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--- constitution [2015/09/21 23:13] – cosmetic change to playoff schedule sweda
+++ constitution [2024/03/29 18:27] (current) – commissioner edit, PA/BF eligibility sweda
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 <code>
 INTERNET BASEBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
        LEAGUE STRUCTURE
@@ Line 277: / Line 276: @@
 .1.1   Schedule
-The IBL will play a 162-game regular season schedule divided into 27 weeks
+The IBL will play a 162 game regular season schedule.  There will be at least
-of 6 games.  There will be four real-time off weeks during the regular
+ real-time off week during the regular season where no games are scheduled.
-season where no games are scheduled.  Each team will play 18 games against
+The schedule will be imbalanced in favor of intra-divisional games.  The
-the 3 other teams in its division, 12 games against the 8 other teams in
+trade deadline shall be no later than four weeks prior to the end of the
-its conference, and 3 games against 4 teams in the other conference. The
+regular season.
-Commissioner is responsible for providing the schedule.
+The Commissioner is responsible for providing the schedule.  A schedule
+that has been modified from the previous season can be rejected by a
+majority vote of league owners.
 .1.2   Opening Day
-Opening day will be the third Wednesday in March.
+Opening day will be no sooner than 1 week after the the Commissioner has
+declared the card set final.
 .1.3   Weekly Deadlines
@@ Line 326: / Line 329: @@
 requirements will be based on past home usage for home games and past
 road usage for road games.
+If one or both teams are missing results from the previous week, the team(s)
+with missing results will play the series as if the previous week's starting
+pitchers are unavailable for the 4 days following their scheduled starts.
+Relievers on the team(s) with missing results will carry over rest requirements
+from the most recently completed series (home or road as appropriate).
 .1.7   Injuries and Suspensions
@@ Line 346: / Line 356: @@
 .1.8   Weather
-Weather for the games will be determined by the IBL calendar. Weeks 1-4
+The month for weather of IBL games is determined by the IBL schedule
-will always be April, 5-9 May, 10-13 June, 14-18 July, 19-23 August,
+provided by the Commisioner.  Post-season games are played in October
--27 September, and the post-season October.
+weather.
 .1.9   Game Times
-Day 1 and day 2 are night games, day 3 is a day game. Games played in
+Teams will play a day game on the final scheduled day of a series, with all
-Wrigley Field will have day games on day 2 and 3.
+other games in the series being played at night.  For a series played at
+Wrigley Field this is reversed, the game scheduled for the final day being
+played at night and all others being day games.
 A make up game played on the off day following a series is a day game.
@@ Line 359: / Line 372: @@
 .1.10  Rainouts
-Day 1 only/Day 2 only: Make up as a doubleheader on Day 3 if there is no
+If there is an off day following the series then a make-up game should
-off-day following the series; otherwise make up on off-day following the
+be played on the off day.  Otherwise, if there are days remaining in the
-series.
+series then a make-up game should be scheduled as a doubleheader on the
+final day of the series. If a rainout occurs on the final day of a series,
-Days 1 and 2 Make up day 1 as a doubleheader on Day 3. If there is an
+or if multiple rainouts cannot be made up using the remaining days available,
-off day following the series, make up day 2 on the off day. If there
+report the unplayed games to the Commissioner for rescheduling.
-isn't an off day following the series, report the rainout to the
-Commissioner for rescheduling.
-Day 3 If there is an off day following the series, make up day 3 on the
-off day. If there isn't an off day following the series, report the
-rainout to the Commissioner for rescheduling.
 When hosting a team for the last time during the season, if a rainout is
 rolled prior to the game becoming official and the rainout would lead to
 the impossibility to make up the game via game played on off-day or
-double-header on day 3, reroll to see if the game is rained out. Field
+double-header, reroll to see if the game is rained out. Field will be wet
-will be wet for the remainder of the game.
+for the remainder of the game.
 The visiting manager should give specific instructions concerning the
@@ Line 556: / Line 563: @@
 IBLCS.
-Day     Schedule A                      Shedule B
+Day     Schedule A                      Schedule B
        off day after end of regular season
        off                             WC#1 (n)
@@ Line 638: / Line 645: @@
 .1.1   Carded Players
-All position players having at least 30 at bats plus walks and pitchers
+All position players having at least 30 plate appearances and pitchers
 having at least 20 innings pitched are eligible for IBL rosters. Players
 who were considered carded in the previous season are also eligible for
 IBL rosters.
