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apbacard.jpg (11168 bytes) TCWBA CONSTITUTION- 4/12/10

Contents:

 

 

I- GOVERNMENT

COMPOSITION

  • The TCWBA will consist of eighteen teams divided into three divisions of six teams each.
  • The divisions will be named Bob Prince, Harry Caray and David Hamilton.
  • Each team will be managed by one person, although an assistant may be used, subject to commissioner approval
    •

    LEADERSHIP

  • The TCWBA will be run under the direction of one person, the commissioner. His decision on any matter will be final.
  • Rule changes will be done by the commissioner requesting a vote on the proposed change.
  • The commissioner may judge a proposal to be so important, that league approval with a 2/3 affirmative vote, is required.
    •

    COMMISSIONER

  • The commissioner (or his delegate) will be responsible for administering all items relating to the league.
    •

    DUES

  • League dues currently will be $25.00 (Subject to Change).
  • League dues will be paid by opening day October 1st.
  • If not received by October 1st then the team(s) will forfeit their #1 dp in the following free agent draft.
    •

    EXPANSION

  • Upon a 3/4 affirmative vote by the league, expansion will be permitted to the size approved.
  • The expansion team(s) roster will be filled by all existing teams protecting 12 players.
  • The new team(s) will select one player from each team per round.
  • At the conclusion of each round, the existing teams will then protect two more players.
  • This process will continue until the expansion team(s) has 32 players.
    •

    SEASON
  • The TCWBA regular season will run from October 1 thru March 30th.
    •

     

     

    II- PLAYERS & LIMITS

    ELIGIBLE

  • Any player, including XB's, that receive an APBA card for the current year.
  • Non-carded players may be carried on the roster of any team, if the player remains on a roster since last carded.
    •

    LIMITS - OFFENSE

    Player game limits are calculated as follows:

  • MLB PA per game @ 3.1 or more = actual games
  • MLB PA per game between 2.4 and 3.09 = actual games x 0.7 (fraction is rounded off)
  • MLB PA per game less than 2.4 = actual plate appearances rounded up to the next 5 appearances.
    •

    LIMITS - DEFENSE

  • The commissioner will publish a list of qualified defensive starting positions, in the form of official rosters.
  • Active rosters must have eligible defensive players listed for all positions and at least one backup for:
  • C-1B-2B-3B-SS-OF. It is suggested that you have two backup OF’s active.
  • Players who are eligible to play multiple positions are counted as the backup for any and all eligible positions.
    •

    QUALIFICATION FOR DEFENSIVE STARTING POSITIONS

  • Played five games at the position in the last MLB season (or)
  • Played 5% of games at the position if actual games are less than 100
  • Players not qualifying may be used only as an injury or ejection replacement to complete a game in progress.
  • Approved players will be used first & if none are available, then any APBA rated player for that position will be used
  • If none of the above are available, any player may be used to finish the game.
    •

    LIMITS - PITCHERS

    All pitchers regardless of grade are restricted to actual number of starts.

  • All AB, AC, A, B & C pitchers are further restricted to actual number of innings pitched as a starter and/or reliever, rounded up to the next 5 innings.
  • Grade “D” pitchers do not have any innings pitched limits.
  • Any Grade "D" pitcher may be used in relief.
  • Any non-pitcher, with any grade will be limited to actual innings pitched.
    •

    MLB SEASON

  • In the case of an abbreviated MLB season all limitation factors will be adjusted to reflect a 162 game season.
    •

    OVERUSE

    Teams that overuse players will receive the following penalty(s) based on games/plate appearances for position players or starts/innings for pitchers:

  • Level 1.. Any overuse, the team loses their 5th round pick in the next free agent draft.
  • Level 2.. Overuse is 10% or more of limit, the player will become a free agent and the team loses their 5th round pick in next draft.
  • Level 3.. If a playoff team and position player overuse exceeds what that team needed to qualify for playoff berth, Level 2 penalty is applied and player is ineligible for playoff games.
  • Level 3.. If a playoff team and pitcher overuse is 5% or more of limit, Level 2 penalty is applied and player is ineligible for playoff games.
    •

    The Commissioner reserves the right to remove a manager if the overuse is deemed exceptional and intentional.

