Revision 8, Last Update 11/24/2007
The first thing an owner must do is select the stadium that his club will call home. The Whalehead League utilizes Strat-O-Matic as its simulation of choice. New owners are encouraged to research the Strat-O-Matic Park Effects Charts before selecting their park. Select wisely because as in real life, the park you play in will affect the performance of your club. Pick a home run park such as Coors Field and expect more hits, including increased extra base hits. Pick a pitchers park such as Comerica Park and expect fewer hits and home runs.
1.1 League Fee
Each club will pay an annual fee of $150.00 to the Commissioner's Office each season. This fee will entitle an owner to organize his franchise and compete with other owners for the Whalehead League World Series Championship. In addition, Owners will be responsible for paying transaction fees as required. New Owners must pay in full within two weeks of acceptance into the league. Returning owners may pay in installments: 1) $50 when handing in protection rosters and 2) As determined by the League Treasurer.
After payment of the $150.00 league fee, new owners will receive 515 points from which they must pay all salaries and operate their farm system. Returning owners will receive the points they earned through the incentive point system.
Any surplus of dollars at the end of the year may be carried over to future seasons.
After selecting your stadium the next thing to do is build your organization. Here you’re faced with choices that also affect the performance of your club. Because everyone wants to win, your goal of course, will be to win the World Series. Wanting to win and actually doing it are two different things.
You’ll need to build a team that can beat your opponent much more than they beat you. There are many decisions that you’ll have to make in order to build that World Series winner. What type of team will win? A team based primarily on pitching perhaps, or one based on offense. Maybe neither is correct and it’ll require balanced approach? You’ll have to make the decision.
Whichever approach you feel appropriate, you’ll have to build both a pitching staff and a batting lineup. Will your pitching staff be dominated by hard-throwing strikeout pitchers or groundball inducing sinkerballers? Will your lineup be filled with booming bats to try to outslug your opponent, or will you build it around speed and defense in order to help your pitching staff prevent the other teams from outscoring you.
Okay let’s say you’ve decided what type of team you’d like to have. Now you have to decide how is the best way to actually do it. Should you try to be as competitive as possible in your first season or do you want to take your lumps in your first season and plan long term The first step is to scout the opposition. See which players are already under contract, and which teams own those contracts. Who knows, maybe you’ll be competing with other owners that aren’t quite at your level. Maybe they’ve left all kinds of good players unsigned. Don’t count on it though. Expect to be in a dogfight from day one.
Trying to be competitive right away makes planning easier, all you have to do is scout the available players, then jump into the Free Agent Auction and make a big splash. Remember though, that you’ll be competing with established franchises who’ve been building their organizations for what could be years. Also keep in mind, that just because you know who the best available players are, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to sign them all. You’ll be working within a budget. You don’t have to be a genius to realize that if Ken Griffey Jr. is available, he won’t come cheap. By trying to be competitive right away you’ll have to select some players who had career years and who won’t repeat their performances next year. That means that no matter how well you do this year, you’ll probably only be in a slightly better position at the start of next season.
Thinking long term will require more planning and self-restraint. You’ll have to be a keener judge of talent because your future performance doesn’t depend on what your players did in real life last year, but will depend on what they’ll do next year. There’s no doubt that losing will be difficult to swallow during that first season, but, if you are a good judge of talent, you’ll have an easier time digesting the standings in the future.
Whalehead League Baseball will allow you to realistically build your team in whichever manner you choose. Whether you’d like to follow the model of the 1990 Cleveland Indians and build through the farm system, or if you feel the George Steinbrenner approach of the Seventies was correct, in Whalehead League Baseball both are possible.
The beauty of Whalehead League Baseball is that either approach can result in a World Series Championship. The trick is knowing which system fits your style and having the knowledge to spin your magic.
2.1 Signing players to contracts
OK, now you’ve picked your park, and decided on which approach you’ll take when building your club, now comes the fun part, actually building your organization. Within the limits of the Salary Cap you obtain players through several methods: 1) Free Agent Auction, 2) Minor League Draft, 3) Trades, and 4) Waiver Wire Signings. The method and time a Club signs a player affects the type of contract the player may be signed to.
2.1.1 Draft Day Period
This draft is held each year on the Sunday before the Superbowl. The period begins at the start of the Free Agent Auction and ends the moment the Minor League Draft is completed. Clubs can sign any player not currently signed to a league contract. The period consists of two stages the Player Free Agent Auction and the Minor League Draft.
2.1.1.1 Free Agent Auction
Clubs may fill out their 40-Man Rosters by outbidding other clubs for the services of players. As soon as a team has filled its 40-Man Roster or it declines to nominate a player for bid, it is permanently out of the auction. Player salary is his auction price. Minimum auction bid is 3 points
2.1.1.2 Minor League Draft
Clubs may build their minor league farm team by selecting carded players during a straight draft held at the conclusion of the Free Agent Auction. Clubs select players in reverse order of finish from previous season (World Series winner has last pick and World Series loser next to last pick). Clubs may select as many players as their budget allows. For each player chosen, clubs must pay 2 points in salary. At no point during the season may a club’s Minor League Roster exceed the number of players that club possessed at the conclusion of the draft.
