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Constitution
2009
Table of Contents
1. League Purpose
2. League Structure
3. The Season
4. Rosters
5. Free Agent/Rookie Draft
6. Waiver Pool
7. Trades
8. Usage
9. Rules of Game Play
10. Instructions and Statistic Reporting
11. Manager Responsibilities
12. Commissioner/Executive Board
Responsibilities
13. Penalties
14. American League Compensation
15. Ball Parks
1. League Purpose
A. Simulation of past National League season in a draft format.
B. A hobby through which friendships can be made among people with similar interests.
2. League Structure
A. The league shall be governed by a commissioner and two other franchise owners,
who make up the Executive Board. A Board member may be removed by two-thirds
vote (9) of the 14 franchise owners. All rules changes shall also be subject
to two-thirds vote (9). The Board, in consultation with all franchise owners,
will make and enforce league rules. Each year an NDL member with 3 years experience
or more may be named to the Executive Board upon application to the 3 incumbent
members. The new board member shall share in the responsibilities of making
a schedule, putting out a newsletter, keeping rosters, keeping statistics and
keeping scores of every game played.
B. Teams shall be divided between two divisions and play seasons of 160 games.
C. At seasons end the division winners plus the four teams with the best records
qualify for the playoffs. If there is a tie for a playoff spot it shall be decided
by a one game playoff at the home of the team with the better road record. The
team with the best overall record shall play the team with the worst record
and hold home advantage in a seven game series. The team with the second best
record shall play the team with the third best record and hold home advantage
in a seven game series. The two winners shall play the World Series with the
team with the best record holding home advantage in a seven game series. If
there is a tie for home advantage the team with the best road record gets it.
If there is still a tie the team with the best head-to-head record gets it.
D: The NDL in 1999 will go to two 7-team divisions, East and West, based on
geography with each division getting one expansion team. The two division winners
will get byes. The second place finishers plus the next 2 teams with the best
records, regardless of division, will make the playoffs. The team with the 3rd
best record will play 6th best record with 4 and 5 playing each other. The winners
of those series will then play the division champs, with division champs always
being seeded 1-2 regardless of record. The winners of those series will meet
in NDL Championship series. Best record always gets home advantage. All series
are best of 7. Beginning in 2003, the four wild card spots will go to the teams
with the best records regardless of division. The two division winners shall
have home advantage in all series except against each other when the team with
the best record shall have home advantage. If they have identical regular season
records, the team with the best road record gets home advantage.
3. The Season
A. The season shall begin in March and end in October.
B. All teams shall play 160 games, 80 at home and 80 on the road, or as close
as is possible under the 14 team format. The schedule must end the season with
teams playing in their own division as much as is mathematically possible.
C. All teams are committed to on-time instructions and results.
4. Rosters
A. Only players with a Strat-O-Matic National League card are eligible. Computer-only
extra players are not eligible.
B. Each team is limited to 34 players, 25 active and 9 inactive and no fewer
than 9 pitchers, four of them starters on the active roster. Rosters may expand
to 34 for the final 15-20 game round of the season. The active roster for each
series must have at least two players rated for each position except outfield.
Teams may carry fewer than 34 players but never more than 34 except in spring
training.
C. Each team may keep 7 players on a Special Reserve Roster. These shall be
players who previously had a National League card with the team but are not
eligible for the current season. A player on Special Reserve may not be traded
until he gets a National League card again. In the offseason, an SR player who
clearly will have an NL card in the upcoming season may be traded. Conversely,
a rostered player who clearly won't have an NL card in the upcoming season may
not be traded.
D. The post-season active roster shall be set immediately after the end of the
season but may be changed between playoff rounds.
E. On or about February 1 of each year (date to be set by the Commissioner)
rosters must be trimmed to 24 carded players and 7 Special Reserve players.
After this date there shall be no trades until the commencement of the Free
Agent/Rookie Draft.
F. Within two weeks of the roster deadline a free agent/rookie draft shall be
held. The day (usually a Saturday) and time shall be set by the commissioner
in consultation with franchise owners to ensure maximum convenience.