     

     

    III- ROSTER SIZE

    OFF SEASON

  • Unlimited
    •

    PRE & POST FREE AGENT DRAFT

  • At the specified date, all teams will reduce to 30 players (carded or not).
  • Expansion team(s) will reduce to 40 players (carded or not).
  • Teams may reduce to less than the required limit & gain bonus draft picks, equal to the excess reduction
  • After completion of the free agent draft, roster size is unlimited.
    •

    REGULAR SEASON

  • On the date designated, all teams will reduce their roster size, including uncarded players to 33 players.
    •

    REGULAR SEASON – ACTIVE ROSTER

  • Maximum of 25 players may be carried on the active roster during the season. All others are inactive.
  • All carded players on all rosters are active for the final five series that each team has scheduled.
  • You must have qualified defensive players as noted in “Players & Limits”.
  • Active & inactive players may be exchanged without limitation at the beginning of each series vs a new team.
  • You must have the same active & inactive players for both the home & away games vs one team.
    •

    UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS
  • Any carded player not on a roster, will be placed in the next free agent draft.
    •

     

     

    IV- TRADES

    RULES

  • All trades shall be reported promptly, to the commissioner or other person designated to record such.
  • The commissioner will rule on any disputed trade
  • The commissioner may declare any trade void, in the best interest of the association.
    •

    GENERAL RULES – OFF SEASON

    The interval will be after the completion of our regular season, whichever is later until a designated date prior to the free agent draft and then again from the end of the draft until a designated date prior to the beginning of the season.

  • May involve any player on the involved teams roster, without restriction
  • May include draft picks, for the upcoming free agent draft but are restricted to the following:
  • The commissioner will publish a list of the draft order and trading of picks will not be allowed until such listing.
  • Only current year draft picks for rounds 1-8 may be traded
  • Each team must always retain six picks.
  • In the week prior to the free agent draft (after cutdown to 30), draft picks may not be traded.
    •

    GENERAL RULES – IN SEASON

    The in-season trading period, will be the last week of January. Trades made during this time must be for equal player amounts and restricted to all three of the following:
  • A maximum of three players per team. In other words just one trade with the same team
  • A maximum of five players for one team during this period.
  • No more that three trades per team during this period.
    •

     

     

    V- FREE AGENT DRAFT

    CUTS

  • Prior to the draft at a specified date, all teams will notify the commissioner of their cuts reducing their roster to 30 or less, except expansion teams, in their first year.
  • Teams reducing to less than the required limit, gain bonus draft picks equal to the excess reduction.
  • Bonus picks will begin with round nine.
    •

    FREE AGENTS

  • All carded players, not on an TCWBA roster, are eligible to be drafted.
    •

    DRAFT ORDER

  • Except as noted in the next paragraph, teams will pick in the inverse order of the previous seasons winning percentage in each round, unless a penalty is assessed.
  • Expansion teams will draft after all teams losing 100 games in the previous season or sixth, whichever is lower.
    •

    The first five draft picks of the FIRST round, will be determined by a weighted drawing involving the five teams with the lowest won loss percentage from the previous season.

  • Only the five teams with the lowest won-loss percentage will have the chance to draw the first overall selection.
  • The team winning the draw will have the first pick overall. The other four teams will draft according to the results of the lottery.
  • If any of the "lottery" picks are traded, the acquiring manager/team will take the place of the original team & be in the lottery procedure.
    •

    LOTTERY METHOD

    The commissioner will select a date for the lottery based on a designated state daily three digit number.

    The team that comes the closest to that number will receive the number one pick and the other four selections will be determined by how close they were to that number.

