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2000 Greenbears Baseball League DMB Ultra Rules This page was last updated on 3/1/00. I. Foreword: The 2000 Greenbears Baseball League season will be different from any that has gone before. We will offer two leagues, just as in 1999: an "ultra" league and a "season" league. But how we play those games will be radically different. Our ultra league will no longer be a fantasy league as we know it. Instead, we will use Diamond Mind Baseball (DMB) computer software to simulate actual games between our teams. You will be responsible for setting your lineups, pitching rotations, substitution patterns, etc. through your manager profile. Each weekend, the Commissioner will autoplay the games from the previous week's schedule, using your manager profiles. You will receive boxscores from all your games each weekend through e-mail. And the top four teams will meet in the playoffs and "Wayne Series" at the end of the season. Already in 1999, we successfully played an entire ultra season this way, simultaneous to our fantasy league season. We didn't start DMB until summer, but we caught up with the schedule, and had an exciting fall playoff and pennant race. DMB players perform almost exactly as they did in real life, using the stats compiled from the previous pro baseball season. (Of course, there will always be some slight standard statistical variation, if the software works correctly.) Your contracts and rosters from the ultra fantasy league will be transferred identically (as they were already used in last year's DMB season.) Of course, because game simulations and fantasy leagues are different, there will be some minor changes to the rules to allow for this (see below.) As for the season league, it will continue to be a fantasy league. 1999 was the first year for a Greenbears baseball season league, and we did it the same way as the ultra league, using fantasy league software provided by FSPI. In 2000, however, we will play the season league online, using an online stats provider (probably one of the big websites, such as Yahoo or Netscape). Again, there might be some rules changes. We will probably not be able to have head-to-head games anymore, unfortunately. But we will attempt to keep our fantasy rules and formats as close as possible to our previous ones. The rulebook below covers the DMB ultra league. For the online season league, most of the playing rules will be available on the stat provider's website; but we will have any additional rules available on our own website.
1. The draft: Each spring a rookie/free agent reentry draft will be held by the Greenbears Baseball League. This may be an open draft or by proxy list only, to be determined by the Commissioner, depending on circumstances. The Greenbears Baseball League is an "ultra league". In ultra leagues, owners retain a certain number of players from year to year. (In "season" leagues, all owners start from scratch with zero players each season.) The Greenbears offer both types of leagues. This rulebook is only concerned with the ultra league. Each of the Greenbears owners may retain up to 12 players, depending on the number of players with eligible contracts remaining on their rosters at the end of the season. The draft will be held on the date best determined by the commissioner to allow all available team owners to enter (or attend). Unless they will attend an open draft, owners should then submit a proxy draft list to be administered by the commissioner. This list may be made up in any coherent manner but should include all possible draft selections desired by that owner. If a team has provided a proxy draft list, that order will be used to choose players, except that all starting positions on the roster will be filled before any reserves are chosen. (So, owners using a draft list should arrange their roster accordingly before the draft begins.) Anytime that the list is exhausted, or if there is no proxy list for a team, players may be selected based on previous season's scores (or any other rankings.) An eligible player list (EPL) will be made available to the owners for this purpose, prior to the draft. If an ultra league team has no list (or no owner), then remaining players may be moved into starting spots by the Commissioner, and all open starting positions on the roster will be filled before any reserves are chosen. Their players will be chosen from the EPL, based on their stats, except that choices will alternate between hitters and pitchers. If the draft is open, a time limit considered practical will be administered by the commissioner, and the deputy commissioner will assist if necessary. Owners who exceed this limit may still select players but other owners