League Rules

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MAJOR LEAGUE Progression League: Players progress until 28 & decline at 31
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Must Follow Rules:
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A1) - If you're INACTIVE for 14 days, I'll Remove you from the league. This minimizes the FUN. Learn to browse leagues before you jump in them. If you want to join, stay active.



A2) - Always try to improve your team in some FUN manner. Rebuilding a form of improving, but benching good players for no reason, isn't excepted.



A3) - NO PLAYERS can play 'Out of Position'. It's not acceptable. I'll make Lineup changes for you. Your player will make tons of errors and hurt your Team anyway. (Only exception is, if there's an Injured Player and the Computer inserts a bench player in the lineup until Regular comes back)



A4) - TEAM NAMES & LOGOS: There'll be NO changing of TEAM NAMES or LOGOS. I'll change them through the history of the league.



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CHAMPIONSHIPS & WORLD SERIES: This is how we'll play for the League
============================== Champion until the Inaugural World Series.

1892 Season - Championship (1st half vs 2nd half Season Winners)
1893 Season - No Championship (N.L. Champion only)
1894 - 1897 Seasons - Temple Cup (1st vs 2nd, Best of 7 Series)
1898 - 1899 Seasons - No Temple Cup (N.L. Champion only)
1900 Season - Chronicle-Telegraph Cup (1st vs 2nd, Best of 5 Series)
1901 - 1902 Seasons - No World Series (A.L. & N.L. Champion only)

1903 & Beyond - World Series (Best of 7 Series)(1903,1919,1920 & 1921 Best of 9 Series)
1903 - 1968 - WC Round (1 Game Playoff) 4 Wild Card Winners
1903 - 1968 - LCS (Best of 7 Series) 2 League Winners, 2 Wild Card Winners
1927 & Beyond - Lottery Playoffs - 4 Bottom Teams
1927 & Beyond - Lottery Playoffs Final (Best of 3 Series)
1969 & Beyond - LCS (Best of 7 Series) 4 League Winners
1969 & Beyond - LDS (Best of 5 Series) 6 Division Winners, 2 Wild Card Winners
1969 & Beyond - WC Round (1 Game Playoff) 4 Wild Card Winners



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SEASON SCHEDULE:
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REGULAR SEASON - 154 Games (3 & 4 Game Series) - *with Expansion in 1961, we will move to 162 game schedule



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Regular Season DAYS:
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1 - 154 Division Play (*Two* 3 Game Series Each + *Four* 4 Game Series Each)

( Days Off Granted On Days: 31, 61, 91 (4 Days) & 121 )
(Trade Deadline after Game 120)

155 - 156 Days off (Tiebreakers, 1 Game playoff will be played this day if,) 1st Head to Head then 2nd Power Rankings don't decide the tie. Then home page power ranking will decide home team & 2 or 3 way ties.



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Playoffs: Will adjust when needed
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WC - Days 157 (2nd vs. 3rd)

LCS - Days 158 - 166

Day Off - 167

WS - Days 168 - 176

Day off after game 2
Day off after game 5, only for 7 game series



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Lottery: Playoffs
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Round 1 - Day 157 - #13 @ #14

Semifinal - Day 158 - Winner of Day 157 @ #15

Final - Day 159 - 161 - Winner of Day 158 @ #16

The only way any Team will move down a spot, is if the #16 Team loses in the Final. All Teams will go back to their original Draft spot, unless a Team other than #16 Wins the Lottery.



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***Decade Franchise Player Selection:
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At the start of each decade, starting in 1901, each team will pick 1 player that played on their "Real Life Team" from 1901-1910 only, if the player is already in the league then he cannot be chosen. Players will be posted on the History page. They'll be inserted in the league when they become a Rookie, but with the "Year Chosen" as their beginning season, and will then be labeled as Moved.

