IBL Wiki

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

2021-04) vote for "A" or "B"

2021-04-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.

2021-04-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.


2021-05)

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).


2021-06)

Change Section 4.6.1 Draft Order

from:
By November 30, the Commissioner will send the draft order for the free
agent draft to all league members.

to:
By December 15, the Commissioner will send the draft order for the free
agent draft to all league members.

Add to Section 4.6.1 Draft Order

The team that won the IBL Championship will be placed in tier 3.  If the 
playoffs have not concluded by December 15 the Commissioner will place
all teams that have not been eliminated in tier 3.

[Rationale] Gives everyone a stake in the timely completion of the playoffs.
The lottery can still be run earlier so teams that are locked into tier 0
can know where they pick.


2021-07)

Change in Section 5.2.2 IP Penalties for Late Game Reports and Box Scores

from:
*   -1 to the home team for every week of outstanding results at the 
conclusion of a real-time off week
*   -1 to the home team for every outstanding GRS, box score, or 
scoresheet at the conclusion of a real-time off week

to:
*   -1 to the home team for each week that results have been outstanding
for two calendar weeks or more
*   -1 to the home team for each week that a GRS, box score, or scoresheet
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

[rationale] Currently the rules only allow penalties to be applied after
real-time off weeks.  This is problematic for two reasons: 1) teams can get
several weeks behind between off weeks with no penalty, and 2) it requires
that we schedule off weeks with short intervals.  This change means a team
cannot be more than 1 week behind at any point in the season without incurring
penalties, while maintaining the expectation that everything should be caught
up after our off week.  It also gives us more flexibility regarding the
frequency of off weeks scheduled during the season.


2021-08)

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.


2021-09)

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 treated 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.