may go ahead and draft in their own turns. Ultra league teams will draft in reverse order of the previous season's finish, except for the first four picks in the first round. These four picks will go to the bottom four teams (based on total points) from the previous year, but in order of best record to worst, beginning with the first full scoring period after the All-Star Break (roughly mid-season). This gives teams at the bottom an incentive to continue playing throughout the season (and not make bad trades), instead of trying to lose and get the top pick. Any additional information on draft procedures should be given to the owners before the draft begins. Changes for 2000: A.) Put in writing the Commissioner's right to determine predraft roster positions for teams without lists or owners;
2. Rosters and standings: Each team will be allowed to keep 2 players at each infield/catcher position. One DH position may be filled with any hitter. A utility (UT1) position will replace the DH2 roster spot. UT1 must be a player capable of playing 2 infield positions. You are still allowed 6 outfielders, and no field distinctions are made there. Pitching in DMB requires a different roster makeup than a fantasy league does. You may keep only 7 starting pitchers. You must also have 5 relief pitchers. You will be required to have at least one lefthander and one righthander in both starting and relief pitching spots. It is possible for a pitcher to qualify in either area, making him able to fit in either type of roster spot. (However, having just one southpaw, who is eligible as both, does not meet the southpaw requirement. You must have at least two total lefthanders on your staff.) Teams may also have a four-man farm team. Beginning in 2000, teams must no longer carry only rookies and prospects on their four-man farm teams. Any player is now eligible to be on a farm team. (We will clear the previous prospects from your teams unless you protect them.) You must select one pitcher, one catcher, one middle infielder, and one wild card player (any position.) Players drafted to a farm team will now receive three-year contracts, like other players. Your starting lineup is a DH (any hitter, but not a pitcher), one player each at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, and C; three outfielders, and any pitcher (determined by your starting rotation.) You must name a starting lineup for each scoring period or the previous lineup (or manager profile) will remain in effect. (NOTE: Unlike in fantasy baseball, your roster does not directly match up with your starting lineup in DMB. For example, a reserve 1b may start as the DH, even if a non-1b player is on your roster in spot DH1. Or a two-position infielder in roster spot 2b2 may start at ss, even if the roster ss1 cannot play 2b. This duplicates real baseball, and is necessary to play the game.) You can also set your pitching rotation, substitution and relief pitching patterns, and strategy tendencies through your manager profile. That too must be changed each week, or the previous one will remain in effect. Each team will play simulated games against other teams each week, using Diamond Mind Baseball (DMB) software and the manager profiles for each team. The games will be played consistently with the rules of actual baseball. The team scoring more runs is the winner in each game. Standings are kept based on a team's won-loss record for the season. The season will be 162 games long. Playoffs will be held at the end of the 162-game season. The teams with the four best records will advance, with the first place team drawing home advantage aginst the fourth place team, and the second place team having home advantage against the third place team. The two winners will advance to the Wayne Series. Both playoff rounds will be best-of-seven series, in the 2-3-2 home field format. Tiebreakers: If teams are tied in the standings for the final playoff spot at the end of the season, then a single playoff game will be held, with a coin flip determining the home team. If teams are otherwise tied in the standings, the team with the best head-to-head record is the winner; if still tied, then the team with the highest overall run differential (runs scored minus runs allowed) is the winner. Changes for 2000: A.) Removed references to point scores;
3. Scoring periods and substitutions: Games are played to cover specific periods of time, which are usually one week long. Each scoring period begins on Saturday. Transactions must be reported to the Commissioner (or stat service, if required) by Friday at 5 p.m., so that they can be eligible for the period ahead. Roster changes during a scoring period will not become effective until the next period begins. An owner may substitute players in and out of his starting lineup without restriction, except that he may only activate one player from his farm team per week. The Disabled List (DL) is now managed by the DMB software. Injuries occur on the same frequency basis as each player has in real life. You cannot manually put players on and odd the DL. Changes for 2000: A.) Eliminated references to old scheduling;