  • The team with the lowest winning percentage will submit five three digit numbers to the commissioner. Example…(000-999).
  • The team with with the second lowest will submit four three digit numbers.
  • The team with the third lowest will submit three three digit numbers.
  • The team with the fourth lowest will submit two three digit numbers.
  • The team with the fifth lowest will submit one three digit number.
    •

    TIEBREAKER

    Ties for draft pick seeding will be broken in the following manner & order:

  • Record vs each other ..team with more losses/worse pct is awarded the better pick
  • Best away pct vs all teams ..team with better pct is awarded the better pick
  • Division standing ..team with lower position is awarded the better pick
  • Coin flip ..winner receives the better pick in odd numbered rounds
    •

    LENGTH & TIME

  • The draft will consist of eight scheduled rounds, followed by bonus picks.
  • The draft will be held, online or by telephone on a date designated by the commissioner in June.
  • Starting time will be 10:00 AM- EST
    •  WAIVER PERIOD FREE AGENCY
  • Following the final cutdown to 33 and prior to the regular season, a three day waiver period will exist.
  • During that period, any team may claim any player (carded or not) that was waived in the final cut to 33.
  • Waiver draft order will be the same original drafting order used in the last free agent draft.
  • A maximum of one claim is permitted per team in each round with three total rounds.
  • For each claim awarded, an equal number of players must be cut from your roster.
    •

     

     

    VI- PITCHING

    ROTATION

  • Each team must set a starting rotation that complies with rest requirements.
  • The away games, for each series, will be considered to be first.
  • The rotation is sequential from the first away series thru the home series and into the next away series.
  • The rotation may be altered by either skipping a starter or inserting an additional starter.
    •

    APPEARANCES

  • Starting pitchers must have at least three games rest between starts.
  • Any starter who can also relieve, must have 3 games rest between starting and a relief appearance or vice versa
  • Byes do NOT count as 3 games rest.
    •

     

     

    VII- BATTING

    DESIGNATED HITTER

    The DH may be used in any game as stated by the official rules of Major League baseball

    “A batter may be designated to bat for the pitcher, prior to the beginning of the game. Any eligible player may be substituted for that batter and he will become the designated hitter. If the designated hitter takes a defensive position, the pitcher will then bat in the place of the replaced defensive player and use of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game.”

    PITCHERS HITTING OR RUNNING
  • Pitchers may not bat unless use of the DH has been voided as per major league rules or not used at all.
  • They are further restricted to their actual plate appearances and may never be used as a pinch hitter.
  • Pitchers may be used as a pinch runner.
    •

     

     

    VIII- SERIES PLAY

    INSTRUCTIONS

  • The visiting manager shall mail his instructions to the opposing manager, by the 7th day of each month for all games scheduled within that month.
  • The instructions will include active roster, lineups, pitching rotation, relief pitchers, injury replacements and strategy.
  • After receiving results of the series the manager should check the scoresheet and stats for errors & update his year to date statistics.
    •

    GAME PLAY & RESULTS

    The home manager shall play all games scheduled for a month & have results compiled and sent to the visiting manager by the last day of the scheduled month.

    After completing the series the home manger must:

  • Compile stats for both teams
  • Update his own team statistics
  • Send a copy of the series stats and game scores with highlights to the visiting manager.
  • Send a series stat report and game scores with highlights to the commissioner.
    •

    STATS

    The following statistics will be kept:

  • Batting (G-AB-R-HT-RBI-2B-3B-HR-BB-K-HBP-SB-CS-SF-SAC-DP-E)
  • Pitching (G-GS-CG-IP-HT-R-ER-HR-BB-K-W-L-SV-ShO)
    •

    PENALTIES

    If any manager fails to send instructions or results as outlined above, the other manager involved will notify the commissioner. He may then receive permission to play the games, with any competitive lineup & pitching rotation of his choice. He will ignore any results or instructions received in violation of the above stated rules.
  • Any manager falling more than one month behind, without extenuating circumstances, will be replaced.
  • In lieu of replacement, the commissioner may assess whatever penalty he feels is appropriate.
    •

     

     

    IX- PROTESTS

    METHOD

  • If the visiting manager believes he has valid grounds for protesting, he should notify the commissioner and the opposing manager with a note explaining the reason for the protest.
  • If the protest is upheld, the home manager should then replay the game from the point of protest, issue revised stats and notify the commissioner of the replay result.
    •