Ex: Red Sox choose Ed Smith 1904, whatever year Ed started '01, '02 etc., would be the year he's placed on the Red Sox roster with his 1904 stats, however his "Age" would be his "Real Life" rookie year age with minimums listed below.

If a "Duplicate Player" is chosen, the player will go to the team that he actually played more years for, within that decade, if it's still a tie, he'll go to whichever team he played most of his career with.

Players that are chosen, starting in the 1901-1910 decade must have a minimum of 200 PA or SP 100 IP or RP 40-99.2 IP.

Beginning in 1921, HOF are eligible to use their first five years, if their career started towards the final few years of the Decade.



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**Expansion: 1901
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These 4 teams will move to the A.L. in 1901
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- Washington Senators - became the Minnesota Twins in 1961

- Louisville Colonels - Defunct, by default will become the Boston Americans in 1901, renamed the Red Sox in 1908

- Baltimore Orioles - became the NY Highlanders in 1903, renamed Yankees in 1913

- Cleveland Spiders - Renamed Bluebirds in 1901, Bronchos in 1902, Naps in 1903, Indians in 1915


These additional 4 teams will be added to the A.L. in 1901
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- Philadelphia Athletics - move to K.C. in 1955, then Oakland in 1968

- Milwaukee Brewers - became the St Louis Browns in 1902, then Baltimore Orioles in 1954

- Detroit Tigers - (bfd106b) will leave the Senators & take over Detroit in 1901

- Chicago White Stockings - Renamed White Sox in 1904


* The 4 expansion teams will pick 2 hitters & 2 pitchers from their 1901 (Real) Team Only.

- Original 12 Teams may protect 5 players each.

- Original 12 Teams can lose no more than 2 Players, per expansion year

- Team the Player is on would have 2 choices.

1) Keep him & lose the value of that Player in a Compensation Pick (Rule 4C) to the Team that wanted him.

2) Take the Compensation Pick of the value of the Player from the Team that wants the Player (Rule 4C).

- Compensation Picks will only apply when a player who has been an All Star in our League or a "Real Life H.OF" is chosen in the 5 Rd Expansion Draft.
"Real Life H.O.F." Players can be seen on the Home Page and All Stars in our League will have an *asterisk next to any given year they made the A.S. Team, if you click on any given player.

** These choices are to help the Expansion Teams and compensate the teams that may lose a player.

*** Also the 4 expansion teams will pick in the first 4 spots of the 1901 draft. I will pick those 4 teams out of a hat to decide the Order of the first 4 picks.

* The 4 expansion teams will have a 15 round supplement draft from the FA to fill in their Rosters.



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**EXISTING 1901 N.L. TEAMS:
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- Boston Beaneaters - Renamed Doves in 1907, Rustlers in 1911, Braves in 1912, Bees in 1936, Braves in 1941, Moved to Milwaukee in 1953, Moved to Atlanta in 1966

- Chicago Colts - Renamed Orphans in 1898, Colts in 1902, Cubs in 1906

- St Louis Browns - Renamed Cardinals in 1900

- Brooklyn Grooms - Renamed Bridegrooms in 1896, Superbas in 1899, Trolley Dodgers in 1911, Superbas in 1913, Robins in 1914, Dodgers in 1932, Moved to Los Angeles in 1958

- New York Giants - Moved to San Francisco in 1958



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**EXPANSION: 1961
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These additional 4 teams will be added to the A.L. & N.L. in 1961 ( Not 2 AL in '61 & 2 NL in '62 ) easier to schedule the 162 games in '61
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A.L.

- Washington Senators - move to Texas in 1972

- Los Angeles Angels - Renamed California in 1966, Anaheim in 1997, Los Angeles in 2005

N.L.
- Houston Colt .45s - Renamed Astros in 1965

- New York Mets

* Also, the 4 expansion teams will pick in the first 4 spots of the 1961 draft. I will pick those 4 teams out of a hat to decide the Order of the first 4 picks.



