Each team plays the other 13 teams 12 times
(156 games), then each team plays six more games determined as follows:
a. Teams are ranked according to
their previous season won-loss record. Then the following three game series are
played:
Series before the Series after the
All-star break all-star break
1@2 4@1
3@4 2@3
5@6 8@5
7@8 6@7
9@10 12@9
11@12 14@11
13@14 10@13
2.
Game Play Features
a.
The DSBL employs a "sliding contract" system requiring franchises to
retain a maximum of 12 players (at least 3 pitchers) from season-to-season.
Players are contracted one year ahead of time requiring managers to make
personnel decisions based on foresight rather than hindsight.
b.
Draft a maximum roster of 30 NL players each January
c.
Additionally "protect" up to 18 minor league players in your
real-life team's organization or other organizations through trades/drafts.
d.
Replace any of the 12 contracted players in November with any of your 18-minor
leaguers.
3.
League hierarchy
a.
The league commissioner will oversee and settle all league matters except those
that involve the commissioner's team.
b.
Matters involving the commissioner's team will be settled by an arbitrarily
appointed three (3) member committee.
c.
The league commissioner will work in the best interest of the league and
encourage member involvement.
d.
Except in special cases, proposed new or revised rules are considered after the
end of a season.
4.
Costs & Legalities
a.
There are no fees. There are also no prizes awarded.
b.
In order to assure the league is not in violation of Diamond Mind Baseball,
Inc.'s copyright, each franchise owner is required to have a registered copy of
the latest version of Diamond Mind Baseball game, and the most recent DMB
player disk installed on their computer. Periodically, the Commissioner checks
to assure our legal obligation is met.
c.
No earlier version of the game will be permitted for use in league play. The
League will announce when a new version is required.
II.
Player Types and Roster Management
A.
Players are classified into the following groups:
1.
Minor Leaguers - Players with no MLB experience. These players may appear on a DSBL team’s
Minor League Roster Only.
2.
Rookies - Players with MLB experience, but who have not reached 130 MLB at-bats
or 50 MLB innings pitched in their MLB playing career (same “rookie” definition
as MLB). These include American League
and National League MLB appearances. These players may appear on a DSBL team’s
Minor League Roster and/or Major League Roster.
3.
Veterans - Everyone else.
4.
“Contracted” players (can be either Veterans or Rookies)
B. Roster
Groups
1.
DSBL Major League Roster
Prior
to the September 1st roster expansion, a DSBL team’s major league roster consists
of 30 players. These 30 players are made up from the DSBL team’s Veterans and
Rookies. If, during the season, a trade
is made whereby the team’s roster exceeds 30 players, a non-contracted player
must be released to return the roster to 30 players. Starting the first series closest to
September 1st (DSBL Calendar) the major league rosters will expand to up to 40
players (including players on the disabled list due to over usage violations).
2.
Active Roster
(a)
A team's active roster (players
available for a game) must contain 25 of the players on the Major League
Roster. The other players on the Major League Roster must be “farmed” prior to
the beginning of the series. Starting
the first series closest to September 1st (DSBL Calendar) the Active Rosters
will expand to up to 40 players (including players on the disabled list due to
over usage violations).
(b) At all times during the season, including
the last week of the season, a team’s Major League active roster MUST include
at least 5 (five) pitchers with a starting pitcher rating, and at least TWO
players who are eligible and rated to play each fielding position.
3.
Minor League Roster
a.
Overview
A
DSBL team’s Minor League Roster includes up to 18 Minor Leaguers and
Rookies. A team may carry less than 18
players on its Minor League Roster. A
DSBL's Minor League Roster is a way for each manager to have more control in
determining the success of their franchise. It was designed to give teams another
way to acquire young talent by means other than the draft and trades. It was also designed to minimize the amount
of time a manager must spend developing his minor league organization. By
utilizing MLB's minor league system each DSBL team already has a complete minor
league organization in place. The DSBL farm system goes a step further by
limiting the list to 18 players. Add in the ability to trade these young
prospects and you have an exciting new feature that gives mangers more
flexibility and control than ever before.
b.
Minor League Eligibility
1.
Subject to other rules herein, only player in your DSBL team’s minor league
system (determined by your MLB team name) who has never made it to the Major
League is eligible to be on your Minor League Roster.
2.
A veteran foreign player who has never played for a MLB team or in a MLB team's
minor league system, but who is signed by your MLB team is considered to be
property of MLB organization that signed him and is NOT eligible to be added to
that DSBL team's Minor League Roster.
That player is considered a free agent eligible for the annual player
draft, just as a free agent player from an American League team signing with a
National League team as a free agent.
3.
Players who have major league experience in either the American League or the
National League are eligible if they are still "Rookies" (130 or
fewer career at-bats for batters; 50 or fewer career innings pitched for
pitchers).
4.
A player on your DSBL team's MLB organization (determined by your MLB team
name) MUST be added to your Minor League Roster BEFORE he loses his eligibility
in MLB. This means the player must be added to the Minor League Roster BEFORE
he exceeds these limits in real life or he is ineligible to be added to the
Minor League Roster.
i.
Eligible “Rookies” who have played in the MLB American League ONLY can be added
to the Minor League Roster at any time.
ii.
