Random Players Baseball League Rules

1.      INTRODUCTION

1.      The Random Players Baseball League (RPBL) was born out of a desire to play a mixed player league based on the latest version of APBA Baseball for Windows and League Manager Power Tool. While the league will be full of competition, it's main purpose is to have fun and to promote camaraderie amongst its members.

2.      LEAGUE STRUCTURE

1.      The RPBL will be composed of two 7 team leagues, the American League and the National League.

2.      The data disk used for each season will be created using Miller Associates Wizard for Windows program and will consist of the players from randomly chosen teams from Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1901 and the most recently completed MLB season.   The ONLY changes to these data disks will be as follows:

1.      Duplicate players will be fixed by randomly selecting one (or as many as necessary) of the duplicates and then randomly selecting a replacement with the same positions played from a randomly chosen team roster from MLB history.

2.      Pitchers Maximum Batters Faced will be changed as described under 9.6.1 through 9.6.7 below.

3.      The league disk will be Wizardized to a randomly selected season between 1930 and the most recent completed MLB season.

4.      Pitchers grades will be adjusted (if needed) so that the Weighted Average Pitching Grade (WAG) for the data disk is within the range of 9.0 to 9.7 with 9.5 being the most desirable. Pitchers grades will all be adjusted by the same value or as close a possible to the same value in order to achieve the desired WAG.

5.      Players cards will be wizardized using the entire season drawn, regardless of how many different teams he played on.

3.      The DH will not be used in either league.

4.      An annual draft of all rookies and free agents will be held at a time determined by the commissioner.

5.      Before each draft all coaches must submit a list of any players they wish to retain for the upcoming season. This list may contain up to 12 players.

6.      Players may be listed as a “keeper” (see 5.1 below) in the RPBL for as many seasons as their actual MLB season played and no longer.  A player may play more seasons in the RPBL than he did in his MLB career if he happens to get randomly created again beyond his “keeper” limit, but he cannot be listed as a “keeper” by any RPBL team.

7.       If a player’s RPBL career time runs out and he does not get randomly created for a period of at least one season and then again gets randomly created, that player is considered a free agent and no team has rights to him.

8.      Players that are retained for the upcoming season will be created based on a randomly chosen season from their career unless they are randomly created during the initial phase of disk creation as described in 2.2 above.

3.      REGULAR SEASON

1.      The regular season will consist of 14 games versus each team in your league (84 games) and 10 games versus each team in the other league (70 games) for a total of 154 games.

2.      The season will start at a time determined by the commissioner and will run for a period of 26 weeks. A team will have either home games or road games during each week, never both.

3.      A team will be involved in one series vs. one other team during each week. All series vs. teams from the same league will be 7 game series and all series vs. teams from the other league will be 5 game series. The only exception to this would be due to rescheduled rainouts.

4.      The commissioner will email a "commissioner file" (c-file) prior to the league draft. This c-file will contain all teams' pre-draft rosters and the schedule for the upcoming season. Another c-file will be emailed after the league draft that will include all of the post-draft rosters.

5.      Each manager shall send a default "Franchise File" (f-file) to the commissioner as soon as practicable afrter the draft concludes. This default f-file shall include a 25 man roster, pitching rotation, a lineup vs. right-handed pitchers and a lineup vs. left-handed pitchers.

6.      Each manager will have the opportunity to override the default f-file settings each week by sending the commissioner a new f-file. The default f-file will be used if no new f-file is received by the commissioner prior to the published deadline during any week of the regular season.

7.      In League Manager, before creating an f-file, each manager should do the following:

1.      Assign lineups vs. LHP's and RHP's

2.      Designate a MicroManager for your road games (the default MicroManager will be determined for each season depending on what year the leagues disk is Wizardized to).

3.      Put in a pitching rotation (this can be done for the upcoming series or for any length of games in the future).

8.      Prior to playing games, managers are not required to send an f-file to the commissioner if their series for the week is at home but they do need to install the latest c-file to insure they have the latest update to the team they are facing.

9.      Managers playing home games are required to send an f-file to the commissioner after playing their home series for the week. This f-file shall be received by the commissioner no later than the published deadline or the games will played under AUTOMODE by the commissioner in order to keep the season schedule running on time.

4.      POST SEASON

1.      Playoff qualifiers will be the top three finishers in each league.

2.      In each league the third place team will face the second place team in best of 5 series in round 1 of the post season. The second place team will host games 1, 2 and 5 (if necessary) of this Wildcard Series (WCS).

3.      The winners of the Wildcard Series will then face their respective league pennant winner in a best of 7 series. The pennant winners will host games 1, 2, 6 and 7 (if necessary) of this League Championship Series (LCS).

4.      The winners of the League Championship Series will then meet in a best of 7 series. The team with the best regular season record will host games 1, 2, 6 and 7 (if necessary) of this World Series (WS).

