SWSSL CONSTITUTION

2007 SEASON

 

SECTION 1 - GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

 

Division Alignment

  • Division 1 (130 Games) – Chicago NL Cubs (Art), Philadelphia A’s (Dave/Glenn), San Diego Seals (Mark), Florida Gold (Mike Z.), Milwaukee Maulers (Steve), Chicago AL White Sox (Bill), Colorado Misfits (Tom)

 

  • Division 2 (130 Games) – Boston Shadows (Mike H. / Al), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Brad), Toronto Short Porch Monkeys (Eric), St Louis Humpers (Mike G.), New York AL Isotopes (Danny), San Francisco Treat (Joe) , Cleveland Midnight Rockers (Marty)

 

  • A franchise must inform the league of their interest to change conferences by All Star Night. The move is not "guaranteed". The league will review the impact of the move before approval.

 

Rosters

  • Each team has a 40 man roster. (25 man major league roster and a 15 man minor league roster). This limit may not be exceeded with the exception of the time between the end of a season and draft night.
  • During the last month of the regular season teams may use their full 40 man roster.
  • The 25 man roster must include at least 2 players at every position.  It is difficult to define this rule, but everyone should follow the SPIRIT of the rule.  That is, you need to have a backup at every position on your 25 man roster at the start of every series.  Your backup can be injured, but he MUST be on the 25 man roster.  For example, if your shortstop gets injured you must be able to replace him with another shortstop unless that backup on the 25 man roster is already injured.  It is not acceptable to have only two guys on your roster that play SS/2B only.  If one were to get injured, you would not have a backup even though you technically have two players that can play every position.

 

Player Limitations

  • Players are limited to their ABs and IPs as indicated on the SWSSL AB/IP conversion charts. If the situation arises where a batter has to bat and is out of AB and there is no other replacement available (including an out of position player), that batter may bat but he must use a "1" pitcher's hit card whenever he bats. Similarly, if a pitcher has to pitch and is out of IP and there is no other replacement available, that pitcher may pitch but he must use the Fielder's pitching card.
  • Players with multiple cards must use all or the ABs or IPs on one card before using the next card.
  • NL pitchers are limited to real life ABs.
  • AL pitchers can bat as often as needed.
  • SWSSL will use SOM’s inter-league cards.  You must declare before using the player for the first time whether you intend to use the IL card or the regular card(s).  If the player is traded, the acquiring manager must use whatever card(s) the original manager chose.
  • The commissioner(s) has the authority to levy "discretionary" penalties for violation of AB and IP limits.  These penalties may involve money, draft picks, and/or forfeiture of wins.

 

Ballpark and Weather Effects

  • Each team plays in a major league ballpark as defined by the Super Advanced Weather Effects chart.
  • SWSSL uses a modified Super Advanced Weather Effects chart to reflect the SWSSL season which begins with July and ends with the playoffs in April.
  • Roll for weather before each game, but AFTER the starting pitchers are announced.
  • Series are comprised of 5 games.

5 Game Series - 3 for the "home" team (Day, Night, Night) 2 for the "road" team (Day, Night)

"Home" 5 game series played in Chicago NL are comprised of 3 games (Day, Day, Night).

  • Teams may change ballparks every year provided the league is officially notified by All Star Night the prior year.
  • Cost to change ballparks is $2000 fee to all other teams in the league. Ballpark draft order determined by lottery.
  • If you announce a ballpark change, you may remain in your park, however you must still pay the fee.
  • You may trade ballparks, however you must still pay the fee.