    DISPUTES
  • If the two managers cannot reach agreement on how to handle the protest, the commissioner will arbitrate a settlement or issue a ruling.
    •

     

     

    X- PLAYOFFS

    TIME FRAME & PARTICIPANTS

  • Immediately following the regular schedule.
  • The first place teams of each division and the best overall 2nd place team (W/L Pct), will enter the playoffs.
  • In case of a tie for 1st place or wild card berth, a one game playoff will determine the participant.
  • TIEBREAKER rule (see Free Agent Draft) will be used to determine the home team if two or more teams have the same record.
  • All playoff games will be played on-line via AOL chat room or face to face.
    •

    SCHEDULE

  • The best W/L pct team will play the “wild card” team and the other two teams will meet.
  • In the case of a wild card team being in the same division as the best pct team, then the best pct team will play the worst pct pennant winning team and the other two teams will meet.
  • In either case, the two teams will meet for the championship.
  • Both the playoffs and World Series will be a best of seven series.
  • The team having the best winning percentage, will be home for games 1, 2 and if necessary 6, 7
  • The “wild card” team will always be away for games 1,2 & 6,7 in either the playoffs or championship.
    •

    ROSTER

  • All teams will be restricted to 25 active players for both the playoffs and the same 25 for the World Series.
  • Those active will be designated prior to the beginning of the league playoffs.
    •

    INJURIES

  • All injuries will be enforced as per our regular season rules. That is the J-factor will apply.
    •

    GAME LIMITS PER SERIES/ROUND - FIELDERS

  • 7 games if season limit was 120 or more games.
  • 6 games if season limit was 40-119 games.
  • 2 games if season limit was less than 40 games.
  • 7 plate appearances if regular season limit of more than 30 PA
  • 3 pinch hits if regular season limit was less than 30 PA
  • The DH is mandatory for the start of each game.
    •

    LIMITS – STARTING PITCHERS

  • Must have two games rest between starts and/or relief appearances if rated at both.
  • Maximum of 11 innings per game.
  • Entire Post Season Limits J0=40 ip, J1=35 ip, J2=30 ip, J3=25 ip, J4=20 ip
    •

    LIMITS – RELIEF PITCHERS

  • 9 innings if season limit of 100 or more innings, each series/round.
  • 7 innings if season limit of 40 or more innings, each series/round.
  • 3 innings if season limit was less than 40 innings, each series/round.
  • Starters not allowed to relieve in regular season & not starting in playoffs may be used as a reliever.
    •

    ROTATION

    The starting rotation will be reset following the regular season and must be designated prior to the beginning of the playoff and continue in sequence through the World Series. The break between the playoffs and World Series, are NOT considered rest days. Any series ending prior to seven games will count as rest days equal to the number of unplayed games.

     

     

    XI- APBA FORMAT

    GAME BOARDS

  • MASTER GAME use is not allowed.
  • APBA's "Optional Scorer's Rule" (Error category) will not be used.
  • APBA's "Optional Base Coaching" (Playing safe) will not be used.
  • APBA Basic Game Boards (2006) will be used.
  • APBA Hit & Run Book & Sacrifice Book (2006) will be used.
  • Advanced APBA pitching and fielding rules will be used.
  • The APBA "ZZ", "K", "R" ratings will be used.
    •

    COMPUTER GAME
  • The APBA Computer will NOT be used.
    •

     

     

    XII- TCWBA ALTERATIONS

    ALL of the following alterations will be used for all TCWBA games.