4. Player position eligibility (PPE): When the eligible player draft lists (EPLs) are handed out, players will be listed at the positions they played in the previous season. PPE lasts all season, and will be reassessed for all players at the end of each season. If the DMB software lists a player as eligible at a position, we will allow that eligibility to stand. (In fact, we rely on that.) Although it is possible in DMB to play players at ineligible positions, or to add eligibility, a manager should only make an eligibility appeal to the Commissioner if his player meets the playing requirements listed below. Players may be declared eligible at other positions, based on their games played totals from the end of the previous season. Everyday players may receive additional position eligibility as follows:
To qualify as a starting pitcher, one must have 7 starts or 50% of appearances must be games started. (This is a pretty low minimum.) To qualify as a reliever, 5 total relief appearances or 50% of all appearances must be in relief. It is possible for a pitcher to qualify in both pitching roles. In this instance, he may be used in either type of position, but he can only occupy one roster spot at a time. Since DMB allows the addition of player eligibility at any position, if a team ends up with just one outfielder at a specific outfield position, the manager can appeal for additional outfield position eligibility for another outfielder. In that case, an outfielder may have eligibility added for the next field down (center-right-left), with a loss of one fielding rating. Granting any other appeals are solely at the Commissioner's discretion, and appeals should be avoided if possible. A player may be substituted at an ineligible position during a single game only if no other player remains available at the position on the active roster. In such instances, his fielding rating will be set at the lowest level, unless playing a similar position, in which case the fielding rating drops by one. Similar positions include: any OF spot and any other OF; 1B and 3B; 2B and 3B; 2B and SS; and SS and 3B. Any player with no position games played (DH-only) may only enter the field as a 1B. Out-of-position players must be moved by the beginning of Hot Stove League or they will be repositioned by the Commissioner. The Commissioner is allowed to use his own judgement in this case, and may decide without restriction on who to protect and who to waive. (In some cases, the player with the shorter contract might be waived, and RBI and pitching wins might break ties if contract length is equal). In this rare instance, we will do all we can to juggle your lineups to prevent you from losing players. You should, however, pay attention to games-played numbers during September as well as any notices issued at the end of the season about eligibility problems. Changes for 2000: A.) Made DMB software primary source for position eligibility;
5. Free agents and waivers: Each team is allowed 20 free agent signings (free agents are players not on any roster) during each season. Owners may only sign three free agents during any scoring period. You cannot trade your 20 free agent signings. Owners must waive extra players from their roster when reporting any free agent signing. Transactions should be reported by e-mail directly to the Commissioner at the following address: thegreenbears@hotmail.com on the Internet. Transactions can also be given directly to the Commissioner at work, if they are already prepared. But telephone calls and visits to the Commissioner at home are not allowed and will not be accepted! Any player waived by a fantasy league team must sit out for two scoring periods, so other teams all have a chance to claim the player. If the player is not claimed by any league team, he then becomes a free agent. If one team claims him, he goes to that team as one of his 20 free agent signings. If multiple teams claim the same player during the waiver period, the commissioner will disperse the player at random (coin flip, card drawing, etc.). Only one team will be charged a free agent signing. If the player's original team wants the player back during the two-week waiver period, they can recall him immediately and cancel all claims made by other teams, at the cost of one free agent signing. Changes for 2000: A.) none.
