SECTION ONE: League format, schedule, duties

1.1. Each team pays a $20 fee annually on Draft Day to cover all expenses. These include league cards distributed at the draft and the costs of renting a website. Remaining funds will be divided between those managers who help run the website and help coordinate the draft matrix. Any other expenses must be approved by a majority of owners.

1.2. Schedule: The league has 2 conferences, each with 1 divisions of 6 teams. Each team plays 7 games with teams in its division, 5 with teams in the other division for a total of 65 games.

1.3. The regular season runs from the conclusion of the draft to January 15. Teams can play as soon as they submit an Opening Day roster. Playoff games should be done by draft day.

1.4. After every 10 games played, teams have a day off. This “rest day” counts as a game day for injury duration and for pitcher rest rules.

1.5. DEADLINES: Teams are expected to play 15 games by June 15, 30 games by Sept. 15, and 45 games by Dec. 15. There is no penalty if an owner misses an occasional deadline due to illness, family or job responsibilities, or other emergencies, or takes over a team in mid season and tries hard to catch up. Owners should accommodate managers who need to play during certain times of year and shouldn’t duck teams to wait for roster expansion. The Rules Committee (RC) can penalize teams that don’t keep up. The penalty for repeated failure to keep up with the schedule is that all unplayed games at each deadline will be counted as wins for draft purposes. Unplayed games at the end of the season will be counted as losses for playoff purposes. Teams that don’t keep up year after year will be asked to leave the league.

1.6. Teams must report, via league wide email, game results, trades, options, waivers, and W-L record in a timely manner. All player movement and statistics become official when reported by email to all owners.

1.7. Teams must file up-to-date stats on July 1, Oct. 1, Jan. 1, and at the end of season. The stats below are the minimum stats required. All other stats are optional at the manager's discretion:

1. For hitters: games played, at-bats, at-bats available, runs, hits, RBI, doubles, triples, homers, walks, strikeouts, stolen bases, caught stealing, batting average. Pitcher’s batting can be listed individually or combined.
2. For pitchers: games played, starts, complete games, innings pitched, innings available, hits, walks, strikeouts, runs, earned runs, shutouts, wins, losses, saves, ERA.

Team totals must be reported in all categories. Reports include stats for players traded, sent to the minors, or waived. Only stats with players’ current team are reported. The RC WILL penalize teams that do not report stats by OCT. 1 and by game #53. Penalty will be loss of all No Card (NC) draft slots available in the upcoming spring draft. If you have no n/c to forfeit, than your 4th round pick, if no 4th round than your 3rd round, if no 3rd round than your 2nd round. These reports are to be sent league wide so statisticians will be able to have oversight and report to RC any violations of this policy.

1.8. Teams are encouraged to host multi-team fests and are expected to do their fair share of travel, allowing for family and work obligations and health issues.

SECTION TWO: Rosters, player use limits

2.1. Teams draft each year until they reach 40 players. Teams must have at least 25 carded players year-round and can’t have a roster larger than 43 during a season. The major-league roster is limited to 25 players until roster expansion, which occurs at game 53.

2.2. No more than 6 never-carded players can be on a roster anytime, including during the draft. An uncarded player who’s had a card in a previous season does not count against this limit.

2.3. Teams must have at least 2 players eligible to play every defensive position on their major-league roster at all times. One of those 2 could be unavailable due to injury, but if the DL is used for the only backup at any position, another player eligible for the position must be called up. If a position player has no injury on his card, this rule is waived and no backup is required at that position.

2.4. Owners must submit an Opening Day roster before they play any games and no later than 10 days after the draft. All rosters will be posted to the league within 14 days after the draft.

2.5. Managers must use interleague cards if furnished for multi-league players.

2.5. 2020 Addendum- Managers may only use cards from NL.

2.6. Carded players remain eligible to play even if they die or are suspended, banned, arrested, indicted, injured, demoted, detained abroad, or transgendered. Pitcher’s hitting cards 1-8 will be used unless a pitcher has a hitter card. If a pitcher has separate position player hitting card, he must use that hitting card only. If a pitcher also plays a regular position, he's PAs when playing in the field must be limited in the same manner as other field players. The multiplier will determine his PAs and anytime he plays in the field, regardless of whether he's also pitched, all PAs during that game count against his season total. If the pitcher is just pitching or pinch hitting, however, those PAs are treated like other pitchers and not tracked. Players that move to AL prior to AL expansion or drafted NC players that are AL players will be allowed to be retained by owning team.

