INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 1 1)GENERAL INFORMATION: A)HISTORY: The IRBL was founded on Oct. 30, 1973 and began its first season in 1974. The IRBL originally used the Replay Baseball Board Game and was the first and longest running Replay Baseball Board Game league until the game ceased to be published at the conclusion of the 1991 IRBL season. From 1987 through 1991, the IRBL permitted managers to use either the Replay Baseball Board Game or the Pursue The Pennant (PTP) PC Baseball Game. From 1992 thru 1995, all IRBL managers used the PTP PC Baseball Game. At the end of 1995, the PTP PC Baseball Game changed ownership and was renamed to the Diamond Mind Baseball Game. From 1996 on, all IRBL managers must use the Diamond Mind Baseball Game. The IRBL retains its name, "The International Replay Baseball League", in memory of the Replay Baseball Board Game (the best baseball board game ever devised!). B)GENERAL RULES: All Official Baseball Rules, IRBL Rules and Diamond Mind Baseball (DMB) Rules will be followed, in that order of priority (whenever a conflict exists). Each manager must have a copy of the final official Major League Statistics (including batting pitching and fielding statistics) in order to calculate IRBL Player Limitations. C)LEGALITIES: All IRBL managers (other than managers who do not play any games) must own the latest version of the Diamond Mind Baseball Game and must purchase the current DMB Players Files (based on last year's actual Major League statistics) each year. The IRBL Menu Program is accompanied by full shareware versions of PKZIP and LIST. If an IRBL manager finds these programs useful, it is expected that each manager will comply with the registration requirements which can be found in those directories. 2)SCHEDULE: The IRBL consists of 6 divisions aligned the same as the Major Leagues (and will change as the Major Leagues change). There is a 162 game schedule consisting of from 35 to 40 series. Each series will consist of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 games. There will be one series date scheduled every 4 or 5 days, usually alternating between home and road. The season will span about 24 weeks (April thru September). The schedule will be published after the Rookie/Free Agent Draft. The number of road and home games each team plays against each other team and the post-season series format will be the same as the actual Major Leagues used during the Major League season that the current Diamond Mind Baseball Game Players Files were based on. 3)OFFICIAL IRBL PROGRAMS AND FILES: A)IRBL MENU PROGRAM: To simplify playing IRBL series using the Diamond Mind Baseball Game and to simplify distribution (and viewing) of IRBL Newsletters, IRBL documents, DMB player files and series results, the IRBL Menu Program was designed. Through the use of this program, all the scoresheets, boxscores, series totals and export files for each series are all combined into one unique file for easy transfer to the League Office. Each manager receives a series total text file for each road series so the scoresheets, boxscores and series statistics can easily be reviewed. The IRBL Menu Program is installed following the instructions provided to you by the League Office. The IRBL Menu Program is started by double-clicking its shortcut that should be on the Windows desktop. Instructions for using the IRBL Menu Program to play a series are detailed in IRBL Rule # 17. B)IRBL DMB PLAYERS FILES: After the final pre-season trading deadline and prior to the start of the IRBL season, the League Office will prepare the final IRBL DMB Players Files using the DMB Players Files with the teams sorted according to the final IRBL rosters. A combined player rating will be used or made for any player who played for more than one actual Major League team. The teams will be created using the actual Major League ballparks. The DMB "organization" will be named "IRBL" with the options set to: Designated hitter rule: DH Ok Injury rule: None Sacrifice fly rule: 3rd only, as SF Bullpen warmup rule: No Warmup INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 2 Transactions and lineups: Do not use transactions or lineups Use weather system: checked Limit bench playing time: checked Use clutch system: checked Automatically save Boxscores: Always Automatically save Boxscores Format: Expanded Automatically save Scoresheets: Always Automatically Game-by-game statistics: unchecked Automatically Game accounts (for stats transfer): checked Pre-season versions of the IRBL DMB Players Files will prepared by the League Office during the trading season. The revision date of the IRBL DMB Players Files can be see by selecting "Game-Scheduled" in the DMB game and looking at the "Org" box in the upper left area of the screen (i.e., IRBL League (4/10/14) (Org)). The IRBL DMB Players Files will be included and installed with an LRD (see rule # 3C). C)IRBL LEAGUE RESULTS FILES or LEAGUE RESULTS DISKETTE FILES (LRD): Approximately every 2 weeks, the League Office will prepare a new LRD which can be downloaded from the IRBL Internet Web site. Each manager will receive notification via email when the new LRD is available. You can also check the IRBL Internet Web site for an estimated date of the next LRD. The LRD will contain the IRBL Newsletter and related files. To display or print the newsletters or series results files, select the "Display or Print Series Results or Newsletter Files" choice from the main IRBL Menu. To view or print the IRBL League Results, execute the DMB baseball game and change the active database to C:\IRBL\LEAGUE.Y14 and select the appropriate reports screens. C1)LRD FILE NAMES: C1A)DURING THE SEASON: There are two LRD files to download: LRDzzz00.ZIP (which contains the files common to all teams, such as the newsletter and IRBL DMB Players Files) and LRDzzzxx.ZIP (which contains the series results (*.S14) files for each new series played by an opposing manager with your team; this file will also contain an LRDzzzxx.S14 text file that will list all the S14 files contained in this LRD). NOTE: zzz is the newsletter number and xx is the IRBL team number. For example, the DODGERS would download LRD51703.ZIP and LRD51703.ZIP. When you select the option to install the LRD, both LRD files will be installed at the same time. C1B)DURING THE OFF-SEASON: There is one LRD file to download: LRDzzzXX.ZIP. In addition to the newsletter, during the trading periods, the LRD will contain a set of IRBL DMB Players files which reflect all the trades. For example, all teams would download LRD550XX.ZIP. C2)FILE LOCATIONS: C2A)Place LRD's downloaded from the IRBL web site into the \IRBL\RESULTS.Y14 directory. C2B)PLAYER FILES: C2B1)LEAGUE FILES: The IRBL League Results DMB Players Files are automatically placed in the "\IRBL\LEAGUE.Y14" directory. To view the IRBL league results, set the active database (select "File- Change active database") to "\IRBL\LEAGUE.Y14" (i.e., Organization name: IRBL League (4/10/14)"). C2B2)SERIES FILES: The IRBL Series DMB Players Files are automatically placed in the "\IRBL\SERIES.Y14" directory. In the DMB game, to play an IRBL series, set the active database (select "File-Change active database") to "\IRBL\SERIES.Y14" (i.e., Organization name: IRBL Series (4/10/14)"). C3)LRD INSTALLATION: To install the LRD, download the LRD file to the C:\IRBL\RESULTS.Y14 directory and select "Install League Results file (LRD)" from the IRBL Menu Program. D)IRBL SERIES RESULTS ZIPFILE (SRZ): Each manager will prepare and email an INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 3 SRZ to the League Office after playing a series as detailed by Rule # 17. 4)ROSTERS: A)ROSTER SIZE: A1)Each team is allowed a maximum roster of 50 players (including rated players contained on the DMB Players Diskette for the current season and unrated players on the roster left over from previous seasons) at the close of the pre-season trading deadline (after the draft). Enough players must be released by the pre-season trading deadline to lower the team total to 50 or less. There is a roster limit of 60 players from the start of the pre-draft trading period until the pre-season trading deadline (if a trade is made that brings the roster over 60 players, players must be released to reduce the roster to 60 at the same time as the trade was reported). Enough unrated players must be released prior to the draft so that the total of players at the end of the draft does not exceed 60. A2)During the season, only 25 active players can be used in each series. A3)Each IRBL season uses the latest edition of the DMB Players Files (based on the last baseball season). A4)A player remains on a team's roster even if he is not on the DMB Players Files in future seasons (he becomes an unrated player). A5)If an unrated player is released, he will not be draftable until such future season that the player is again rated on a DMB Players Files. A6)When releasing players to reduce the roster to 50 players at the pre- season trading deadline, all unrated players must be released before a rated player can be released. If a team has >50 players, they must reduce the roster to 50 players but a team cannot release a rated player unless they have >50 rated players. A7)A deceased unrated player will automatically be dropped from a team's roster. A8)Each team must always have at least one player to back up every position on the 25 rated player active roster (one player can be the "back up" at more than one position). A player can be used as a "back up" if the player had at least one actual game played at that position, even if he the player does not have a rating for that position. If a team does not have a "back up" at a position on the active roster in a particular series and this oversight is not corrected and if that "back up" is needed in a game due to an ejection or injury, that team will forfeit the game should that team win that game. A9)NOTE: Although rule # 13B1 requires a team to reduce to <=N rated players, after the draft, through trades, a team can exceed "N" rated players. A10)If a manager does not reduce his roster to 50 players by the pre-season trading deadline or the maximum rated players at the pre-draft deadline or the 60 player limit during the trading periods or prior to the draft (counting the rated players that will be drafted), enough unrated players and then rated players (as required) will be deleted from his roster in alphabetical order until his roster is reduced to the maximum players allowed. B)ROSTER CHANGES DURING THE SEASON: Only 25 rated players can be used in each series. The players above 25 (for that series) must be placed on the Inactive List (IAL) for that series, as indicated on the team IAL sheet. The inactive players must be "Farmed" (using the appropriate DMB game option) prior to the start of the series. The 25 "active" players can be changed for each series but is fixed for the duration of a series (once a series begins). 5)TRADES and PLAYER RELEASES: A)Trades and player releases may only take place during the off-season during the two trading periods (pre-draft and pre-season). Rosters are frozen during the season. No players may be released during the draft. B)For a trade to be official, the League Office must be notified no later INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 4 than midnight (Eastern Time) of the following day (or the trading deadline, whichever occurs first) after the trade is completed by all managers involved in the trade. The managers confirming the trade must also report the date and time (Eastern Time) the trade was completed. Trade confirmation can be made by sending the League Office an Internet email, by telephone leaving a voice message, by fax or by next day delivery mail. Do not notify the rest of the managers. Once the League Office receives confirmations from all managers involved, the trade will be announced to all IRBL managers via email and will be listed in the next IRBL newsletter. C)All managers involved in a trade must have committed to being a manager for the season otherwise the trade will be voided. D)The rights to a team's draft picks can be traded but they must be specified by the team they are from and the round. E)Draft picks for the upcoming draft can only be traded during the pre- draft, off-season trading period. Draft picks for next year's season or any future seasons cannot be traded. F)All terms of the trade must be clearly specified. "Loaning" of players is not permitted. Terms such as "a player to be named later" or "future considerations" are not permitted. G)If a team uses a player that it does not legally control, the statistics for that player do not count (it will be listed as "illegally used player"), and all games that that player appears in that his team wins will be forfeited. H)The Commissioner will act as temporary General Manager (TGM) for all teams without a permanent manager and will negotiate all trades for these teams. As a general guideline, these teams will not trade away any draft picks or "star" players. I)The Commissioner reserves the right to void any player transaction that he thinks is not in the best interests of the IRBL. 6)MINIMUM PLAYER REQUIREMENTS: A team must draft or trade for players with enough allowable GP, AB and IP to fill every position. If a team cannot field a full team without exceeding season limitations, the team must then "over-use" the player (who plays that position) who has the worst B.Avg. or E.R.A. on his team but the manager will be subject to PUP (as per rule # 31). 7)FIELDING POSITIONS and REPLACEMENTS: A)A player can only be used at a position if he had at least 1 actual GP at that position (even if he is not rated for that position). A player cannot be used at a position for which he did not have at least 1 GP at except if an ejection or rule # 7B occurs with no replacement available. EXCEPTION: A player can be used at LF, CF or RF even if he is not rated for that position as long as he is rated at either LF, CF or RF. B)A player cannot be removed from a game if no players are available to play that position unless that team is losing or tied in the 9th inning or later. C)A pitcher cannot be used at another position that he did not have at least 1 actual GP at under rules # 7A or # 7B unless no other non-pitcher is available. 8)BATTING LIMITATIONS: Prior to the start of the season, each manager will receive a Player Useage Form (PUF) listing all the rated players on the team indicating the IRBL season batting limitations and noting the players with special limitations. Players may be used up to the following restrictions: A)If a player had <400 actual AB, then he is limited to either both rules # 8A1 and # 8A2 or just rule # 8A3: A1)IRBL AB <= actual AB + 75 or IRBL AB <= actual AB x 1.5, whichever is less. EXCEPTIONS: INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 5 1)If a player had <300 actual AB and an actual B.Avg. <.220 vs both left-handed and right-handed pitchers, then he is allowed up to 400 IRBL AB (except this increase will not apply if the player has a Vg or Ex "power rating" vs either left-handed or right-handed pitchers). A list of these players will be published by the League Office each season. 