In lieu of selecting a card player during a round of the Minor League Draft, teams set aside and save this pick for the April Amateur Draft. Teams must prepay the 1 point salary of the amateur player.
As soon as a team is either out of money or it declines to select a player, it is out of the Minor League Draft.
2.1.2 In Season Period
Begins at the completion of the Minor League Draft and ends the day the first team in Whalehead League Baseball completes its regular season.
2.1.2.1 Carded Players
Clubs may sign any carded player who was undrafted at the completion of the currents year’s Minor League Draft or any player who was released from his contract and has cleared waivers. Clubs must pay 3 points (paid over the three pay periods) for any player chosen and the player must be added to and remain on the 40-Man Roster. Players signed in this manner must be released at the conclusion of the current season.
2.1.2.1.1 Box Draft
The first opportunity to sign players in this manner will be the Box Draft. This draft will be held immediately following the Minor League Draft. Draft order is the same as the Minor League Draft order. Box Draft picks may not be traded or sold.
2.1.2.1.2 Signing "out of the box"
Players who aren't drafted and remain unsigned are considered to be "in the box." These players may be signed at any time and are available first-come, first-served. Box Guys must be assigned to the 40-Man Roster and must be immediately paid their entire season's 3 point salary. Players signed prior to the 25-Man Roster period must clear waivers prior to being optioned off the Active Roster. Players signed during the 25-Man Roster period may be immediately optioned. Once activated, however, the players must clear waivers before being optioned. Box Guys may be placed on the Farm Roster after clearing 40-Man waivers.
Only owners who have their League Fee ($150 in 2002) paid-in-full may “go in the hole” to pay for Box Draft pickups. Players picked “out of the box” will immediately earn their 3 point salary.
Examples: Joe Smith went undrafted during the Auction and Draft. If the Cardinals sign him after the Draft, Joe Smith would automatically become a Free Agent at the end of the season. John Holmes is signed to a contract of 10 points during the auction by the Brewers. During May the Brewers release him having already paid 4 points of his contract. The Red Sox claim him on waivers. If the Red Sox wish to keep Johnny at the end of the year, they would have to assume the remainder of John’s contract (6 points). If the Red Sox only wish to sign him for the remainder of the year, they may sign him for only 3 points.
2.1.2.2 Uncarded Players
On the first Sunday in April at 3 PM, an Amateur Draft will be held. Draft order will be determined at the time picks are reserved during the Minor League Draft. For example, Team A reserves its 1st, 2nd, and 3rd picks in the Minor League Draft. Team B reserved its 2nd pick. Team C reserves its 1st and 3rd picks. The draft order will be A-C-A-B-A-C. Only players uncarded in the current game card set can be picked during this draft.
2.1.3 Post Season Period
Begins the moment any Whalehead League team completes its regular season. As soon as any team has completed its games, any player not under contract remains a Free Agent until Draft Day. In addition, clubs must submit a Protection Roster (see below) to the Commissioner’s Office no later that December 1st.
2.1.3.1 Protection Rosters
On or before December 1st, teams must submit their Protection Roster. The Protection Roster consists of the names and salary status for all players the clubs. Clubs must also list the names of all players who be entering the Auction. If the Protection Roster is not submitted to the Commissioner’s Office by December 1st all players on that team who can be renewed for the following season will have their contract extended. In addition, a ten-point penalty will be assessed.
The Commissioner's Office recommends that anyone who doesn't completely understand the process contact either Gary, Art, Bob or Jim before submitting his roster.
Players listed as protected have their first pay period guaranteed.
2.1.3.1.1 Protection Roster Format
Rosters MUST be passed in using the following format:
====================================================== 40-Man Roster (Salary/Status/Options)Name Last Year Next Year
Joe Smith 6 A 1 6 AA 1 Jim Hendrix 16 S 16 T Karlin Furtado 9 S 3 19 L2Y03 4 Ryan Furtado 9 S 12 T Drew Furtado 9 S 2 Non-tendered Casey Santerre 3 AAA 3 AAA-O 1 Cory Rockhead 12 T 3 26 L6Y07 4 ….Farm Roster Name Last Year Next Year
Mo Ron 2 A 2 AA 1 Dic Head 2 AAA 2 AAA-O 1 (player eligible for Rule 5 Draft) ….Rookie Roster Name Last Year Next Year Bill Payer 1 R 1 A J. Herkoff 1 R Non-tendered …. ======================================================(Joe Smith’s contract status breaks down like this: 6 points, A status, 1 option used.)
The Commissioner will do his best to gleam the intentions of teams if teams make an effort to properly fill out their roster properly. In the event an error is made, I’ll make my best judgment. If teams do not make an effort, tough shit.
SPECIAL NOTE: Players not listed on the Protection Roster will automatically be resigned for the next season. AAA-O players listed on the Farm Roster or Rookie Roster will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.
2.2 Contract Types
As stated above when you sign a player affects that player’s contract status. His Whalehead League experience also affects the player’s contract status. Whalehead League experience is the length of time a player has spent on a Whalehead League Roster and how often he played in Whalehead League games.
All players can be separated into two types: Major League players and Minor League players. A Major League player is not considered as a “Rookie Player”.