5.      Any ties in the standings other than a tie for 2nd place in the League standings will be broken by a one game playoff, hosted by the team who won the season series. In the event of a tie in the season series, the commissioner will toss a coin.  Ties for 2nd place in the League standings will be broken by:

  1.  Head to Head records between the teams, or, if still tied,

  2. Record against same League opponents, or, if still tied,

  3. Coin toss

6.      There will be one day of rest between the end of the season and the beginning of post season play. There will be one day of rest between games 2 and 3 of the Wildcard Series. There will be one day of rest between games 2 and 3 and between games 5 and 6 of the League Championship Series and the World Series. For rotation purposes, all subsequent post season series start dates will be based on all series going their maximum duration and one day off between each series. So if one or more or all series end early, the pitching staffs will gain maximum rest time.

 

5.   PRE-SEASON DRAFT

1.      Roster size must be cut to no more than 12 players before the new season disk is created.  These players are referred to as “keepers.”  A player may only be a keeper if he met the requirements listed in 9.2 or 9.3 below.

2.      The new season disk will be created after the commissioner receives all keeper lists.

3.      Any players on the new season disk that are listed as keepers by a team will be placed on that team’s roster.

4.      Any players that were on a team’s roster the previous season and met the provisions listed in 9.2 or 9.3 below will be placed on that team’s roster on the new season disk in addition to any keepers.

5.      The pre-season draft may be held via e-mail or by other means necessary as determined by the commissioner. The start date for each season's draft will be determined by the commissioner.

6.      The draft order for the first season will be randomly selected. Evened numbered rounds will be in reverse order of the previous odd numbered round. Starting with the second season, and for each annual draft thereafter, the draft order will consist of:

1.      All 16 Rounds will be in reverse order of the teams’ regular season winning percentage from the previous season.

2.      The 6 playoff teams will draft in the last 6 positions regardless of record. Their order will be World Series winner (16th), WS loser (15th), LCS loser with better record (14th), other LCS loser (13th), WC Series loser with better record (12th) and other WC Series loser (11th).

3.      Any ties will be broken by the teams' AWAY record for the previous season, with the team with the better away record drafting first and then reversing the order each subsequent round.

7.       The draft will consist of 16 Rounds.  After the 16 rounds are complete, the remaining free agents will be dealt out to each team, one player at a time by using the Advanced Draft auto-draft function, based on the draft order determined above.  Coaches will be allowed to send a Scout file to the commissioner prior to this portion of the draft taking place.

6.   ROSTER RULES

1.      There is no limit on the number of "carded" players a team may have on it's roster at any given time after the pre-season draft and before the cuts for the following season are due. Managers must ensure that they have enough coverage at all positions for the entire season. Teams may not carry uncarded players on their roster.

2.      Active roster size for league play during the season is as follows (all dates below are season schedule dates, not actual dates):

1.      From Opening Day to end of last series in August – 25 players

2.      From end of last series that ends in August to end of season – up to 40 players

3.      Roster size must be cut to no more than 12 "carded" players after the post season.

4.      Players may be moved between the farm team and the "big league" club during the season, but only between series. Managers will use Advanced Draft to make these moves.

5.      There will be no restrictions on how many times a player can be sent to the farm team during a season.

6.      Injured players may also be moved to the farm team and replaced with a healthy player.

7.      All teams must start each series with an active roster size of 25 (40 from end of last series in August to end of season).

7.        TRADES

1.      Off season trading is allowed from the conclusion of the post season.

2.      Trading during the season is allowed from Opening Day until end of last series in August (schedule dates). No trading can occur from this point on until the end of the post season.

3.      Trading is allowed between teams from different leagues, with the following restrictions:

1.      There will be no trading restrictions up to the end of the last series in July (League Manager Schedule date)

2.      From the end of the last series in July until the end of the last series in August (both LM Schedule dates), trading may only occur between teams in the same league.

3.      All trades must be reported to and approved by the commissioner.

8.        PLAYING RULES – REGULAR SEASON

1.      Starters -- Only pitchers who had at least one start may start a game, unless the automode of League Manager chooses otherwise due to the unavailability of any rested starting pitchers.

2.      Only pitchers that were actually used as pinch hitters (those with a higher number of games played than games pitched) may do so in the RPBL unless all other players have been used.

3.      Pitchers can be used as pinch runners.

4.      The Bunt for a Base Hit option may only be used if managers are playing face to face.

5.      In the event of a rainout, and if the game is not official, the game will stand as not official and the commissioner will reschedule the game for a later date, if necessary. If the rained out game has a bearing on the pennant race it will be replayed at the end of the season.

6.      Players are allowed to play only at positions at which they are rated unless, due to an injury during a game or series, that player is the last player rated at a position. When using a player out of position, the substitute should be a reasonable choice.

