Constitution

LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
(last updated 06.20.10)

1. League Structure

A. The Old Time Strat League (OTSL) is a "continuous" retro league that will begin with the 1960 season. OTSL will consist of sixteen Strat-O-Matic baseball teams divided into two leagues (East & West) of eight teams each. Both leagues will expand by two teams each for the 1969 season, with realignment into divisions (five teams per division).

B. The league officers are Alan Lecher - Commissioner, Pete DeStefano – AL President, and Rich Wetmore – NL President. Any changes or additions to this constitution must be made by a unanimous decision between the league officers, except as stated 1C.

C. In some circumstances, the league officers may present a proposal to all league members for a league vote. Proposals for rule changes or other matters will be approved with a majority vote. In case of a tie, the Commissioner will make the final decision.

2. Software Requirements

A. Each league member is required to purchase the current season's roster disk from the Strat-O-Matic (SOM) Game Company. Current versions of the SOM computer baseball program (updated annually in February) are required. All patch files from the SOM website are to be downloaded and used in a timely fashion.

3. Team Names & Ballparks

A. All teams must represent a city of major or minor league size or be approved by the league. All teams must have a nickname that has been approved by the league. It is not necessary to use both the city and the nickname combination of any actual franchise or team. The Portland Panthers, St Louis Hawks and the Syracuse Stars are all acceptable combinations. A team may never change their name unless the team is transferred to a new owner. All teams must have a unique city and nickname.

B. League members have the choice of using any real 1960 major league ballpark such as Fenway Park. No two teams may use the same ballpark. Request for ballpark changes need to be submitted by end of the current season to be used in the following season.

4. Inaugural Draft (1960)

A. The draft for the 1960 season will be a "serpentine" draft. The draft "order" will be random and determined by the New York Stock exchange final closing figure of a set date. Each team will submit a 2 digit number between 00 – 99 to determine their position in the draft. The same method will be used the following official day and the same numbers also for tie breaking needs. The draft will continue until each team fills its roster with 30 players.

B. Players on a roster disk must meet the following minimums to be eligible for the draft: 35 AB for a batter and 15 IP for a pitcher. Players not meeting these criteria will be considered "uncarded" and ineligible for use during that season.

5. Schedule & Player Rest

A. Each team will play a 29 week, 162 game schedule, consisting of 112 games versus your same league (56H/56A) and 50 games versus the opposing league (25H/25A).

B. Each week will consist of a "home and home" series versus your opponent. The week will consist of two 3-game series. One day of rest will be given on the schedule after each "home and home" series. Word of caution: manage the pitching staff wisely as no other days of rest will be given during the regular season.

C. Starting pitchers must follow the SOM rules for rest between starts.  For non-star rated pitchers, 4 days of rest is required.  For star rated pitchers, 3 days of rest is required.  In addition, the Days Off feature in SOM should NOT be used prior to each series.  Realistic fatigue will be obtained by importing any result files prior to playing a series.  Pitchers rated as Starter/Reliever may appear in relief during rest days, but may face additional fatigue per the SOM game rules.

6. Game Play & Game Files

A. Netplay is mandatory. No exceptions!!  The CM will be used just to set your SP schedule and to specify the 25 "eligibles" and for time saving with lineups. The 25 eligibles can be changed before each individual series, but not during a series. Games are TO BE PLAYED IN ORDER ACCORDING TO OUR SCHEDULE. The import or stat files are to be sent and imported with the update injury and rest box checked before the next series is played. This will achieve proper fatigue and realistic usage of our pitching staffs.

B. After playing his weekly home games, each owner must email all game files and boxscores to the Commissioner and league wide by 11:59 pm EST every Friday night. We will play ONE week of games for each PLAYBALL file. Also please save and send HTML boxscores for easy viewing. These files can be deleted by those that don’t wish to view other teams boxscores. By having the proper option selected all boxscores and PAC files are saved in the HTML folder in addition to the .prt or print files that are saved in the Print folders for each league. These files should be sent immediately after the series are played along with the zip file containing the export and print files for each series.

C.  Communication and game scheduling is VERY important in this NETPLAY league. Anyone that is going to be away is required to contact the league commissioner and opponents to make arrangements for another manager to fill in and play his teams games. Each owner can arrange with another owner to fill in for him or the league officers will decide or play the games. This scenario is only for emergencies and should only be used for those situations when original owner absolutely can’t play.

7. Game Rules

A. The following rules will be used:

Main rules: Maximum Level. All maximum rule settings will be used except for Improve Statistical Accuracy, Correct Baord game excesses, Home Field Advantage, Starting Pitcher Clutch, Force Daily Injuries & Allow extra pre-1920 errors.