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LEAGUE SETUP:
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1) - SIM SCHEDULE: I will Sim 2 times per day. 1 Morning Sim of 5 Games (between 6 - 9 am EST) also 1 Night Sim of 5 Games (between 5 - 9 pm EST). Every now and then Times could fluctuate. It depends on how much time I get. Just keep up with your lineup and the stats will keep rolling.



2) - ALL STAR TIME: There will be 4 Days Off Granted for the All Star break. The All Star break is a time where you can make Lineup and Rotation changes to your team for the stretch run.

- We will not play an All Star game.

- All Stars will be picked by the computer. All star teams will be made up of 25 players from each league (1901). All star teams will be made up of 5 SP 5 RP a starter at C 1B 2B 3B SS OF OF and OF with a backup at each infield position, as well as 2 additional OF.



3) - TIEBREAKERS: Head to Head then Power Rankings will determine the Tiebreakers.



4) - TRADING: You are LIMITED to '3' trades a season. Draft picks can be Traded. Trades will be monitored. I'll VETO a trade if I feel it is unfair to the rest of the league.

* In this League you will only be able to Trade 1st, 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for the upcoming draft only. 3rd round picks can only be traded, if we have a 3rd round. Earliest trades hold the weight of the upcoming drafts.


4a) - Hall of Fame Trade: A HOF Player can only be Traded in a Trade that involves another HOF Player. This is to ensure good balance in the league. The Draft is the only way to stockpile HOF players, if your lucky. Links of HOF players are up above in the Red Box. Also, you can group a list on the player stats page by clicking Real Life HOF in the Tagged drop down box.


4b) - Trading an All Star: If you trade an All Star for another All Star that is fine.

(((*** This only applies for a 30 game stretch each year ***))) * Games 91-120

However if you trade an All Star for a Non All Star then there will be guidelines to follow.

The Trade will go through, and the Team Dealing All Star will get Compensation. Here is the chart to see what you receive for Compensation.

------- 1 - Trading a Starting A.S. will get a 1st Round Pick from Team you Deal with.
------- 2 - Trading a Backup A.S. will get a 2nd Round Pick from Team you Deal with.

* If you Trade an All Star for a Draft Pick, or complete a HOF trade, then there will be *NO COMPENSATION* awarded. As you already are receiving a Draft Pick.


4c) - Expansion Compensation: Only applies for Expansion years.

1 - Player chosen has (Real Life) OPS% .850 and Above, or WHIP 1.05 and Below
------- Team receives a 1st Rd Pick

2 - Player chosen has (Real Life) OPS% .750 - .849, or WHIP 1.06 - 1.20
------- Team receives a 2nd Rd Pick

3 - Player chosen has (Real Life) OPS% .749 and Below, or WHIP 1.21 and Above
------- Team receives a 3rd Rd Pick, if Draft is 3 rounds


4d) - Trade Deadline: Will be After Game 120. The Deadline Time will be 6 AM EST, following day. All Trades must be in by that time or will be Voided.



5) - ROOKIE DRAFT: Each year Before Free Agents open up, we'll have a 2 or 3 Round "SLOW DRAFT". Draft order will be based on Previous Seasons Standings. This is the Main Draft. *New Rookies* from ML Season that we are in next 1893, 1894 etc, Plus All players in the Free Agent Pool.

* FA will be inserted in the Draft, at the start of the 2nd Rd each year.

** There will 'NEVER' be a "LIVE DRAFT"


5a) - ROOKIE REQUIREMENTS: Rookies coming into the league will have to have 200 PA for hitters and 100 IP for a SP or 40 to 99.2 IP for a RP. Any pitcher with less than 100 IP will be turned into a RP. A player with less than any of these totals will be deleted from the league and will have to wait to play until they meet these requirements.