2)If a player had <400 actual AB (vs both type pitchers combined) and an actual B.Avg. >= .350 vs either left-handed or right-handed pitchers, then he is allowed IRBL AB <= actual AB (except this rule will not apply if actual AB is <21 vs that type of pitcher; in such a case, rule # 8D will apply instead). A list of these players will be published by the League Office each season. NOTE: AB (At Bats) includes all Plate Appearances except BB, HBP, SH, SF and Safe On Interference. A2)IRBL GP = actual GP + 10% or IRBL GP = 130 GP, whichever is greater. A3)As an alternate to rules # 8A1 and # 8A2, for those managers who would rather track their player useage by GP rather than AB, once you use rule # 8A1 to determine the AB limitations for your players, you may divide those AB limits by 4.5 to determine a new GP limit for each of those players. Those players would then be limited to this new GP total instead of the AB total. If you wish to use this alternate rule, you must use it for all your players that have an AB limit (you cannot use it for selective players). B)If a player had >=400 actual AB then he is limited to the following IRBL GP: ACTUAL GP ALLOWED IRBL GP <=130 actual GP + 10% >130 actual GP + 5% EXCEPTION: If a player did not appear in every game his actual team played he must be sat out at least one game during the IRBL season. C)When calculating season limits for batter's GP, do not "round off" numbers to the next highest integer (i.e., if a batter is limited to 140.8 GP, then he is limited to 140 GP, not 141). D)If a player had <21 actual AB vs either (or both) a left-handed or right- handed pitcher, then: D1)If he had <21 actual AB and an actual B.Avg. >= .250 or a "power rating" of "Vg" or "Ex" vs either (but not both) left-handed or right-handed pitchers, then he cannot start a game vs that type pitcher or enter a game vs that type pitcher (but he can remain in the game if a pitching change is made to that type pitcher while he is already in the game). A list of these players will be published by the League Office each season. D2)If he had <21 actual AB and an actual B.Avg. >= .250 or a "power rating" of "Vg" or "EX" vs both left-handed and right-handed pitchers, then he is allowed IRBL AB <= actual AB. A list of these players will be published by the League Office each season. 9)DESIGNATED HITTER: The DH Rule will be used in the AL and the NL. A player with only a pitching rating cannot be used as the DH. 10)A PITCHER can be used as a PINCH-HITTER: A)Up to his actual PH'ing appearances, or B)if he is pitching in a game, he can PH for the DH. 11)PITCHING LIMITATIONS: Prior to the start of the season, each manager will receive a Player Useage Form (PUF) listing all the rated players on the team indicating the IRBL season pitching limitations and noting the players with special limitations. All the following restrictions are used in conjunction with each other (none can be violated). Rules # 11A,C,D do not apply to a Division Title Playoff game. A)INNINGS PITCHED LIMITATIONS: A1)A pitcher who had <250 actual IP is allowed: ACTUAL E.R.A. ALLOWED IRBL IP 0.00 thru 2.99 <= actual IP 3.00 thru 4.99 <= actual IP x 1.5 or 250, whichever is less INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 6 5.00 thru 5.99 <= actual IP x 2 or 250, whichever is less >= 6.00 <= actual IP or 250, whichever is more EXCEPTION: If a pitcher is only used as a starter (never used in relief in the IRBL), then he has no limitation on his IP for the season. NOTE: When calculating season IP limits for pitchers, drop any fraction (do not "round off" numbers to the next highest integer) (i.e., if a pitcher's IP limit is calculated to be 140.8 IP, then he is limited to 140 IP, not 141). A2)A pitcher who had >= 250 actual IP is allowed: IRBL IP <= actual IP+10. EXCEPTION: If a pitcher is scheduled for IRBL GS >30 then that pitcher has no limitation on his IP for the season. EXCEPTION: If a pitcher had <25 actual IP and either left-handed or right- handed (or both) actual B.Avg. against him was <.250, then he is limited to IRBL IP <= actual IP (this rule will override rule # 11A1 EXCEPTION). B)STARTING PITCHERS ROTATION LIMITATIONS: B1)A pitcher who had >=43 actual GS is eligible to start if he did not start in the previous 2 days (assuming 1 day off between each series). B2)A pitcher who had <43 actual GS is eligible to start if he did not start in the previous 3 days (assuming 1 day off between each series). NOTE: Be aware that if you schedule a pitcher to start more than once in a series (with less than 4 days rest between appearances), the DMB game considers all the Batters Faced (BF) a pitcher has over a 5 day period. This