-A player who had at least 30 at bats plus walks as a non-pitcher and at
+A player who had at least 30 plate appearances as a non-pitcher and at
 least 20 innings pitched will be eligible as a position player and a
 pitcher.
@@ Line 650: / Line 657: @@
 Any eligible player who does not have a card for the current season may
-be kept on the 35 man roster.
+be kept on the 36 man roster.
 If a player is uncarded one season, retained on the roster, and has a
@@ Line 669: / Line 676: @@
 .2.1   Active Roster
-Each team is limited to an active roster of 25 players from week 1
+Each team is limited to an active roster of 26 players from week 1 through
-through week 23. The active roster limit is expanded to 35 players for
+the week prior to the trade deadline. The active roster limit is expanded
-week 24 through the end of the season.
+to 36 players after the trade deadline through the end of the season.
 .2.2   Inactive Roster
 Each team may carry an inactive roster. The active and inactive rosters
-are not to total more than 35 players.
+are not to total more than 36 players.
 A player placed on the inactive roster must remain there for two weeks.
 This restriction does not apply once the active roster limit expands to
-in week 24.
+after the trade deadline.
 .2.3   Game Apperance and Starting Position Limitations
@@ Line 695: / Line 702: @@
 A pitcher may not start more than twice the number of games started in
-the previous major league season.
+the previous major league season.  Relief appearances of 18 batters or
+more will be considered a start when calculating the limitation.
 Failure to comply with these rules shall result in forfeiture of any
@@ Line 721: / Line 729: @@
 provided he has not exhausted his games played limitation.
-The IBL adopts all of the AL rules on the DH -- including, but not
+The IBL adopts all MLB rules regarding the DH -- including, but not
 limited to the following: the DH must make one plate appearance before
 he can be removed, unless he is injured before or during the initial
@@ Line 744: / Line 752: @@
 .3.1   Playoff Roster
-Each team owner must submit a 25 man playoff roster to the League Office
+Each team owner must submit a 26 man playoff roster to the League Office
-prior to the week 24 Newsletter. If no post-season roster is received, the
+prior to the Newsletter following the trade deadline. If no post-season
-post-season roster will be that team's active roster entering week 23.
+roster is received, the post-season roster will be that team's active roster
+at the trade deadline.
 .3.2   Playoff Roster Changes
-Playoff teams may change their 25 man playoff roster between series. If a
+Playoff teams may change their 26 man playoff roster between series. If a
 team wishes to change their playoff roster it must submit the changes to
 the League Offices for approval. The new roster is not official until the
@@ Line 768: / Line 777: @@
 *   The replacement player must be a playoff-eligible player on that
-team's 35 man roster. Free-agents may not be used as a replacement during
+team's 36 man roster. Free-agents may not be used as a replacement during
 a series.
 *   If the injured player is a pitcher the replacement player must also be
@@ Line 774: / Line 783: @@
 *   The choice of replacement must still leave the team with two players
 who may play each position unless no playoff-eligible player is available
-on the 35 man roster who will fulfill that requirement.
+on the 36 man roster who will fulfill that requirement.
@@ Line 789: / Line 798: @@
 Rules for position players:
-*   A batter with less than 100 total AB+BB is not eligible for the
+*   A batter with less than 100 total plate appearances (PA) is not
-post-season.
+eligible for the post-season.
-*   A batter with less than 150 total AB+BB may only enter the game from
+*   A batter with less than 150 total PA may only enter the game from
 inning 6 onward, unless he is the only available defensive replacement for
 an injured player.
 *   A batter may only start a game in the post-season if they had at least
- AB+BB vs the hand of the starting pitcher, unless there are no other
+ PA vs the hand of the starting pitcher, unless there are no other
 players available which would allow a legal starting lineup.
 *   A batter may only pinch-hit in the post-season if they had at least 50
-AB+BB vs the hand of the current pitcher, unless he is the only available
+PA vs the hand of the current pitcher, unless he is the only available
 defensive replacement for an injured batter.