5b) - SLOW DRAFT RULES:

QUICK CHART: Team On the Clock - Make pick by
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10 AM EST - 10 PM EST - Same Day,...4 PM, if Commish picked previous Round
4 PM EST - 7 AM EST - Next Day,...10 PM, if Commish picked previous Round
10 PM EST - 4 PM EST - Next Day,...7 AM, if Commish picked previous Round

If Commish picked both Rounds then the times would be 1 PM, 7 PM & 4 AM, for the 3rd Round. This is to keep everyone HAPPY, and to keep the League moving at a nice pace. Rank your players, and I'll Use your list during the Slow Draft (check Rule 5c below). If you haven't logged on in 2 days, Commish will make a selection.


5c) - FOR OWNERS WHO HAVEN'T RANKED PLAYERS:
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During all "SLOW DRAFTS ONLY", if you haven't ranked any players, instead of Auto picking, Commish will pick a "Position of Need Player" going by my judgment with the highest OPS, if a batter is chosen or the player with the lowest WHIP, if a pitcher is chosen. Some owners aren't always able to get to a computer during the time frame they have to make their pick.

* This should help keep the League strong.


5d) - ROOKIES ONLY: (REAL MLB) HALL of FAME PLAYERS & OUR DRAFTS FIRST 3 PICKS ONLY: If you draft a Rookie HOF player, or have the #1, #2 or #3 pick in any Draft Starting in 1900, you have the choice to choose any 1 of the players first 5 seasons as the season he will use as his Rookie Year.

It has to be a Qualified Year. Batter 200 PA, SP 100 IP, RP 40- 99.2 IP.

The HOF players or #1/#2/#3 Draft Picks age will not change because of the switch. That would be an incentive for the player.

This is to give 'Real Life' HOF players & #1/#2/#3 pick players a better chance for better numbers. Also, a chance for lesser teams to possibly improve faster. Some years it may not improve the players at all, but at least there's a chance for some help.

There is a list of HOF Members on the home page. Each year the Commish will add the latest HOF players to the list, if there are any.

* Also, you can find a list of MLB HOF players on the 2 links in the red bar at the top of the page. When you get on the page Hit the category "FROM" to organize from oldest year to newest year.


5e) - PLAYER LIMITS: ROOKIE Max Levels for batters extra base hits will be: 49 doubles, 25 triples & 49 home runs. Unless they fall into a category below.

* MAX LIMITS for Players -

Players with 600 or more AB's
59 doubles, 35 triples & 59 HR

Players with 500 to 599 AB's
49 doubles, 25 triples & 49 HR

Players with 400 to 499 AB's
39 doubles, 15 triples & 39 HR

Players with 300 to 399 AB's
29 doubles, 10 triples & 29 HR

Players with 299 or less AB's
19 doubles, 10 triples & 19 HR



6) - FREE AGENTS: Before the season starts, usually a day after the Draft Free Agency will open. The Time will be most likely be at 8 pm est. Free Agents will close before the Playoffs Start.



7) - THE COMMISH: The goal is to have a strong, fun, realistic, competitive league! My team is the Boston Americans . Sometimes I may have to take over a team just to keep them active. Any Un-owned team is available by request. First come First served.



8) - AWARDS: All awards will be given After the Season.

How we will decide Chalmers/MVP & High Hurler/CY: From the Awards page the Top Player will be awarded.

1 - Chalmers/MVP AL
2 - Chalmers/MVP NL
3 - High Hurler/Cy Young AL
4 - High Hurler/Cy Young NL
5 - MGR of the Year - See 8b
6 - Rookie of the Year (MLB) Voted during the Playoffs


8a) - ON FIRE - Major League will use On Fire Points. Starting at Five for All players. All Stars, MVP, CY & ROY will receive 1 point. Once a player turns 30 y/o he will no longer receive Award points. On Fire will have a cap of 20.


8b) - MGR of the Year: (Best Team not to make the Playoffs, H2H, and Power Rankings decide two and three way ties).


