FIELD OF DREAMS LEAGUE RULES
Updated : June 13, 2023
Additions or modifications are in blue.
I. League Operations
League Structure Schedule Game Format League Alignment FOD Ballparks Playoffs
II. Rosters
Roster Size--Majors 40-Man Rosters Roster Size--Minors Trades In-Season Trading Period
III. Player Usage
Batters Pitchers The 8-run Rule The Edgar Martinez Rule Player Restrictions for Post-Season Play Computer Procedures Sending Instructions Protests Fines
IV. Player Salaries
Salary Structure Minor League Rosters and Salaries Players Years Salary Options
Player Draft and Free Agency
V. Player Drafts and Funds Management
Sequence
VI. Governance
FOD Committee Rule Changes The Commissioner
There is 110% usage of actual numbers (Plate Appearance and Innings) for 2022.
I. League Operations
League Structure
FOD will operate as a continuing ownership Strat-O-Matic league. FOD will operate with 24 teams divided into two leagues, with two divisions in each league.
Schedule
The first season took place from August 2003 to February 2004. The second season and each one following will run between July/August and January/February. Each team will play 162 games, following a schedule determined and distributed by the commissioner or his designee. The draft for major and minor league players shall be completed by July of each calendar year.
Game Format
All games are to be played on the computer of the home team, with instructions and results exchanged via e-mail, unless the opposing managers of a given game or series agree to play face-to-face or via Netplay.
The most recent CD-ROM version of the Strat-O-Matic computer baseball game, including all advanced and optional rules, excepting only optional rules explicitly excluded from use by the Commissioner or as modified below, must be used for all games. Instructions and computer manager files for all road games for any given month are to be received by the home team manager by the first of the month.
The FOD will NOT use injuries.
The designated hitter rule will be used in both leagues.
League Alignment
The commissioner will determine the alignment of the leagues and divisions. Changes in league and divisional membership will be announced no later than April, four months before the start of the next season. A primary factor determining alignment will be Netplay requests and geographic location.
FOD Ballparks
Each FOD franchise shall play in one of the existing major-league ballparks. Ballparks will be occupied under year-to-year lease at no cost to the owner. At the end of each season, the owner will be given the chance to renew his or her ballpark for another 1-year term.
All ballparks not ‘renewed’ will go into the ballpark pool and open for all other owners who wish to change their park. Ballparks will be re-distributed by draft in order of the previous year’s finish from best record to worst record based on the previous regular season.
Playoffs
All playoff games will be decided using the Netplay feature; however, the Netplay feature does not have to be used if both parties involved agree not to do so. If one team cannot play via Netplay, and the other insists on that method, the team not able to use Netplay will elect someone in the league (not in the playoffs) to play the games in their behalf. The manager naming a deputy may submit instructions.
Playoffs will include 6 teams in each league. The 2 division winners in each league with the best records will get byes in round 1.
In round 1 the remaining division winner and the 3 teams with the best records REGARDLESS OF DIVISION (the remaining division winner will be seeded #3) will play each other; seed 3 vs. seed 6 - seed 4 vs. seed 5.
In round 2 the lowest remaining seed will play the division winner with the best overall record and the other division winner will play the other remaining team. Round 3 would have the 2 remaining teams play for the league championship with the winners of each league playing the World Series.
Rest will be given in the following manner:
1 game between the last regular season game and Game 1 of Round 1 of the Playoffs. From that point forward we will go by a schedule where we assume there will be a 7-game series for each series scheduled. If a series goes the full 7 games, there will be 1 day rest between game 7 and the next series to be played. If the series goes less than 7 scheduled games, then the days in which games would have been played (along with whatever days rest were to be given in that series) will be considered days off before the next series begins.
PITCHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS : A pitcher that has a minimal Starting rating (1-4) is eligible to start in the playoffs but if they do they may not relieve in that series. No starting pitcher with a starter's rating of 5 or more may start unless they have at least 90 inning pitched.
All playoffs are seven game series. The first-place team will get the home-field advantage and host games one, two, six, and seven (as needed).
The FOD champion shall be determined by the World Series. The team with the best winning percentage in the regular season will have the home field advantage for the World Series.
II. Rosters
Roster Size - Majors
At the beginning of each season, each team may own the rights of up to 40 players on their Major League Roster. The active roster, as reflected by the Computer Manager, can only have 26 players, except during the last month of the regular season. For regular-season games in September, the active roster may include the 40 players designated as active for that season. During the season, roster size may exceed 40 players (due to uneven trades). During the off season, to the extent rosters are reduced below the 40 player limit, players may be added through any one or combination of the following means: free agency signings, promotions from the minor league roster, major league draft picks, or trades.
Again, during the regular season, teams may go above the 40 man roster limit (via trade) but must reduce their rosters accordingly at the end of the season.
At the conclusion of each season, rosters must be reduced to a maximum of 40 major league players. These 40 players must be identified to the league, in writing, by a date designated by the commissioner. Only players who have been paid a major-league salary may be placed on the 40-man active roster.
There is no limit to the number of players that can be activated or deactivated to play in any month from among the 40-player active rosters. However, starting rotations must be consistent and are valid for the entire month.
40-Man Rosters
Each team will be required to submit the 40-man roster at a time designated by the commissioner (as stated above). The players on this roster will include all salaried players, that is, all players paid a major league contracts. Any player not included on the 40-man roster will be placed in the minor league system or released.
Roster Size - Minors
Roster size may exceed 10 players (due to trades), however at the conclusion of each season MINOR rosters must be reduced to a maximum of 10 players. These 10 players must be identified to the league, in writing, by a date designated by the commissioner. The roster reduction may be accomplished through any combination of the following means: Promotions to the major league roster; outright releases; trades.
Major League Draft
The Major League Draft shall be as many rounds as necessary for each team to replenish their roster to the major league roster size limit (40).
Salaries designated shall be the player’s “real life” salary (in essence the year the cards/game reflects – ex: all 2023 draftable players shall be drafted based upon their 2022 or 2023 salary). – Also see Player Draft and Free Agency section below.
Player Releases
Players may be released only during periods designated by the commissioner. Releases may be made at the end of the regular season and again after the RFA bidding process but before the major league draft. Any player released by their team may NOT be redrafted or reacquired by that team for at least one full season.
Trades
Trading is permitted only during periods designated by the commissioner. The following trades are allowed:
a. Players being paid a FOD salary
b. Players with minor league status
c. Restricted Free Agents (RFA)
d. Draft Picks, minor and major may be dealt (but not beyond one year). Draft picks for the following year may be dealt (in regards to the MINOR draft picks) AFTER the MINOR draft has been held; MAJOR draft picks for the following year may be dealt AFTER the RFA bidding process has been completed.
e. Players whose contracts have been absorbed due to prior release.