-*   A batter with less than 50 AB+BB vs the hand of the current pitcher
+*   A batter with less than 50 PA vs the hand of the current pitcher
 may only enter the game as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement from
 inning 6 onward, unless he is the only available defensive replacement for
@@ Line 807: / Line 816: @@
 Rules for pitchers:
-*   A pitcher with less than 100 total AB+BB against all batters is not
+*   A pitcher with less than 100 total batters faced (BF) is not eligible
-eligible for the post-season.
+for the post-season.
-*   A pitcher with less than 150 total AB+BB against all batters may only
+*   A pitcher with less than 150 total BF may only enter the game from
-enter the game from inning 6 onward, unless no other pitchers are
+inning 6 onward, unless no other pitchers are available.
-available.
+*   A pitcher must have recorded at least 150 total BF as a starting pitcher
-*   A pitcher must have recorded at least 150 total AB+BB against all
+in order to be eligible to start a post-season game or enter the game in a
-batters as a starting pitcher in order to be eligible to start a
+situation where a pitcher would be required to be rated as a starter.
-post-season game or enter the game in a situation where a pitcher would be
+*   A pitcher not rated as a starter but with at least 150 BF may enter the
-required to be rated as a starter.
+game from inning 5 onward, or anytime prior to inning 5 when the current
-*   A pitcher not rated as a starter but with at least 150 total AB+BB
+pitcher has allowed 3 runs or is fatigued.
-against all batters may enter the game from inning 5 onward, or anytime
-prior to inning 5 when the current pitcher has allowed 3 runs or is
-fatigued.
@@ Line 862: / Line 868: @@
 use the rating on that line, otherwise he must use the "Others" line):
-*   Catcher 1/K/+4/Pr. Pitchers must also use their fatigue numbers
+*   Catcher 0/K/+4/Pr. Pitchers must also use their fatigue numbers
 while a non-catcher is catching. Consider all "Blocked" wild pitch
 results to be passed balls.
 *   First Base
-(infielder) Error rating is two grades lower than the
+(infielder) Error rating is two grades lower than the lowest of any
-lowest of any infield position, range is two grades lower than the lowest
+infield position, range is two grades lower than the lowest of any
-of any infield position. Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade,
+infield position. Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade, and give
-and give all baserunners a +1 adjustment on steals of second base.
+all baserunners a +1 adjustment on steals of second base.
-(Others) 0/K/+1. Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade, and give
+(Others) 0/KK/+1. Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade, and give
 all baserunners a +1 adjustment on steals of second base.
 *   Second Base
 (ss,3b) Error rating is two grades lower than the lowest of ss/3b, range
 is two grades lower than the lowest of ss/3b, “minus” pivot rating.
-(Others) 0/K-/+1
+(Others) 0/KK-/+1
 *   Third Base
 (2b,ss) Error rating is two grades lower than the lowest of ss/2b, range
 is two grades lower than the lowest of ss/2b.
-(Others) 0/K/+1
+(Others) 0/KK/+1
 *   Shortstop
 (2b,3b) Error rating is three grades lower than the lowest of 2b/3b, range
 is three grades lower than the lowest of 2b/3b, “minus” pivot rating.
-(Others) 0/K-/+1
+(Others) 0/KK-/+1
-*   Leftfield
+*   Left Field
 (rf,cf) Error rating is two grades lower than the lowest of rf/cf, range
 is two grades lower than the lowest of rf/cf, arm is two grades lower than
 lowest of rf/cf.
-(Others) 0/K/+3
+(Others) 0/KK/+3
-*   Centerfield
+*   Center Field
 (lf,rf) Error rating is three grades lower than the lowest of lf/rf, range
 is three grades lower than the lowest of lf/rf, arm is two grades lower
 than lowest of lf/rf.
-(Others) 0/K/+3
+(Others) 0/KK/+3
-*   Rightfield
+*   Right Field
 (lf,cf) Error rating is two grades lower than the lowest of lf/cf, range
 is two grades lower than the lowest of lf/cf, arm is two grades lower than
 lowest of lf/cf.
-(Others) 0/K/+3
+(Others) 0/KK/+3
-.7     Pitchers' Rest and Fatigue
+.7     Pitcher Fatigue and Rest
-.7.1   Rest Requirements
+The IBL uses the Advanced (Batters Faced) pitcher fatigue and rest rules.
-A pitcher must use the appropriate rest chart based on the pitcher's
+.7.1   Starting Pitchers
-previous role (starter or reliever).