BP/Weather/Clutch: Ballpark & Weather effects will be used, but clutch hitting will not.

Stealing: Super Advanced Steal System

Strategy: Super Advanced Strategy Charts.

Miscellaneous: Use miscellaneous rules.

Closer: Use closer rules.

Injuries: Do not use injuries.

Pitcher Fatigue: Use SADV fatigue and pitch count.

Groundball A: Allow GBA on pitcher cards.

B. Lineups will be set for "Primary". No scheduled days off will be given except as stated in 5B. Overusage will be set to "Ignore" and Minor Leaguers will be set to the "Ineligible" setting.

C. A player rated to play any outfield position may play any outfield position (SOM Rule 25.21). If a player is rated in LF only, he may play CF or RF, but must suffer the following range penalties (maximum range is a "5"):

LF to RF +1, LF to CF +2, RF to CF + 1.

Other OF moves have no range penalty. Players may only play the infield positions for which they are rated, except in emergency situations or per the 9th inning rules discussed in the 1961 League Procedures document.

Pitchers rated only as "Starters" by SOM are not allowed to pitch in relief and "Relief Only" pitchers may not be used as starters, The only exceptions to the SP being used as a reliever is when all other available RP have been used.

D. If the current season being used does not include pitcher's "hold" ratings, then OTSL will not use hold ratings for that season. Pitchers will be presumed to have hold ratings of zero during such seasons. If the current disk has only generic ratings such as, the balk rating of "3" and the WP rating of "7", then ratings from Gary Simond's website will be used. http://www.geocities.com/gls84/.

E. No DH will be used until 1973 when the AL only will adopt the rule.

8. Player Eligibility (For the Draft)

A. Players on a roster disk must meet the following minimums to be eligible for the draft: 35 AB for a batter and 15 IP for a pitcher.

9. Player Eligibility (For Seasonal Play)

1963 season - same as #8 above (35 AB & 15 IP)

THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH MARKED A. WILL BE THE LEAGUE STANDARD FOR ALL SEASONS 1962 AND LATER.

A. Players on a roster disk must meet the following minimums to be eligible for seasonal play: 35 AB for a batter and 15 IP for a pitcher. Players not meeting these criteria will be considered "uncarded" and ineligible for use during that season.

B. A batter exceeding the minimum requirements as noted in 9A will also be considered "uncarded" if the player's card is from Gary Simond's website AND at least one of the following is true:

i. His homerun percentage on either side of his card is greater than 8% (8.64 chances out of 108)... ballpark HR chances will be multiplied by 0.5 when determining the number of chances. For example, if a player versus lefties has a homerun on 1-5 (4 chances) and 1-6 (5 chances), he will be considered "uncarded" because his 9 total chances exceed the limit of 8.64. The card would be ruled "ineligible" for play regardless of how many homerun chances he has on the opposite side of his card.

ii. His on base (hits, walks, HBP's) percentage on either side of his card is greater than 50% (54 chances out of 108)... ballpark HR and single chances will be multiplied by 0.5 when determining total chances. For example, if a player versus lefties has singles and walks in the entire 1 and 2 columns (72 chances), he will be considered "uncarded" because his 72 total chances exceed the limit of 54. The card would be ruled "ineligible" for play regardless of how many on base chances he has on the opposite side of his card.

10. Rosters

A. Each team can have up to 30 players on their roster at any time, with a 25-man "active" roster available to play in a given series of games. These 25 "eligibles" must be announced at the start of each 3 game series and cannot be changed once the series begins.

B. Each team's 25 "eligibles" must consist of players providing adequate depth at every defensive position. "Adequate depth" is considered to be:

i. At least two players available/carded to play each infield position.

ii. At least two players available/carded to play catcher.

iii. At least five players available/carded to play an outfield position.

C. At the end of each season, each owner may select up to 20 players to be kept/frozen for the following season. The only requirement for the "keepers" is that the player must have at least 60% of his PA (AB+BB)  or IP total from the previous season. For example, for Sandy Koufax to be eligible as a "keeper" for the 1964 season, he must pitch at least 218 innings in 1963... 0.6 x 311 IP (311 was his real life total in 1963) = 217.8. This is known as the "Use Him or Lose Him" (UHOLH) rule.

D. The "keepers" do not need to meet the minimum requirements as stated in 9A, but these players will be ineligible for play during the following season and are considered "uncarded". A team cannot have more than two "uncarded" players on its roster during any given season.