may result in the starter not being as effective during his second start or he might even be "tired" before the game even begins (which will probably result in a very poor pitching performance). EXCEPTION: There are 3 interleague series for each NL West and AL West team (noted by an * on the Starting Pitchers Rotation sheet) where there is no day-off between these series and the preceding series. C)GAMES STARTED SEASON LIMITATIONS: ACTUAL E.R.A. ALLOWED IRBL GS 0.00 thru 1.99 <= actual GS 2.00 thru 2.99 <= actual GS + 1 3.00 thru 3.49 <= actual GS + 2 3.50 thru 3.99 <= actual GS + 3 4.00 thru 4.49 <= actual GS + 4 4.50 thru 4.99 <= actual GS + 5 5.00 thru 5.49 <= actual GS + 6 >= 5.50 <= actual GS + 6 or 30 GS, whichever is more EXCEPTION: A pitcher who had 0 actual GS cannot start. NOTE: Each manager is responsible to draft or trade for enough pitchers to meet the GS limitations. If a manager does not have at least 162 GS allowed for his team by the final trading deadline, then the pitcher with the highest ERA must be over-used to the maximum without violating the 3 day off between starts rule before the next highest ERA starter can be over-used. If a starter with an E.R.A. <6.00 is over-used, then that team will forfeit the game if his team wins. In any case, rule # 31 (Player Usage Penalties) will also apply. Such a manager may also be subject to being dropped from the IRBL, at the Commissioner's discretion. D)GAMES PITCHED PER SERIES LIMITATIONS: All pitchers are under the following appearance limitations depending on the length of the series: no limit in a 2 or 3 game series 3 GP in a 4 game series 4 GP in a 5 game series 5 GP in a 6 game series INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 7 no limit in a post-season series EXCEPTION: If all other pitchers that have not reached the above limits have been used in a game except those that the DMB game indicates as "Tired", then a pitcher can exceed the above limitations. 12)BASE STEALING: There are no minimum or maximum steal attempt requirements. Base Stealing can be used at each manager's discretion for any player at any time (subject only to the DMB game itself allowing a runner to steal). 13)ROOKIE/FREE AGENT DRAFT: A)DEADLINES: Rosters of all actual Major League teams contained on the DMB Players Files indicating which are the new players eligible to be drafted will be published when the League Office receives the new DMB Players Diskette. By a pre-draft trading deadline specified by the League Office, each manager must notify the League Office by telephone or mail which players (rated and unrated) that he is releasing and also notify the League Office of all trades made prior to the draft. After the pre-draft trading deadline all team rosters are frozen for the draft. B)PLAYER LIMITS: B1)Enough rated players must be released so that the team has <=N rated players (where N is the average number of rated players per team rated on that year's DMB Players Files counting multiple team players as only one; if it is not a "whole number", then: Let R = the remainder of "number of rated players in the set / 30"; the first "R" teams listed in the 1st round draft order (before trades or penalties) must reduce to <=N rated players with the remaining teams reducing to "<=N-1" rated players). After the pre-draft trading deadline, a list of all players that have been released will be published in the newsletter. This list, combined with all new rated players that are not on any IRBL team's roster, comprise the Rookie/Free Agent Draft Pool. B2)For each draft pick that a team has traded for, that team's rated player limit (determined as "N" or "N-1" in rule # 13B1 above) will be increased by one. B3)For each draft pick that a team has traded away, that team's rated player limit (determined as "N" or "N-1" in rule # 13B1 above) will be decreased by one. C)DRAFTING METHODS: The draft date and starting time will be specified by the League Office. The draft will usually begin at 8:00 am (Eastern Time) on a Sunday in February or March. The progress of the draft can be followed at the IRBL web site which will be updated after each draft pick (be sure to reload the web page with your web browser every few minutes to see the updated information). A "Method Of Participating In The Draft" form file will be sent by the League Office to each manager prior to the draft. The form will be filled out and emailed via the Internet and received by the League Office before the draft date. If you prefer, you can call the League Office to supply the information requested on the form. A manager will have the option of choosing one or more of four methods of participating in the draft: C1)WRITTEN LIST: A manager may submit a written list (which must be received by the League Office before the date of the draft), using the guidelines specified as follows: The list must contain all the players eligible to be drafted in order of preference (or at least enough players to cover all his