2021-01)  vote for "A" or "B"

2021-01-A) imbalanced schedule (10 weeks)

Add To Section 0 [SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021 IBL SEASON]:
0.x (TBD)   SCHEDULE/PLAYOFFS

The 2021 season will be played with the standard three division
format.  The schedule will be imbalanced, teams will play the three
teams in their division four times (2 series home/away) and teams
outside their division once (1 series either home or away).  The three
division winners will make the playoffs, along with 4 wild card teams.
A separate wild card standings will be calculated with games outside
the division counting for twice the value of intra-division games.
The wild card teams will play a best of 3 elimination series with all 
games hosted by the higher seeded team.  After two wild card teams have
been eliminated the playoffs will continue under the standard process
as defined in the Constitution.  Only the three division winners and
2 wild card elimination winners will be considered playoff teams for
drafting purposes.


2021-01-B) balanced schedule (11 weeks)

Add To Section 0 [SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021 IBL SEASON]:
0.x (TBD)   SCHEDULE/PLAYOFFS

There will be no divisions for the 2021 season.  Each team will play
every other team in their conference twice (one series home/away).
The top 7 teams by winning percentage will make the playoffs.  The team
finishing in first place in the conference receives a first round bye
while the remaining 6 teams play a best of 5 first round playoff series.
The highest remaining seed picks their opponent in each round of the
playoffs.  Only the first place team and 3 first round winners will be
considered playoff teams for drafting purposes.


2021-02)  vote for "A" or "B"

2021-02-A)

Add To Section 0 [SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021 IBL SEASON]:
0.x (TBD)   ROSTERS

Active roster size for the regular season will be 26 players.  The
standard requirement for players to remain inactive for two weeks will be
eliminated.

2021-02-B)

Active roster size for the regular season will be 28 players.  Standard
rules will apply regarding remaining inactive for two weeks.


2021-03)  vote for "A" or "B"

2021-03-A)

Add To Section 0 [SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021 IBL SEASON]:
0.x (TBD)   PLAYOFF ROSTERS

Active roster size for the playoffs will be 26 players.

2021-03-B)

Add To Section 0 [SPECIAL RULES FOR 2021 IBL SEASON]:
0.x (TBD)   PLAYOFF ROSTERS

Active roster size for the playoffs will be 28 players.


END OF 2021-ONLY SECTION

PERMANENT RULE CHANGES BELOW

2021-XX) vote for "A" or "B"

2021-XX-A)
Add section 8.1.3

8.1.3   MLB 3-batter rule for pitchers

The IBL does not follow the MLB rule.  Pitchers only need to face one batter
prior to removal.

2021-XX-B)
Add section 8.1.3

8.1.3   MLB 3-batter rule for pitchers

The IBL follows the MLB rules requiring pitchers to face a minimum of three
batters or complete a half-inning, except in cases of removal due to injury
or ejection.



2021-XX)

Change Section 4.4 Player Releases

from:
Any player may be released from November 1 through November 30.

to:
Any player may be released after the conclusion of the regular season
through December 15.

[rationale]  The rosters can't be updated for the next season until the
Retrosheet data is released and that doesn't usually happen until late
November.  As a result we've been pushing the cut deadline back anyway,
this just codifies it.  This would also allow trading prior to the cut
deadline (Dec 1 thru Dec 15).


2021-XX)

Add to Section 4.6.1 Draft Order

The team that won the IBL Championship will be placed in tier 3.


2021-XX)

Add to Section 2.1.7 Injuries and Suspensions

Teams have the option of having a player begin serving a potential
long suspension (e.g. TEST/SUSP on card) pre-emptively at the start of
a season.

[rationale]  If you have one of these suspension guys you can choose to have
him start serving it right away and eliminate the risk of losing him for the
playoffs.

2021-XX)

Add to Section 4.3 Free Agent Signings

Teams that still have outstanding results or box scores one week after the
completion of the regular season will be treateed as having outstanding
results during the pre-season transaction periods the following year.

[rationale]  Provides an incentive to get your results in at the end of 
the year.  If you're late you'll have lower FA signing priority in the
period between the end of the draft and week 1.