Eligible “Rookies” who have played in the MLB National League AND are included
in the current DSBL season’s player database, but who were not on a Minor League
Roster at the beginning of the season, CANNOT be added to any team’s Minor
League Roster until the end of the season. (Why? Because the player might already be on
another DSBL team’s Major League Roster or Minor League Roster and we can't
have players removed from a DSBL team’s roster in the middle of the year). This
means if the player becomes ineligible because he exceeded the maximum MLB at
bats or innings pitched during the current MLB season, you are out of luck
because it will be too late to add him to your Minor League Roster. So it is
strongly recommend you make sure any player in your organization who has
appeared in MLB and is eligible for the Minor League Roster is added
immediately.
iii.
Eligible Rookies who are acquired in the draft or via trade (but excluding
players signed as in-season free agents) may be added to a team’s Minor League
Roster even if he has previously appeared in a DSBL game.
iii.
“Minor League Players” (no MLB experience) can be added to the Minor League
Roster at any time.
5.
The player may not be added if he is already on another DSBL team’s Minor
League Roster or Major League Roster.
6.
If eligible for the Minor League Roster, a player from the DSBL team’s MLB
organization can be added to the Minor League Roster during the draft, and
removed from the list of players available in the draft.
c. Other Minor League
Roster rules and reminders
1.
A promotion of a player from the Minor League Roster to the Major League Roster
may not cause the Major League Roster to exceed 30 players (except after the
September 1st Major League Roster expansion, then it cannot cause it
to exceed 40 players).
2.
Minor League Rosters may be replenished with eligible players at any time. In
other words, if you promote a player from the Minor League Roster to the Major
League Roster, you may add a different player to the Minor League Roster.
3. There is no minimum number of players on the
Minor League Roster. The maximum number
of players on the Minor League Roster is 18.
Therefore, if you fill all 18 spots on the Minor League Roster, you will
have to release a player from the Minor League Roster before you may add
another player.
4.
Teams will NOT be allowed to add any Rookies to their Minor League Roster
during the DSBL season. However, Rookies are eligible to be drafted and added
to any team's Minor League Roster during the draft.
5.
The Minor League Roster may only include players from a DSBL team's MLB
organization (determined by your MLB team name), with the exception of players
acquired by trade or during the player draft.
6.
There are no time limitations for players on the Minor League Roster as long as
they remain eligible.
7.
Effect of MLB trades on Minor League Roster players
a.
Since MLB transactions involving "Minor League Players" have no
effect on DSBL game play (no usable stats) these transactions will be allowed
to continue in real time.
b.
Since "Rookies" may appear on the current season DSBL player
database, MLB transactions involving "Rookies" will not go into
effect until after the end of the DSBL season.
c.
The Compensation Chart – If a player on a DSBL Minor League Roster player is
traded by a MLB team and:
1.
If
other team's player(s) is/are on a DSBL team's Minor League Roster, the DSBL teams
involved have the option of accepting the trade or declining the trade. If
either party declines the trade it is null and void.
EXAMPLE:
Minor leaguer, John Doe of the MLB Reds is traded to the MLB Cubs for minor
leaguer, Bill Smith. Smith and Doe were both on their respected DSBL team's
Minor League Roster. The DSBL Reds and DSBL Cubs would come to an agreement to
accept or decline the trade. If one team declines the trade then both minor
leaguers return to their existing DSBL team’s Minor League Roster.
2.
If
the other team's player is not on a DSBL team's Minor League Roster, but
eligible to be on one, you have two options: Accept the trade or decline it.
EXAMPLE:
The same trade as above except this time the DSBL Cubs did not have Smith on
their Minor League Roster. The DSBL Reds would then have full power to decline
the trade or accept the trade. If the
DSBL Reds decline the trade, they retain their ownership rights in Doe. If the DSBL Reds accept the trade, they can
place Smith on their Minor League Roster even though the Smith was not on the
DSBL Cubs Minor League Roster at the time of the trade. The DSBL Cubs would
have no say whatsoever in the trade.
However, if the DSBL Reds accept the trade, the DSBL Cubs may add Smith
to their Minor League Roster (subject to the 18 player limit).
3.
If the other team's player is an
EXAMPLE
A: Rookie, Andy Jones of the MLB Angels is traded to the MLB Cubs for Minor
Leaguer, Bill Smith. The DSBL Cubs would lose Smith and acquire Jones; however,
Jones would not be eligible to play in a DSBL game until he has actual NL
stats.
EXAMPLE
B: Veteran, Mark Roberts of the MLB Angels is traded to the MLB Cubs for Minor
Leaguer, Bill Smith. The DSBL Cubs would lose Smith and get nothing in return.
8.
December Major League Roster Cut-Down - Players on a team’s Minor League Roster
at the December Major League Roster Cut Down Date, who are no longer eligible
for the Minor League Roster because they have exceeded the at-bat or
innings-pitch limits, must be “contracted” or will they be removed from the team’s
Minor League Roster and become free agents available in the next player
draft. See Contract rules below.
C. Major
League Roster Movement During the DSBL Season
1. Roster Movement Rules
a.
Veterans may not be sent to the Minor League Roster.
b.
Rookies have free movement between the Minor League Roster and the Major League
roster as long as maximum rosters sizes are not violated.
2. Releasing Players & Signing
Free Agents During the Season.
a. “Contract” players
may not be released during the season.
b.