5. Free Agent/ Rookie Draft
A. On the date and time described in 4-F, a draft of all unowned eligible carded
players will be held. The commissioner will call the manager when it is his
turn to pick. If the phone is busy or not answered, that pick is skipped and
the next manager is called before the previous manger is called again.
B. The draft will be in reverse order of season W/L pct. except for World Series
winner and runner-up, who shall pick last and next to last. Beginning with the
2007 season the order of selection for the first four picks shall be determined
by a lottery involving the four worst teams. This lottery would apply only to
the first round, after which teams would draft in their reverse order of finish.
The weighting formula would be 40-30-20-10.
C. Ties shall be broken based on home/away records with the worst road-record
team getting the higher pick. If still tied, then head-to-head record with worst
record getting higher pick. If still tied, then a coin flip. If a coin flip
is the determining factor then the winning and losing teams shall alternate
the order of their picks.
D. If a manager feels a team is "throwing games" in an attempt to
better his draft position a manager may make a confidential complaint to the
Executive Board which will conduct an investigation. If the Board agrees or
if the manager under investigation cannot provide box scores, an NBA-style lottery
shall be held for the top six picks.
E. Draft picks can be traded only for one year in advance (i.e. picks for the
2006 draft may not be dealt until Jan. 1, 2005.) In no case shall draft picks
be expressed as players to be named.
F. Teams with extra draft picks that would carry them beyond the 34-man limit
may use those picks to select players, but those chosen after the 34th player
are "free agent spring training invitees" who may not be traded. Such
teams shall have 10 days to cut to 34 players. If a trade opens a roster spot
a "free agent spring training invitee" may be added to the 34-man
roster. If a team fails to cut to 34 within the 10-day limit, players will be
placed in the waiver pool in reverse draft order until the team reaches the
34-man limit.
6. Waiver Pool
A. After the free agent/rookie draft, a waiver pool shall be created of all
un-owned NDL eligible players.
B. Waiver moves shall not be made until after the season has begun. Waiver moves
can be made right up to the start of the last round (Rd. 8).
C. Beginning in 2007, each team is allowed unlimited waiver moves.
D. Players claimed on waivers may not be added until the end of the round, at
the same time as players acquired in trades.
E. If a team cuts a player, he's eligible to be claimed on the same timetable
as in 6-D.
F. Once a waiver claim has been made, other teams shall have 48 hours to make
claims. In the event of duplicate claims the team with the worst record shall
prevail. In the season's opening round, W-L record from the previous season
will be used. If there are no duplicate claims within 48 hours, the claiming
team gets the player. Claims shall be made by contacting the Minister of Trade.
7. Trades
A. Trades made during the season will follow the same timetable as 6-D. No trades
will be allowed between the roster cutdown date and the Free Agent/Rookie Draft.
No trades will be allowed between the three-quarter season mark and the end
of the season.
B. A trade is not official until the Minister of Trade is notified by BOTH managers.
C. The Executive Board may void a trade by unanimous vote if the trade is believed
to be ruinous to the franchise or made by an owner about to quit the league
or appears to be an attempt to circumvent league rules. If a member of the Board
is part of the trade he shall be disqualified and the other two will rule.
D. Trades involving "players to be named" shall be allowed, except
in the case of draft picks or players being traded for themselves, but players
must be named no later than:
a. immediately after the Free Agent/Rookie Draft for off-season trades
b. immediately after the season for in-season trades
E. Commencing with the end of the 2005 season, AL compensation may not be traded
separately from the player.
F. Beginning in 2007, any AL-bound player who is traded in-season loses his
compensation.
8. Usage
A. Batters. Beginning in 2007, batters are limited to their National League
plate appearances plus 5%. Plate appearances shall be defined as NL at bats
and walks.
B. Pitchers. Beginning in 2007, pitchers will be limited to the number of National
League innings pitched plus 5%.
The same formula shall prevail for pitchers' plate appearances beginning in
2007.
a. Formula: Eligible NDL IP = NL IP x 1.05. Eligible NDL PA=NL PA x 1.05
C. Post Season. All players are limited to 7.5% of their allowable NDL usage
in each round of the playoffs. the first round of the playoffs. All players
are limited to 15% of their allowable NDL usage for the final two rounds.