2.7. Opening Day rosters must list player use limits. MULTIPLIER IS .45

1. League PAs for hitters are calculated by adding ABs and BBs as listed on the SOM card.
2. League IP for all pitchers are calculated by multiplying IP as listed on the SOM card.

Round all results up to the next whole number. Unless a manager can document an error, the walks, at-bats, and innings pitched printed on the SOM card are official (which excludes intentional walks). League usage limits apply to the regular season and any potential tiebreaker games.

2.8. Transactions do not affect player use limits. A manager should get a tally of a new player’s remaining available innings or PAs from the previous owner.

2.9. A manager must announce before a game if any player might exhaust his usage limits during that game. A hitter who’s used all his PAs can still play defense or pinch-run but may not bat, even to bunt. A pitcher who’s used up his innings can pinch-hit or pinch-run but can’t face a batter even to issue an intentional walk. There is no penalty if a pitcher exceeds his innings due to a double or triple play.

2.10. A manager who uses an injured player, a player who has exhausted his eligibility, a player on waivers, or anyone not on the major-league roster forfeits the game. The game must be finished no matter when the forfeit is discovered. If the forfeiting team loses on the field, the score stands; if not, the final score is 9-0, with the starting pitchers given the win and loss. All other stats count. But any injuries that occur during a game that is declared a forfeit are nullified (this does not affect subsequent games that have already been played and any player placed on the DL because of an injury during a forfeit game can be reinstated without use of a waiver or option).

2.11. If a manager mistakenly uses a starter who has not had enough rest, it is not a forfeit. The pitcher must remain on the major-league roster and rest the number of games he should have rested plus the regular number of games in the next rotation turn until he can again start. If this mistake occurs repeatedly the RC may assess a forfeit.

2.12. Rosters expand starting in Game 53. Any carded player on the entire roster can then play subject to use limits. Teams will follow all trading rules.

SECTION THREE: Injuries, the DL, Options and Waivers

3.1. If a player injury roll comes up during the course of a game, the manager of the player rolls the 20-side dice to determine the extent of the injury. 1-4 the player shakes off the injury and remains in the game, 5-8 the player is injured for the remainder of the game, 9-12 the player in injured for the remainder of the game + 1 additional game, 13-16 the player in injured for the remainder of the game + 2 additional games, and 17-20 the player in injured for the remainder of the game + 3 additional games.

3.2. Pinch hitters can be injured. Pitcher injuries only occur while batting.

3.3. If a player is injured for 1 game or more, he can be put on the DL and replaced on the major-league roster by a call-up or player acquired by trade or waiver. Teams don’t have to use the DL for any injury. Injured players, whether or not on the DL, can be traded, optioned, or waived but must complete their injury period if sent to another team.

3.4. A player must stay on the DL 3 games and then immediately be put back on the major league roster. A spot must be cleared on the roster for him by option, waiver, trade, or as described in Rule 3.6 below.

3.5. A player can be sent to the minors by option or waiver. Each team has 8 options per season. A player may be optioned or waived more than once a season. Options cannot be traded.

3.6. A team that places a player on the injured list may call up a replacement player. The team will not have to use an option to send the replacement player to the minors when the injured player comes of the Disabled List (DL). An option must be used if a player other than the replacement player is sent to the minors.

3.7. To waive a player, a manager must announce, in a league wide email, the player and their remaining usage. Teams have 72 hours to place a claim. The claiming team with the lowest winning percentage in the most recent standings gets the waived player and can put him on his minor-league roster (or major league roster if he clears a spot for him). If any team has not yet played 10 games when a waiver is announced prior to June 15 that team’s winning percentage in the previous season determines claim order. All waivers are irrevocable. Waivers cannot be used once a team has expanded its roster.