Releasing non-contracted Veterans or Rookies during the DSBL season entitles
the DSBL team to ‘sign’ a player from the list of free agent Veterans and
Rookies appearing on that DSBL player database.
3.
Important timelines
a.
Active rosters are frozen on the first series break closest to August 31st on
the DSBL calendar. These players are your Post-season roster unless a separate
list is provided prior to the deadline. Exact date will be announced by the
league commissioner.
b.
No player movement between DSBL Teams (i.e. trades) is permitted after first
series break closest to July 31st on the DSBL calendar. Exact date will be
announced by the league commissioner.
4. Transactions
a.
Trades and roster moves may be made after any completed series.
b.
Any movement of Rookies between the Major League Roster and the Minor League
Roster must be made prior to results deadline for the transactions to be
effective for the next series.
c.
During the season, a team demoting a Rookie from the Major League Roster to the
Minor League Roster can sign a free agent player if the demotion causes the
teams Major League Roster to fall below 30 (40 after September 1st)
players.
5.
September Roster Expansion – The Major League Roster (30) and Active Roster
(25) will be expanded to 40 players beginning with the first series closest to
September 1 (DSBL calendar).
D.
Trading
1. Permitted Trades
a.
Any contracted or non-contracted player on a roster
b.
Draft picks in the next DSBL draft (i.e. no "future" selections
beyond the next draft).
c.
The rights to any player on your Minor League Roster. Minor Leaguers not on a
Minor League Roster cannot be traded.
2. Forbidden Trades
a.
Trades involving "players-to-be-named later"...
b.
Three-way trades (many potential problems due to the waiting period)...
3. Trading Contracted Players
a.
All trades involving contracted players affect the following season’s
contracts, not the current season.
b.
A team that trades a "contracted" player also trades his
"contract" and that player becomes a contracted player for his new
team.
c.
Trading 2 contract players
1.
If Team A trades a contract player to Team B for another contract player, both
teams will still have 12 contracted players, but the players will simply switch
teams
d.
Trading contract players for draft pick(s) or a non-contracted player.
1.
If Team A trades a contract player to Team B for a draft pick, Team B must
contract the traded player immediately and immediately release an existing
contracted player from his contract in order to retain a maximum 12 contracted
players (but the team does not have to release the player from its Major League
Roster, it only releases the player from his contract). Team A will be left with 11 contracted players UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT
SEASON’S PLAYER DRAFT (meaning Team A can only contract 11 players going into
the player draft for the following season), and will be allowed to select a
player from the free agent pool, but Team A CANNOT contract another player.
Note that Team A will once again be able to contract 12 players AFTER the
player draft the DSBL season following the DSBL season the trade was made in.
2. Trading a contract player for a
non-contract player
If
Team A trades a contract player to Team B for a non-contract player, Team B
must contract the traded player immediately and immediately release an existing
contracted player from his contract in order to retain a maximum 12 contracted
players (but the team does not have to release the player from its Major League
Roster, only release the player from his contract). Team A will be left with 11
contracted players.
3.
The reason Team A will NOT be able to name another contract player is to
discourage the practice of getting rid of contracted players that will have
decreasing value the following year. Remember, by mid-season you will have an
idea of how well your contract players will be for the next DSBL season because
the MLB season will be under way. On the other side of the fence, Team B is
forced to contract this player already having an indication of his future
value.
4. Trading Non-Contracted and Minor
League Roster Players
Trades
are subject to in-season and off-season rules.
Trades involving Minor League Roster players also subject to the Minor
League Roster rules. Trading for a draft pick entitles a team to select a
player from the free agent pool.
5. Unbalanced Trades
a.
Following a trade if a team has a net deficit of players they are entitled to
select a player(s) from the free agent pool in order to reach the maximum Major
League Roster size (30 or 40).
b.
Following a trade if a team has a net surplus of players they must release
players in order to be compliant with the maximum Major League Roster size (30
or 40). Remember a team can move eligible "Rookies" to the Minor
League Roster to free up space on the Major League Roster if there is an open
slot on the Minor League Roster.
6. Trades
a.
Trades announced will be effective during the next DSBL game series.
1.
Example, a trade announced prior to Thursday's game filing deadline will go
into effect after the following Sunday's game filling deadline.
2.
Example, a trade announced prior to Sunday's games filing deadline will go into
effect after the following Thursday's game filling deadline.
3.
All players will remain active with their current teams until the trade is
effective. Either team can rescind the
trade if a DSBL injury or excessive usage violation occurs to one of the
players being received in the trade.
4.
Teams trade player usage as well - Make sure you know how much available usage
a player has before making a trade.
b. Trade Approval
1.
A trade is announced when both parties send an email to the entire league
notifying them of the proposed trade - the parties may provide rationale for
the deal if they feel it may be needed.
2.
Any team may object to the trade by sending an e-mail message to the entire
league (including the trading parties) within 48 hours with the objecting
team’s reason(s) for objecting to the trade.
If after 48 hours, no team has raised any objections, the trade is
finalized (during the season this will be by the next games series cycle. If
objections have been raised by one or more teams, the commissioner (or his
designee) will poll all teams (after the commissioner himself has cast his
vote) for their approval or rejection of the trade. Poll responses will
be sent to the commissioner ONLY within 24 hours, and a failure to reply will
be considered an approval of the trade.
