League Rules

League Rules

League Structure

Major League Replay 1965-2010 will be structured in the same way major league baseball was structured from 1965 to 2010.


Schedule

We will play 162 games. I will use a major league schedule similar to one used in real life. I doubt I will update it every season, but will likely update it whenever there is an expansion season or a restructuring, such as when the major leagues went to 2 divisions and when they moved to 3 divisions.

The Teams

The teams will be initially populated by using the 1965 rosters. Players who were in the minor league system prior to 1965 will enter the league with whichever team they first entered the league - regardless of whether they hit the league minimums or not. But their first season will not be until they hit the league minimums. In other words, If a player had 7 at bats with the New York Yankees in 1965 and 55 ab bats with the White Sox in 1966. That player would enter the league with the Yankees in 1966.

All players who were signed in 1965 or afterward (via amateur free agent or draft) will be assigned to that team.

So that we have enough players without having to lower the minimums too low, all rosters will be limited to 25 players. There will be no minor leagues. The minor leagues will be the players your team signs via the draft or amateur free agents. Those players will not be counted in the 25 player limit. You can have unlimited number of players in the minor leagues (players who have not yet reached league minimums).

There will be no injuries but players will need to be rested.

Players your team drafts or signs as free agents (minor leagues) will be added to your roster the first season they have at least 50 at bats or 25 innings pitched. Once they are added they will count towards the 25 man roster. If you have more than 25 players, you will have trim your roster to 25.

These are the league minimums each season. When a player fails to meet the minimums they will be placed on a holding roster for the following season.

Keeper

This league uses real life progression. Teams have complete control of the players. So keep them, cut them, trade them.

Trades

So that there is no shortage of players minor league players (players assigned to your team via draft or free agency but are not yet on your roster) can only be traded for other minor league players.

Major league players can only be traded to other major league players. In other words you can't trade a major league player for a minor league player.

One exception to the above rule: If you work out a deal that includes equal number of minor league and major league players, that will work. HOWEVER, this deal must be approved by the commissioner BEFORE the trade is made. And the commissioner must hear from both parties involved stating they approve the proposed trade.

Trade players as you wish. I do not monitor trades all that closely. However, if it is clear a team is having a fire sale I will invoke the "best interest of the game" clause and nullify the trade. Hopefully I will never have to use it.

The trading deadline and the deadline for signing free agents will at the end with whatever game corresponds with July 31 in the schedule.

Starting Rotation
All teams are required to have 4 starting pitchers in their rotation.

Expansion Draft

In years when there is an expansion draft, players taken in the historical draft will be placed on the expansion team's roster. So keep that in mind when making trades for either major league or minor league players.

Player Stats

As Commish I make it a policy not to change a players stats. The only exception will be in the rare seasons where there is a shortage of either starting or relief pitchers. Before changing a pitcher from relief to starter (or vise versa) If a relief pitcher is changed to a starter his endurance will be 60. If a starter is changed to a relief pitcher his endurance will be changed to 40. No other changes will be made to a players stats.

The Designated Hitter
All teams will use the Designated Hitter rule. I'm not a fan of the DH at all but I don't want to have put together a DH for the pitchers spot and then police the league to make sure it is enforced.

Stadium Effects
The effects of each stadium are fixed and can only be changed when the team moves to another stadium. It is the owners responsibility to let me know when their team moves. This move must be historically accurate. At that time the owner can specify what the effects of that stadium will be. Once the effects are set they cannot be changed.

Active Owners
Any owner who will not be able to sign in at least once in a two week period must communicate this with the commissioner. Any owner who fails to sign in at least once in two weeks, and fails to communicate this with the commissioner will be removed from the league.

League Settings