If a team trades away major or minor league draft pick(s), it must, at a minimum, reduce its roster to the extent draft picks have been traded away. The team may make selections in the round(s) subsequent to the round of the traded away pick fill-out its roster. If there is more than one pick that has been traded away, then the final selections will be after the latest round pick that was traded away. Example: CLA trades its 3rd and 5th round picks to SF. CLA must cut its roster to 35 players going into the major league draft (to the extent of the lowest pick traded away). CLA has a 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th round picks to bring its roster to the 40 player limit.
Draft picks for the upcoming year may NOT be dealt before the respective draft for the current year is held. For example, in 2022 – 2023 minor picks may not be traded until AFTER the 2022 Minor Draft is completed … and 2023 major picks may not be traded until AFTER the 2022 Major Draft is completed.
In-Season Trading Period
There will several trading periods during the playing season, with trades to be reported to the commissioner or his designee. All such trades become effective the next block following which the trade was made.
All involved parties must report all trades to the Commissioner. Such reports must be made in writing, and confirmed by all the managers involved. The Commissioner has veto power over any trade made.
III. Player Usage
Batters
The usage limit will be set at 110% of their PLATE APPEARANCES. PLATE APPEARANCES are defined as Official At-Bats plus Base on Balls - HBP and SACs are ignored. PLEASE NOTE: THE COMPUTER FACTORS STATS BASED UPON ALL PLAYERS PLAYING IN 162 GAMES. BE CAREFUL! WATCH YOUR USAGE BASED UPON THIS KNOWLEDGE. It would be a good idea to check each player’s actual stats before the season and make note of their Plate Appearances.
Pitchers
All eligible pitchers will have their usage set at 110% of their innings pitched. It would be a good idea to check each player’s actual stats before the season and make note of their Innings Pitched.
Starting pitchers must have 4 days rest before their next start. ONLY an (*) asterisk starter may start on 3 days rest. No team can use anything less than a four-man rotation. No relief pitcher that does not have a start rating may start and no starting pitcher without an R rating can pitch in relief during the regular season. If a pitcher has a minimal rating to start (1-4) they may be used as a starting pitcher, but may NOT relieve during that block.
Any pitcher brought in to relieve must face a minimum of 3 batters before they can be replaced unless they face less than the 3 batter minimum and the inning in which they are brought in ends.
Pitchers that may start and relieve (based upon their card) may only do one or the other in any given block, not both.
Any over usage of a player will result in a fine (see below) and immediate loss of that player for the balance of the season and the playoffs as soon as the offense is noted.
A pitching rotation will be issued to the league before each month begins and MUST remain consistent for that block.
PLEASE NOTE: Any player who does not have at least 30 plate appearances or 20 innings pitched may not be used and they will be removed from the game BUT still appear on the roster sheet.
The “8 RUN” Rule
Any pitcher who has given up 8 runs in a single game MUST BE REMOVED at the end of the inning in which they gave up the 8th run. Starting pitchers may go a maximum of 5 innings if they have given up 8 or more runs prior to the 5th inning. Any relief pitcher giving up 8 runs MUST BE REMOVED at the end of the inning in which they gave up the 8th run.
The “Edgar Martinez” Rule
Any player who receives a card that does not indicate a position will have two options. This player can either be a DH or has the option to play 1st base. If used at first base, his rating will be 5e30.
Players who played in both MLB leagues during the previous season will utilize their combined cards produced by Strat.
Playing fielders out of position
Outfielders may play any outfield position; no other players may play out of position. A CF may play any OF position with no loss in range. A RF who plays CF will lose “1” in their range value (ex: a “3” in RF becomes a “4” in CF. There is no loss in range for a RF moving to LF. A LF who plays CF will lose “2” in their range value (ex: a “3” in LF becomes a “5” in CF. A LF who plays RF will lose “1” in their range value (ex: a “3” in LF becomes a “4” in RF. These range factors are automatically figured into the game!
Player Restrictions for Post-Season Play
Playoff teams can select any 25 players from their 40-man roster to be active the playoff series. This playoff roster may not be changed from series to series, but rather must remain constant for the duration of the playoffs.
If a player has been “overused” during the regular season, then that player is ineligible for all playoff games and a fine is assessed.
Batters are limited to 10% of actual FOD in-season eligibility for EACH POST-SEASON SERIES.
Relief pitchers limited to 10% of actual FOD in-season eligibility for EACH POST-SEASON SERIES.
NO PITCHER WHO STARTS IN A PLAYOFF SERIES MAY RELIEVE IN THAT SAME SERIES.
A pitcher that has a minimal Starting rating (1-4) is eligible to start in the playoffs but if they do they may not relieve in that series. No starting pitcher with a starters rating of 5 or more may start unless they have at least 90 innings pitched (note: we do NOT count the extra 10% allowable usage in this number).
EACH TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS MUST SUBMIT THEIR ROTATION TO THE COMMISSIONER PRIOR TO ALL SERIES BEGINNING. THE COMMISSIONER WILL THEN SET THE ROTATION FOR THE SERIES TO BE PLAYED IN EACH TEAM’S CM AND THEN SEND OUT THE FILE TO SET LINEUPS ETC. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT EACH TEAM’S ROTATION IS CONSISTENT AND REFLECTIVE OF USAGE IN EACH TEAM’S PRIOR SERIES.
In addition, before playing the playoffs – each Pitcher must have sufficient rest before starting the playoff series (ie; a Pitcher starting game 162 must have at least 4 days rest before pitching in a playoff game … in this scenario it would be the 1 day off between game 162 and game 1 of the playoffs, games 1 and 2 of the playoff series and the day off after game 2. This pitcher could then start game 3.
Here are other playoff rules and procedures:
· Starters may be NOT used as relievers when they are used as starters in a given series. If they are used only as relievers, there are no special rules, other than the 10% usage limitation.
· Starting rotations MUST remain consistent throughout the playoffs. For example, if a team’s rotation is: (G1, 4 and 7) Halladay*, (G2 and 6) Carpenter*, (G3) Oswalt, (G5) Bozo the Clown – and their 1st series goes 7 games … Halladay and Carpenter would both be precluded from starting G1 of the next series due to rest limitations. There is 1 day of rest given between each series (in the case of 7 games), so Oswalt would have to start G1 of the next series. At the point game 1 would be played, Halladay would only have 1 days rest; Carpenter 2. The earliest Halladay could start a game would be G3, while Carpenter could start G2.
· All position players are limited to 10% of their real life plate appearances defined as official ABs plus BBs.
· All pitchers (except starting pitchers) are limited to 10% of their real life innings pitched.
· "Days off" will be given at the beginning of each home series (Games 1, 3, and 6) by the Commissioner and no extra days off are necessary.
· Players overused during the season are ineligible for all playoff games.
· Starting pitchers with an * may start on three days rest.
· Players may not play a position not listed on their card with the exception of outfielders who are permitted to play any outfield position and players who do not have a position listed (DHs), they may play 1st base.
· The 26 man roster selected at the beginning of a 7 game playoff series must remain the same throughout that series.
· Opponents may protest a game if there is a perceived violation of rules. The protest must be made in writing to the commissioner. The game results and box scores must be included to substantiate the claim.