team's draft picks; otherwise IRBL Rule # 13C5 will be used). Additional instructions can be specified (such as "choose from this column, then this column", etc.). The instructions cannot request a judgement (such as "best player) (the instructions have to be specific) (you can state "draft youngest player" or batter or pitcher). The word "player" will refer to a "batter" or a "pitcher". The draft instructions can be submitted as a simple computer text file (no special word processing codes included), a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel file or on paper. If paper is used, one or more pages are allowed but INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 8 the paper size must be 8.5" x 11" and only one side of each paper can be used. To avoid any misunderstandings, each player listed must include the full name, indicating batter or pitcher and the IRBL code number of the Major League team in the following exact format: "PUCKETT, KIRBY 17 B". C2)TELEPHONE: The League Office will telephone (or fax, if requested) each manager when it is his turn to draft a player. The manager will be charged 75 cents for each telephone call the League Office makes to him during the draft. The manager will be told the names of all the players that were chosen since his last pick (or the start of the draft, if this is his first pick). The manager will then have 75 seconds to make his selection. If the time elapses before his choice is made, or if the League Office gets a "busy signal" when trying to call him, or if there is no answer after 8 rings, his "Written List" will be used (if he submitted one); otherwise IRBL Rule # 13C5 will be used. A manager may instruct the League Office to use his "Written List" for all subsequent picks (and the League Office will not telephone him the next time his turn comes up). If the League Office cannot get thru to a manager via the telephone for 2 consecutive picks, his "Written List" will be used for all remaining picks. In order to reduce the time required to hold the draft, each manager participating by telephone will be asked to call the manager whose turn is about 5 picks after him to bring him up to date regarding who has been picked so far (you will be told who to call after you select each of your draft picks). NOTE: The "call-ahead" is voluntary, not required. C3)INTERNET RELAY CHAT (IRC): The recommended method of participating in the draft is to use the IRC Internet site detailed in IRBL Rule # 37. Managers drafting this way will be notified by a posted message when it is their turn. The manager will have 75 seconds to respond with his selection. If the time elapses before his choice is made, his "Written List" will be used (if he submitted one); otherwise IRBL Rule # 13C5 will be used. C4)IN-PERSON: The manager will have 75 seconds to make his selection. If the time elapses before his choice is made, his "Written List" will be used (if he submitted one); otherwise IRBL Rule # 13C5 will be used. C5)DRAFT CONTINGENCY INSTRUCTIONS: If a manager still has one or more players left to pick and his written list is exhausted or if he is not available by telephone to make a draft selection, his team will get the youngest available player, using the player's age as of July 1st of the current year, alternating between batter and pitcher. C6)DRAFT CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES: If the draft cannot be completed by 10:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the Sunday draft day, the draft will be suspended at 10:00 pm and will resume at 7:30 pm (Eastern Time) on the following day (Monday), until 10:30 pm. If more time is needed, the schedule will be repeated Tuesday and throughout the week (7:30 pm thru 10:30 pm). It is strongly suggested that each manager submit written drafting instructions just in case you are unexpectedly not available on the Sunday draft day or on the following days if the draft continues past Sunday. D)DRAFT ORDER: D1)BONUS ROUND (POOR TEAM AID): D1A)All teams who lose 100 or more games in each of the last 2 seasons will pick one player in order of worst Pct. to best Pct. (regardless of league) in a Bonus Round (between the first and second rounds). D1B)If an expansion team loses 100 or more games in its 1st IRBL season, that team will qualify for a Bonus Round pick in the draft just prior to the start of that team's 2nd IRBL season. D2)REGULAR ROUNDS: After the Bonus Round, the regular draft begins, consisting of all 30 teams, worst to best Pct., combining all IRBL together (no alternation of leagues) picking one player per round. INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 9 Additional rounds will be held until all players are picked or all teams reach their "N" rated player or "N-1" rated player limit (as described above). D3)TEAMS TIED IN PCT.: A tie in Pct. will be broken using the following categories in order of importance: the team more G.B., record within own division, difference between runs scored