 

Trading Rules

  • Open trading is allowed until the end of the second month games or August 31 (whichever comes first) in the regular season.
  • Trading is closed once the third month games start or September 1 (whichever comes first) through All Star Night.
  • Open trading is allowed on All Star Night (held during the month of January).  To be eligible to trade on All Star Night you must have your games played and statistics completed through December by JANUARY 15, NOT ALL STAR NIGHT.
  • Open trading continues until January 31 and prior to beginning of month 8 (Februrary) games (whichever comes first).
  • Players may still be traded after February 1st, however those players are not eligible for post season play.
  • Open trading resumes after game 130 is completed.
  • All trades must be reported to the Recorder of Trades (Bill).  If the trade involves players it must also be reported to the league Secretary (Dave).  If the trade involves money and / or draft picks it must also be reported to the league Banker (Tom).
  • You may only trade draft picks for the next coming draft until All Star Night.  On All Star Night you may begin trading picks two drafts into the future.
  • Player to be named trades only allowed on All Star Night.
  • No trade is official until the commissioners approve it. 
  • No players involved in a trade may be used until the commissioners approve the trade.
  • If a trade involves one of the commissioners, the other commissioner will review the trade.
  • If a trade involves both commissioners, the trade will be reviewed by a tie breaking board of Dave, Mark, and Tom.
  • The commissioners may consult the tie breaking board if so desired on any trade.

 

Free Agent Options

  • Each team will be able to select up to 3 players from the free agent pool after February 1st.
  • These players cannot be kept in the future or used in the playoffs. 
  • They are meant to help avoid usage problems and discourage player to be named trades.
  • Selections must be coordinated with the commissioner and the league secretary and are not eligible to be used until the commissioner approves the transaction.
  • If two teams select the same player at the same time, the team with the worse record gets priority.
  • A player must be cut from the team’s roster to maintain a 40 man roster.  This player will become part of the free agent pool, but his usage will be in effect if he is selected by another team.

 

Statistics

  • Each team will keep statistics for their team.
  • Minimum statistics are defined by the categories listed in the SWSSL Monthly Newsletter.
  • Statistics for the prior month should be turned in to the league statistician by the 15th of the following month. No exceptions!
  • You will get credit for on-time statistics as long as your statistics include at least one entire series more than the prior month.
  • If you have any problems meeting this deadline, contact the league statistician.
  • Late statistics will be punishable according to the following schedule:

1st time late           $50,000     2nd time late        $100,000     3rd time late       $150,000

  • Trades must be detailed to assist the statistician in keeping an accurate league roster.
  • When listing statistics for a player that has been traded, list only the statistics he has accumulated with your team.
  • Each team must keep a pitching chart showing starting rotation, relief pitchers, injuries, roster moves, etc and have it available when playing to verify any questions regarding player usage.   In addition a copy of this chart should be turned in with your monthly stats.
  • Doing statistics is part of being in this league. If you don’t do your statistics it is assumed you don’t want to be in the league!

 

 

Annual Dues

·         Annual league dues are due no later than August 15th.  You can pay your annual dues to either of the commissioners (Art and Bill) or the league statistician (Dave).  This amount covers the cost of trophies, mailings, and the league set of cards.  If payment is not received by August 15th you will no longer be a member of the league.  No exceptions.

·         Dues Choices:

o    $20 – Covers trophies, cards, and internet access ONLY to all league documents.

o    $25 – Covers everything above plus you will get mailed league documents.

 

 

SWSSL Money

  • $75,000 annual revenue paid after each year's draft will be "earned" under the following schedule:

$25,000 "earned" by having all your games played through month 6 (Dec.) by All Star Night.

$25,000 is "earned" by having all your games played through month 9 (March / end of season) by the first Wednesday after March 31st.

$25,000 will still be paid for just "breathing".

 

  • Final Standings Bonus Revenue. At the end of the season teams are awarded bonus revenue based on the standings of the season as follows:

Best Winning Percentage $14000

2nd Best Winning Percentage $13000

.

.

Worst Winning Percentage $1000

 

  • Statistics Performance Bonus Revenue. At the end of the season teams are awarded bonus revenue for perfect "on-time" statistics performance during the season as follows:

Best Winning Percentage $1000

2nd Best Winning Percentage $2000

.

.

