2014 Mid-season Ballot

As per 1.2.2

Edit 1: Change “LC” references in playoff schedule (2.2.8) to “CC”. Change “IL” references in playoff schedule to “LC”.

Explanation: IBL has conferences, playoff schedule is using MLB-style terminology. This matches up the schedule abbreviations with the names of the series as described in the Constitution: 2.2.6 Conference Championship (CC), 2.2.7 League Championship (LC).

2014-4a) IBL will use BF rest/fatigue rules for 2015 and beyond

Add new section 8.1.2

8.1.2 Pitcher Fatigue and Rest

The IBL uses the Advanced (Batters Faced) pitcher fatigue and rest rules (effective 2015 IBL season).

2014-4b) If 2014-4a passes, for the 2015 season only allow road teams to use old rules in their MIS.

Explanation: Makes the transition easier, since none of us have ever had to write MIS instructions for the new rules.

Upon passage of 2014-4a, add the following to 8.1.2

For the 2015 season only, road teams being run by a Manager's Instruction Sheet may use the traditional fatigue and rest rules.

2014-4c) If 2014-4a passes, change pitcher usage to be determined by BF approximation.

Explanation: Determine pitcher usage by percentage of (3*IP + H + BB), which is a reasonably close approximation of BF. Basing usage on actual BF would require a major overhaul of the stat system and almanac.

Upon passage of 2014-4a, change wording in Section 4.5.2 (Usage Requirements) from:

4.5.2 Usage Requirements

Every pitcher must appear in at least 75% but no more than 133% of the innings pitched in the previous MLB season.

to:

Every pitcher must compile at least 75% but no more than 133% of the combined total of three times innings pitched, hits allowed, and walks allowed (3*IP + H + BB) in their previous MLB season.

and, change wording in section 4.5.3 (Usage Credit for Injuries) from:

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 the nearest 1/3 of an inning * Number IBL Days Injured

to

Injury Usage = (MLB Usage/162) rounded up to the next integer * Number IBL Days Injured

2014-5) Clarify what defensive ratings can be used.

Explanation: Next year the optional “lf/rf” rating will disappear. Instead, all outfielders will receive a defensive rating in lf and rf (equivalent to the “lf/rf” rating as seen on the current cards) even if they didn't actually play the position in MLB. The current Constitution implicitly allows players to be used at any defensive position that is listed on their card, but previously players only received ratings at positions they actually played. A “yes” vote here will explicitly allow the use of any defensive rating on the card. A “no” vote here explicitly preserves the status quo, players only being able to use ratings at positions they played in MLB. This will have no effect on IBL 2014, as we'll continue to ignore the optional “lf/rf” rating.

Add the following to the beginning of section 3.6 (Playing out of Position):

A player may be used at any defensive position listed on their card.

If 2014-5 fails to pass, implement the following Commissioner's edit:

Change the following in section 3.6 (Playing out of Position):

A player may only play a position not shown on his card in a desperation move.

to:

A player may be used at any defensive position listed on their card at which they appeared in at least one game in the previous MLB season. Otherwise, a player must use an “out of position” defensive rating. A player may only play “out of position” in a desperation move.

2014-6) Update the Out of Position ratings.

Explanation: These are really old and amongst other issues still assume the worst error rating is 1.

Change to section 3.6.1 (Out of Position Ratings) from:

• Catcher 1/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) 1/J Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade, and give all baserunners a +1 adjustment on steals of second base. (Others) 1/K/+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) 1/- Range is two grades lower than lowest of ss/3b. (Others) 1/K-/+1
• Third Base (2b,ss) 1/- Range is two grades lower than lowest of ss/2b. (Others) 1/K/+1
• Shortstop (2b,3b) 1/- Range is two grades lower than lowest of 2b/3b. (Others) 1/K-/+1
• Leftfield (rf,cf) 1/- Range is two grades lower than lowest of rf/cf. (Others) 1/K/+3
• Centerfield (lf,rf) 1/- Range is three grades lower than lowest of lf/rf. (Others) 1/K/+3
• Rightfield (lf,cf) 1/- Range is two grades lower than lowest of lf/cf. (Others) 1/K/+3

to

• 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 lowest of any infield position, range is two grades lower than the lowest of any infield position. Reduce all pitcher hold ratings by one grade, and give all baserunners a +1 adjustment on steals of second base. (Others) 0/K/+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
• 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
• 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
• Leftfield (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
• Centerfield (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
• Rightfield (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

2014-7) Move the FTF section out of the Constitution to a separate wiki page.