In order ensure a quality flow of players in each auction, the Whalehead League uses a progressive contract status system. It’s progressive because each year that a player is operates under a particular contract his contract, his contract status progresses to a higher status. The contract progression is as follows:
2.2.1 Minor Leaguers
In order to qualify as a minor leaguer, a player must not have more than 130 at bats or 51 innings pitched in the Whalehead League during a previous season or seasons, or not more than 44 days on a Whalehead League active roster during the 25-Player limit from the start of the season through September 1.
2.2.1.1 R
Rookie ball player; 1st year minor leaguer signed during the draft or spring training period
2.2.1.2 A
A-ball player; 2nd year minor leaguer
2.2.1.3 AA
AA player; 3rd year minor leaguer
2.2.1.4 AAA
AAA player; 4th year minor leaguer
2.2.1.5 AAA-O
Triple-A, Rule 5 eligible; 5th year minor leaguer. If, at the end of the current year, an AAA-O has not lost his rookie status, the player automatically becomes a major leaguer with an AAA-V contract. If the player returns to the draft pool at the end of the current year (is non-tendered) that player will become an AAA-V. Players protected on the Farm Roster will also be subject to the Rule 5 Draft.
2.2.2 Major Leaguers
2.2.2.1 AAA-V
Triple-A veteran, 6th year minor leaguer; any non-rookie player selected during the Auction or Draft who has not been placed on a 25-Man Roster during the current contract. Once a player with this status is placed on a 25-Man Roster, his contract status changes to F status (minimum salary is 2 points if signed to the Farm Roster and is 3 points if signed to the 40-Man Roster);
2.2.2.2 F
First year of a Major League contract (minimum salary is 3 points);
2.2.2.3 S
Second year of a Major League contract (minimum salary is 6 points);
2.2.2.4 T
Third year of a Major League contract (minimum salary is 9 points);
2.2.2.5 O
Option year (or fourth year) of a Major League contract (minimum salary is 12 points), player automatically gains Free Agent status at the end of the season
2.2.2.6 Long Term Contract (LTC)
L?Y?? – Long Term Contract (LTC) L = Length of LTC. Y?? = Last year of Contract for player signed to LTC or signed during In Season Period.
L0Y?? – Box Players shall be listed with this designation. Y?? is the current year.
2.2.2.6.1 Early Free Agency Buyout
After the 2nd year under contract, teams may buy players out of Free Agency by adding five points to the player's contract for each year, excluding the next season, that a team wishes to keep a player. The updated contract price will immediately change; that is, the terms of the long-term contract will be in force the next year. The length of contract includes the T year of the contract.
Example #1: Joe Smith had a “6 S” contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for three years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2003 – “21 L3Y06”; 2004 – “21 L3Y06”; 2005 – “21 L3Y06”; 2006 – “21 L3Y06”. The L3 denotes the length of the pact, the Y05 denotes the last year of the pact.
Example #2: M.R. Constanzella had a “6 S” contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for two years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2003 – “16 L2Y05”; 2004 – “16 L2Y05”; 2005 – “16 L2Y05”. The L2 denotes the length of the pact, the Y04 denotes the last year of the pact.
Example #1: D.E. Pirate had a “16 S” contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for six years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2002 – “46 L6Y08”; 2003 – “46 L6Y08”; 2004 – “46 L6Y08”; 2005 – “46 L6Y08”; 2005 – “46 L6Y08”; 2005 – “46 L6Y08”; 2005 – “46 L6Y08”. The L3 denotes the length of the pact, the Y05 denotes the last year of the pact.
(This system differs from the current system in a few ways. First, the salary of players changes right away. Second, if the player isn’t signed to a long-term contract, the player does not play out his option after the third year. The player may be kept for a third year and a fourth year.)
2.2.2.6.2 Late Free Agency Buyout
After the 3rd year under contract, teams may buy players out of Free Agency by adding ten points to the player's contract for each year that a team wishes to keep a player. The updated contract price will immediately change; that is, the terms of the long-term contract will be in force the next year. The length of contract includes the O year of the contract.
Example #1: Joe Smith had a "9 T" contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for three years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2003 - "39 L3Y05"; 2004 - "39 L3Y05"; 2005 - "39 L3Y05". The L3 denotes the length of the pact, the Y05 denotes the last year of the pact.
Example #2: M.R. Constanzella had a "9 T" contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for two years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2003 - "29 L2Y04"; 2004 - "29 L2Y04". The L2 denotes the length of the pact, the Y04 denotes the last year of the pact.
Example #1: D.E. Pirate had a "16 T" contract in 2002. The team decides at the end of the season to sign him for six years. His contract status for the ensuing years are as follows: 2003 - "76 L6Y08"; 2004 - "76 L6Y08"; 2005 - "76 L6Y08"; 2006 - "76 L6Y08"; 2007 - "76 L6Y08"; 2008 - "76 L6Y08". The L6 denotes the length of the pact, the Y08 denotes the last year of the pact.
2.2.2.7Buyout of LTC
After expensing 1/4 of the remaining guaranteed portion of a player's contract (in points), Clubs may buyout the remaining 3/4 of the guaranteed portion of a player's contract by paying (in dollars) into the League Treasury an amount equal to half of the remaining salary owed to that player for the balance of the contract.
