Player Usage Restrictions

* A. STARTING PITCHERS 1. All pitchers' usage is limited by AIM to 110% of their actual usage except as noted below. 2. Starting pitchers with grades 6 or 7 will have their Maximum Batters Faced (MBF) total increased to allow them their actual starts plus 25%, to a maximum of 32 starts. 3. Starting Pitchers with grade 5 or less will have their MBF edited to allow for twice their actual starts to a maximum of 36 starts. 4. Days of rest required for pitchers is determined by AIM and therefore there are no restrictions. If a pitcher is Ready or Rested, he can start with no fear of AIM injury. A pitcher can start on short rest, but risks an AIM injury if he is in a fatigued condition (Tired, Bushed, or Worn Out). Once a pitcher's RUse has reached 0% he is effectively done for the regular season (though he would be eligible for the postseason). 5. All pitchers receiving grades 1 or 2 on the data disk will be upgraded through Wizard to grade 3. * B. RELIEF PITCHER 1. Relief pitchers with grade 6 or higher have the built-in 10% bonus with the MBF. 2. Relief pitchers with grade 5 or lower will have their MBF doubled. 3. Split-grade pitchers of starting grade 8 or more are subject to the 10% bonus built into the MBF. 4. Split-grade pitchers of starting grade 7 or less will have their MBF adjusted according to their number of starts and their relief role. If the player's grade is significantly higher in relief and his starts were minimal, the adjustment would be small if any. 5. Any pitcher may start a game IF he started a game in MLB (even if he only has a relief rating). The team status report reflects what his starting grade is and how many workable batters he has if starting. 6. There is no restriction on days of rest when going from starting to relieving and vice versa except that imposed by fatigue status. 7. Each team will be allowed to request adjustment of up to two relievers in efforts to dictate to the micromanager how they are used (e.g., closer, setup, etc.). Allowable adjustment is to the actual save values. Most micromanagers use the pitcher with the highest actual saves totals as the primary closer. If a manager prefers to have someone else close for him, he can request that up to two relievers' actual save totals be raised or lowered. The amount that a pitcher's save total can be raised can be no greater than the actual number of relief appearances the pitcher made minus his W/L record. * C. NONPITCHERS 1. Players' usage is totally controlled by AIM, which will usually limit a player to at or near his real-life games total or plate appearance total. 2. Players who receive a 930 PR (OPS<.600) can exceed their actual totals. * D. STEALING 1. Base stealers will be limited to their actual stolen base attempts plus 15%. This includes attempts made during hit & run plays and squeezes. EXAMPLE: 32 SB + 8 CS = 40 attempts x 1.15 = 46 attempts allowed. 2. Stolen base attempt amounts will be checked periodically during the year; however, it is the responsibility of each manager to monitor his own players usage. 3. Flagrant violation of SB or H&R usage restrictions may result in sanctions imposed by the Commissioner.