3.8. A team that receives a waived player must immediately send a player on its major or minor league roster to the waiving team as compensation. The compensation player can be put on the waiving team’s major or minor league roster without use of an option. If no team claims a waived player, he is put on the waiving team’s minor league roster.

SECTION FOUR: Trades

4.1. All trades must be announced at the time they are made and take effect immediately. The announcement must be made via league wide email and must include the following information (at minimum): Players Name, team name, PAs/IP used, PAs/IP available. The trade recipient should confirm and agree the information provided is accurate. When trades are made, both teams must exchange the league-purchased cards if necessary. Off-season trades for the upcoming season, PAs/IP are not required to be reported.

4.2. Teams can’t make trades for the current season after roster expansion or Dec. 15, whichever comes first. Teams making a trade must be within 15 games played of each other.

4.3. No trade can involve players to be named later or be contingent on a later trade. A team cannot trade players for the current season in exchange for players to be received in the following season. Future draft choices may be traded, as long as other trade rules are followed. NC players may be traded after a 1-year period on the team that drafted them. NC draft choices may not be traded, although NC players may be traded after a 1-year period on the team that drafted them.

4.4. Injured players and pitchers do not get any extra rest when changing teams. They must complete their rest or injury as required on their new team.

4.5. Teams may trade draft picks for the next draft. Starting Jan. 1, teams can also trade draft picks for the next year’s draft. They may trade other teams’ draft picks previously acquired.

4.6. After Sept. 1, if teams have completed 45 games, they may make trades that take effect the following season. No players may change teams during the current season as part of such trades.

4.7. Any handshake deal proposed but not announced before Sept. 1 is not binding on either party. Managers are cautioned not to make such agreements.

4.8. The RC may decide on a probationary period of up to a year for new managers, depending on their experience, during which it should be consulted by that new manager on proposed trades that might adversely affect league balance or integrity. Teams shouldn’t take undue advantage of any new manager.

4.9. Managers should not conceal relevant information in any trade negotiations.

4.10. If half the managers in the league, at any given time, feel a trade is overtly uneven and requires reworking, they can challenge the trade on those grounds. The trade will then, either, become void or will need to be amended. This rule is not intended to be used to challenge any bad trade (bad trades happen), but those that appear grossly uneven and to act as a deterrent against such.

SECTION FIVE: The annual player and ballpark drafts

5.1. The draft is held the first Saturday in March (March 6, 2021, March 5, 2022, March 4, 2023), unless the league approves different dates.

5.2. Teams must submit a roster by Feb. 15 with 25-40 players they are protecting, a tally of all draft picks owned (including those acquired by trade) through Round 15 (regardless of number of protected players), and a list of all players being released. No players can be released after Feb. 15.

5.3. Unneeded draft picks are eliminated after the Feb. 15 protected rosters are submitted. For instance, if a team is protecting 30 players, then only their first 10 draft choices are available and the rest are voided. If managers wish to trade their unneeded draft picks, they should do so before the Feb. 15 deadline. Teams may still trade after the Feb. 15 deadline, but protected players and available draft picks must not fall below 38 or rise above 43. If a trade takes a team below the 40-man roster number in terms of protected players + available draft picks, they are not awards additional picks to make up the difference, they simply begin the season with fewer players.

5.4. Teams may enter the draft with fewer than 25 players but no more than 43 players. Trading is permitted during the draft, but no team can ever have more than 43 players.

5.5. Non-playoff teams draft in order of winning percentage in the first round, followed by playoff teams drafting in order from lowest to highest winning percentage. Ties among non-playoff teams in this round will be broken by results of their head-to-head season series. In subsequent rounds, all teams draft in reverse order of winning percentage, with forfeit losses calculated as wins. Teams that didn’t complete the season will have unplayed games counted as losses to determine winning percentage in the first round of the draft and counted as wins in later rounds.

5.6. A team assessed a penalty for forfeits or any other reason will have all draft picks it owns from the second round on lowered. If, however, the team’s draft picks were traded to other teams prior to the penalty, the acquiring teams will not be penalized, though some form of penalty for the egregious will still be enforced. Penalties will be imposed and draft order settled before the beginning of the draft.