Players go up a level from year to year, i.e. in 2001 R - 2002 A, or 2001 F - 2002 S. Major League players not tendered contracts at the end of the season become AAA-V status. Minor League players not tendered contracts at the end of season are assigned a contract status equal to the highest level previously attained. Players signed after Auction Day retain their earned contract status.
Here's a systematic view of the league's contract progression:
V<----------------- <----- <-------------- <
| ^ ^ ^
| LTC - LTC |
V ^ ^ |
R -- > A -- > AA -- > AAA -- > AAA-O -- > AAA-V -- > F -- > --> S -- > T -- > O --- > ^
[-------Minor League Contracts-----------] [-----------Major League Contracts-----------]
See 9.1 Appendix Sample Contract Progressions for more examples.
In order to qualify as a Rookie Player, a player must not have more than 130 at bats or 51 innings pitched in the Whalehead League during a previous season or seasons, or not more than 44 days on a Whalehead League active roster during the 25-Player limit from the start of the season thru September 1, not counting the three day All Star break.
3.1 40-Man Roster
All players obtained in the auction and any player added from Minor League Roster or thru waiver process. Basically the 40-Man Roster should contain the players that you will be using to compete in a Whalehead League season, although some Minor League “Bonus Babies” or veteran minor leaguers may also be on it. A Bonus Baby is any uncarded player signed during the Auction who has not played in any previous Whalehead League. A veteran minor leaguer is a player who has been in the Whalehead League for several years and is still operating as a Minor Leaguer.
3.1.1 25-Man Roster
All players who are eligible to play during a game. Roster limit is 25 men between April and August and 40 during September.
3.1.1.1 Playoff Roster
Teams must submit a 25-Man Playoff Roster to the Commissioner's Office by e-mail prior to playing the games in the first week of September (schedule). Only players who are on the 40-Man Roster are eligible.
Position players must have a the following minimum amounts of playing time during the regular season to be eligible for use during the postseason:
Position Players – 50 AB
Pitchers – 12 "Use Points" (2 points for each game started and 1 point for each relief appearance)
Players who haven’t gotten the proper playing time during the regular season can still appear in the playoffs as long as the required minimum usage numbers are subtracted from the players allowed playing time limits. Batter AB requirement will be prorated per side according to actual playing time percentages.
3.1.2 AAA Roster
Roster limit is 15 men. Any player on the 40-man roster who is not on the 25-Man Roster is considered to be on the AAA Roster. Players on the AAA Roster are considered to be Optioned to the Minor Leagues.
3.1.3 Disabled List
Players injured may be removed from the 25-Man Roster and be placed on the Disabled List when injured. Two players only one of whom may be a pitcher may be placed on the Supplemental Disabled List for a period of 8 days. The Regular Disabled List can have 3 players for 11 days. One player may be placed on the Special Disabled List provided that there is no room on the Supplemental or Regular lists. The Emergency Disabled List is limitless in number and is for 30 days. Players placed on the Emergency Disable List do not count toward the 40-Man Roster limit. Anyone placed on the Emergency DL after August 7th must stay there for the remainder of the season.
3.2 Farm Roster
The Farm Roster will consist of carded players, or players who have been carded at some point during their current contract. Minimum salary for Farm players is 2 points. The size of this roster will be fixed as of the end of the Farm Draft.
3.3 Rookie Roster
The Rookie Roster consists of protected uncarded players or uncarded free agent players signed during the Amateur Draft in April of the current season. Since these players cannot be used during the season, there is no logical reason to fix the roster size of this roster. The size of this roster is, therefore, fluid; that is, if you trade one player for two you don't have to cut anyone.
3.4 Movement between Rosters
Players move between the various rosters using the following rules.
3.4.1 Call-ups
Players must be called up from the Rookie Roster to the Farm Roster after the Commissioner has officially designated them as carded players.
Farm players may be called up to the 40-Man Roster at any time.
40-Man Roster players assigned to AAA may be called up to the 25-Man (Active) Roster at any time except as specified under the “Options.”
Fees for roster moves reported within two days of roster change/trade
Call-up to the Active Roster: $2.00
(If a 40-Man player is added to the Active (25-Man) Roster at the same time as a 40-Man trade is made (that is, the re-call is reported at the same time as the trade) no additional fee will be charged.Call-up to the 40-Man Roster from Farm Roster: $2.00
(If player is added to the 25-Man at the same time as he is added to the 40-Man, only one fee will be charged.)Fees for roster moves reported after two days of roster change
Fee for call-up to the Active Roster: $5.00
Call-up to the 40-Man Roster from Farm Roster: $5.00
(If player is added to the 25-Man at the same time as he is added to the 40-Man, only one fee will be charged.)3.4.2 Options
Any player on the 40-Man Roster not on the 25-Man Roster is considered optioned to the minor leagues. A player may be optioned only three seasons in his career. Any subsequent attempts to option a player off the active roster will require that player to participate in the irrevocable waiver process. The team that claims the player must add the player immediately to their 25-Man Roster. Options are for the entire length of a player’s career. Once a player uses up his three options, he must clear irrevocable waivers before being assigned to the minor leagues.