E. Players who get two "cards" on a roster disk will count as only one player on a team's roster. The card representing his stats from the first part of the season must be used first. When the budget for that card is spent the card representing his stats from the second part may be activated. A player may have only one card active during any week. Both player "cards" are subject to rule 9A & 9B regarding eligibility. A player whose individual cards do not meet the 35/15 minimum but whose combined total exceeds 35/15, are also not eligible. An owner may select which one of the two "cards" is eligible for the playoffs. Budget will be based upon the actual AB/IP for the card to be used and not the total of the two.

F. A team may keep up to 2 uncarded players. Uncarded players will count towards a team's keepers.

G. Playoff teams must announce their 25 "eligibles" before the playoff series begins. After the first playoff game has been played, the 25 "eligibles" cannot be changed for any reason throughout the playoffs.

11. Usage

THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH MARKED A WILL BE THE LEAGUE STANDARD FOR ALL SEASONS 1962 AND LATER.

A. Each player will be limited to 110% of his real life PA / IP usage. PA will be considered (AB + BB only) no other type of plate appearance will be used in determining usage. Pitchers will be limited to 110% of IP (innings pitched) and GS (games started).  All values will be rounded UP to the next number.

Example for hitters: Hank Aaron in 1960 had 590 AB + 60 BB = 650…. So 650 X 1.1 or 110% = 715 PA’s

B. At the discretion of the League Commissioner, unlimited usage may be allowed for a certain subset of players in order to assist with usage concerns.

C. If one or more players are overused in a particular game or games, the Commissioner reserves the right to forfeit the game(s) by the offending team.

D. Penalties for player overusage will be handled per the Penalties section (see section 18).

12. Free Agents

A. After the draft, there will be a handful of players left over. These players will occupy the free agent pool. During the regular season, free agents may be picked up. However, in order to pick up a player, you must first release a player from your roster. If two teams want to pick up a player during the same week, then the team with the worse record gets that player. Free agents are not eligible as keepers the following season and must be released back into the free agent pool.

13. Trades

A. Owners may trade any amount of players and/or draft picks subject to the approval of the Commissioner.

B. Draft picks may only be traded one season in advance. For example, during the 1960 season, you may trade your 1961 draft picks, but not your 1962 draft picks. At the conclusion of the 1960 World Series, you may begin trading draft picks for 1962 in addition to your 1961 draft picks. This is to prevent owner's from sacrificing a franchise's future.

C. The trade deadline for the 1962 season will be at the end of the play week for games played on the schedule through 7/16. (after Day 104).

D. Trades may resume again after all teams declare their "keepers" (see 10C)

14. Playoffs

A. The top three teams from each league will qualify for the League Playoffs. "15 days of rest" will be given before the start of the series. The team with the best record will receive a bye and play the winner of the wild card series. Each series will be a best of seven, with the team having the best record receiving "home field advantage". The series format will be 2-3-2 with a single day of rest after Games 2 and 5.

B. Ties shall be broken per the following:

i. Best head to head record amongst tied teams.

ii. Best road record amongst tied teams.

iii. If a tie still exists, the League officers  will break the tie using an announced method.

C. If two teams are tied for a single playoff spot, then a 1-game playoff will determine which team advances to the playoffs. Home field will be based on a mutually agreed time of a state (3 number/ball) lottery... odd numbers for one team (i.e, 723), even numbers the other team (i.e. 010).

D. If two teams are tied for first, a 1-game playoff will not be played and the home team advantage will go to the team that wins the tie-breaker (See 14B).

E. If three or more teams are tied for first, then the team with that wins the tie-breaker (See 13B) will be recognized as the first place team. Second place will be determined as stated in 13C, 13F or 13G.

F. If three teams are tied for a single playoff spot, a "2-game", single-elimination playoff will take place. The team that wins the tie-breaker (see 13B) will receive a "bye" and the remaining two will play a 1-game playoff to determine which team advances to the second playoff game.

G. If four teams are tied for a single playoff spot, then a "3-game" playoff will take place. A "Final Four", single elimination "mini-tournament" will decide which team advances to the LCS.

H. See 10F for 25-man roster requirements.

I. No days of rest will be given for a 1 (or more) game playoff (prior to the LCS). These games are considered an extension of the regular season.

15. World Series

A. The LCS winners will face off in the World Series. "15 days of rest" will be given before the start of the series. The series will be a best of seven, in the 2-3-2 format with a single day of rest after Games 2 and 5. The "home field advantage" will be based on the following tie-breaker:

i. Best regular season winning percentage... "tie-breakers" to determine playoff teams are considered regular season games.

ii. Best head to head record.

iii. Best winning percentage on the road.

iv. If a tie still exists, the Random Generator will break the tie.