If
a majority of the committee members vote to disallow the trade, the trading
teams will be notified of the decision immediately. In the event that a
trade is disallowed, the trading parties have the right to review the feedback
and attempt to reformulate the trade. In that case the process starts
over again.
3.
Trades During the Player Draft – This trade approval process will not be used
during the draft. Instead all trades
during the draft will be approved/rejected at the sole discretion of the
Commissioner or his designee.
E.
Preseason Roster Preparation
Based on
the 2007 National league, DSBL teams should have a minimum of 5,700-5,900 plate
appearances for the batters (excluding pitchers) and a minimum of 6,200-6,400
batters faced for their pitchers. Of the
pitcher plate appearances, approximately 4,000-4,400 should be starters.
III.
General Playing Guidelines
A.
Manager profiles (MP)
1.
Host team.
The
home team is responsible for playing the games or if unable, alerting his opponent
and the commissioner that the opponent (visiting team) should play the
game. In this constitution, the “host
team” refers to the team who actually plays the games on its computer.
a.
The host team can edit their MP before or after a series, but not during a
series.
b.
The host team is required to import the computer-managed team's MP before
beginning play of a series.
1.
The host team must wait up to 24 hours after the last series deadline for
opponent's instructions before playing a series.
2.
If no instructions are sent by the computer-managed team the host team can play
the games using the MP on the disk
3.
If the host team fails to submit a series by the deadline, the league will use
the MP on the disk to auto-play the games
4.
If the computer managed team sends an email with an MP and instructions, the
host team is required to follow them.
i.
Importing the proper MP and following opponent's instructions is extremely
important so please pay close attention.
ii.
Although not a league requirement, please confirm with your opponent by email
that you received his MP and/or special instructions and it was imported into
your game. This would prevent a common complaint and show consideration for
your opponent.
2. Computer Managed Teams (i.e. The
visiting team)
a.
It is the responsibility of the non-human manager to provide a functional MP
for the host team to use.
b.
The computer managed team has up to 24 hours after the last disk deadline to
send the host team an email with instructions on how to play the series and a
revised MP if desired.
1.
Computer managed team can (1) send an MP with special instructions, (2) a
message to use the MP on the disk or (3) send nothing.
2.
You must copy the Commissioner on any emails. If for any reason the Host team
fails to submit a completed series by the deadline we will need this revised MP
to auto-play the games. If we do not have a revised MP we will use the MP on
the current disk. Please be considerate of your opponent's time and notify him
even if the MP on the disk will be used.
B. Game
play
1.
The Host Team is the league member who actually plays the game on his computer.
2.
Every week there are two scheduled "deadlines," Thursday at 11 pm
Eastern Time and Sunday at 11 pm Eastern Time. If your team is the host team
for a Thursday series, you must play the series and send the results to the
league before the Thursday deadline. If your team is the host team for a Sunday
series, you must play the series and send the results to the league before the
Sunday deadline.
3.
Deadlines will be enforced. The Disk Director will compile each series stats in
the morning the day after the deadline. Any results sent after 11 pm EST are subject
to being auto-played. We will not hold up distributing a new league database
for any reason. Delays only create more problems and affect the next series.
Most email problems can be averted by not waiting to the last minute to send in
your results.
4.
Upon completion of each series, the host manager runs a stat export and e-mails
the transfer files to the league’s disk director and commissioner.
C. Player
usage restrictions
1.
The “Playing Time Limits” feature within the Diamond Mind Game will be
activated and used. The playing time
limits will be as follows
a. Batters:
1. Total plate
appearances – 110% (batters begin performing at “replacement level” when their
league appearances reach this level)
2. Plate appearances
splits – 125% (batters begin performing at “replacement level” when their
league appearances vs. either left handed OR right handed pitchers reach this
level)
b. Pitchers: Batters faced will be
set at 110% (pitchers begin performing at “replacement level” when their league
appearances reach this level)
c. Post Season: Pro-rating factor
will be set at 10% (batters begin performing at “replacement level” when their
playoff plate appearances reach this level, pitchers begin performing at
“replacement level” when their playoff batters faced reach this level)
2.
Further, players will be subject to an upper appearance limits at which time
they will be placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season and
post season, and the team owning that player will be penalizes as follows:
a.
Pitchers:
1. All pitchers are limited to 125%
of the actual MLB batters faced.
2.
“Swing men” (a player with both actual MLB starts and relief appearances, AND
both a starter and reliever rating on the Diamond-Mind player file) are restricted
to 125% of their actual MLB batters faced, but are not restricted to number of
starts. Therefore, in DSBL a pitcher
with 100 actual MLB batters faced, 3 starts and 5 relief appearances can start
more than 3 DSBL games as long as he does not exceed 125% actual batters faced.
3.
Pitchers without a relief rating can appear in relief in a DSBL game ONLY in
the 15th inning or later of a game.
d.
Pitchers without a starter rating cannot start a DSBL game.
b.
Hitters (excluding pitchers)
a.
Hitters are limited to 125% of their actual PA's (total plate appearances)
b.
Restrictions vs. LHP/RHP
1.
Hitters are limited to 200% of actual plate appearances RHP and/or LHP.
3.