Computer Procedures
Each year the league will distribute specific instructions regarding procedures for league play using the current Strat-0-Matic computer game. Each manager must follow specific naming conventions for files containing box score, play-by-play summaries, and game result files. Not following such procedures may result in $1,000,000 fines. The league will also provide specific instructions regarding the distribution of those files to visiting managers and to the league.
Included in the manual regarding the use of the computer game for league play will be instructions regarding Strat advanced and super advanced features. Currently the only advanced feature not employed in FOD is the use of injuries.
Prior to the beginning of each series, the visiting club should be given 15 days rest to clear all rest requirements for that club. The home club should be given off days as indicated by the schedule. Reasonable effort should be made to play each month's series in order.
Sending Instructions
Managers must upload a computer manager file to the CLOUD by the date(s) designated. The file or instructions must include their correct pitching rotation, 26 man active roster for the month, and lineups.
ALL GAME RESULTS MUST BE SENT TO THE CLOUD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ONCE PLAYED.
In the American League, managers must submit their box scores to their opponent immediately after posting results to the cloud.
Protests
The visiting manager may protest any game he feels resulted from the home manager's negligence, error, or misinterpretation of the rules, including violations of baseball, Strat or FOD rules, or failure to follow visiting instructions without good reason. The home manager may protest after a series has been played only if he learns that a visiting player was used illegally. Protesting managers should attempt to resolve the issue with the other manager before taking it to the commissioner. Protests should be made in writing, with a copy to the commissioner, at and at the earliest opportunity. Such protests will receive serious attention.
Fines
If a player has been “overused” during the regular season, then that player is ineligible for all playoff games and a fine of $2,000,000 per incident is assessed.
Fines will be totaled and deducted from the salary cap of $100,000,000 allowed to each franchise and implemented the following year (ie; fines levied in 2022 are applied to that team’s cap in 2023).
Fines are levied against owners and not individual teams. Therefore, if the fined owner leaves the league then the new owner of the team will not be assessed the fine.
IV. Player Salaries
Salary Structure
In 2022, each team will operate under a $100,000,000 salary cap with which to pay player salaries and for use in trading and free agency bidding. In 2023, each team will operate under a $105,000,000 salary cap with which to pay player salaries and for use in trading and free agency bidding.
There is NO CARRYOVER of salaries from one year to the next. Each team begins with the designated amount. Any monies acquired in trades the prior year does NOT carry over.
All financial transactions must be in even increments (ie; 25,000.00, 50,000.00 75,000.00, 100,000.00 etc)
Teams must have at least 25 players under major league contracts at the conclusion of the annual player auction and throughout each season.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $710,000 in 2024.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $725,000 in 2025.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $750,000 in 2026.
All major league player salaries will be based on the salaries listed by espn.com and/or CBS Sportsline.com (or other reputable sources) and salaries will not change during the term of a contract. If a player has no salary, the commissioner and the two league presidents will determine one based on the following scale.
Low Quality Player --$800,000 per year
Average Quality Player --$4,000,000 per year
High Quality Player -- $8,000,000 per year
Super Star Player --$12,000,000 per year
If a player is acquired in a free agent bidding auction, the amount bid to acquire a player becomes that player's salary for the coming season and the duration of the contract offered. There is a 6-year limit on any contract that may be offered to “free agents”.
Minor League Rosters and Salaries
A team’s minor league roster is initially limited to a minimum 10 players each season (at the designated time, each team will promote/cut Minor Leaguers to get to 10). A player can to be taken in the minor league draft if he has had no previous Strat card. This may include a major league player in who never had a card, a player in the organized minor leagues or an amateur player.
Minor leaguers will not be paid a salary unless one has been attached to them by a previous assignment to a major league roster.
If you trade a minor league draft pick, you LOSE THE SLOT. So in other words, when you deal a minor league pick, the slot for that pick is gone. Example: If you deal 2 minor league picks and you began with 10 slots, you now have 8 slots to fill – not 10. In turn, if you acquire any minor league picks, your number of ‘slots’ goes up accordingly.
Each team LOSING A PLAYER in the RFA pool will receive a SUPPLEMENTAL MINOR pick as additional compensation for losing that player. Those supplemental picks will be ADDED to their existing minor league slots. In other words if a team has their 10 'slots' to draft - if they were to receive 3 supplemental picks for losing 3 players in the RFA bidding, they would now have 13 slots.
Conversely, each team bidding and winning a player in the RFA pool will LOSE a SUPPLEMENTAL MINOR pick as additional compensation for winning that player. Those supplemental picks will be DEDUCTED from their existing minor league slots. In other words if a team has their 10 'slots' to draft - if they were to lose 3 supplemental picks for winning 3 players in the RFA bidding, they would now have 7 slots.
Teams have a 5 slot maximum that they can trade (ie; they cannot trade more than 5 of their minor picks/slots).
Minor League Contracts
Minor league players may remain on the team’s minor league roster without any contract term limits until released or until the player receives a Strat–O–Matic card (this includes the computer carded players) and the player has 20 innings pitched or 30 plate appearances. At that time the player must be promoted to the major league roster and awarded a $700,000 contract (in 2023) or be released. If released, the player is added to the pool eligible for the major league draft.
Once promoted to the majors, each minor league player receives a contract of $700,000 per year (based upon the minimum salary in 2023) for up to six years. At a designated date, teams will declare which minor leaguers are being promoted and the contract terms and length offered to each individual player.
Players Years
There is no set formula. Any player can be offered any contract, subject to only two limitations.
o No Major League contract can extend beyond 6 years
o Major League contracts with options for an additional year are limited to one and two year contracts.
Contracts can be offered for the following years:
1 year
1 year with a 1 year option
2 years
2 years with a 1 year option
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
(See below for additional season 2 and beyond rules).
Salary Options
At the end of each season each team has several things they must do as well as some options.
Each club has the option to release up to 5 players from their minor league roster.
AFTER CUTS AND PROMOTIONS, the open Minor League slots will be made up initially in the five-round, minor draft each year (see below for teams with more than 5 vacancies). So for trading purposes you are allowed to trade any of your following season's minor league draft picks round 1 thru 5. THERE MAY BE NO TRADES OF MINOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5 SINCE NO ROUNDS EXIST BEYOND THAT POINT. If a team receives a minor league pick from another team - this will then put them over the 10-man minor league roster limit. The team will then be granted the ability to release the 5 maximum allowable as stated above PLUS the number of draft picks acquired (no more than 10 total for that is the maximum Minor League Roster). If a team acquires a Minor League Player (or players) from another team (or teams), they must cut as many players as they are over the limit at the end of that current season to reach the maximum allowable of 10 minor league players.
We will allow teams to submit a list of minor leaguers to fill up their minor league roster (after the 5 round Minor League Draft). The lists should have full names of players, the ML organization they are in and should be listed in priority order. We will then start with the team with the worst record, take their list and fill up their roster based on the priority listed. We will move on to the team with the next worst record – and continue until all teams minor league rosters have been filled.