9. Rules of Game Play
A. All super advanced DOS Strat-O-Matic rules are used EXCEPT for weather factor,
injuries and maximized. The closer rule goes into effect starting in 1998.
B. Beginning with the 2002 season, the NDL abolishes use of the DH.
C. No pitcher with STARTER only on his card can be used in relief. No pitcher
with RELIEF only on his card can be used to start. If this rule is violated,
the game in question shall be replayed upon complaint to the commissioner. A
second violation shall result in forfeiture by the offending team. In post-season
play, however, one starter-only pitcher may be designated a reliever. He may
be used ONLY as a reliever for the remainder of the post-season.
E. A reliever who exceeds the Point of Weakness (POW) rating on his card must
rest the next game.
F. Starters with an * on the Strat-O-Matic roster sheet can pitch on three days
rest, all others must have 4 days rest. In post-season play non-* starters may
pitch on 3 days rest. In post season play * rated starters need only 2 days
rest, others 3. Any pitcher used on short rest will lose his next rotation turn.
Repeated violations of this rule shall result in the loss of draft picks or
if deemed intentional by the commissioner forfeiture of the game by the offending
team.
G. Rotations may be reset at the halfway point of the season, roughly 80 games.
There shall be 2 days off at season's end and before beginning of post-season
play as well as between each post-season series. During post-season, days off
shall occur after the 2nd and 5th games of the series.
H. Pitchers may PH but are subject to the same usage limits as batters.
I. Position players may NOT be used as pitchers unless they appeared as a pitcher
in the National League. If so, they are subject to the same usage limits as
pitchers.
J. Players may not play positions unlisted on their cards, except for outfielders,
who may switch among OF positions.
K. Starting pitchers must pitch at least 5 innings unless they:
a. reach their POW
b. allow three runs
10. Instructions and Statistic Reporting
A. All managers shall at the start of each round (there will be 8 rounds commencing
with the 2000 season) send sufficient instructions to the entire league. Instructions
MUST include a completed HAL starter schedule for the round. Instructions may
be sent on a series by series basis for the last round of 15-20 games. Starting
in 2007, the results deadline for the schedule for the final round shall be
10 days between series.
B. Instructions MUST be for the computer manager for the first seven rounds,
although SLIGHT additions are allowed. More leeway is permitted in the final
round to protect against over usage. AB limits may not be imposed on a per game
basis. Extra instructions shall be limited to three items.
C. Each road manager is required to send his opponent the series game files
plus box scores for each game in a form agreeable to both managers (e-mail,
disc, paper etc.), while retaining subsets as a backup.
D. Statistics shall be reported at the end of each series to the entire league.
Statistics shall be reported on computer disk or e-mail attachments unless special
arrangements are made with the league statistician.
E. Only stats up to the filing date should be sent. If road results are late
send your partial stats and list the missing series.
11. Manager Responsibilities
A. Participate in the Free Agent/Rookie Draft
B. File instructions, results and statistics on time
C. Follow opponent's instructions and play fairly.
1. A manager who feels his instructions were not followed may file a complaint
to the commissioner who may order the game replayed.
2. Games may not be played on Quick play without permission of the opposing
manager and the commissioner.
D. Contribute articles to the NDL newsletter.
E. Assess his performance honestly and resign from the league if he cannot complete
obligations in a timely fashion.
1. During the season, the Executive Board, by unanimous vote, may seize a franchise
from an owner who is chronically late or disrupts the league in some fashion.
The franchise games will be played by HAL (the computer manager) for the remainder
of the season. No trades shall be made. The team will be awarded to a new owner
as soon as practical. The board shall review the performance of each owner during
each off-season. If the owner's performance or lack of baseball knowledge is
not up to NDL standards, the franchise shall be awarded to another owner by
unanimous vote of the executive board.
12. Commissioner/Executive Board Responsibilities
A. Hear and rule on grievances.
B. Issue warnings and penalties when necessary.
C. Compile stats and standings and send out regular newsletters.
D. Keep the constitution and rosters current.
13. Penalties
A. Late instructions - 1 point for every day late
B. Late with results to an opponent - 1 point for every day late
C. Late with results to commissioner - 1 point for every day late
D. Pitchers are used improperly or on short rest:
1 point per inning
1 point per 1/3 relief inning in addition to penalties listed in Section 9-F.
