Participants and spectators in the FTF process should understand that the intention of FTF play is to provide a more efficient, more enjoyable, and quicker alternative to playing the games via Manager Instruction Sheets. In order for FTF play to serve this purpose, proper behavior is warranted. Participants in the games should show respect to the opposing owner by concentrating on the game and keeping a continuous flow in the action. Additionally, spectators should also show respect to the participants. Discussions involving non-game related topics should be kept outside of the IRC channel that hosts the FTF game. All those present should use language that will not be found directly offensive to others.
Pre-game Please remember to perform DTD rolls if they are needed. The procedure before the a FTF game starts is the following, in order: * Home team announces starting pitcher (in newsletter). * Weather is rolled by home team. * Home team confirms or changes starting pitcher. * Visiting team announces starting pitcher. * Home team announces lineup. * Visiting team announces lineup. At-bat procedure The general procedure for a PA is outlined below * Batting team announces batter. In practice, the pitching team will usually announce their defense before the batter is announced, but as long as both are announced, things should be fine. * Pitching team sets defense, and indicates it is set. NOTE: if the offensive team rolls before the defense has announced that it is set, the defense may elect to take the outcome of the play or require a reroll. * Batting team either announces swing away (default), bunt, steal, or any other play. Not announcing anything means the batter will swing away. * Batting team rolls. Baserunning rolls For stealing, the batting team announces the lead runner is trying for the jump, after the defense has announced itself as set. The batting team then rolls to see if the runner got the jump. If the runner attempts, see below. When a baserunner advances and a roll is required: * Batting team announces who is trying to advance (or steal). * Defending team announces for whom (if anyone) they are throwing. * Offensive team rolls. Substitution Procedure Official Baseball Rules regarding substitutions are to be followed in FTF play. A player is considered to be announced and in the game when his name is typed and distributed on the FTF channel. Common abbreviations autoset, auto: defense is automatically set for the following batters, until a batter reaches base. in, ii: infield in. ci, in@c: corners in. back, b: infielders are back. nh: runners not held. held, h: runner(s) held, ss holds second for a LH batter, 2b holds second for a RH batter, unless stated differently. If there are multiple runners, usually the defensive manager will specify which, if any, runners are held. H&R: hit and run play. Time: asking for a moment to "think" or make a change. Jump, j, steal: attempting to get jump. fats, fat: the current pitcher is now fatigued.