Exercise any options on any players (Major or Minor) for which an option is available. If done so that player will remain for the length of the option at their current salary.
Buy out an existing contract. If you have a player still under contract and you wish to release the player before the contract is up you will have the right to do so. A team that releases a player with a contract still in force must pay 50% of the salary for the remaining years of the contract.
Player Draft and Free Agency
There will be three ways to obtain new players at the end of each season.
Minor League Draft - The minor league draft shall consist of as many rounds as need to replenish minor league rosters with no limit to the cuts any given team may make. THERE IS NO TRADING OF MINOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5.
Major League Draft -- There will be a draft consisting of players who have not had a prior Strat card and are not on a minor or major league roster. The Major League Draft shall be as many rounds as necessary for each team to replenish their roster to the major league roster size limit. Salaries designated shall be the player’s “real life” salary from the (in essence the year the cards/game reflects – ex: all 2020 draft eligible players shall be drafted based upon their 2019 or 2020 salary). THERE IS NO TRADING OF MAJOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5.
Free Agent Bid Draft -- All players whose contracts have expired, or whose options have expired or have not been exercised will be included in a free agent bidding process. This process will consist of the following stages.
Free Agency – There are two groups of free agents defined as follows:
Unrestricted Free Agents: Those players who are released before their contract expires or whose options not exercised.
These players are acquired through a one round closed bidding process. The former team may not bid upon the players they released. The team with the highest bid signs the player and the highest bid is defined as total contract (salary times years … NOT including option years). Bids may be 1 through 6 years with option years available for one and two year contracts.
and
Restricted Free Agents: All players whose contracts have expired.
These players are acquired through a two round closed bidding process. The former team may bid upon its own players and has certain rights in that, except for the following provision, it has the right to match the highest bid and retain the player(s) at that highest bid. The former team’s bid must be in the top 5 of all bids for that player. Highest bid is determined by total contract (salary times years … NOT including option years). Bid terms may be 1 through 6 years with option years available for 1 and 2 year contracts.
Compensation: If a team loses a player to free agency, the team is entitled to compensation. The signing team must give the former team a major league draft pick based on the player’s average annual salary according to the following schedule:
> Bids up to $2,499,999 - a #4 Major League pick
> Bids between $2,500,000 to $4,999,999 - a #3 Major League pick
> Bids between $5,000,000 to $7,499,999 - a #2 Major League pick
> Bids $7,500,000 and up - a #1 Major League pick
Former teams also receive, as compensation, a commensurate supplemental minor league draft pick in the following year’s draft adding to their initial total of 10 each team starts with.
Bidding Procedures and Rules:
Teams may bid upon as many players as they wish within the limits of owning compensation picks and having enough available salary to cover their bids. The average annual salary of all bids must not exceed available salary.
Specific compensation picks are assigned to each bid based on the following guidelines and rules.
Higher compensation picks may be used than what is required.
If a bidding team places more than one bid requiring the same level of compensation pick, assignment of compensation picks are as follows:
The bid with the highest annual salary receives the better compensation pick.
If there is a tie in highest annual salary, then the player with the highest total contract receives the better compensation pick.
If there is a tie in total contract, then the bidding team may assign the compensation pick. If the bidding team chooses not to assign the compensation pick or fails to do so, then it will be assigned by lottery.
Teams can bid in the second round if it did not place a bid on that particular player in the first round. If the team having FMR decides to take the compensation pick after the 1st round or is forced to because their bid is not in the top five, then the team with the #1 first round bid acquires FMR for that player going into the second round.
Teams having the highest bid for a player(s) in the 1st round and acquiring the FMR going into the second round, will be required to maintain that bid for the 2nd round and therefore that money will be frozen and unavailable for bidding on other players. If the team with the original FMR is in the top five bids and it chooses to match the highest bid, then that bid becomes their bid and their money is frozen, instead of the 1st round’s top bidder’s money.
If there is a tie for the highest bid, the team with the lower winning percentage from the previous season will be awarded the #1 bid position. If the winning percentages are the same, the #1 bid position is determined by lottery.
Free Agent Compensation
Teams having lost a Restricted Free Agent to another team in the Free Agent bidding will be awarded a compensation pick in the current year's Major League Draft. The level of the draft pick will be determined as follows. A 1st round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $7,500,000, a 2nd round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $5,000,000 but less than $7,500,000, a 3rd round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $2,500,000 but less than $5,000,000 and a 4th round pick for a player with an average annual salary of less than $2,500,000. If a team owns multiple picks in a round where compensation is to be computed, the compensation pick awarded will be the highest pick in that round (ex; if a team owns the 6th and 14th pick in a round, the 6th pick will be used as compensation). If a team owns multiple picks in a round where compensation is to be computed for multiple bids, the compensation picks will be awarded based upon the value of the contract with the higher bid receiving the most favorable compensation. In addition, teams will receive a commensurate supplemental minor league draft pick in the following year’s draft.
Bid superiority will be based on the total dollar value of the contract. If there is more than one team having the exact highest bid (contract length as well as total dollars), the highest bid will be awarded to the team with the worst record in the previous season. If only the total dollar value is equal, the bid with the shortest duration will be considered the superior bid.
The Commissioner will send his bids to one of the two league presidents two days before any other GM's posts theirs in order to ensure fairness in the process. The league presidents will submit their bids to the commissioner in advance, as well.
V. Player Drafts and Funds Management
Sequence
The process of acquiring, and paying players in each off-season shall be accomplished in the following order.
o Each team’s salary cap is confirmed: $105,000,000.
o Each team calculates the salaries that it is required to pay to continuing players, to those players whose options will be exercised, and the remaining 50% on those players who will be released.
o The amount left over ($105,000,000 minus salary commitments) is available to bid on free agents or draft newly carded players
Tentative Dates (may be changed upon differing circumstances each year):
Unrestricted Free agent auction (UFA) – January
Free agent auction – Sometime between February 15 and March 15 (to be determined by the Commissioner)
Minor League draft – March or April until completed
Major League draft – Early to mid-June until completed
VI. Governance
FOD Committee
The FOD committee is a three-man committee composed of the commissioner and two league presidents.
Rule Changes
Any league member may submit proposals for changes in league rules. Rule change proposals will be considered and acted upon according to a schedule determined by the commissioner, but usually after the draft (May or June), and prior to the start of the upcoming season. Proposed changes require a majority for adoption.
If an eligible voter fails to cast a vote on an issue, such failure will be construed as a vote against the issue. In this sense, there is no distinction between abstaining and voting against a given proposal. The commissioner will handle the actual conduct of a vote.
The Commissioner
All duties pertaining to the running of the league, which are not covered above, and which are not clearly the business of the league's individual members, fall to the commissioner.
Current Officers:
Steve Ashman (Commissioner, Webmaster, Salaries and Contract Maintenance);
Steve Nieroda and Dave Gineo (Voices of Reason).
Updated : June 13, 2023
Additions or modifications are in blue.