Minimum Usage (75% Rule) - A contracted player must use 75% of his real-life
appearances during the DSBL regular season to retain his contract status. If he
is not used at least 75%, he becomes a free agent at the end of the
season. Batters are measured as 75% of
Actual Plate Appearances, pitchers are measured as 75%
of Actual Batters Faced
4.
Usage percentages – Usage is determined by the percentages the DMB game
calculates.
5.
Position Restrictions
a.
Players are only eligible to play at rated positions except DSBL will allow
players rated at certain positions to play other positions with no penalty
other than the normal performance adjustments built into the DMB game itself):
If rated at The player can play at these positions
CF LF or RF
SS 2b or 3b
RF LF
LF RF
C 1b
Any
other instance of a player playing at a non-rated position will not be allowed.
The computer manager should not substitute a player to a non-rated position,
but if the situation does occur the non-human team will not be held responsible
unless it can be proven no back up player eligible for that same position was
provided.
b.
Non-pitchers cannot pitch, and pitchers cannot play any other position except
pitcher.
6.
DSBL follows MLB National League rules regarding the designated hitter. Therefore no designated hitter will be
allowed. Please note, PITCHERS ARE ALSO
SUBJECT TO USAGE LIMITS ON PLATE APPEARANCES WHEN USED AS A BATTER.
D.
Injuries - The league does not use Diamond Mind’s injury system as players are
already limited to a percentage of their actual MLB batters faced (pitchers) or
plate appearances (batters).
IV.
Contracting Players and Franchised Contract Players
A.
Purpose - To allow teams to keep a minimal amount of players over time, while
dispersing talent throughout the league. Our system requires managers to
predict the success of players before knowing the actual results.
B. Rules
for Contracting
1.
Following the December Major League Roster Cut-Down and again one week prior to
opening day in DSBL, each team will select 12 players they wish to “contract”
for the following year. Contract players will eventually become the base roster
for the following year. The objective is for each team to predict a player’s
performance before they know the actual results. Contracting players a year in advance
promotes a balance of power and rewards good GM skills.
2.
A player's contract expires after the December Cut-down and they are officially
on the new season's roster.
3.
It is important to note that eliminating the "contract" label allows
teams to trade these players, once the DSBL regular season has started, under
the rules of a non-contract player.
4.
Franchised contract players who are contracted in the following season are
automatically franchised for the next season.
5.
December Cut-Down
a.
After December 1st (date may vary and will be announced), teams may only retain
up to 12 contracted players, as well as the protected rights to all eligible
players on the Minor League Roster.
b.
After the post season and before December 1st, a manager may replace any of his
12 contracted players with a player on his Minor League Roster.
c.
All other players become Free Agents.
These players then go on to form the nucleus of the new season's roster
and are considered non contracted players.
d.
Players on a team’s Minor League Roster who are no longer eligible because they
have exceeded the at-bat or innings-pitch limits must be contracted or they become
free agents.
6.
If a team contracts a player, the team can contract the player again the
following season, even if the player has no MLB appearances. For example, the Giants contract John Doe for
the 2010 DSBL season. Prior to the 2010
MLB season, Doe injures himself and does not appear in any MLB games in 2010.
However, he is expected to return and play in MLB is 2011. In anticipation of Doe playing again in the
2011 MLB season, at the end of the 2010 DSBL season and for the 2011 DSBL
season, the Giants can continue to include Doe as one of their 12 contracted
players, and carry him on their 2011 roster even though he has no 2010 MLB
stats and therefore cannot appear in a 2011 NSBL game.
C.
Franchise Players
1.
Overview
Being
a 'National League Only' draft league, owners may lose players they had signed
to contracts if the player goes to an MLB American League team in real life due
to MLB trades or free agent signings. To afford some protection against this,
the DSBL has adopted the following feature:
2.
Franchise Players
a.
Players can be designated as “Franchised” any time after the December Major
League Roster Cut-Down and the beginning of the following season only. However, At the time each team’s list of 12
contract players is due prior to the beginning of each season, each team must
designate three (3) of these 12 contract players as their “Franchise” players,
if they have not already done so.
b.
Only contracted players are eligible. A franchise player is automatically
considered a contract player.
c.
Franchised contract players remained franchised until one of the following
conditions is true:
1.
The player is no longer contracted – The franchised player is released during
December Major League Roster Cut-Down.
The team releasing the franchised player may not name a replacement
until the beginning of the following DSBL season.
2.
The franchise player was traded to another DSBL team. The team trading the
franchise player would now gain a franchise slot and the receiving team must
franchise the player. In the case of a
team already having three franchise players and trading for a fourth, the
receiving team must remove the franchise designation from one other player in
order to remain at the maximum number of three.
3.
The player is traded/signed by an AL team in real life and will NOT have any NL
stats for the upcoming DSBL season. In other words, if a "franchise
player" is traded in real life to an AL team during the middle of a MLB
season he will have NL stats on the next DMB player disk. Therefore, this
player is still a "franchise player" for one more DSBL season unless
he is cut during the December roster cut-down.
4.
The player’s franchise designation is removed and given to a different player
when the team announces its list of 12 contracted players at the beginning of
any new season.
5.
The player has no stats due to signing in Japan, retirement or injury unless
the team continues to include the player as one of their 12 contract players.