Worst Winning Percentage $14000

 

  • Statistical Leaders Bonus Revenue. At the end of the season teams are awarded $1000 bonus revenue for individual statistical leaders in each division in the categories listed in the league newsletter as follows:

Hits                                                                                                         Wins

Home Runs                                                                                           Saves

Runs Batted In                                                                                     Earned Run Average

Batting Average                                                                                   Appearances

Doubles                                                                                                 Strikeouts

Triples                                                                                                    Innings Pitched

Stolen Bases

Runs

Walks

 

MVP in each division ($2000)

Cy Young in each division ($2000)

Rookie of the Year in each division ($2000)

 

 

 

Draft Rules

  • Each season, in May, the SWSSL Rookie and Free Agent drafts are conducted (in that order).
  • The Rookie draft will consist of 4 rounds of all players who have never had a SOM card before.
  • The Rookie draft will be conducted in order by the results of a draft lottery (see Lottery Rules).
  • Teams may purchase extra rookie picks for $30000 in successive rounds. (After any unusual play rookie picks.)

 

  • The Free Agent draft will consist of 10 rounds of all players not designated as rookies AND not on a SWSSL roster.
  • The Free Agent draft will be conducted in order by the results of a draft lottery (see Lottery Rules).
  • Free Agents are graded as follows:  A = $30000,  B = $15000,  C = $5000,  D = $1000
  • At a team's pick in the Free Agent draft, you may choose any player of any grade as long as you have sufficient funds to acquire that player.

 

  • After the Free Agent draft, teams may purchase extra rookie picks for $30000 in successive rounds.

 

  • The drafts are timed.  Each team will get 3 minutes per pick.  If a team has not made their pick in that time, the next team has 3 minutes to draft.  After the next team drafts, the “skipped” team must announce their draft pick immediately or the the draft continues with the next pick.  Etc….
  • Money is NOT frozen during the Rookie and Free Agent drafts.
  • Teams must cut back to the 40 man roster size limit by the end of Rookie and Free Agent draft night.

 

  • A Cut Player Draft will be conducted two weeks after the Rookie and Free Agent drafts.  Teams can draft “cut” players only.  The Cut Player Draft will be conducted via phone/email and will proceed in reverse winning percentage order (not lottery order).

 

Lottery Rules

  • There will be two lotteries conducted.  One for the Rookie draft and one for the Free Agent draft.
  • The lottery determines the order of the 1st round ONLY.  Succeeding rounds are seeded in reverse winning percentage order.
  • The 8 non-playoff teams will be in the lotteries.
  • The lottery will consist of “100 balls” to be distributed to each team as follows:
    • 7th best winning percentage = 1 ball
    • 8th best winning percentage = 2 balls
    • 9th best winning percentage = 5 balls
    • 10th best winning percentage = 10 balls
    • 11th best winning percentage = 14 balls
    • 12th best winning percentage = 18 balls
    • 13th best winning percentage = 23 balls
    • 14th best winning percentage = 27 balls

 

    • The 14th best winning percentage can get no worse than the 3rd pick.
    • The 13th best winning percentage can get no worse than the 4th pick.
    • The 12th best winning percentage can get no worse than the 5th pick.
    • After the first three slots are determined, and the 12th thru 14th best records are placed according to the above limits, the remaining slots are determined by reverse winning percentage of the remaining teams.

 

  • The 6 playoff teams will be seeded  9-14 for each draft by reverse winning percentage.

 

Roster Moves

  • 2 moves per series.  The moves can be any 2 players that the manager chooses.  The moves must be made before the series.
  • Each team must keep a copy of the SWSSL Game Trak spreadsheet showing players used for each series.  Each team will sign their opponent’s sheet for the series being played.