I. League Operations
League Structure Schedule Game Format League Alignment FOD Ballparks Playoffs
II. Rosters
Roster Size--Majors 40-Man Rosters Roster Size--Minors Trades In-Season Trading Period
III. Player Usage
Batters Pitchers The 8-run Rule The Edgar Martinez Rule Player Restrictions for Post-Season Play Computer Procedures Sending Instructions Protests Fines
IV. Player Salaries
Salary Structure Minor League Rosters and Salaries Players Years Salary Options
Player Draft and Free Agency
V. Player Drafts and Funds Management
Sequence
VI. Governance
FOD Committee Rule Changes The Commissioner
There is 110% usage of actual numbers (Plate Appearance and Innings) for 2022.
I. League Operations
League Structure
FOD will operate as a continuing ownership Strat-O-Matic league. FOD will operate with 24 teams divided into two leagues, with two divisions in each league.
Schedule
The first season took place from August 2003 to February 2004. The second season and each one following will run between July/August and January/February. Each team will play 162 games, following a schedule determined and distributed by the commissioner or his designee. The draft for major and minor league players shall be completed by July of each calendar year.
Game Format
All games are to be played on the computer of the home team, with instructions and results exchanged via e-mail, unless the opposing managers of a given game or series agree to play face-to-face or via Netplay.
The most recent CD-ROM version of the Strat-O-Matic computer baseball game, including all advanced and optional rules, excepting only optional rules explicitly excluded from use by the Commissioner or as modified below, must be used for all games. Instructions and computer manager files for all road games for any given month are to be received by the home team manager by the first of the month.
The FOD will NOT use injuries.
The designated hitter rule will be used in both leagues.
League Alignment
The commissioner will determine the alignment of the leagues and divisions. Changes in league and divisional membership will be announced no later than April, four months before the start of the next season. A primary factor determining alignment will be Netplay requests and geographic location.
FOD Ballparks
Each FOD franchise shall play in one of the existing major-league ballparks. Ballparks will be occupied under year-to-year lease at no cost to the owner. At the end of each season, the owner will be given the chance to renew his or her ballpark for another 1-year term.
All ballparks not ‘renewed’ will go into the ballpark pool and open for all other owners who wish to change their park. Ballparks will be re-distributed by draft in order of the previous year’s finish from best record to worst record based on the previous regular season.
Playoffs
All playoff games will be decided using the Netplay feature; however, the Netplay feature does not have to be used if both parties involved agree not to do so. If one team cannot play via Netplay, and the other insists on that method, the team not able to use Netplay will elect someone in the league (not in the playoffs) to play the games in their behalf. The manager naming a deputy may submit instructions.
Playoffs will include 6 teams in each league. The 2 division winners in each league with the best records will get byes in round 1.
In round 1 the remaining division winner and the 3 teams with the best records REGARDLESS OF DIVISION (the remaining division winner will be seeded #3) will play each other; seed 3 vs. seed 6 - seed 4 vs. seed 5.
In round 2 the lowest remaining seed will play the division winner with the best overall record and the other division winner will play the other remaining team. Round 3 would have the 2 remaining teams play for the league championship with the winners of each league playing the World Series.
Rest will be given in the following manner:
1 game between the last regular season game and Game 1 of Round 1 of the Playoffs. From that point forward we will go by a schedule where we assume there will be a 7-game series for each series scheduled. If a series goes the full 7 games, there will be 1 day rest between game 7 and the next series to be played. If the series goes less than 7 scheduled games, then the days in which games would have been played (along with whatever days rest were to be given in that series) will be considered days off before the next series begins.
PITCHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS : A pitcher that has a minimal Starting rating (1-4) is eligible to start in the playoffs but if they do they may not relieve in that series. No starting pitcher with a starter's rating of 5 or more may start unless they have at least 90 inning pitched.
All playoffs are seven game series. The first-place team will get the home-field advantage and host games one, two, six, and seven (as needed).
The FOD champion shall be determined by the World Series. The team with the best winning percentage in the regular season will have the home field advantage for the World Series.
II. Rosters
Roster Size - Majors
At the beginning of each season, each team may own the rights of up to 40 players on their Major League Roster. The active roster, as reflected by the Computer Manager, can only have 26 players, except during the last month of the regular season. For regular-season games in September, the active roster may include the 40 players designated as active for that season. During the season, roster size may exceed 40 players (due to uneven trades). During the off season, to the extent rosters are reduced below the 40 player limit, players may be added through any one or combination of the following means: free agency signings, promotions from the minor league roster, major league draft picks, or trades.
Again, during the regular season, teams may go above the 40 man roster limit (via trade) but must reduce their rosters accordingly at the end of the season.
At the conclusion of each season, rosters must be reduced to a maximum of 40 major league players. These 40 players must be identified to the league, in writing, by a date designated by the commissioner. Only players who have been paid a major-league salary may be placed on the 40-man active roster.
There is no limit to the number of players that can be activated or deactivated to play in any month from among the 40-player active rosters. However, starting rotations must be consistent and are valid for the entire month.
40-Man Rosters
Each team will be required to submit the 40-man roster at a time designated by the commissioner (as stated above). The players on this roster will include all salaried players, that is, all players paid a major league contracts. Any player not included on the 40-man roster will be placed in the minor league system or released.
Roster Size - Minors
Roster size may exceed 10 players (due to trades), however at the conclusion of each season MINOR rosters must be reduced to a maximum of 10 players. These 10 players must be identified to the league, in writing, by a date designated by the commissioner. The roster reduction may be accomplished through any combination of the following means: Promotions to the major league roster; outright releases; trades.
Major League Draft
The Major League Draft shall be as many rounds as necessary for each team to replenish their roster to the major league roster size limit (40).
Salaries designated shall be the player’s “real life” salary (in essence the year the cards/game reflects – ex: all 2023 draftable players shall be drafted based upon their 2022 or 2023 salary). – Also see Player Draft and Free Agency section below.
Player Releases
Players may be released only during periods designated by the commissioner. Releases may be made at the end of the regular season and again after the RFA bidding process but before the major league draft. Any player released by their team may NOT be redrafted or reacquired by that team for at least one full season.
Trades
Trading is permitted only during periods designated by the commissioner. The following trades are allowed:
a. Players being paid a FOD salary
b. Players with minor league status
c. Restricted Free Agents (RFA)
d. Draft Picks, minor and major may be dealt (but not beyond one year). Draft picks for the following year may be dealt (in regards to the MINOR draft picks) AFTER the MINOR draft has been held; MAJOR draft picks for the following year may be dealt AFTER the RFA bidding process has been completed.
e. Players whose contracts have been absorbed due to prior release.
If a team trades away major or minor league draft pick(s), it must, at a minimum, reduce its roster to the extent draft picks have been traded away. The team may make selections in the round(s) subsequent to the round of the traded away pick fill-out its roster. If there is more than one pick that has been traded away, then the final selections will be after the latest round pick that was traded away. Example: CLA trades its 3rd and 5th round picks to SF. CLA must cut its roster to 35 players going into the major league draft (to the extent of the lowest pick traded away). CLA has a 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th round picks to bring its roster to the 40 player limit.