5.7. All teams draft until they have 40 players, unless trades have taken them below that threshold (see rule 5.5). Each team can draft 2 No-Carded players, which can be anyone at any level or league. (Expansion teams may be allowed extra No-Card rights if the league so decides.)

5.8. A ballpark draft will be conducted by email before Draft Day once the new ballpark effect numbers are known. Teams must declare their choice: they can remain in their previous season’s ballpark (using the new season’s ballpark numbers or keeping a previous season’s numbers) or enter the draft. Teams draft in reverse order of current season’s winning percentage. Only one team may play in a ballpark.

Teams may not trade ballparks. After a team vacates a ballpark, the next manager to choose it must use the current season’s ballpark numbers.

SECTION SIX: Playing rules

6.1. Both managers must keep a score sheet for both teams in every game and keep these score sheets until the end of the season to resolve disputes.

6.2. We play with the super-advanced Strat-O-Matic rules, including pitcher rest rules, clutch hitting, ballpark effects, and weather effects. Pitcher and catcher hold ratings are used for steals even if the runner is not held.

6.3. A starter/reliever used in relief must rest one game after a relief appearance before starting a game. A starter/reliever who starts a game must rest the required number of games before any subsequent appearance as specified on the super-advanced Miscellaneous Chart. If special circumstances force a manager to start a pitcher without proper rest, that pitcher will be weak for his entire appearance.

6.4. A starter can be used in relief only if all other eligible relievers have been used. This counts as a start, and the pitcher must rest the required number of games before his next start. A starter used in relief has a POW (1).

6.5. No pitcher may pitch more than 70 innings in relief in a season, including tiebreaker games.

6.6. No reliever can warm up until at least 2 opposing batters have faced the starting pitcher.

6.7. No reliever can start a game unless there are no eligible starters on the major or minor league rosters. A manager cannot deliberately manipulate starters to create a start for a relief pitcher. If he does, the opposing manager can ask the RC for a forfeit.

6.8. Managers must announce which relievers are warming up. Relievers must warm up the required number of batters before entering the game or enter tired. Only 2 pitchers may warm up at a time. Time between innings counts as one batter for warm-up purposes. An already fatigued pitcher does not need to warm up.

6.9. A manager must announce any pinch-hitter before a runner tries for his lead. If a runner fails to get his lead, he cannot then pinch-hit. Once a runner tries for a lead, the opposing manager cannot change any defensive player or positioning prior to the attempted steal.

6.10. If the offensive manager pinch-hits, his opponent manager may adjust his defense. A player is in the game once he’s announced.

6.11. All runners trying for a steal, even if forced to steal on a botched hit-and-run or squeeze bunt attempt, have a minimum 1 chance and a maximum 19 chance.

6.12. A double steal can be attempted only with runners on first and second and third unoccupied. When a double steal is announced, the runner on second must get his lead to attempt to steal third. The runner on first automatically gets his lead, whether or not he's an asterisk stealer. His chances to steal second are calculated as his first steal number plus or minus the catcher's arm only (pitcher's hold is not included). The defensive manager can then throw to either base; regardless of the result, the runner at the other base is automatically safe. A roll of 1, 2, or 3 is a T rating as in a normal steal, and if a throwing error occurs, both runners will move up an extra base.

6.13. Hitters cannot pitch. The so-called “Cannon Fodder” card cannot be used.

6.14. Both teams should use the home team’s dice if either manager so requests.

6.15. No player may be used at a position for which he does not have a defensive rating unless there are no other players available at that position.