3. Timing of naming a player a
Franchise player –
In
order for a team to receive compensation as a result of a franchised player
being traded to or signed by a American League team, the player MUST be
designated as a Franchise player BEFORE the actual date/time of the MLB trade
or signing (according to www.mlb.com).
4.
Advantages
a.
If a designated Franchise Player is traded for real-life AL player(s), you have
the option of contracting the AL player(s) for the next DSBL season or passing
on the AL player and opting for a bonus draft pick, or "Power Pick"
in the 3rd round of next season's. (You receive a “bonus” draft pick in Round
3, immediately after your team’s regular 3rd round pick)
1.
In the case of multiple franchise players traded for the same
2.
If neither team has interest in contracting the
3.
If both teams have interest in signing the
4.
In the unlikely event 3 franchise players are involved in a trade. The team who
loses the most franchise players will have the first option. If 3 or more DSBL
teams are involved and all are losing the exact number of franchise players the
League Office will select a winner from a drawing of equal opportunity
b.
If a Franchise Player is lost to the
c.
Any Franchise Player lost to the AL, who returns to the NL someday,
automatically goes into the player draft since the team who lost him already
received an AL player or a 3rd round pick for him when he was lost.
d.
If a Franchise Player retires or signs with a non-MLB team, no compensation is
given to the DSBL team who franchised him.
5. Power Picks
a.
The Power Pick is an additional 3rd round pick that will be exercised
immediately after the awarded team’s standard 3rd round selection. (i.e. back
to back).
b.
If a team has no 3rd round selection, the power pick will be exercised after
the 3rd round picks are complete and prior to the start of the 4th round.
c.
If there are multiple teams with power picks and no selections in the 3rd round
the order will be determined by the rank in the Player Draft selection order.
V. Annual
Player Draft
A. Date
and Procedures
1.
The draft will occur between mid-December and mid-February. Exact dates and
times will be announced and subject to member schedules and the release of the
DMB season database.
2.
The draft will start as an e-mail draft with draft picks due at published
times. If a team missed a published
deadline, the next team is eligible to pick.
The published time is the time the team’s pick is due to the
Commissioner.
3.
If the draft is not completed by e-mail, the league may complete the draft via
AOL Instant Messenger the chat room or any other method as deemed appropriate
by the league members.
4.
If a team misses their assigned time, at the sole discretion of the
commissioner or the member in charge of running the draft in lieu of the
commissioner, the DMB computer manager may be used to make the player
selection.
5.
It is each manager’s responsibility to meet deadlines if they want to make
their own selection.
6.
Draft picks for the current draft (only) may be traded during the draft
B. Draft
Order
1.
The drafting order will be in reverse order of the prior season's final
standings (except for playoff teams). The draft order for the 10 (ten)
non-playoff teams in reverse order of the number of wins for the most recently
completed season. The team with the fewest wins will pick first, the team with
the next fewest wins will pick second, and so on.
2.
The playoff teams from last season will pick 11-through-14 (14 being our World
Series Champ, 13 being the World Series losing team, 12 being the team losing
in the first round with the most regular season wins and 11 being the other
play-off team).
3.
Ties will be broken first by head to head record (the team with the fewest head
to head wins gets the higher pick) and then a coin toss.
4. A team’s draft position will be further
adjusted as a result of any player usage violations as set forth in section
VIII below.
5.
A straight draft (non-serpentine) will be used.
C. Player
Draft Eligibility - All NL players on the recently completed season's disk that
are not contracted for the following year or on a team's Minor League Roster
are eligible to be drafted. Eligible
players are
1.
Players who appeared in a National League game the previous real-life season.
2.
Players NOT on a DSBL team’s Minor League Roster
3.
Players NOT currently under contract
4.
All 3 conditions above must be met for a player to be eligible for the draft
D. Team
Rosters During the Draft - Each team will draft until they have 30 players (12
contracted players plus 18 drafted players)
E.
Drafting of Minor League Roster Eligible Players During the Draft
1.
When a team drafts a player who is eligible for the Minor League Roster, that
player is initially placed on the team’s 30 man roster.
2.
AFTER ALL teams have reached 30 players on their 30 man rosters, the team
drafting the Minor League Roster eligible player has the option of leaving the
player on the 30 man roster or transferring him to the team’s Minor League
Roster.
a.
If the team decides to transfer the player to the Minor League Roster, the team
will be awarded another draft pick to return their roster to 30 players.
b.
If more than one team moves a player to their Minor League Roster, and
therefore is awarded an additional draft pick to get their roster back to 30
players, we will use the existing draft order to determine which team selects
another player first.
c.
If more than one additional draft choice is awarded to the same team the second
selection will begin a new round (no back-to-back picks with in the same
round).
3.
If a drafted player is moved to the Minor League Roster after the draft has
been completed, and prior to opening day, the team who sends the announcement
to the commissioner first will get the first selection from the free agent
draft pool.
4.
During the off season teams may not have more than 30 players on their 30-man
roster at any time.
VI. Post
Season Play
A. Who
Makes the Playoffs?
1.
The three divisional winners and one "wildcard" team who is the team
with the best win-loss record among the teams that did not win their division.
2.
If two teams are tied for a playoff spot, there will be a one game playoff,
which will be considered part of the regular season, and therefore 40 man
rosters and all other regular season usage and other still apply.