Draft picks for the upcoming year may NOT be dealt before the respective draft for the current year is held. For example, in 2022 – 2023 minor picks may not be traded until AFTER the 2022 Minor Draft is completed … and 2023 major picks may not be traded until AFTER the 2022 Major Draft is completed.
In-Season Trading Period
There will several trading periods during the playing season, with trades to be reported to the commissioner or his designee. All such trades become effective the next block following which the trade was made.
All involved parties must report all trades to the Commissioner. Such reports must be made in writing, and confirmed by all the managers involved. The Commissioner has veto power over any trade made.
III. Player Usage
Batters
The usage limit will be set at 110% of their PLATE APPEARANCES. PLATE APPEARANCES are defined as Official At-Bats plus Base on Balls - HBP and SACs are ignored. PLEASE NOTE: THE COMPUTER FACTORS STATS BASED UPON ALL PLAYERS PLAYING IN 162 GAMES. BE CAREFUL! WATCH YOUR USAGE BASED UPON THIS KNOWLEDGE. It would be a good idea to check each player’s actual stats before the season and make note of their Plate Appearances.
Pitchers
All eligible pitchers will have their usage set at 110% of their innings pitched. It would be a good idea to check each player’s actual stats before the season and make note of their Innings Pitched.
Starting pitchers must have 4 days rest before their next start. ONLY an (*) asterisk starter may start on 3 days rest. No team can use anything less than a four-man rotation. No relief pitcher that does not have a start rating may start and no starting pitcher without an R rating can pitch in relief during the regular season. If a pitcher has a minimal rating to start (1-4) they may be used as a starting pitcher, but may NOT relieve during that block.
Any pitcher brought in to relieve must face a minimum of 3 batters before they can be replaced unless they face less than the 3 batter minimum and the inning in which they are brought in ends.
Pitchers that may start and relieve (based upon their card) may only do one or the other in any given block, not both.
Any over usage of a player will result in a fine (see below) and immediate loss of that player for the balance of the season and the playoffs as soon as the offense is noted.
A pitching rotation will be issued to the league before each month begins and MUST remain consistent for that block.
PLEASE NOTE: Any player who does not have at least 30 plate appearances or 20 innings pitched may not be used and they will be removed from the game BUT still appear on the roster sheet.
The “8 RUN” Rule
Any pitcher who has given up 8 runs in a single game MUST BE REMOVED at the end of the inning in which they gave up the 8th run. Starting pitchers may go a maximum of 5 innings if they have given up 8 or more runs prior to the 5th inning. Any relief pitcher giving up 8 runs MUST BE REMOVED at the end of the inning in which they gave up the 8th run.
The “Edgar Martinez” Rule
Any player who receives a card that does not indicate a position will have two options. This player can either be a DH or has the option to play 1st base. If used at first base, his rating will be 5e30.
Players who played in both MLB leagues during the previous season will utilize their combined cards produced by Strat.
Playing fielders out of position
Outfielders may play any outfield position; no other players may play out of position. A CF may play any OF position with no loss in range. A RF who plays CF will lose “1” in their range value (ex: a “3” in RF becomes a “4” in CF. There is no loss in range for a RF moving to LF. A LF who plays CF will lose “2” in their range value (ex: a “3” in LF becomes a “5” in CF. A LF who plays RF will lose “1” in their range value (ex: a “3” in LF becomes a “4” in RF. These range factors are automatically figured into the game!
Player Restrictions for Post-Season Play
Playoff teams can select any 25 players from their 40-man roster to be active the playoff series. This playoff roster may not be changed from series to series, but rather must remain constant for the duration of the playoffs.
If a player has been “overused” during the regular season, then that player is ineligible for all playoff games and a fine is assessed.
Batters are limited to 10% of actual FOD in-season eligibility for EACH POST-SEASON SERIES.
Relief pitchers limited to 10% of actual FOD in-season eligibility for EACH POST-SEASON SERIES.
NO PITCHER WHO STARTS IN A PLAYOFF SERIES MAY RELIEVE IN THAT SAME SERIES.
A pitcher that has a minimal Starting rating (1-4) is eligible to start in the playoffs but if they do they may not relieve in that series. No starting pitcher with a starters rating of 5 or more may start unless they have at least 90 innings pitched (note: we do NOT count the extra 10% allowable usage in this number).
EACH TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS MUST SUBMIT THEIR ROTATION TO THE COMMISSIONER PRIOR TO ALL SERIES BEGINNING. THE COMMISSIONER WILL THEN SET THE ROTATION FOR THE SERIES TO BE PLAYED IN EACH TEAM’S CM AND THEN SEND OUT THE FILE TO SET LINEUPS ETC. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT EACH TEAM’S ROTATION IS CONSISTENT AND REFLECTIVE OF USAGE IN EACH TEAM’S PRIOR SERIES.
In addition, before playing the playoffs – each Pitcher must have sufficient rest before starting the playoff series (ie; a Pitcher starting game 162 must have at least 4 days rest before pitching in a playoff game … in this scenario it would be the 1 day off between game 162 and game 1 of the playoffs, games 1 and 2 of the playoff series and the day off after game 2. This pitcher could then start game 3.
Here are other playoff rules and procedures:
· Starters may be NOT used as relievers when they are used as starters in a given series. If they are used only as relievers, there are no special rules, other than the 10% usage limitation.
· Starting rotations MUST remain consistent throughout the playoffs. For example, if a team’s rotation is: (G1, 4 and 7) Halladay*, (G2 and 6) Carpenter*, (G3) Oswalt, (G5) Bozo the Clown – and their 1st series goes 7 games … Halladay and Carpenter would both be precluded from starting G1 of the next series due to rest limitations. There is 1 day of rest given between each series (in the case of 7 games), so Oswalt would have to start G1 of the next series. At the point game 1 would be played, Halladay would only have 1 days rest; Carpenter 2. The earliest Halladay could start a game would be G3, while Carpenter could start G2.
· All position players are limited to 10% of their real life plate appearances defined as official ABs plus BBs.
· All pitchers (except starting pitchers) are limited to 10% of their real life innings pitched.
· "Days off" will be given at the beginning of each home series (Games 1, 3, and 6) by the Commissioner and no extra days off are necessary.
· Players overused during the season are ineligible for all playoff games.
· Starting pitchers with an * may start on three days rest.
· Players may not play a position not listed on their card with the exception of outfielders who are permitted to play any outfield position and players who do not have a position listed (DHs), they may play 1st base.
· The 26 man roster selected at the beginning of a 7 game playoff series must remain the same throughout that series.
· Opponents may protest a game if there is a perceived violation of rules. The protest must be made in writing to the commissioner. The game results and box scores must be included to substantiate the claim.