1. Managers have the right to pinch-hit or pinch-run for the last non-pitcher player at a position. The last available pitcher on your roster, currently pitching in game, can NOT be pinch hit for or subbed out. But players used at any position they are not rated for (including outfielders playing an unrated outfield position) have the worst possible fielding range, error rating, and throwing rating (+4 arm for outfielders, +5 arm, T-20 and PB-20 for catchers). All ground balls and fly balls hit to a position manned by an unrated player become X chart plays, and any 5 that is rolled for an X chart result is considered a roll of 18, not a rare play. Lineout maxes hit to an unrated player become simple lineouts. All foul outs are dropped for an error and the batter remains at the plate.
2. If an unrated player is catching:
   • P/F and P/P plays on the Catcher X chart are automatic passed balls
   • FOs on Catcher X chart are dropped with the batter remaining at the plate
   • The pitcher’s WP number is increased by 10
   • All strikeouts must be followed by a D20 roll. If 1-10 is rolled, they turn into dropped third strikes with the batter reaching first on a strikeout and passed ball.
3. If an injury occurs during a game which results in a player being forced to play at an unrated position, that player shall have the worst possible fielding range, error rating, and throwing rating (+4 arm for outfielders; +5 arm, T-20 and PB-20 for catchers), but none of the other penalties shall apply for the rest of that game. If your last pitcher playing is injured and cannot return to finish the game, it will be considered a forfeit.
4. If all players at a position are injured, and there is a player in the minors who can play that position, the team must call him up before the next game if the injury extends beyond the game.
5. If an injury occurs that results in only one player remaining at any position for a subsequent game or games, a manager is not required to use the DL or to call up a player from the minors as a backup. However, if the sole remaining player at a position is then himself injured in a subsequent game, the replacement unrated player is subject to the harshest penalties detailed (in #1) above.
6. A pitcher cannot be used to play any other position in a nine-inning game, unless no other position players are available due to injuries or it is an extra inning game. This is a unique one game situation ONLY.

6.16. Weather Effects will be used for all games. Home team will first determine if they will play a day or night game by declaring their preference. To determine which month your home game is in, refer to the following chart:

• April / May - Home games 1 - 9
• June / July / August - Home games 10 - 28
• September / October - Home games 29 - 33 and all playoff games.

Home team manager will then roll the 20 sided dice to determine the weather type (Good / Average / Bad) for the game. Weather effects will then be combined (day or night + month played + weather type) to determine what Strat-o-Matic weather effects chart numbers to use for the game. In addition, the Δ symbol is now used. When the Δ symbol appears on a roll, use the results in italics below for the result.

SECTION SEVEN: Courtesy rules

7.1. The cards should be face up so that each manager can easily read the results. Each manager should check all rolls and results because it is easy to misread dice or cards. Pointing to the result on the card can help. If a manager is playing too fast, the other manager should ask him to slow down.

7.2. Managers should agree before the game what constitutes a valid dice roll, whether to roll again if dice are leaning, off the table, or unreadable. A manager can roll the D20 separately or with the other dice.

7.3. A manager may ask at any time to see the players remaining on the other team, who’s warming up, upcoming rotation, player eligibility limits, or injuries.

7.4. It is the defensive manager's obligation to consider defensive strategies, holds, or pitching changes. The defensive alignment and/or hold must be stated before the D20 "pitch" is rolled. If it is not stated, the infield (and outfield) is considered at normal depth and the runner(s) aren't being held. To steal, the offensive manager rolls for the lead at the same time the D20 "pitch" is thrown, or simply their D20 if it's an asterisk base-stealer that isn't being held. If the "pitch" results in a 1, the base runner must dive back under his second steal number or is picked off (rolled by the offense). If the "pitch" results in a 2, a balk is rolled for (by the defense), but a lead is no longer possible. With a "pitch" roll of 3-20, proceed to see if the lead/steal attempt is successful.

7.5. Allow time to score the result before rolling the dice for the next batter. Ask if there are any defensive changes before the next inning starts, especially in the later stages of close games.

7.6. Once the 20 sided dice, the "pitch" has been rolled, the offensive manager cannot change batters and the defense cannot change the pitcher or defensive positioning. The defensive manager is expected to give the offensive manager ample time to decide to pinch hit and the offensive manager can call "time" at any point to delay the "pitch" and assess the situation.

7.7. Disputes during a game may be resolved by calling any member of the Rules Committee.

7.8. Any game situation not specifically addressed by these rules will be governed by the Strat-O-Matic super-advanced rules and the MLB official rules.

7.9. ABL is a face-to-face league. Distance Dice (DD) are allowed only if both teams agree and if there are special situations that prevent travel, but no more than 20 DD games for any team. The RC can waive this limit if a serious illness or injury befalls a league member or a close family member.