Optional assignment to the minor leagues -- Any player who is placed on the AAA Roster longer than 20 days during a season will be considered optionally assigned to the minor leagues (optioned) that year. A player may be optioned off the 25-Man Roster and recalled to the 25-Man Roster an unlimited amount of times during any one season. The player will only use up one of his three options after his time on the AAA Roster that season totals more than 20 days. Options will be updated at the completion of a season.
Players optionally assigned during the championship season must remain in the minors for a period of ten days unless recalled to replace a recently disabled player.
3.4.3 Trades
The only tradable commodities for the purpose of Whalehead League Baseball will be players, Whalehead dollars and draft picks. No trades involving real cash or players to be named later are allowed.
A club can only reacquire a player, who had been traded to another club and who had been previously assigned to the club’s 25-Man Roster during the same season, once. Once reacquired the player is locked onto the acquiring team’s 25-Man Roster for the remainder of the current season. (The player must be operating under the same contract.)
As the 6 AM on the first Monday (real) after the third week of May (schedule), a club that wishes to trade a player must possess a waiver for the player involved prior to the trade.
Players obtained after the Trade Deadline through the waiver process cannot play for the rest of the season.
Note: If a team, when reporting a roster transaction, exceeds its roster limit, the league secretary will automatically place the last player(s) added on irrevocable waivers in order to get the team under the limit.
Fee for trades involving player(s) on 40-Man Rosters : $5.00
Fee for trades involving player(s) on Farm Roster: $2.003.4.4 Waivers
3.4.4.1 Revocable Waivers
A waiver is a permission granted by one club for the assignment of a player contract to another club. Waivers are granted for one week during which time the other clubs have the opportunity to accept assignment of the contract. Waiver requests are taken from club GMs by the Commissioner's Office who notifies all the other clubs upon request. Clubs have 24 hours to claim a player. If no claims are made prior to the deadline, the waiver of the requesting club is secured. If the requesting club withdraws its waiver request, the waiver on that player may not be requested by the same club for thirty days. In the event that more than one club claims a player on whom waivers have been requested and the waiver is not withdrawn by the requesting club, the club with the lowest standing obtains the assignment. If claiming clubs are in different leagues, preference always is to a club in the same league.
Waiver periods will run from Tuesday 5 p.m. through Thursday 9 p.m. This will give the Commissioner time to let teams know if they have won a possible claim. The Friday deadline only gives Gary Saturday to do it and he has a job that forces him to work weekends, sometimes 24 hours at a time. Oh yeah, he has a family to tend to also. A Thursday 9 pm deadline gives him the rest of that night, Friday and Saturday to award claims. Occasionally, the dates of the waiver period will be changed. Monitor the league’s mailing list for more information.
Fee for placing a player on waivers, recalling a player on waivers, claiming a player off waivers: $1.00
3.4.4.2 Revocable Waivers after the Trade Deadline
A waiver is a permission granted by one club for the assignment of a player contract to another club. Waivers are granted for one month. Waiver requests are taken from club GMs in the last week of June and July (one week time limit) by the Commissioner's Office who notifies all the other clubs. Clubs must send a list of all claimed players to the Secretary to claim player(s). If no claims are made prior to the deadline, the waiver of the requesting club is secured. If the requesting club withdraws its waiver request, the waiver on that player may not be requested by the same club for thirty days. In the event that more than one club claims a player on whom waivers have been requested and the waiver is not withdrawn by the requesting club, the club with the lowest standing obtains the assignment. If claiming clubs are in different divisions, preference always is to a club in the same division. Standings are determined as of the two weeks prior to the waiver period. Games not completed will be considered wins. Only teams which have no outstanding series older than four weeks can make selections and place players on waivers.
Waiver periods will run from Tuesday 5 p.m. through Thursday 9 p.m. This will give the Commissioner time to let teams know if they have won a possible claim. The Friday deadline only gives Gary Saturday to do it and he has a job that forces him to work weekends, sometimes 24 hours at a time. Oh yeah, he has a family to tend to also. A Thursday 9 pm deadline gives him the rest of that night, Friday and Saturday to award claims. Occasionally, the dates of the waiver period will be changed. Monitor the league’s mailing list for more information.
Fee for placing a player on waivers, recalling a player on waivers, claiming a player off waivers: $1.00
3.4.4.3 Irrevocable Waivers
Irrevocable waivers are special waiver whereby teams my not withdraw the waiver request. Once a player is assigned to irrevocable waivers the player is automatically reassigned to the team which wins the claim.
Reasons why a player must be placed on Irrevocable Waivers:
- Teams may only have 40 men assigned to their 40-Man Roster. Whenever a team goes over the limit it may either place sufficient players on Irrevocable Waivers to remain under the limit or the Commissioner will designate sufficient players to get the team under the limit.
- Players who have already used up their three options must clear Irrevocable Waivers before being assigned to the AAA Roster.
NOTE: Separate waiver lists will be created for players on 25-Man Roster, 40-Man Roster and Farm Rosters.
Each team's budget consists of points accrued throughout the season for doing various things that keep the league running smoothly. Starting in 2002, all teams will have equal opportunity to acquire up to 565 points.