MGR of the Year - Star Awarded
AL/NL Pennant - Star Awarded - Started in 1903
World Series Champion - Trophy Awarded



9) - ROSTER SIZE: We will carry a 25 player Major League team and a 10 player Minor League team.


9a) - Injuries can reach up to 40 games.


9b) - We will also be using 4 MAN PITCHING ROTATIONS until 1980.


9c) - Slump Buster has a limit of 4 Days.


9d) - RETIREMENT - Players Retire after they play Age 41, or below a .175 AVG or above a 1.75 WHIP, regardless of their age.


9e) - SP and RP Stamina Limits - (1940-1979) This is when they will start to tire.

SP Cap is 125

RP Cap is 30

* You may edit your Rotation to keep your SP in After, When or Before their pitch count is up.



10) - ROOKIES: Rookies will be Tagged. To Win R.O.Y. the player must have 400 AB, 100 IP for SP & Relief Pitchers must have 40 IP to Qualify.

- At Seasons end, the Commish will pick a Max of 5 from the League to place in a league vote during the playoffs that will decide who our winner is from the Regular Season for the Rookie of the Year. Co-winners will be accepted.

- How we will decide ROY: From the league message, you may Choose 3 & number them best to worst. One being the best. These are the Only players that will receive votes that count, write-ins vote will Not count. The player with the highest total points will Win the ROY award. Winner(s) announced after the LCS (starting in 1912). If a Owner selects just 1 player, he will receive 5 points.

- 1st Place vote = 5 pts
- 2nd place vote = 3 pts
- 3rd place vote = 1 pt



11) - STARTING PITCHER CONVERTED TO RELIEF PITCHER: Permanent Move! One Conversion every Five Years. Starting in 1912, One Conversion every other year. Players Must be 30 years old. Home Page will show, if you used your Conversion up yet. These requests must be before regular season starts. Owners can message the commish with the subject ?SP to RP Conversion?, & the full name of the pitcher he wants to convert.

* History page shows all Teams Conversions for time frame.

- This process is manual but a few general guidelines to have some idea of what to expect.

- Stamina will drop significantly (75%)
- ERA will drop (10%)
- W, L?s and IP?s will drop (est. 50%)
- BB/9 and H/9 will drop (5% & 10%)
- K/9 will improve (25%)
- CG stats will zero out.



12) - STADIUM RENOVATIONS: Before the beginning of each year, you can edit either LHB or RHB by one step. ALL EXPANSION TEAMS will start without any Advantages or Disadvantages. One side only per Year.

* History page shows all Teams changes



13) - Try to check in frequently, this league will have injuries that could result in players missing up to 40 games. Some players will need to be rested. This information can be found on your team page. If you aren't available to make these adjustments the computer will do it for you automatically. The more participation and interaction lends to a more enjoyable and competitive league.



14) - M.L.B. HALL of FAME: - Opens in 1940, every 5th year, a new class of HOF will be named, if any (follow parameters below).


14a) - PLAYERS RETIREMENT HAT: Will be the Hat the player played most with. In the event of a Tie, the Team the Player played "First" with will be the Team Hat he wears, unless he had more Awards with the other team he's tied with, if inducted into the HOF or, if he is listed on any All Time List.

- To Qualify for the HOF for the first 10 years through (1950), a player must meet these requirements:

Minimum - Batters 4,000 ab, SP 1,000 ip & RP 500 ip

Career Leader, or Top 3 in 2 major categories, or 15x All Star, or 3x Canadian/Coat of Arms or 4x Fireman Winner

Batting - R, H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP, SLG & OPS

Pitching - W, SP-ERA, Both-ERA, SP-WHIP, Both-WHIP, SO, SHO & SV

- years 1951 - 1960 - Top 5
- years 1961 - 1970 - Top 8
- years 1971 - 1980 - Top 10
- years 1981 - 1990 - Top 12
- years 1991 - 2000 - Top 15
- subject to change

* Older players can still get in when lists expand, if they still qualify.



15) - Have FUN !!!

League Settings