    ERROR CARD
  • Used whenever the play result is 15-21 except when the result is "hit by pitcher".
  • Re-roll dice and use the following result:
    •

    11=15

    21=16

    31=18

    41=18

    51=19

    61=20

    12=15

    22=16

    32=18

    42=18

    52=19

    62=20

    13=15

    23=17

    33=18

    43=19

    53=20

    63=21

    14=15

    24=17

    34=18

    44=19

    54=20

    64=21

    15=16

    25=17

    35=18

    45=19

    55=20

    65=21

    16=16

    26=17

    36=18

    46=19

    56=20

    66=21

    FIELDER CHART

    Whenever the bases are empty & the play result is 18 or 20, the following fielding modification will be used:

  • 2B8 or SS9 or 3B5, roll 1 die … 1-3 out/ 4-6 error
  • 2B9 or SS10 or 3B6, roll 1 die . 1-4 out/ 5-6 error
    •

    Any play result of 21 (except hit by pitcher) the following calculation is to be used to determine fielding column:

  • 1B4/5= column 1
  • 1B3 = column 2
  • 1B2 = column 3
    •

    SLOW RUNNER CHART

    Used whenever the play result is 7 thru 11 and all three of following are correct. The slow runner will then advance safely the number of bases indicated.
  • The runner is slow and
  • The hit & run board is not in use and
  • The slow runner is on the following base.
    •

    Card result is

    7

    8

    9

    10

    11

    1st

    1

    1

    1

    1*$

    SR

    2nd

    2

    1

    1

    1

    SR

    1st & 2nd (slow @ 2nd)

    1*

    1

    1

    1

    SR

    1st & 3rd (slow @ 1st)

    1

    1

    1

    SR

    SR

    2nd & 3rd (slow @ 2nd)

    SR

    1

    1

    1

    SR

    Full (slow @ 1st or 2nd)

    1*

    1

    1

    1*$

    SR
    • 1 = one base
    • 2 = two bases
    •   * = with two outs 2 bases
    • $ = and batter steals 2nd
    • SR = same as regular boards

    UNUSUAL PLAY CARD

  • Used whenever the play result is 23 or 36-41, reroll dice & use the following result:
    •

    11=38

    21=41

    31=36

    41=41

    51=36

    61=41

    12=39

    22=36

    32=39

    42=40

    52=39

    62=37

    13=37

    23=23

    33=38

    43=23

    53=37

    63=23

    14=39

    24=40

    34=39

    44=36

    54=39

    64=40

    15=36

    25=36

    35=36

    45=36

    55=36

    65=40

    16=40

    26=40

    36=40

    46=40

    56=40

    66=38

     

    "35" RULE

    To encourage platooning and use of part-time players & assist switch hitters, the following rule will be used:

  • A hitter who faces an opposite side throwing pitcher, will be given a single, if play result "35" occurs including when the hit & run or sac is in use.
  • All base runners will SAFELY advance one base. Otherwise use the play boards as usual to determine the play result.
    •

    BALL/STRIKE

  • Any result of 14 (ball) and the pitcher has a Z, the result is changed to 14 (two balls).
  • NOTE: Per MLB rules, a foul ball is considered a strike unless the batter has two strikes.
    •

    HIT & RUN

  • Batter is limited to hit & run attempts equaling the 31's on his card, including results that hold the runner
  • Whenever a hit & run is called for, the APBA hit & run booklet will be used.
    •

    INJURIES

  • No injury will carry over to the next series.
  • After game 122, all injuries will be for that game only.
    •

    INJURY DURATION

  • No injury to a starting pitcher will be for more than “that game only”.
  • J0 = remainder of that game.
  • J1 = remainder of that game + 1 game.
  • J2 = remainder of that game + 2 games.
  • J3 = remainder of that game + 3 games.
  • J4 = remainder of the series.
    •

    PITCHING LIMIT/UPGRADE/DOWNGRADE

  • Starting pitchers may not be removed until he pitches 5 complete innings or allows 3 runs (earned or unearned).
  • No pitcher may exceed 11 innings in one game.
  • Starting pitchers - The current APBA upgrade/ downgrade format will be used.
  • Relief pitchers - The current APBA upgrade/ downgrade for relief pitchers will be used.
    • Additionally the upgrade will be applied when beginning an inning.
    Additionally the upgrade will continue in effect until he faces an opposite side batter or the inning ends.