Each point MUST be earned.
4.1 Incentive Point System
4.1.1 $50 of league fee paid fee by Dec. 1
25 points
4.1.2 League Fee($150) paid in full by Auction Day
25 points
4.1.3 Payment of in-season balances
Beginning at the end of February.—and running through September—bills will be sent out monthly. Teams that are paid in full each month shall receive 10 points per month. (80 points max)
Teams that cannot submit payment in full, but pay at least the monthly bill will earn 5 points per month.
4.1.4 League balance paid in full by World Series Day
25 points
4.1.5 Completion of team season statistics
Completed season stats submitted to Commissioner's Office by World Series Day earn 50 points.
Completed season stats not submitted by World Series Day, but submitted by Auction day earn 25 points.
4.1.6 Game play and team reports
Each series reported within 2 days of scheduled play date earn each team 10 points. Results must be reported *to the list* to earn credit. We all have email access, so this is not a problem. Either team may report the series results, but both should make the effort to do so. Since all series are scheduled for Sunday, series results must be reported by the end of Tuesday to receive the 10 points.
In cases where a series has been rescheduled:
- Teams earn 5 points by notifying the e-mail list of the rescheduled date of the canceled series. This notification must be submitted to the e-mail list by the first Tuesday following the original play date. The note should include the original schedule date, the teams involved, and the new date. Doing this will earn 5 of the possible 10 points.
- Canceled series played by the first rescheduled date *and* reported within two days after the games are played earn each team an addition 5 points. (So, if you cancel a series, reschedule it right away, let everyone know when it will be played, and report the results of the completed rescheduled series to the league within two days after the original rescheduled date, you earn the same number of points as if you played the series on time.)
- From Week 1 until Week 26, all series MUST be played within 6 weeks of the original scheduled date or both teams will forfeit the unplayed games and will receive zero incentive points. Week 27 and Week 28, all series must be played with in 2 weeks of the original scheduled date or both teams will forfeit the unplayed games and will receive zero incentive points. Week 29, all series must be played within 1 week of the original scheduled date or both teams will forfeit the unplayed games and will receive zero incentive points. Additionally, all reschedule series must be made up before 6 PM on the Week 30 playdate or both teams will forfeit the unplayed games and will receive zero incentive points. Week 30 games also must be completed by the end of the Week 30 playdate.
Incentive Points for Donations
Players are awarded 1 point for each $1.00 donated. All donated money must be used to benefit the league as a whole. Money will be used to defray the expenses of buying soda on league nights, the purchase of tickets, and other expenses related to group activities.
5.1Limitations
5.1.1 Batters - Limited to games played during previous season. Batters with less than 150 at bats are limited to their actual lefty/righty at bats. Players with 59 or less at bats against a particular side are also limited to their actual at bats.
See 3.1.1.1 Playoff Roster for play-off limitation instructions.
5.1.2 Pitchers - Limited to games played during the previous season. Pitchers may only start as many games as they started during the previous season.
See 3.1.1.1 Playoff Roster for play-off limitation instructions.
5.2 Pitcher Injury Chart
Roll for injury every time a possible pitcher injury comes up on the Dynasty League Game Charts. Pitchers limitation factors are calculated based on Pitcher Limitation Factors (or LPF). Calculate PLF by adding Games (G) and Games Started (GS). (Example: Fem Pirate 35 G 35 GS = 70 PLF, M.R. Costanza 54 G 4 GS = 58 PLF)
InjuryFree 70 PLF
Can only be injured for the remainder of the game.SuperIron 66-69 PLF
Can only be injured for a maximum of four days.5.3 Batter Injury Chart
Roll for injury as written on card. We'll be using Dynasty League Baseball's injury system beginning in 2003, with the following modifications:
InjuryFree 162 games played during previous season
Cannot be injured.SuperIron 155+ Games *and* 599+ At Bats, Walks, and Hit By Pitch
Roll for injury using player rating and chart. Players may not be injured more than one day.Note: Injuries on Dynasty charts are for days, not games.
Note: Any GM who intentionally violates the limitation or injury policy will forfeit all games and monies for the year. The Commission may also apply stiffer penalties. Violating the limitation and injury policy includes improperly noting limitations or injuries on cards. (If you are not 100% certain about how to place limitations on cards talk to the Commissioner before the season.)
5.4 Catcher Injury Chart
Catchers are limited to catching a certain number of games in a row according to the following table:
Games Row 140+ 8 130-139 7 120-129 6 110-119 5 90-109 4 70-89 3 <70 2
6.1 Expansion
Before a club will be allowed to enter into a Whalehead League Championship Season, the owner must become a trial member. Trial members are invited to all league outings but are only required to attend two, Draft Day and World Series Day. Trial members must pay $10.00 (real) to defray entertainment costs. People who commit to the league by paying the League Fee in full by August 31st, will be allowed to build a team using an expansion draft.
An expansion draft will be held on a weekend after the World Series at which time the Expansion Club(s) will be allowed to select players from the established clubs 40-Man Rosters. (The exact amount will be determined before each draft.) Whenever an established club loses a player, it may protect additional players. No established team shall lose more than its proportionate number of player to stock the expansion team. The draft will consist of expansion teams picking in a straight draft with the order determined by entrance into the league.