E. Overusage penalties
2 points for each plate appearance over the limit
2 points for each 1/3 of an inning over the limit.
F. Conversion of points to penalties.
25 or less points accumulated = no penalty
26-50 = loss of 9th round draft pick
51-75 = loss of 8th round draft pick
76-100 = loss of 5th round draft pick
Penalties continue in this fashion at intervals of 25 points up to the loss
of a first round pick. Penalties are cleared if the delinquent manager drops
out.
G. Penalties for failure to report and keep proper stats. Each team is required
to keep subsets, game files and box scores for every home and road game until
the league office sends out finished statistics for the season. If a manager
does not receive subset, game files or boxscores from a road opponent he shall
immediately complain to the league office. Upon notice of the Czar of Discipline,
the road manager shall send box scores and subsets to his opponent within one
week or forfeit his 8th round draft pick. If he cannot produce box scores, game
files and subsets the games shall be replayed and he will forfeit his 4th round
pick.
H. Penalties for sending inadequate stats to league office. Each owner shall
send game files and box scores for his team and all opponents to the league
statistician after each series. This and ONLY this shall be sent. If this is
not done properly (i.e. bad disc, wrong files, omitted files, failure to update
player moves, disc contains old files etc.) the owner will receive a notice
of failure to comply. He must then submit stats properly for the next 4 quarters
to have this notice removed from his record. If he screws up again during this
period, he shall lose his 6th round pick. He then has 4 more quarters to clear
his record. Another failure will result in the loss of his 3rd round pick. If
he again fails to submit proper stats at any time during the next 4 quarters,
he will lose his 1st round pick. Loss of draft pick shall be in the next draft,
but shall not apply to a new owner if the offender quits the league.
I. Starting in 2007, if no instructions are received by the league within 72
hours of the deadline, and the owner does not answer phone and e-mail requests,
games will be played using the last instructions sent out including pitching
rotation.
14. American League Compensation
A. Because changes in Major League baseball have made movement of players between
leagues far more frequent, the NDL shall compensate teams that lose players
to the AL.
B. The Elias Sports Bureau's free agent grading system shall be used to determine
compensation for defecting players. Players are rated A, B and C by Elias.
C. Compensation for the loss of a class A free agent shall be a draft pick at
the end of the second round of the Free Agent/Rookie Draft. Compensation for
the loss of a class B free agent shall be a draft pick at the end of the fourth
round. There shall be no compensation for the loss of a class C free agent.
Elias ratings of Class A among relievers and catchers shall be limited to the
top 12 relievers and the top 10 catchers. The rest shall be considered class
B with those rated B considered class C. Commencing with the 2007 draft, class
B players shall NOT be eligible for compensation. Type A players shall be determined
by the original Elias formula of the top 30% of players in each category.
D. The order of the compensation picks shall be in reverse order of won/loss
finish. Commencing with the 2007 draft, the order of compensation picks shall
be determined by the Elias rating numbers, with highest rated player yielding
the first pick and so forth.
E. A team granted compensation for the loss of a player to the AL may NOT retain
the player on Special Reserve. A team may, however, choose to waive compensation
and keep the player on Special Reserve.
F. Compensation draft picks shall be awarded to the team owning the defecting
player on the last day of the previous NDL season, which dictates the order
of selection regardless of whether the compensation is traded or retained by
another team.
G. In the event that Elias stops its free agent grading the Executive Board
shall seek out another outside system for grading players. In no case shall
the Board grade the players itself.
15. Ball Parks
A. In even-numbered years each team may select a new stadium, limited to the
National League parks. New owners may choose their stadium upon entry into the
NDL regardless of year. Beginning in 2002, teams may not use a stadium occupied
by another team. In even numbered years teams may trade ballparks or draft a
new ballpark. The ballpark draft follows the same rules as the player draft
and shall come at the end of the player draft. Ballparks can only be traded
for other ballparks, not draft picks or players. If a team's ballpark ceases
to exist in an odd-numbered year, that team may select a ballpark from among
the replacement park (i.e. new Busch Stadium in 2007) or an unowned park.