SECTION EIGHT: The Playoffs

8.1. Format: The winner of each division (in 2020 it will be conference winner) makes the playoffs. The 2 teams with the next-best records in each conference get wild card spots. If a team does not complete its season, the next-best qualifier takes its place in the playoffs. A game 66 shall only be played to determine whether a team makes the playoffs in the event of a tie. Seeding of playoff teams with the same overall record shall be determined by head to head results in the regular season. All tiebreaker games are considered regular season games for statistics, injuries, and player usage calculations.

8.2. Schedule:

• Round 1: Wild-card teams play a best-of-5 series in a 2-2-1 home/away/home format.
• Round 2: Winner of Round 1 plays first-place team with the worst record. The first place team has home field advantage. Round is best of 7, in a 2-3-2 home/away/home format.
• Round 3: Winner of Round 2 plays the remaining first-place team, which has home field advantage. Round is best of 7, in a 2-3-2 home/away/home format.
• ALB Championship Series: The two Round 3 winners.
  • The team with best record has home-field advantage. Round is best of 7, in a 2-3-2 home/away/home format.
  • If teams are tied with the same record in any round, home field advantage goes to the team that won the season series.

2020 Addendum:

• Round 1: Wild-card teams play a best-of-5 series in a 2-2-1 home/away/home format.
• Round 2: Winner of Round 1 plays first-place team in their conference The first place team has home field advantage. Round is best of 7, in a 2-3-2 home/away/home format.
• ALB Championship Series: Winners of round 2.
  • The team with best record has home-field advantage. Round is best of 7, in a 2-3-2 home/away/home format.
  • If teams are tied with the same record in any round, home field advantage goes to the team that won the season series.

8.3. Roster: The playoff roster consists of the 25 players on the major-league roster in game 52. Even if a player has exhausted their regular season usage limit, but is on the roster for game 52, they are eligible. If a player is on the DL during game 52, he can still be named to the playoff roster and must replace a player on the game 52 roster. If a playoff player is injured at the end of the regular season, he can be replaced on the playoff roster by another. Teams must submit their playoff roster after game 52, along with playoff usage for each player.

8.4. Injuries and rest: Between the end of the season and the first round, and between each round of the playoffs, a rest day occurs. An injured player must complete a regular-season injury during the playoffs if he’s not replaced on the playoff roster. Teams with a first round bye have a five-game rest.

8.5. Regular season playing rules apply during the playoffs with the following exceptions:

1. A player injured during the playoffs can be put on the DL and replaced. Once he is off the DL (must remain of the DL for 3 games, just as in the regular season), any player may be optioned to the minors to make room for his return. A team gets one option for each round of the playoffs.
2. Players are limited to 10% of their MLB plate appearances or innings pitched in each round.
3. Teams must have four starting pitchers in each playoff series. Playoff teams will have a rested starting pitcher, with innings, available for all playoff games.
4. All starters are considered starter/relievers with a relief POW (3).
5. A starter/reliever is limited to 9 innings over 3 games. A pitcher used only in relief can pitch 7 innings over 4 games. After reaching those limits, the pitcher is tired. These limits are not affected by previous regular-season or tiebreaker games.

SECTION NINE: Enforcing and changing the rules

9.1. A Rules Committee interprets all rules and handles proposed amendments to the rules. The RC will be comprised of 3 members on staggered 3-year terms, with one new member elected each year to replace the member whose term has expired. The member in the final year of their 3-year term is considered the Commissioner. In the league's first year the managers will elect a Commissioner (who will serve on the RC for a single year), a Commissioner-elect (who will serve on the RC for 2 years and assume the role of Commissioner in year 2), and a third member (who will serve a full 3-year term and assume the role of Commissioner in year 3). The new member annually elected to the RC is chosen by the league managers on draft day.

9.2. Once the season starts, no rules can be adopted that affect the play of any games that season, including the playoffs.

9.3. Any proposals for a rule change or a new rule must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to the annual draft and must have the support of at least 3 managers.

9.4. To pass, a proposal must gain at least a majority of votes.

9.5. At the request of 5 or more managers, a special league meeting may be called to raise significant and extraordinary issues.

9.6. No new rules proposals or amendments may be submitted on draft day.