16. Usage for the LCS & World Series

A. For each playoff series, an owner may use up to 8% of a player's real life AB/IP. For example, a player with 99 AB in real life is allowed only 7 AB in an LCS. 8 AB is more than 8% of 99, so only 7 AB is allowed in this case (rounded down to the lower number). The usage limitation is independent of the number of games that the series is played.  In the above example, 7 AB is allowed in a 4-game sweep or a series that goes all seven games.

B. The only exception to the usage rule is if Game 7 goes into extra innings. At that time, all players are waived their usage "limitations".

C. Players with two cards in a set must have one of them declared eligible for the post-season when a manager announces his post-season roster. The other card will not be used and post-season budget will be computed using the selected card’s AB or IP or GS.

17. Subsequent Drafts (1961 and beyond)

A. The draft for the 1961 season (and beyond) will be a "straight" draft. The draft order will be in reverse order of regular season record except:

i. The winning team in the World Series will draft last in each round.

ii. The losing team in the World Series will draft second to last in each round.

iii. The twelve teams that do not make the playoffs will enter a "lottery" (see 15B) to determine the order for the first round only. All subsequent rounds will be in reverse order of record, except as noted in 15Ai and 15Aii. Ties by two or more teams will be broken in the following manner:

a. Best head to head record amongst tied teams. The team with the best head to head record will get the higher (earlier) draft pick.

b. Best road record. The team with the best road record will get the higher (earlier) draft pick.

c. If a tie still exists, the Random Generator will determine the order.

B. A draft lottery will be used to determine the first 2 picks (for the first round only). The twelve non-playoff teams will have a shot at the #1 or #2 pick... each team will get the following number of chances out of 1000. The California Daily 3 (midday) lottery on a pre-determined date will decide who gets the #1 pick. The California Daily 3 (evening) lottery on that same pre-determined date will decide who gets the #2 pick. If the evening lottery yields the same result (the team with the #1 pick is not eligible to get the #2 pick), then the midday lottery on the following day will be considered and so on. The remaining 10 teams will draft in reverse order of record... so the worst team can do no worse than pick third in the first round.

1st worst: 205 chances (#'s 000 to 204)

2nd worst: 175 chances (#'s 205 to 379)

3rd worst: 150 chances (#'s 380 to 529)

4th worst: 125 chances (#'s 530 to 654)

5th worst: 100 chances (#'s 655 to 754)

6th worst: 75 chances (#'s 755 to 829)

7th worst: 60 chances (#'s 830 to 889)

8th worst: 45 chances (#'s 890 to 934)

9th worst: 30 chances (#'s 935 to 964)

10th worst: 20 chances (#'s 965 to 984)

11th worst: 10 chances (#'s 985 to 994)

12th worst: 5 chances (#'s 995 to 999)

C. A Pro Boards message board will be used with posted times to complete the draft.

D. An updated LZP league file will be sent out after each round for everyone to update with.

E. Teams will stop drafting once their roster has reached the maximum of 30 players (see 10A).  Teams that opted not to declare 20 keepers (see 10C) will receive additional “supplemental” draft picks after the 10th round has been completed.  A reminder that uncarded players still count towards the 30 player roster limit.

18. Penalties for Rule Violations

A. The OTSL encourages realistic game play management and player usage.  Members abusing this fair play system will be held accountable for their game play actions through the following penalties.

B. Players who are overused by an incidental/accidental amount (<= 5 PAs, <= 5 IPs or 1 GS) will be treated in the following manner.

i. Overused player is ineligible for post-season play.

ii. Team will incur a penalty as follows:

1st occurrence: Team loses it's 5th round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 4th round pick instead is lost)

2nd occurrence:    Team loses it's 4th round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 3rd round pick instead is lost)

3rd occurrence: Team loses it's 3rd round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 2nd round pick instead is lost)

additional occurrences: Commissioner will impose penalties, as needed.

C. Players who are overused by more than an incidental amount (> 5 PAs, > 5 IPs or > 1 GS) will be treated in the following manner.

i. Overused player is immediately placed in the minors and is ineligible for post-season play.

ii. Team will incur a penalty as follows:

1st occurrence: Team loses it's 4th round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 3rd round pick instead is lost)

2nd occurrence: Team loses it's 3rd round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 2nd round pick instead is lost)

3rd occurrence: Team loses it's 2nd round pick (If the player is kept the following season then a 1st round pick instead is lost)

additional overusage:  Commission will impose penalties, as needed.

D. Players who are declared to be unlimited usage players (see 11B) will not be subject to overusage penalties.  However, all other OTSL rules will apply to these players.

E. Starting pitchers who are not used according to the SOM rules for proper rest between starts (see 5C) will be treated in the following manner.

i. Pitcher will be given a 7-day suspension that will be served the 2nd week after the violation is reported.

ii. Commissioner reserves the right to impose further penalties as needed.