 

 

Injuries

  • The following injury chart is to be used when an injury occurs on a batter's card:

 

20-sided die roll                                    Injury Length

1-2-3                                                       no injury

4-5-6-7                                                    1 game

8-9-10                                                     2 games

11-12-13                                                 3 games

14 thru 20                                               4 games

 

  • If a player is injured, he is out for the remainder of the game plus the injury length.
  • Players with 400 or more adjusted ABs may be injured only twice during the regular season.  Maximum injury length for these players is 3 games per injury. (5 games total)
  • Players with 320 or more adjusted ABs may be injured only 3 times during the regular season.
  • All other players may be injured only 4 times during the regular season.
  • An injury occurs to the pitcher on the mound if three sixes are rolled while the DH is batting.
  • Starting pitchers are injured for the remainder of the game plus 7 additional games.
  • Relief pitchers are injured for the remainder of the game plus 2 additional games.
  • Pitchers with 160 or more adjusted  IPs or an asterisk may be injured only twice during the regular season.
  • Injuries occurring on the unusual play chart are separate from the above injury limitations.
  • Pinch hitters may be injured like any regular hitter.

 

Disabled List

  • Injured players may be placed on a 7 game disabled list.
  • The injured player is replaced by a player from the minor league roster.
  • At the end of 7 games the disabled player may be recalled.
  • If the disabled player is recalled, a player from the major league roster must be sent to the minor league roster to maintain the 25 man major league roster size limit.
  • If the disabled player is not recalled, he is considered to be on the minor league roster.
  • Injured players may be placed on the DL at any time during the duration of the injury, and the 7 game period is retroactive to the point at which the player was injured.

 

 

Playoff Qualifications

  • The 2 division winners plus 2 wild cards in each division make the playoffs.
  • Regular season tiebreakers:

First Place

2 way - 1 game playoff. Coin flip determines home field advantage

3 way - 1 game round robin playoff. A team winning 2 games is the champion. The team

winning 1 game finishes 2nd and the team losing 2 games finishes 3rd. If the series is split

1-1-1 a coin flip will determine the placings.

4 way - The four teams coin flip to seed themselves for 1 game playoff. The two winners then

have a 1 game playoff to decide 1st place.

In all scenarios above, the losers are eliminated from 1st place but may still qualify for a wild card.

 

Wild Card

2 way - 1 game playoff. Coin flip determines home field advantage.

3 way - 1 game round robin playoff. A team winning 2 games wins the wild card. If the series is

split 1-1-1 a coin flip will determine the placings.

4 way - The four teams coin flip to seed themselves for 1 game playoff. The two winners then

have a 1 game playoff to decide the wild card. The losers are eliminated.

5 way - Start the season over and replay all 130 games.

NOTE.....First place ties are decided first and then wild cards.

NOTE.....Tie for 2nd and 3rd decided by head to head result.  If tied, coin flip.

 

- Round 1

-          The two conference winners get a bye in this round.

-          The two wild card teams in each conference play in this round.

 

- Round 2

-          The winners of the Round 1 playoffs play the bye teams in each conference.

 

- Round 3 (SWSSL World Series)

-          The winners of the Round 2 playoffs play in the SWSSL World Series.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2 - PLAY OF THE GAME RULES

SOM rules govern the play of the game in the SWSSL. The following rules outline the SWSSL enhancements, modifications, and clarifications of the standard SOM rules.

 

Starting Pitcher Rules (SWSSL Modifications / Enhancements)

  • Each team must use at least a 4 man rotation.
  • Only starting pitchers with an (*) after their names on the SOM roster sheet may pitch with 3 games rest between starts.
  • All other starting pitchers must have 4 games rest between starts.
  • A starter/reliever must rest 3 games between a relief appearance and a start.
  • Refer to the SWSSL Relief Pitcher Resting Chart for rest required between a start and a relief appearance.
  • Starters become automatically fatigued after pitching 11 innings.
  • Relief pitchers may not start.
  • Position players may not pitch.
  • Starting pitchers for each game are announced BEFORE determining the weather.

 

Relief Pitcher Rules (SWSSL Modifications / Enhancements)

  • Relief Pitcher Resting Chart

0 - 2 IP                                    no rest required

2.1 - 4 IP                                 1 day rest required

4.1 - 6 IP                                 2 days rest required

6.1 or more                             3 days rest required

3 games in a row                   1 day rest required

 

  • Relief pitchers must be announced as "warming up" prior to their use.
  • After a relief pitcher is announced as "warming up" the current pitcher must face one more batter before he can be relieved.
  • Limit of two relievers warming up at a time.
  • Relief pitchers who are warming up in the bullpen should have their cards separated from the rest of their team's card to avoid any confusion.
  • A pitcher who has pitched in the prior inning is not required to face the first batter of the next inning.
  • At the start of an inning, the defensive manager must announce who is starting the inning and who (if anyone) is warming up.