Computer Procedures
Each year the league will distribute specific instructions regarding procedures for league play using the current Strat-0-Matic computer game. Each manager must follow specific naming conventions for files containing box score, play-by-play summaries, and game result files. Not following such procedures may result in $1,000,000 fines. The league will also provide specific instructions regarding the distribution of those files to visiting managers and to the league.
Included in the manual regarding the use of the computer game for league play will be instructions regarding Strat advanced and super advanced features. Currently the only advanced feature not employed in FOD is the use of injuries.
Prior to the beginning of each series, the visiting club should be given 15 days rest to clear all rest requirements for that club. The home club should be given off days as indicated by the schedule. Reasonable effort should be made to play each month's series in order.
Sending Instructions
Managers must upload a computer manager file to the CLOUD by the date(s) designated. The file or instructions must include their correct pitching rotation, 26 man active roster for the month, and lineups.
ALL GAME RESULTS MUST BE SENT TO THE CLOUD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ONCE PLAYED.
In the American League, managers must submit their box scores to their opponent immediately after posting results to the cloud.
Protests
The visiting manager may protest any game he feels resulted from the home manager's negligence, error, or misinterpretation of the rules, including violations of baseball, Strat or FOD rules, or failure to follow visiting instructions without good reason. The home manager may protest after a series has been played only if he learns that a visiting player was used illegally. Protesting managers should attempt to resolve the issue with the other manager before taking it to the commissioner. Protests should be made in writing, with a copy to the commissioner, at and at the earliest opportunity. Such protests will receive serious attention.
Fines
If a player has been “overused” during the regular season, then that player is ineligible for all playoff games and a fine of $2,000,000 per incident is assessed.
Fines will be totaled and deducted from the salary cap of $100,000,000 allowed to each franchise and implemented the following year (ie; fines levied in 2022 are applied to that team’s cap in 2023).
Fines are levied against owners and not individual teams. Therefore, if the fined owner leaves the league then the new owner of the team will not be assessed the fine.
IV. Player Salaries
Salary Structure
In 2022, each team will operate under a $100,000,000 salary cap with which to pay player salaries and for use in trading and free agency bidding. In 2023, each team will operate under a $105,000,000 salary cap with which to pay player salaries and for use in trading and free agency bidding.
There is NO CARRYOVER of salaries from one year to the next. Each team begins with the designated amount. Any monies acquired in trades the prior year does NOT carry over.
All financial transactions must be in even increments (ie; 25,000.00, 50,000.00 75,000.00, 100,000.00 etc)
Teams must have at least 25 players under major league contracts at the conclusion of the annual player auction and throughout each season.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $710,000 in 2024.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $725,000 in 2025.
The minimum salary for a major league player will be $750,000 in 2026.
All major league player salaries will be based on the salaries listed by espn.com and/or CBS Sportsline.com (or other reputable sources) and salaries will not change during the term of a contract. If a player has no salary, the commissioner and the two league presidents will determine one based on the following scale.
Low Quality Player --$800,000 per year
Average Quality Player --$4,000,000 per year
High Quality Player -- $8,000,000 per year
Super Star Player --$12,000,000 per year
If a player is acquired in a free agent bidding auction, the amount bid to acquire a player becomes that player's salary for the coming season and the duration of the contract offered. There is a 6-year limit on any contract that may be offered to “free agents”.
Minor League Rosters and Salaries
A team’s minor league roster is initially limited to a minimum 10 players each season (at the designated time, each team will promote/cut Minor Leaguers to get to 10). A player can to be taken in the minor league draft if he has had no previous Strat card. This may include a major league player in who never had a card, a player in the organized minor leagues or an amateur player.
Minor leaguers will not be paid a salary unless one has been attached to them by a previous assignment to a major league roster.
If you trade a minor league draft pick, you LOSE THE SLOT. So in other words, when you deal a minor league pick, the slot for that pick is gone. Example: If you deal 2 minor league picks and you began with 10 slots, you now have 8 slots to fill – not 10. In turn, if you acquire any minor league picks, your number of ‘slots’ goes up accordingly.
Each team LOSING A PLAYER in the RFA pool will receive a SUPPLEMENTAL MINOR pick as additional compensation for losing that player. Those supplemental picks will be ADDED to their existing minor league slots. In other words if a team has their 10 'slots' to draft - if they were to receive 3 supplemental picks for losing 3 players in the RFA bidding, they would now have 13 slots.
Conversely, each team bidding and winning a player in the RFA pool will LOSE a SUPPLEMENTAL MINOR pick as additional compensation for winning that player. Those supplemental picks will be DEDUCTED from their existing minor league slots. In other words if a team has their 10 'slots' to draft - if they were to lose 3 supplemental picks for winning 3 players in the RFA bidding, they would now have 7 slots.
Teams have a 5 slot maximum that they can trade (ie; they cannot trade more than 5 of their minor picks/slots).
Minor League Contracts
Minor league players may remain on the team’s minor league roster without any contract term limits until released or until the player receives a Strat–O–Matic card (this includes the computer carded players) and the player has 20 innings pitched or 30 plate appearances. At that time the player must be promoted to the major league roster and awarded a $700,000 contract (in 2023) or be released. If released, the player is added to the pool eligible for the major league draft.
Once promoted to the majors, each minor league player receives a contract of $700,000 per year (based upon the minimum salary in 2023) for up to six years. At a designated date, teams will declare which minor leaguers are being promoted and the contract terms and length offered to each individual player.
Players Years
There is no set formula. Any player can be offered any contract, subject to only two limitations.
o No Major League contract can extend beyond 6 years
o Major League contracts with options for an additional year are limited to one and two year contracts.
Contracts can be offered for the following years:
1 year
1 year with a 1 year option
2 years
2 years with a 1 year option
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
(See below for additional season 2 and beyond rules).
Salary Options
At the end of each season each team has several things they must do as well as some options.
Each club has the option to release up to 5 players from their minor league roster.
AFTER CUTS AND PROMOTIONS, the open Minor League slots will be made up initially in the five-round, minor draft each year (see below for teams with more than 5 vacancies). So for trading purposes you are allowed to trade any of your following season's minor league draft picks round 1 thru 5. THERE MAY BE NO TRADES OF MINOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5 SINCE NO ROUNDS EXIST BEYOND THAT POINT. If a team receives a minor league pick from another team - this will then put them over the 10-man minor league roster limit. The team will then be granted the ability to release the 5 maximum allowable as stated above PLUS the number of draft picks acquired (no more than 10 total for that is the maximum Minor League Roster). If a team acquires a Minor League Player (or players) from another team (or teams), they must cut as many players as they are over the limit at the end of that current season to reach the maximum allowable of 10 minor league players.
We will allow teams to submit a list of minor leaguers to fill up their minor league roster (after the 5 round Minor League Draft). The lists should have full names of players, the ML organization they are in and should be listed in priority order. We will then start with the team with the worst record, take their list and fill up their roster based on the priority listed. We will move on to the team with the next worst record – and continue until all teams minor league rosters have been filled.