6.2 Fines
The following is a list of fines that the commissioner can access. The list is not all-inclusive. All fines are in Whalehead money, which will be listed in point increments.
Fines will be levied against inconsiderate GMs. Since this is a friendly league, we should all be considerate of our fellow GMs at all times. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case. As a result the following fines will be levied for the following actions:
Not showing up for a scheduled series (a one hour "waiting period" after the scheduled time is required): 33 points
Cancellation of series between one hour prior to the scheduled start time and one hour after the scheduled start time: 22 points
Cancellation of series on the scheduled date, up to one hour before start time: 11 points
Canceling GMs should notify their opponent by phone or in person as soon as possible. To avoid disputes, duplicate e-mail notification to the mailing list is REQUIRED!Since e-mail is time/date stamped, e-mail notification will verify the notice. The e-mail notification will be used by the Commissioner's Office to settle disputes.
All fines will be distributed to other GMs in the league.
Rescheduled series reported to the league e-mail list will be considered as officially scheduled series. As such, fines will be applicable.
Example: Gary and Jimmy are supposed to play on Sunday, March 18. Gary, cannot make it and calls Jimmy March 14th to reschedule. They agree to play on Thursday, March 22 at 9am. They post the rescheduled date to the league's e-mail list on Monday, March 19. Gary and Jimmy each get 5 incentive points. March 22 turns out to be 78 degrees and Gary decides to go golfing and blows off Jimmy. Gary gets fined 33 points.
Example 2 (same scenario): Jimmy calls Gary on Tuesday night and asks if he can play Wednesday morning instead of the official reschedule date of Thursday. Gary agrees. Wednesday turns out to be 78 degrees and Gary blows off Jimmy to go golfing. Because this was not the official rescheduled date, Jimmy has no recourse and there is no fine. It would still be inconsiderate, but fines would not be assessed.Too many men on 40-Man Roster - 1 per player and last player added placed on revocable waivers (irrevocable waiver if the player has been withdrawn from revocable waiver during the previous month)
Playoff Roster late - 2 per day
Not completing season (at fault) - 10
Not submitting Protection Roster on time - 10
6.3 Games not Completed
Any scheduled game(s) that a team does not complete will be considered as a loss. If a team does not complete the same number of games against all opponents in a particular division those games shall be considered forfeit. If a different number of games are not completed and the difference could affect the outcome of the season the team with the best record (not directly involved) will choose a manager to fill in for the absent owner. That substitute owner will play sufficient games to balance out the missed games for any team effected. The games will count for the teams completing their schedule. If a team is judged ‘At Fault’ by the Commissioner’s Office for not completing the Commissioner’s Office all games will be losses in the standings no matter whether the games are completed by another owner.
6.4 Moving to a New City/Ball Park
After the completion of a club’s first year, a team may move to another stadium at the end of any ensuing year. Once a club moves it must remain in its new park for three years before it may move again. No exceptions to this rule apply including the trading of franchises are permitted.
6.5 Playoff Order and Format
Order
12 Teams — Team with best overall record can choose whether to play the Wild Card Winner or the Division winner with the worst record. The selection must be made prior to the start of the Wild Card Series.
11 Teams — Top three teams get a bye in the first round. Team 4 plays team 5 in best-of-three series in team four's park.
Format
All teams have one off day at the end of the season. Teams are seeded 1-5 based on record.
Wild Card Round
The top five teams make the playoffs. The top three teams get a buy for the first round. Teams 4 and 5 play a best-of-three Wild Card Series in the home team's park, starting two days after the end of the season. The loser is out of the playoffs.Championship Round
The second round begins five days after the end of the season.Team 1 plays the winner of the Wild Card Series in a best-of-seven series. Team 1 is home 1-2-6-7; Wild Card winner is home 3-4-5. There is one off day after game 2 and game 5.
Team 2 plays Team 3 in a best-of-seven series. Team 2 is home 1-2-6-7; Team 3 is home 3-4-5. There are single off days after game 2 and game 5.
World Series
The World Series begins two days after the end of the last game from the Championship Round.The team with the best record is home 1-2-6-7. The other team is home 3-4-5. There are single off days after game 2 and game 5.
6.6 Powers of the Commissioner
The Commissioner can act in the best interests of the league at any time, with any means at his disposal.
6.7 Prize Money
Prize money for the regular season will be doled out based on the number of wins, rather than by standing.
The baseline for the system is 42 wins (.339 winning percentage). For every win over 42, teams will earn $2.22. For every win under 42 teams will pay $2.22.
Three Divisions
Division winners will earn an additional bonus:
Division Winner with best record $75 Division Winner with 2nd best record $50 Division Winner with worst record $25 World Series participants will each receive $100 World Series winner will earn an additional $200 One Division
The top-three teams will earn additional bonuses:
Team with best record $75 Team with 2nd best record $50 Team with 3rd best record $25 World Series participants will each receive $100 World Series winner will earn an additional $200 6.8 Roger Rule
Team may go as much as 100 points in the red (projected or actual) from the end of the Minor League Draft until the final regular season week. Upon the completion of the regular season, teams must pay into the league treasury a fee equal to 25% of points “in the hole.”