6. Trades: Ultra league owners can make trades, but only under certain conditions. Because there has been so much controversy in the past over trades, many restrictions are now necessary to insure fair play. All involved parties must report any trade within 48 hours of its completion, or it will be null and void. Only the Commissioner can make a trade official, unless he designates another source for this. If there are any problems with reporting trades, the Commissioner will attempt to verify the situation with all parties involved. The trading deadline is July 31, unless otherwise notified via the league newsletter or stat reports. This date may be shifted by the Commissioner if necessary, and historically has often been extended. The maximum number of players that can be traded in a single deal by one owner is four. In a four-player trade, the owner must get at least three players in return (there can never be a difference greater than one in the number of players traded in a deal from one team to the other.) Also, all players received in a trade must stay on that team's roster until a new scoring period begins, unless traded to a third team (offseason trades excluded, of course.) An owner can only make three trades in a season and one with any specific team (offseason trades excluded.) However, if an owner has two teams, you may make one trade with each of his teams. Owners in their first season of play can only make two trades, both of which must be approved by the Commissioner. ALL trades are subject to review, and any trade can be vetoed by the Commissioner if it is unfair (or would be bad for the league in general.) Any player who was ranked in the top five at his position at the end of the actual stat season used, in any of the premium statistical categories, must bring another top 5 player (from any premium category) in return if traded. Premium categories include home runs, RBI, batting avg., wins, ERA, and saves. Multiple top five players require the same number of top five players be traded in return. To be fair numerically, a top ten starting pitcher is equivalent to a top five hitter (or reliever) for these purposes. Trading a draft pick in the first round also requires a top five player in return. Trades can be used to abuse the intent of the game. This will not be tolerated. Any effort to create a "superteam" through cooperative efforts between owners will bring about suspensions. The Commissioner will use fair judgement in these matters, and will attempt to give other owners the benefit of the doubt. He will consult with the Deputy Commissioner and other owners in case of a possible serious breach of sportsmanship. However, questionable trades must be checked for the best interest of all owners. Owners must always play to win. Anyone who cannot do this, or who loses interest, should resign from the league. Anyone who cannot take the contest reasonably seriously and respect the owners who do, should consider another type of recreational activity. If everyone plays gentlemanly and honestly, within the spirit of the rules, then the contest will be more enjoyable for all. It is with this in mind that we have eliminated prize money. All fees will go for statkeeping and Commissioner's services. Changes for 2000: A.) Changed top five ratings from point rankings to stat category rankings;
7. Free Agency: Our ultra league is a perpetual league, with each team retaining a number of players from the previous season when they go to the annual draft. Each player has a contract, good for up to four seasons. When a player's contract ends, he must enter the draft, along with all non-roster free agent players and players signed as undrafted free agents during the previous season (also known as "contract zeroes"). Each player's contract is reset by the draft, so a player can be drafted again by his old team, if they so desire. Players chosen in the first four rounds of the draft receive four-year contracts, while all players chosen later receive three-year contracts. This applies even to players chosen with a draft pick which came from another team in trade.
8. Trading contracts: Players who are traded keep the same contract length when they join their new team. However, each season any team may extend the contracts of any two drafted players, who are received in trade between the start of Hot Stove League (offseason trading period) and the annual trading deadline in the summer. Contract extensions will be to three years each for players traded until July 15; players traded from July 16 until the trading deadline can receive four year contracts, since they have nearly played the entire season for the first club anyway. A player traded during Hot Stove League for a draft pick in the first four rounds will be eligible for a four year contract extension as compensation (of course, only one contract extension is allowed per pick traded -- owner's choice if multiple players are traded.) These players are still subject to the aforementioned restriction of two contract extensions per season. However, each season (beginning with Hot Stove League), you may exempt one player (who is received in trade for a draft pick in the first four rounds) from that rule. In this way you are not penalized (in contracts) for trading a single draft pick instead of a short-contract player, and it is probably in both teams' best interest to make one such trade. On the other side, each season you can only trade one player with a contract of less than three years for a draft pick in the first four rounds. This keeps teams from giving away all their short-term players for four-year draft picks in Hot Stove League, thereby circumventing the contract extension rules. Note that if any two teams trade top four round draft picks with each other in separate trades during the same Hot Stove through draft day period, that could also circumvent these rules. Therefore, since the draft picks would match up in contracts, the players involved would not be eligible for the single exemption from the two contract extension restriction. Players claimed as free agents ("contract zero" players), are normally required to go into the next spring's draft. However, if traded during the season, "contract zero" players may receive a maximum contract extension to three years from their new team (but not four years.) These players would still count against the maximum of two players per season who can receive contract extensions after a trade. An owner may defer his decision on which players receive contract extensions until the end of the season, if he has more than two players eligible to receive extensions. If a player is traded from Team A to Team B, and receives a contract extension from Team B, he is not eligible to return to Team A in trade until he has been away from Team A for a complete baseball season (March through October, not simply a calendar year of 365 days.) This keeps teams from making secret agreements to play keep-away from the draft for their star players. If the player was cut by Team B and entered the draft...then Team A could possibly draft him again. If a player is waived, and later picked up by the same team, he regains his original contract status and does not have to enter the next draft (even if another team briefly owned him in between). This clause only applies to moves during the same season, not to moves made in previous seasons. Changes for 2000: A.) specified contract extension rules for trading draft picks.