9.        PLAYER RESTRICTIONS – REGULAR SEASON

1.      AIM will handle all maximum restrictions on players and pitchers, except stolen bases. All players are restricted to their actual stolen base attempts plus 25%. This includes all attempts made during Hit & Run plays and squeeze plays.  If a player goes beyond 125% of his actual stolen base attempts it is the manager of that team's responsibility to notify the commissioner. Upon notification, the player's stolen base rating will be changed to N00 for the remainder of the regular season only. Failure to notify the commissioner will results in the player's stolen base rating being changed to N00 for the remainder of the regular season and remaining at N00 for post season play.

2.      All non-pitchers are required to have at least 1/3 of their actual plate appearances (PA) at the conclusion of the regular season.

3.      All pitchers are required to have at least 1/3 of their actual innings pitched (IP) at the conclusion of the regular season.

4.      Failure to meet the conditions of 9.2 or 9.3 above will result in the loss of the player upon completion of the post season.

5.      There is already a built in 10% bonus added to pitchers Maximum Batters Faced (MBF). To allow for some leeway, the MBF for pitchers will be adjusted further, as follows:

1.      Starting pitchers graded 6 or above will have no change.

2.      Starting pitchers graded 4 or 5 will be assigned a MBF of 750 unless their actual is higher.

3.      Starting pitchers rated 3 and below will be assigned a MBF of 1000 unless their actual is higher

4.      Relief pitchers graded 6 and above will have no change.

5.      Relief pitchers graded 4 or 5 will be assigned a MBF of 400 unless their actual is higher.

6.      Relief pitchers graded 3 or less will be assigned a MBF of 600 unless their actual is higher.

7.      Split grade pitchers with less than 7 starts will be treated as relief pitchers and adjusted accordingly. If they have 7 or more starts they will be treated as starting pitchers and adjusted accordingly.

6.     Position players that are rated at pitcher are limited to their actual amount of innings pitched, plus 10%.  Once they meet or exceed their actual amount of innings pitched plus 10% their pitching grade will be removed for the remainder of the regular season.

7.   Flagrant violation of player usage will result in draft picks being lost, managerial sanctions or removal if necessary. Depth of violation will determine penalty.

10.        PLAYER ROSTER/RESTRICTIONS – POST SEASON

  1.    The post season roster will only include 25 players per playoff series. You will be able to adjust the roster between rounds in the playoffs, but not between games of a series, except in the event of an injury that would extend beyond the end of the current series. Player restrictions for the post season are based on AIM allowances. Fatigue is carried forward from the regular season, including injuries.

  2.    A batter may only be included on a post season roster is he attains 35 or more at bats during the just concluded RPBL regular season.  "Innocuous" (930 PR) players are exempt from this restriction.  A pitcher may only be included on a post season roster if he attained 15 or more innings pitched during the just concluded RPBL regular season. 

  3.    Starting pitchers with a regular season MBF (Maximum Batters Faced) allowance of 150 or less are restricted to 15% of their regular season MBF for each post season series. Starting pitchers are defined as any pitcher with a starting pitcher grade. This rule would not apply to relief only pitchers. These starting pitchers are also not allowed to start a post season gam

  4.    Position players that are rated at pitcher and pitched less than 40 actual innings pitched are not allowed to pitch in a post season game.

  5.     Position players that are rated at pitcher and have less than 6 actual games started are not allowed to start a post season game.  Those with 6-12 actual games started may only start 1 post season game per post season series.  


11.        FILE DUE DATE/SCHEDULE

1.      The commissioner will email a Results c-file with all games results to the league no later than the time set forth in the email that contains the Results c-file.

2.      Managers with away games for the upcoming week shall send the commissioner an f-file with any roster changes, lineups and pitching rotation no later than the time set forth in the email that contains the Results c-file. Managers with home games for the upcoming week are not required to send this f-file to the commissioner but may do so if they desire.

3.      The commissioner will email a Playball c-file for playing the upcoming week's games to the league as soon a practibale after the deadline for receiving f-files has past.

4.      Managers with home games to play are required to play the games and send an f-file with the results to the commissioner no later than the time set forth in the email containing the Playball c-file.

5.      The commissioner will have League Manager automode play any games not received on time. The commissioner will use the last f-file received for away teams that do not send a revised f-file on time.

6.      Please notify the commissioner if you are not able to get the files sent on time for any reason (i.e., vacation, personal reason) and no penalty will be enforced. Remember, this is supposed to be FUN!!!

12.        COMMISSIONER'S ROLE

1.      The commissioner's role is a position to best serve the interests of the Random Players Baseball League.

2.      The commissioner shall have the authority to mediate disputes on organizational issues and make final decisions when all sides of an issue have been presented and are still unresolved.

3.      The commissioner shall have the authority to assess penalties and/or suspend managers and/or players for overuse of players, habitually late f-files and late league correspondence.

4.      The commissioner, above all, shall strive to be accessible to the league members and help promote communication and understanding among the members of the Random Players Baseball League.