Example: The Red Sox are 88 points in the hole. They would pay $22.00.
6.9 Santana Rule
Starting in the 2008 season, teams are limited to Long-Term Commitments (LTC) of 200% of current season's incentive point cap (1250 points in 2007). If at any point in the season a team exceeds the cap it must make an advance payment of the league equal to the percentage above 200%. A subsequent drop below the 200% cap will not negate pre-payment of the fee. Additionally, upon submission of Protection Rosters, teams exceeding the 200% limit must pay a fine equal to 10% of sum of points about the limit. (Players being bought out do not count against the total.)
Example: During July of the 2008 season, the Yankees make a deal which puts them at 1375 in LTC. At that point they will have 15 added to their transaction fee totals. If, at Protection Roster deadline, they are still sitting at the same total, they must also pay a fine of 13 points.
6.10 Abandoned Teams and Dispersal Draft
If a team owner abandons his club, the abandoned club will be auctioned off on World Series Day. The initial phase of the draft shall be open to all current owners. After a current owner purchases the abandoned club, his former club will be auctioned off. This process will be continued until bidding stops. Expansion owners will then be allowed to purchase the new club. If no expansion owners are available, a Dispersal Draft will be held beginning World Series Day. The Draft will consist of a straight draft in reverse order of finish with all remaining clubs participating. Clubs will assume player contracts as is; that is, player status will follow the normal conventions.
6.11 Use of Improper Players
If a team utilizes a player that is not on that team’s current Active Roster during a regular season game, that game will be considered forfeit.
6.12 Fatigue Rule Modification
Once a pitcher becomes fatigued, count each new inning which he starts as double innings, when determining rest requirements. For example, a pitcher who becomes fatigued during the fourth inning and is removed after getting two outs in the 6th would use 7 innings for his fatigue.
6.13 Other Game Rule Modifications
Once an attempt is made to get the jump during an At Bat, a pinch hitter may not be brought into the game to replace the current batter.
6.14 Quitting the League
A team is officially considered gone from the league when the Commissioner makes an official announcement regarding the resolution of the desolution (Dispersal Draft) or transfer (another person takes over ownership) of the ballclub. No trades involving a disbanded team's players (including dispersal draft picks) can be made until the start of the Dispersal Draft or the current World Series Day ends (whichever comes first).
Clubs must consistently play their games in timely manner. Teams will play on scheduled weeks during the season. If a club cannot attend a scheduled series it must make arrangements with its opponent and play the series as soon as possible. If at any time from April to September 1 (schedule), a club has more than three series to make up, that club shall have its season ended. If at any time after September 1 (schedule) a club has more than two series to make up, that club shall have its season ended unless the Commissioner’s Office is notified and feels extenuating circumstance prevented the playing of the series. The Commissioner must be notified as soon as possible of problems and clubs must include all pertinent facts relating to the circumstances.
If a team or teams have difficulty scheduling its games during the season it must immediately inform the commissioner's office of its difficulty. All facts including times and dates of attempts, conversations etc. must be noted. The commissioner will use this information when resolving any related problems.
If at any juncture of the season a team has not completed the required number of games, the commissioner will examine the details pertaining to the situation. Anyone the commissioner determines to be a major hindrance to the completion of the season will have their season ended. If any club has its season ended for two years consecutively, the Commissioner may at his discretion allow a backup owner to play that teams remaining games. The backup owner will then be considered as a full fledged owner at the end of the season when that team comes up for auction.
An owner who fails to complete his games and is deemed at fault by the Commissioner will forfeit his right to playoff appearances and/or prize money.
8.1 Sample Contract Progressions
Here’s a few sample player contract progressions:
Name Year Contract ?Carded? Roster Joe Smith 1995 1 R uncarded Rookie 1996 1 A uncarded Rookie 1997 1 AA uncarded Rookie 1998 2 AAA carded Farm (if uncarded Joe would have remained a 1 AAA on the Rookie Roster) 1999 2 AAA-O carded Farm (eligible for Rule 5 draft) 2000 3 F carded 40-Man 2001 6 S carded 40-Man 2002 9 T carded 40-Man 2003 12 O carded 40-ManName Year Contract ?Carded? Roster Wendall Brown 1995 1 R uncarded Rookie 1996 1 A uncarded Rookie 1997 3 F carded 40-Man (player lost his rookie status) 1998 6 S carded 40-Man 1999 16 L2Y01 carded 40-Man (signed to 2 year LTC) 2000 16 L2Y01 carded 40-Man 2001 16 L2Y01 carded 40-ManName Year Contract ?Carded? Roster
Bob Bannila 1995 1 R uncarded Rookie
1996 1 A uncarded Rookie
1997 2 AA carded Farm
1998 3 F carded 40-Man
1999 6 S carded 40-Man
2000 9 T carded 40-Man
2001 41L4 Y05 carded 40-Man (offered and signed to 4 yr. LTC)
2002 41L4 Y05 carded 40-Man
2003 41L4 Y05 carded 40-Man 2004 41L4 Y05 carded 40-Man
2005 41L4 Y05 carded 40-Man