    RAIN OUTS

  • There will be no rainouts. All will be recorded as a rain delay and continued.
  • Any pitcher continuing after the delay will be reduced one grade.
    •

     

     

    XIII- SCORING AIDS FROM MLB RULEBOOK

    10.04 - RBI .. A statistic credited to the batter whose action causes one or more runs to score as set forth in this section.

    (a) The official scorer shall credit the batter with a run batted in for every run that scores;

    (1) unaided by an error and as part of a play begun by the batter's safe hit (including homerun), sac bunt, sac fly, infield out or fielder's choice unless rule 10.04(b) applies.
    (2) by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full because of a base on balls, hit by pitcher, interference or obstruction; or
    (3) when before two are out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base ordinarily would score.

    (b) The official scorer shall NOT credit a run batted in;

    (1) when the batter grounds into a force double play or reverse force double play; or
    (2) when a fielder is charged with an error because the fielder muffs a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play

    10.07 - STOLEN BASE/ CAUGHT STEALING

    (h) The official scorer will charge a runner as "caught stealing" if such runner is put out or would have been put out by errorless play, when such runner

    (1) tries to steal;
    (2) is picked off and tries to advance; or
    (3) overslides while stealing

    10.16 - EARNED RUNS AND RUNS ALLOWED .. An earned run is a run for which the pitcher is held accoutable.

    In determining earned runs, the official scorer shall reconstruct the inning without the errors (which include catcher's interference) and passed balls, giving the benefit of the doubt always to the pitcher in determining which bases would have been reached by runners had there been errorless play. In determining earned runs an intentional base on balls, regardless of circumstances, shall be construed in exactly the same manner as any other base on balls.

    (a) The official scorer shall charge an earned run against a pitcher every time a runner reaches home by aid of safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, stolen base, putout, fielder's choice, base on balls, hit batters, wild pitch (including a wild pitch on a third strike that permits a batter to reach first base) BEFORE fielding chances have been offered to put out the offensive team. For purposes of this rule, a defensive interference penalty shall be construed as a fielding chance. A wild pitch is solely the pitchers fault and shall contribute to an earned run just as a base on balls or a balk.

    (b) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner who reaches first base;

    (1) on a hit or otherwise after his time at bat is prolonged by a muffed foul fly;
    (2) because of interference or obstruction; or
    (3) because of any fielding error.

    (c) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner whose presence on the bases is prolonged by an error, if such runner would have been put out by errorless play.

    (d) No run shall be earned when the scoring runner's advance has been aided by an error, a passed ball or defensive interference or obstruction, IF in the official scorer's judgment the run would not have scored with the aid of such misplay.

    (e) An error by the pitcher is treated exactly the same as an error by any other fielder in computing earned runs.

    (f) Whenever a fielding error occurs, the pitcher shall be given the benefit of the doubt in determining to which bases any runners would have advanced had the fielding of the defensive team been errorless.

    (g) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the official scorer shall not charge the relief pitcher with any runs (earned or unearned) scored by a runner who was on base at the time such relief pitcher entered the game, nor for runs scored by any runner who reaches base on a fielder's choice that puts out a runner left on base by any preceding pitcher.

    (h) A relief pitcher shall not be held accountable when the first batter to whom he pitches reaches first base on four called balls if such batter has the following counts when pitchers are changed. It will be charged to the preceding pitcher. Any other result except four balls will be charged to the relief pitcher.

    2 balls, 0 or 1 strike(s)
    3 balls, 0 or 1 or 2 strike(s)

    (i) When pitchers have changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall NOT have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.

    10.19 - SAVES FOR RELIEF PITCHERS

    The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets ALL 4 of the following conditions;

    (a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
    (b) He is not the winning pitcher;
    (c) He is credit with at least 1/3 of an inning pitched
    (d) He satisfies ONE of the following conditions:
    enters the game with a lead of no more than 3 runs pitches for at least one (complete) inning;
    enters the game, regardless of count, with the potential tying run either on base or at bat or on deck;
    he pitches effectively for at least 3 (complete) innings and maintains the lead.