Explanation: These are really guidelines rather than enforceable rules. Also, moving this out of the Constitution makes it easier to modify.

Remove sections 9.2 (FTF Decorum) and 9.3 (General Procedure) and move them to a new FTF Guidelines page on the wiki.

Add to section 9.1 (Face-to-Face Play):

Refer to the FTF Guidelines page on the IBL Wiki for decorum and protocol.

2014-8) Establish requirements for logged MIS play.

Explanation: There are currently no enforceable rules regarding the content of channel logging.

Rename Section 9 from:

9 FACE TO FACE PLAY (FTF) PROCEDURES

to

9 GAME PLAY PROCEDURES

Add Section 9.2

9.2 Management Instruction Sheet (MIS) Play

9.2.1 Channel Logging

As per 2.1.5, all games played by MIS must be logged on the IRC server. The visiting manager may request a replay of any MIS game that was not logged.

9.2.2 Logging Requirements

In general, logged MIS games should follow the same guidelines as FTF play. Specifically, the home team is required to:

• announce all lineup changes (e.g. pinch-hitter) prior to rolling
• announce any non-default defensive alignments (e.g. infield in) prior to rolling
• announce any non-default offensive strategies (e.g. hit & run) prior to rolling

Failure to comply with these requirements is grounds for the visiting manager to request a replay, provided the omission was material to the outcome of a play.

2014-9) Restrict release of players over 100% usage.

Change release restriction in Section 4.4 (Player Releases) from:

Owners may release from their roster any player who has not exceeded his 133% usage, from opening day until the newsletter following week 23.

to:

Owners may release any player on their roster from opening day until the newsletter following week 23, subject to the following restrictions:

1. players exceeding 133% usage may not be released
2. players exceeding 100% usage may not be released until after week 20

2014-10a) Allow teams to change MLB stadium every year.

Change Section 1.5.3 (Location, Stadiums, and Nicknames) from:

Each team plays their home games in a stadium based on an actual Major League stadium. Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city rather than the actual MLB stadium.IBL teams may not change cities, stadiums, or nicknames without prior approval of the Commissioner and the Vice-Commissioner and may only change cities, stadiums, and/or nicknames once every three years.

to

Each team plays their home games in a stadium based on an actual Major League stadium. Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city rather than the actual MLB stadium. IBL teams may not change cities, stadiums, or nicknames without prior approval of the Commissioner and the Vice-Commissioner. Teams may only change cities and/or nicknames once every three years. Teams may change stadiums every year.

Please also indicate your preference between 2014-10a and 2014-10b should both pass

2014-10b) Allow teams to change MLB stadium once every two years.

Change Section 1.5.3 (Location, Stadiums, and Nicknames) from:

Each team plays their home games in a stadium based on an actual Major League stadium. Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city rather than the actual MLB stadium.IBL teams may not change cities, stadiums, or nicknames without prior approval of the Commissioner and the Vice-Commissioner and may only change cities, stadiums, and/or nicknames once every three years.

to

Each team plays their home games in a stadium based on an actual Major League stadium. Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city rather than the actual MLB stadium. IBL teams may not change cities, stadiums, or nicknames without prior approval of the Commissioner and the Vice-Commissioner. Teams may only change cities and/or nicknames once every three years. Teams may change stadiums once every two years.

Please also indicate your preference between 2014-10a and 2014-10b should both pass

2014-11) Force player deactivated from playoff roster to miss next 2 series. [effective 2014]

Add to Section 3.3.2 (Playoff Roster Changes):

Players removed from the playoff roster must sit out the next two playoff series.