9. Hot Stove League: Baseball doesn't necessarily end during the winter. Ultra league teams can make trades and follow major league moves during this time. Some Ultra league business is necessary during the offseason: A.) Players who finished the season on the DL should be placed in an open roster spot within 10 days after the World Series, or this will be done for you. If you have a surplus of players, the shortest contract players may be cut from your roster, if you don't make these moves yourself. B.) Deposits should be placed on your team for the next season if you want to make offseason trades. If no fees are paid or no other arrangement on this is made by a predetermined date in March, your team may be sold to someone else (although this is unlikely if you have a long league record.) C.) Teams must cut down to a certain number of players by a predetermined date. The number of players you can protect is 12, unless otherwise announced in the league newsletter before the cutdown date. The cutdown date will be announced in the league newsletter -- normally this is in February or early March. You can still make trades after this date, and you can temporarily exceed the roster limit by doing so, until the day of the draft. No more players can be cut after this date, however, so that draft eligible player lists (EPLs) can be made. If owners fail to make cuts by the deadline, the Commissioner will make the cuts for him. The Commissioner is allowed to use his own judgement in this case, and may decide without restriction on who to protect and who to waive. D.) Trades may be made according to the rules herein, remembering that players who had a contract length of one or zero at the end of the previous season are now in the draft pool and are not eligible for trade. Trades in Hot Stove League do not count against your trading limit; but those players who are eligible to receive contract extensions, do count against your contract extension limit for the season ahead. E.) Trading of draft picks may only be done during the immediate offseason before that draft is held, and new owners cannot trade away their first round draft picks (but they can trade for someone else's.) Each draft pick counts as one "player" for purposes of counting players involved in a trade (see rule #9.) You cannot trade any draft picks lower than the fifth round until the draft has reached the prior round on draft day. You also cannot trade draft picks you are not entitled to (if you have three spots left on your active roster, you cannot trade a draft pick five rounds from that time.) F.) As mentioned above, the draft will conclude the offseason. Fees are expected to be paid in full by draft day, unless you are notified otherwise. Your rosters, etc. will arrive per the Commissioner's instructions (or our stat service). Your fees will only cover software, statkeeping, and Commissioner's services; and as usual, the Commissioner plays for free. No prize money will be given and no fees will be accepted for this! No exceptions! This is the official policy of all Greenbears Leagues. Changes for 2000: A.) Trading draft picks lower than fifth round only allowed during the prior round; formerly sixth round trades allowed only after third.
10. Farm Teams: The minor league rosters are composed of 4 players per team. They can be drafted, or signed as free agents. If drafted, their contracts will be only 2 years. They are subject to the draft's maximum protection rules. Unowned (open) teams on draft day cannot keep or draft any players to their minor league roster. An owner may only activate one player from his farm team per week. Changes for 2000: A.) Farm team players formerly each less than 200 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the major league level;
11. Open teams and expansion: If no owners can be found who can responsibly run open teams, those teams will remain open. Managing those teams is at the Commissioner's discretion, whether by himself or through multiple ownership with the other owners. Our goal is to maintain at least eight continuing Ultra league teams, if at all possible, because we have a mixed (AL + NL) league. If any owners quit, no fees will be refunded, and those rosters would remain essentially frozen until another owner could be found. The Commissioner can make changes on open teams to replace injured players, or to balance multiple open team rosters in the offseason. Expansion rules will be determined by the Commissioner as necessary. This would also cover expansion teams which fold. Changes for 2000: A.) None.