-.7.2   Rest Prior to Starting
+A pitcher must have a BF SP fatigue rating in order to start a regular
+season game.  Pitchers without this rating may only start in the event
-In order for a pitcher to start a game he must have rested the required
+that weather (or other circumstances) caused postponements resulting in
-days listed on the STARTERS' rest chart, regardless of whether his
+no other rested pitcher with a BF SP fatigue rating being available.  In
-previous appearance was as a starter or reliever.
+this case, the pitcher must start the game using his fatigue (italicized)
+numbers.  If the pitcher remains in the game after exceeding his BF RP
-.7.3   Pitchers Out of Role
+fatigue limit he must use the Emergency Pitcher card.
-A pitcher not rated as a reliever may pitch in relief as a Long reliever.
-The pitcher will use the relief rest chart after an appearance as a
-reliever.
-A pitcher not rated as a starter may start in the event that due to
-weather postponements no other rated starter is available to pitch. In
-this case, the pitcher must use his fatigue numbers. Should the pitcher
-become fatigued, he must use the emergency pitcher card. The pitcher
-will be considered a "5" starter for the purpose of determining fatigue.
@@ Line 962: / Line 957: @@
 Players deactivated in this manner must remain inactive for the next two
 weeks, just as if they were deactivated after the conclusion of the series.
+.1.2  Special Pitcher Activations
+A team may replace pitcher(s) on the active roster with pitcher(s) on the
+inactive roster after any game that extends beyond the 9th inning, after the
+completion of a suspended game played on the same day as another game, or
+anytime during a series with a double-header (including between DH games). Any
+pitcher activated in this fashion must have been eligible to be activated for
+the current week (as per 3.2.2).
+Teams may not sign free agents in this situation, only players on the
+inactive roster at the start of the series are eligible replacements.
+Special transactions should be reported with the GRS for the series.
+Players deactivated in this manner must remain inactive for the next two
+weeks, just as if they were deactivated after the conclusion of the series.
 .2     Trades
-Trades may be made from March 1 until the newsletter following week 23,
+Trades may be made from March 1 until the Newsletter following the trade
-and from December 1 through January 31 in the off-season.
+deadline announced by the Commissioner prior to the season, and from
+December 1 through January 31 in the off-season.
 A team with an outstanding GRS or box score from previous weeks may not
@@ Line 998: / Line 1010: @@
 An owner may sign any player on the free agent list from March 1 until the
-newsletter following week 23. Any owner signing a free agent must notify
+Newsletter following the trade deadline. Any owner signing a free agent must
-the Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner of the signing via the game report
+notify the Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner of the signing via the game
-or by electronic mail before opening day.
+report or by electronic mail before opening day.
 In the case of a conflict between teams attempting to sign the same free
@@ Line 1019: / Line 1031: @@
 the winning percentages will be determined by the standings from the
 previous week.
+Teams that still have outstanding results or box scores one week after the
+completion of the regular season will be treated as having outstanding
+results during the pre-season transaction periods the following year.
@@ Line 1024: / Line 1040: @@
 Owners may release from their roster any player who has not exceeded his
-% usage, from opening day until the newsletter following week 23. Any
+% usage from opening day until the Newsletter following the trade deadline.
-player may be released from November 1 through November 30. Any owner
+Any player may be released after the conclusion of the regular season
-releasing a player must notify the Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner of
+through December 15.
-the release via the game report during the regular season, and via
-electronic mail during the off season. The released player will then be
+Any owner releasing a player must notify the Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner
-considered an available free agent.
+of the release via the game report or e-mail. The released player will then be
+considered an available free agent. A player released during the regular season
+may only be immediately re-signed the following week by the releasing team if no
+other IBL team submitted a claim on the released player.
@@ Line 1042: / Line 1061: @@
 .5.2   Usage Requirements
-Every position player must have a combined total of at bats plus walks
+Every player must accrue IBL usage of at least 75% (3/4) but no more
-during the IBL season greater than or equal to 75% and less than or
+than 133% (4/3) of their usage in the previous MLB season.  The usage metric
-equal to 133% of the combined total of at bats plus walks in the
+for position players is plate appearances (PA).  The usage metric for
-previous MLB season.
+pitchers is batters faced (BF).  During the IBL season intentional walks
+do not count toward the usage requirements for pitchers.