B. Post
Season Format
1. Seeding
a. Team with best
regular season won-loss record of the four play-off qualifying teams - #1 Seed
b. Team with second best
regular season won-loss record of the four play-off qualifying teams - #2 Seed
c. Team with third best regular
season won-loss record of the four play-off qualifying teams - #3 Seed
d. Team with fourth best
regular season won-loss record of the four play-off qualifying teams - #4 Seed
2.
Tie-breakers
a.
Division Co-leaders or Ties for Wild Card Spot
1.
If both teams are eligible for the post season we will use best head to head
record, then coin toss to determine seeding.
2. If one
team would be eliminated from the post season
a.
A one-game playoff will be held to decide the play off qualifying team. This
one game playoff will be considered an extension of the regular season, and
therefore 40 man rosters apply and regular season player appearance usage rules
apply. This game will be played on the
DSBL calendar day immediately following the last scheduled regular season
game. The home team for the one game
playoff will be the determined as follows:
a.
Best record head-to-head
b.
Best record versus divisional opponents
c.
Coin-flip by the commissioner
b.
Division Tri-leaders or three teams ties for the Wild Card Spots
1.
If all teams are eligible for the post season we will use best division record
then names in a hat to determine seeding.
2.
If one team would be eliminated from the post season
a.
A 2 game playoff will be held to decide the title.
b.
A coin flip will determine the bye team
c.
Determining home field advantage for first game
i.
Best record head-to-head
ii.
Best record versus divisional opponents
iii.
Coin-flip by the commissioner.
iv.
Each team will be given 1 day rest prior to the play-off game and 1 day rest
prior to game 2.
d.
Determining home field advantage for second game
i.
Winner of game 1 will host the bye team
e.
Winner will get 1 day rest prior to the start of the Divisional Championship
Series
3.
Rest & Off days
a.
All playoff teams get a 1 day rest prior to the start of the post-season and at
least one day rest before the start of the World Series.
b. Each team will get
one day rest for travel after games 2 & 5
4. Match-ups
a. All series best-of-7
b. First Round
1. Number 1
seed hosts number 4 seed.
2. Number 2
seed hosts number 3 seed.
3.
Games 1, 2, 6, 7 at host park. Games 3, 4, 5 played at other team’s park.
c. Championship Series
1. Begins 1
day after last game of the Divisional Series.
2. Host Team
a.
Best season won/lost record
b.
Best record head-to-head
c.
Coin flip
3.
Games 1, 2, 6, 7 at host park. Games 3, 4, 5 played at other team’s park.
C.
Post-season rosters
1.
Teams must use the 25 man active rosters that were frozen on Aug. 31st (DMB
calendar) or a list submitted to the league prior to Aug 31st (DSBL
calendar)
2.
A team may replace a player on the post season roster after August 31st
(DSBL
calendar) if a current player on the post season roster is lost due to penalty
or injury. The Commissioner MUST BE NOTIFIED prior to the start of the post
season. The replacement player does not have to play the same position as the
injured or penalized player.
3.
During the post season, teams can replace an injured active player with another
in-active roster player following each game.
4.
If an active player is lost due to a usage penalty during a series, another
player may not be used to replace him for either the current playoff series or
the next playoff series.
D. Player
Usage
1.
All usage rules refer to each series
2. The “Playing Time Limits” feature within
the Diamond Mind Game will be activated and used. The Post Season Pro-rating factor will be set
at 10% (batters begin performing at “replacement level” when their playoff
plate appearances reach this level, pitchers begin performing at “replacement
level” when their playoff batters faced reach this level).
3.
Players who exceeded any usage restrictions in the regular season are
ineligible for the post-season.
VII.
League Participation & Activities
A.
General Guidelines
1.
League Requests - Please be considerate and reply to all league requests on a
timely manner. In most cases the
information requested will take a minimal amount of time
2.
E-mail - All managers are asked to please be considerate of others and reply to
e-mail expeditiously.
3.
Website – Members
are asked to set the league website as a favorite or bookmark as it includes
all necessary league information..
B.
Expected Participation
1. Game
highlights - After each series played, the host team should submit a brief
recap of each game with series results to the rest of the league for everyone
to see. Please use the following example as a formula:
Cubs Power
Past Reds (a headline that summarizes the series.
Cubs
3 Reds 1. (The score of each game)
(Part
1: Start with how the game was won) Sammy Sosa drove in 3 runs and Steve
Trachsel pitched 7 strong innings to help the Cubs to a 3-2 win over the
Braves. (Part 2: The key play of the game) Sosa's second homer of the day came
in the 8th inning with two outs and put the Cubs up for good. (Part 3: The
turning point in the game) The Braves had a chance to pull ahead in the 6th but
Trachsel struck out Chipper Jones with two out and the bases loaded to keep it
to a one run game. (Part 4: End your recap with something unusual that
happened, or a good quote) The Braves actually out hit the Cubs 10 to 5, but
stranded 10 batters in the process (or… After the game Cubs skipper Joe Doe
said, "You can't win all your games with the long ball, but having Sammy
sure helps improve the percentage".
NOTE:
A good recap shouldn't be more than 100 words. It's my experience that the
longer the recap the less likely someone will read it and you end up spending a
lot of time for nothing. Of course you are free to write recaps anyway you
like, but hopefully some of these suggestions will help you get your thoughts
together and save you some time.