 

  • Relief Pitcher Fatigue Rules. Relief pitchers become fatigued based on the number of batters retired. Examples:

(2) reliever Can become fatigued after he retires 3 batters or is responsible for 3 outs.

(3) reliever Can become fatigued after he retires 6 batters or is responsible for 6 outs.

(4) reliever Can become fatigued after he retires 9 batters or is responsible for 9 outs.

  • A relief pitcher (or starter) can also become fatigued after allowing any of the following:

5 runs in 1 IP     6 runs in 2 IP     7 runs in 3 IP     (Note, does not matter if these runs are earned or unearned.)

  • The maximum number of innings a reliever can pitch before becoming automatically fatigued is endurance factor plus 2 IP.
  • We are using the SOM closer rule.
  • A relief pitcher can only pitch 1 inning when pitching in his third consecutive game.  The only exception is when this is your last pitcher.  In this case the pitcher is automatically tired after 1 inning.

 

Unusual Plays (SWSSL Modification)

  • When a dice total of 5 is rolled with the three error dice on an X-Fielder chance a SWSSL unusual play occurs. Reroll the 20-sider and refer to the SWSSL Unusual Play chart for that position to determine result.

 

Fielders Out of Position (SWSSL Modification)

  • A “5-Fielder” refers to a player playing a position that is not listed on his card. 
  • All other available fielders on a team's 25 man roster must be used at the given position before a player can field a position not on his card.
  • A player with a 5 rating for a position on his card is eligible to start a game at that position.
  • In the event it becomes necessary to field a player at a position not listed on his card the following occurs:

The fielder is a "5" range.

The fielder will have the worst possible E-rating for the position.

OF and C will have a +5 arm.

C have a 1-20 T-rating.

  • If a team has no player at a position on the 25 man roster because of injuries (before the start of the

game) the team must get one via one of the following means:

Trade

DL an injured player and recall a replacement from the minors

Minor league move (if between series)

 

Outfielders Out of Position (SWSSL Modification)

  • OFs are subject to the following out of position rules.
  • These moves apply AFTER the 7th inning of a game. Prior to this point, regular fielders out of position
  • rules apply.
  • A CF may move to either LF or RF without penalty.
  • A RF may move to LF without penalty.
  • A LF may move to RF but his range must be increased by 1 increment.
  • A player must have CF on his card in order to play CF (otherwise regular fielder out of position rules
  • apply).

 

Cutoff Rule (SWSSL Modification)

  • If a throw is made on a lead runner, then all other runners advance an additional base.
  • If a throw is NOT made on a lead runner, then all other runners do NOT advance an additional base.
  • This does not apply to fly ball advancement. Trailing runners do not advance on fly balls in SWSSL.

 

Infield In / Corners In (SWSSL Clarifications)

  • With a runner on third, the pitcher and catcher are ALWAYS in unless the defensive manager specifies
  • otherwise.
  • The pitcher and catcher must be either BOTH in or BOTH back.
  • SWSSL does not use the "clarified" SOM rule regarding GB1, GB2, and GB3 to pitchers and catchers.

 

Hit and Run (SWSSL Clarification)

  • Hit and run is not allowed after a reading of 1AND2 occurs when attempting to bunt.
  • Hit and run is not allowed with 2 outs.
  • Hit and run is not allowed with a runner on third base.

 

Designated Hitter (SWSSL Clarification)

  • SWSSL uses the DH.
  • If the DH is moved to a fielding position, that team loses its DH and the pitcher must bat.
  • A position player already in the lineup may not move to DH.