Exercise any options on any players (Major or Minor) for which an option is available. If done so that player will remain for the length of the option at their current salary.
Buy out an existing contract. If you have a player still under contract and you wish to release the player before the contract is up you will have the right to do so. A team that releases a player with a contract still in force must pay 50% of the salary for the remaining years of the contract.
Player Draft and Free Agency
There will be three ways to obtain new players at the end of each season.
Minor League Draft - The minor league draft shall consist of as many rounds as need to replenish minor league rosters with no limit to the cuts any given team may make. THERE IS NO TRADING OF MINOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5.
Major League Draft -- There will be a draft consisting of players who have not had a prior Strat card and are not on a minor or major league roster. The Major League Draft shall be as many rounds as necessary for each team to replenish their roster to the major league roster size limit. Salaries designated shall be the player’s “real life” salary from the (in essence the year the cards/game reflects – ex: all 2020 draft eligible players shall be drafted based upon their 2019 or 2020 salary). THERE IS NO TRADING OF MAJOR LEAGUE PICKS BEYOND ROUND 5.
Free Agent Bid Draft -- All players whose contracts have expired, or whose options have expired or have not been exercised will be included in a free agent bidding process. This process will consist of the following stages.
Free Agency – There are two groups of free agents defined as follows:
Unrestricted Free Agents: Those players who are released before their contract expires or whose options not exercised.
These players are acquired through a one round closed bidding process. The former team may not bid upon the players they released. The team with the highest bid signs the player and the highest bid is defined as total contract (salary times years … NOT including option years). Bids may be 1 through 6 years with option years available for one and two year contracts.
and
Restricted Free Agents: All players whose contracts have expired.
These players are acquired through a two round closed bidding process. The former team may bid upon its own players and has certain rights in that, except for the following provision, it has the right to match the highest bid and retain the player(s) at that highest bid. The former team’s bid must be in the top 5 of all bids for that player. Highest bid is determined by total contract (salary times years … NOT including option years). Bid terms may be 1 through 6 years with option years available for 1 and 2 year contracts.
Compensation: If a team loses a player to free agency, the team is entitled to compensation. The signing team must give the former team a major league draft pick based on the player’s average annual salary according to the following schedule:
> Bids up to $2,499,999 - a #4 Major League pick
> Bids between $2,500,000 to $4,999,999 - a #3 Major League pick
> Bids between $5,000,000 to $7,499,999 - a #2 Major League pick
> Bids $7,500,000 and up - a #1 Major League pick
Former teams also receive, as compensation, a commensurate supplemental minor league draft pick in the following year’s draft adding to their initial total of 10 each team starts with.
Bidding Procedures and Rules:
Teams may bid upon as many players as they wish within the limits of owning compensation picks and having enough available salary to cover their bids. The average annual salary of all bids must not exceed available salary.
Specific compensation picks are assigned to each bid based on the following guidelines and rules.
Higher compensation picks may be used than what is required.
If a bidding team places more than one bid requiring the same level of compensation pick, assignment of compensation picks are as follows:
The bid with the highest annual salary receives the better compensation pick.
If there is a tie in highest annual salary, then the player with the highest total contract receives the better compensation pick.
If there is a tie in total contract, then the bidding team may assign the compensation pick. If the bidding team chooses not to assign the compensation pick or fails to do so, then it will be assigned by lottery.
Teams can bid in the second round if it did not place a bid on that particular player in the first round. If the team having FMR decides to take the compensation pick after the 1st round or is forced to because their bid is not in the top five, then the team with the #1 first round bid acquires FMR for that player going into the second round.
Teams having the highest bid for a player(s) in the 1st round and acquiring the FMR going into the second round, will be required to maintain that bid for the 2nd round and therefore that money will be frozen and unavailable for bidding on other players. If the team with the original FMR is in the top five bids and it chooses to match the highest bid, then that bid becomes their bid and their money is frozen, instead of the 1st round’s top bidder’s money.
If there is a tie for the highest bid, the team with the lower winning percentage from the previous season will be awarded the #1 bid position. If the winning percentages are the same, the #1 bid position is determined by lottery.
Free Agent Compensation
Teams having lost a Restricted Free Agent to another team in the Free Agent bidding will be awarded a compensation pick in the current year's Major League Draft. The level of the draft pick will be determined as follows. A 1st round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $7,500,000, a 2nd round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $5,000,000 but less than $7,500,000, a 3rd round pick for a player with an average annual salary that is greater than or equal to $2,500,000 but less than $5,000,000 and a 4th round pick for a player with an average annual salary of less than $2,500,000. If a team owns multiple picks in a round where compensation is to be computed, the compensation pick awarded will be the highest pick in that round (ex; if a team owns the 6th and 14th pick in a round, the 6th pick will be used as compensation). If a team owns multiple picks in a round where compensation is to be computed for multiple bids, the compensation picks will be awarded based upon the value of the contract with the higher bid receiving the most favorable compensation. In addition, teams will receive a commensurate supplemental minor league draft pick in the following year’s draft.
Bid superiority will be based on the total dollar value of the contract. If there is more than one team having the exact highest bid (contract length as well as total dollars), the highest bid will be awarded to the team with the worst record in the previous season. If only the total dollar value is equal, the bid with the shortest duration will be considered the superior bid.
The Commissioner will send his bids to one of the two league presidents two days before any other GM's posts theirs in order to ensure fairness in the process. The league presidents will submit their bids to the commissioner in advance, as well.
V. Player Drafts and Funds Management
Sequence
The process of acquiring, and paying players in each off-season shall be accomplished in the following order.
o Each team’s salary cap is confirmed: $105,000,000.
o Each team calculates the salaries that it is required to pay to continuing players, to those players whose options will be exercised, and the remaining 50% on those players who will be released.
o The amount left over ($105,000,000 minus salary commitments) is available to bid on free agents or draft newly carded players
Tentative Dates (may be changed upon differing circumstances each year):
Unrestricted Free agent auction (UFA) – January
Free agent auction – Sometime between February 15 and March 15 (to be determined by the Commissioner)
Minor League draft – March or April until completed
Major League draft – Early to mid-June until completed
VI. Governance
FOD Committee
The FOD committee is a three-man committee composed of the commissioner and two league presidents.
Rule Changes
Any league member may submit proposals for changes in league rules. Rule change proposals will be considered and acted upon according to a schedule determined by the commissioner, but usually after the draft (May or June), and prior to the start of the upcoming season. Proposed changes require a majority for adoption.
If an eligible voter fails to cast a vote on an issue, such failure will be construed as a vote against the issue. In this sense, there is no distinction between abstaining and voting against a given proposal. The commissioner will handle the actual conduct of a vote.
The Commissioner
All duties pertaining to the running of the league, which are not covered above, and which are not clearly the business of the league's individual members, fall to the commissioner.
Current Officers:
Steve Ashman (Commissioner, Webmaster, Salaries and Contract Maintenance);
Steve Nieroda and Dave Gineo (Voices of Reason).