2.
Interaction Among Members
Obviously
the league cannot force people to interact with one another, but the DSBL feels
strongly that interaction is a key to the success of the league.
Interaction
develops friendships and rivalries and makes the gaming experience more
exciting, So, please take a moment to share comments with one another. We
encourage everyone to sign up with AOL’s Instant Messenger and will post screen
names so everyone can chat with one another.
3. This
is a hobby – REMEMBER AT ALL TIMES, this is a hobby and not life or death.
VIII.
Penalties
A. Usage
Violations
1.
Minimum Usage Violation - Failure to reach 75% of usage for contracted players
results in a release of that player into the free agent pool at season's end
and loss of a contract.
2. Maximum Usage Violation (batter exceeds 125%
of total plate appearances or exceeds 200% of plate appearances vs. RHP and/or
LHP, pitcher exceeds 125% of total batters faced)
a.
If a team exceeds any of the player usage limitation rules, the player in
question will be immediately placed on the DL for the remainder of the season
and post season and not be eligible to play until the following year. The
player will not be released to free agency until the December Major League
Roster Cut Down Date.
b. In addition, a team's "draft
position" will suffer as a result of over-using a player. The team’s draft
position in the following season’s draft will be adjusted as follows:
1st
usage violation – The team moves down three positions from its normal draft
position based on wins in the 3rd round (no lower than the last pick in the
round).
2nd usage violation -
The team moves down four positions from its normal draft position based on wins
in the 2nd round (no lower than the last pick in the round).
3rd usage violation -
The team moves down five positions from its normal draft position based on wins
in the 1st round (no lower than the last pick in the round).
Any additional over
usage will be subject to expulsion from the league.
B. Out of
Position Violations
1.
Any player used at an unrated position after the start of the game and prior to
the 15th inning will be suspended for 9 games. A second offense to the same player
will result in a suspension of 30 games. A third offense and the player will be
placed on the DL for the remainder of the year.
2.
Any player who starts a game out position will be suspended for 30 games. A second offense to the same player will result
in player being placed on the DL for the remainder of the season. I feel
starting a game out of position is a greater demonstration of neglect.
3.
No suspensions will occur to any player used out of position during an extra-inning
game or if the CM uses a player out of position during the course of a game
prior to the 10th inning. However, the MP must have a proper depth chart in
place. If the CM uses a player of position and the manager did not have proper
depth, the above suspensions will result.
4.
A player in violation of the position rule cannot be traded until the
completion of the DSBL season in which he committed the infraction
C. Late
Series Results
1.
The host team manager is required to send their series results on or before the
scheduled due date
2.
The due date will be strictly adhered to because the DSBL schedule is played
"In Sync" and there is no room for delays. Therefore, all late
submissions will be auto played by the league office. No exceptions.
3.
The DSBL recognizes that from time to time there are circumstances (Computer,
vacation, work and personal problems) which prevent a manager from filing on
time. It is the manager’s responsibility to notify the league office if there
is a problem or a foreseeable problem.
4.
Note: The DSBL is for everyone’s enjoyment. If you have a problem let the DSBL
office know immediately and we will do our best to work with you so you do not
incur penalties. A lack of consideration to others, by not communicating your
problems will be viewed unfavorably.
5. Penalty scale
1st
violation - The late series will played by the league office following the due
date deadline
2nd
violation - The late series will be played by the league office following the
due date deadline and the owner will be given a warning.
3rd
violation - The late series will be played by the league office following the
due date deadline and the manager will be placed "in vacation mode".
This
involves
all games being played by the league office for 2 additional series
4th
violation - The late series will played by the league office following the due
date deadline, the manager will be placed "in vacation mode" and
subject to dismissal.
Note:
Each case will be judged independently according to the circumstances.
IX. New
rules, revisions, and integrity
A. New
Rules
1.
After the conclusion of a DSBL season and prior to December 1st, the league
office will send out questionnaires requesting your comments and suggestions regarding
proposed rule changes and amendments.
2.
DSBL encourages managers to send in suggestions throughout the year.
3.
Proposed rule changes and comments from the DSBL managers will be reviewed by
the Commissioner who will have full power to make any changes he/she feels will
improve the league.
4.
Note: The DSBL intent is to minimize rule changes from year to year.
B. Rules
Not Covered -From time to time unique situations occur which the constitution
does not cover or an interpretation of the constitution is required. In these
cases it will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner.
C.
Integrity - The success or failure of our league depends to a very large degree
on the honor system. While we'd like to believe no one in this group would cheat,
the temptation and the means are there to do it. A word of caution, if you find
yourself tempted to "replay" a losing game: DON'T! You will
eventually be caught. Remember this is only a game. There is no money exchanged
to the winner and no reason to cheat. The
DSBL was established for the enjoyment of all its members. If you find yourself
no longer having fun or this is becoming more like work than fun, then please
send in your resignation. The DSBL firmly believes we must keep the league in
perspective. This is only a game and there are more important things in life
than playing simulation baseball (but not many!!!).
D. Final
Comments - In order to have a successful organization the DSBL encourages our
members to interact with one another. Anyone can set up a season at home and
play the games, but by joining a league you are committing yourself to sharing
your experiences with others that share your passion for this hobby. Now go out
there and have fun and build a dynasty!