 

Miscellaneous (SWSSL Modifications and Clarifications)

  • SWSSL does not use the "new" SOM triple play rule. All lineout-max may become a triple play.
  • SWSSL does not use the SOM individual balk, wild pitch, and passed ball rule.
  • The minimum safe chance on any steal attempt is 1 out of 20.
  • For all throws to third base from RF add 2 to the runner's speed and from LF subtract 2 from the
  • runner's speed.
  • SWSSL does not use the SOM "Runner Advancement to 3rd on Fly (RF) B rule.
  • SWSSL does not use the "clarified" SOM rule regarding GB1, GB2, and GB3 to pitchers and catchers.
  • SWSSL does not use the SOM rule regarding bunting with the bases loaded.
  • SWSSL does not use the SOM rule regarding catcher plate blocking.
  • SWSSL does not use the SOM rule regarding outfielders “robbing” home runs.
  • The closer rule was "clarified" in the following circumstance. In a situation where a reliever entered the game BEFORE the closer rule was in effect and got tired BEFORE the closer rule was in effect, does not "recover" once the closer rule is encountered. Once a pitcher is "tired" he cannot "recover".

 

All Star Game Alignment

Will follow the divisional alignment.

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3 - PLAYOFF RULES

The following rules apply during the playoffs only.

 

Usage Limitations

  • Players with less than 320 adjusted ABs are limited 10% of their plate appearances per series.
  • Relief pitchers limited to 15% of IPs per series.
  • Starting pitchers with an asterisk can start 3 times in a series if rest allows.
  • Starting pitchers with 80 or more adjusted  IPs can start twice in a series.
  • Starting pitchers with less than 80 adjusted  IPs can start once in a series.

 

Injuries

  • All injuries are for the remainder of the game plus 1 additional game unless a 1-2-3 is rolled on the 20-sider. These players are not injured and may remain in the game.
  • Regular season injury limitations do not apply in the playoffs.
  • A player may be injured any number of times in the playoffs.
  • These injury rules also apply to pitchers.
  • Injuries incurred during the regular season carry over into the playoffs in full. Remember to count the off day between the end of the season and the start of the playoffs.

 

Pitchers

  • A (*) starter may pitch with 2 games rest in the playoffs.
  • All other starters must have 3 games rest between starts in the playoffs.
  • Rotations and reliever rest carry over from the regular season.
  • Pitchers who are starters only may relieve in the playoffs also. These pitchers are considered to have a relief endurance factor of (1) and a closer rating of (N).
  • Starting pitchers may begin on "shortened" rest immediately in the playoffs. For example, an (*) starter who started in game 130 can start game 2 of the playoffs (needs 2 days off instead of the usual 3). 1 day off between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs and 1 day off for game 1 of the playoffs.
  • A starter/reliever must rest 2 days between a relief appearance and a start.

 

Schedule

  • 1 day off between the end of the regular season and Round 1 of the playoffs.
  • All series are best of 7 as follows:

Game 1 Home – Day,  Game 2 Home – Night,  Game 3 Road – Day,  Game 4 Road – Night, 

Game 5 Home – Day,  Game 6 Road – Night,  Game 7 Home - Night

  • 1 day off between Round 1 and Round 2 of the playoffs.
  • 2 days off between Round 2 and the SWSSL World Series.
  • Teams with Round 1 byes have 6 days off between the regular season and Round 2 of the playoffs.

 

Miscellaneous

  • A 25 man roster is declared at the start of the playoffs for each team.
  • No DL moves, minor league moves, or trades during the playoffs.
  • A "5" fielder may start a game in the playoffs if all other players at that position are injured.

 

Tiebreaker Game(s)

  • Tiebreaker games will be played as a regular season game in a continuation of the last month. This means 40 man roster, and players who are out of AB/IP are out, etc.
  • No days off between the end of the regular season and the start of the tiebreaker game(s).
  • The game is a day game played at the park of the team with the better head to head record. If head to head records are tied, a coin flip will determine the home team.
  • Statistics in tiebreaker games count toward regular season totals.