-Every pitcher must compile at least 75% but no more than 133% of the
+A player who qualified as a position player and a pitcher must meet
-combined total of three times innings pitched, hits allowed, and walks
+usage requirements as both a position player and a pitcher.  For these
-allowed (3*IP + H + BB) in their previous MLB season.
+purposes, batting plate appearances as a pitcher will count toward
+batter usage.
 Players not meeting their usage requirements for a given year become
@@ Line 1057: / Line 1078: @@
 .5.3   Usage Credit for Injuries
-Players will receive injury PA or injury IP (as appropriate) which are
+Players will receive usage credit for IBL injury days.  A player's injury
-added to earned PA or earned IP. A player's total Usage (injury +
+adjusted usage (injury credit + earned usage) is only used when determining
-earned) is only used to determine if a player meets the 75% usage
+whether a player meets their 75% usage requirement.
-requirement. Injury usage is calculated using the following formula:
+Injury usage is calculated using the following formula:
-For position players:
 Injury Usage =
-(MLB Usage/162) rounded up to the next integer * Number IBL Days Injured
-For pitchers:
-Injury Usage =
 (MLB Usage/162) rounded up to the next integer * Number IBL Days Injured
@@ Line 1073: / Line 1090: @@
 Players may continue to participate during the regular season despite
-exceeding their 133% usage limitations.  However, no pitcher may pitch
+exceeding their 133% usage limitation, but a player may not exceed 150%.
-more than 150% of the innings he pitched in the MLB season and no player
-may appear in more than 150% of the at bats plus walks he had in the MLB
-season.
 Failure to comply with this rule shall result in forfeiture of any games
-in which a player exceeded 150% usage.
+in which a player participated while exceeding 150% usage.
 .5.5   Usage Appeals
@@ Line 1114: / Line 1127: @@
 The IBL shall hold a free agent draft supervised by the Commissioner
-after each season. Teams must have less than 35 players on their
+after each season. Teams must have less than 36 players on their
 combined active and inactive rosters on February 1 in order to
 participate. Any free agent eligible for an IBL roster may be drafted.
@@ Line 1166: / Line 1179: @@
 rounds.
-Once a team reaches the 35 player limit in February, that team shall not
+Once a team reaches the 36 player limit in February, that team shall not
 make any further draft selections.
@@ Line 1205: / Line 1218: @@
 .1     Allocating Incentive Points
-All members shall begin each season with an Incentive Point total of 35.
+All members shall begin each season with an Incentive Point total of 36.
 Associate members shall begin each season with their Incentive Point total
 at the end of last season.
-New owners will be upgraded to 35 Incentive Points.  Members on probation
+New owners will be upgraded to 36 Incentive Points.  Members on probation
 who take on a co-owner will remain on probation but will be immediately
-upgraded to 35 Incentive Points.
+upgraded to 36 Incentive Points.
 Associate members receive one point for every completed series (up to a
@@ Line 1237: / Line 1250: @@
 *   -1 to both teams after asking for a FTF extension and failing to
 report results within 48 hours of the Monday deadline
-*   -1 to the home team for every week of outstanding results at the
+*   -1 to the home team for each week that results have been outstanding
-conclusion of a real-time off week
+for two calendar weeks or more
-*   -1 to the home team for every outstanding GRS, box score, or
+*   -1 to the home team for each week that a GRS, box score, or scoresheet
-scoresheet at the conclusion of a real-time off week
+has been outstanding for two calendar weeks or more
+*   -1 to the home team per item outstanding at the conclusion of a
+real-time off week, in addition to any other late penalties
 .2.3   Other IP Penalties
@@ Line 1507: / Line 1523: @@
 not contradict any specific Constitutional provision.
-.1     Rule Clarifications
+.1     IBL Game Clarifications
 This section needs to be filled in by the membership.  Any ambiguous or
@@ Line 1531: / Line 1547: @@
         leftfield line (lfl)   None     None    3b,ss
-.1.2 Pitcher Fatigue and Rest
-The IBL uses the Advanced (Batters Faced) pitcher fatigue and rest rules.
+.2     MLB Rule Clarifications
+.2.1   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.
+.2.2	MLB rules for extra innings
+The IBL does not follow MLB rules placing runners on base in extra innings.
+IBL games that go into extra innings will be played to conclusion using
+standard rules.