12. Multiple ownership: This will be allowed again this season, only if teams remain open on or after draft day. This must follow the restrictions below: A.) An owner can only own 2 teams, (one in each division, if existing); if an owner has 2 teams, then his first (highest-scoring team) from the previous year must play in the first (senior) division. B.) An owner cannot make trades between his 2 teams; C.) If a player is on an owner's team anytime after the draft, he is then ineligible to play for that owner's other team at any time during that season, even as a free agent signing. D.) The Commissioner will review all transactions to be certain that one team isn't throwing games against the second team. Changes for 2000: A.) None.
13. Franchise names: This is one of the best parts of fantasy sports. It's a chance to show your creativity or recognize your interests or heritage. Unfortunately, some leagues and owners don't realize this. Teams must be tied to a city, state, or geographic area, as all professional teams are. No offensive nicknames will be accepted. You are welcome to use the lengthy list of team nicknames which the Commissioner has available, if necessary. But try not to choose a team name which sounds like something from pro soccer or lacrosse. Haven't we all heard enough bad team names? If an owner has teams in both leagues, his ultra league team must have a different nickname from his Standard league team. This makes record-keeping much easier, and eliminates mistakes in transactions. Changes for 2000: A.) None.
14. Commissioner's duties: The Commissioner is in charge of the league. He must find a way to get fast, accurate stats to other owners, collect fees on time, and be impartial in settling disputes (which sometimes involve his team). Finding stats for non-roster players is not his job - you are responsible for your own scouting. The Commissioner may also set limits on call-ins. He is not required to comment on the advisability of any transaction, although it is certainly legal for him to do so. He should provide reasonably accurate information as possible. The Commissioner may act as advisor for new owners, and he may help other owners arrange trades. If his help is requested in this manner, he will probably relay information previously provided to him whether you want to hear it or not (because this will help you get a grip on reality in the case of far-fetched trade proposals), and may help you make offers that have a chance of succeeding. It is an owner's responsibility to inquire about a player's health prior to making a transaction. The Commissioner may help you find information about injuries. Please do not call and ask who is available as a free agent. The Commissioner can only point you to the newspapers and the transaction lists. Use your draft EPL to help keep track of available free agents. The Commissioner will consult with other owners concerning rules questions not covered here, but ultimately the Commissioner has the power to create and enforce rules whether here or implied. The Commissioner will be the final arbiter in disputes, and all decisions will be final. Protests may be issued concerning such issues as rules interpretations, scoring, player position eligibility, and trades. All protests must be filed with the Commissioner within 48 hours of the sending of weekly stats. The main purpose of having a commissioner is to handle transactions, keep score, and distribute those scores. Enforcing rules is one of those things that just has to get done sometimes, unfortunately.
15. Unexpected Events: With any use of a stat service, limits might exist on what the Commissioner can do in these events. In case of something like a natural catastrophe, or a players' strike or owners' lockout, fantasy league owners are basically out any money they spent - no refunds unless this comes from the stat service. DMB allows us to avoid this problem. In the event of a player being banned, or suffering injury or illness, no relief will be awarded to that fantasy team. The only exception would be a pro team disaster, which would affect all league teams to some extent. A free agent draft might be arranged in this event, based on current standings (in reverse), to fill these open positions. Protected lists might be necessary, and players on league farm teams would also be exposed to the draft in this event. In the event that the Commissioner is unable to finish the season, the Deputy Commissioner can declare the season over, or administer it further if he desires to. Further instructions will be given should they ever be needed.
16. Questions: If there's anything you don't understand - ask the Commissioner!
All information here is (c)Copyright 1999, by The Greenbears!
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