and runs allowed, total and then within own division, a dice roll. D4)EFFECT OF PENALTIES ON DRAFT ORDER: Starting with the original draft order from the Bonus Round through the Second Round, all teams that have penalties (LSP's and PUP's) are lowered the appropriate number of spots. The remaining teams in each round without penalties are moved up to fill the gaps. A team with enough penalties will be dropped down to the next round. No team will be moved up a round (so the result may be less teams in the First round than in the Second and later Rounds). When more than one team is lowered to the same spot, the team with more penalties gets lowered an extra spot. Additional rounds will be identical to the Second Round. E)DRAFT RESULTS: The draft results and updated rosters will be published approximately three days after the draft. F)SECONDARY PRE-SEASON FREE-AGENT DRAFT: If a team releases rated players after the draft to reduce the roster to 50 rated players (per IRBL Rule # 4A), after the pre-season trading deadline, a special secondary pre-season free-agent draft will take place where the released rated players will be offered to each team, one pick per team, in order of the first round of the regular draft as it would be without penalties or traded draft picks applied. 14)DIVISION TIE PLAYOFF GAME: If the regular season ends in a tie between 2 teams for 1st place in a division or tied for Wild-Card playoff series spot, there will be a 1 game Playoff. The home team will be the team that has the advantage in the first of the categories: record between the two teams; the categories listed in rule # 13D3 (the team that has the advantage will be the home team). "Seasonal" limitations do not apply to this game but starting pitchers' rest from this game will apply to the winning team for all other post-season series. 15)TEAM INSTRUCTIONS FILES SET: A set of team season instructions will include the DMB Computer Manager profile file (exported as MP-xx.ZIP), the Team Instructions file (INSTRUCT.Txx), the Starting Pitchers Rotation file (PITCHING.Txx), and the Team Inactive List file (INACTIVE.Txx). After creating the four team season instructions files, select the "Create ZIP file of Team Instructions Files set" option from the IRBL "Main Menu". This will create a ZIP file containing those 4 files names with a file name of INSTRUxx.ZIP. This team instructions ZIP file will be created and sent to the League Office prior to the start of the season via Internet email to be received one week prior to the date of the first series. These instruction files will be distributed by the League Office to all managers via an LRD. Team instructions can be updated and sent to the League Office at any time during the season. For each file that is updated, indicate a "revised date" in the upper right of the heading line of each page. The updated instructions will be distributed with the next published LRD and will be effective for any unplayed series after each manager receives the LRD. A)DMB COMPUTER MANAGER PROFILE (MP): Once you receive the final IRBL DMB Players Files (after the final pre-season trading deadline), each manager will prepare a MP for his team. The MP will be used be the home manager to manage the road team. The home manager may manage his team play-by-play or use his own team's MP. Use the following guidelines for preparing the MP: A1)MP CREATION: Execute the DMB game. Set C:\IRBL\SERIES.Y14 as the active database by selecting "File-Change active database". Verify that the active database is set to "Series" and is the latest IRBL version date by selecting "Game-Scheduled" in the DMB game and looking at the "Org" box in the upper left area of the screen (i.e., "IRBL Series INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 10 (4/10/14)"). From the DMB main screen, select: "View-Roster / manager profile" and select your team. All profiles have been initially filled in by the League office using the DMB "Tools-Generate manager profiles". You can modify your team's computer manager profile as desired. At a minimum, fill in the following option screens as indicated: A1A)"Pitching" options: Fill in the pitcher lists for "Starter", "Mopup", "Long relief", "Setup vsL", "Setup vsR", "Closer vsL" and "Closer vsR", as applicable for this team. Set "Usage" to "Time", "Rotation size" to "5" and "Next starter" to "1". Note: Fill in the starting pitcher rotation information, but it does not have to be detailed or accurate because your team's SPR sheet will over-ride the MP starter pitcher settings. NOTE: The computer manager will ignore pitchers who are not listed in the "Relief" pitcher profile and will use "ineligible" pitchers ahead of such "eligible" pitchers if no other relief pitcher is available. Therefore, if you want a pitcher (starter or reliever) to ever to be used in relief, you must list him in the "Relief" pitcher profile (and set him to "ineligible" in the games that you do not want him to relieve). A1B)"Lineup" and "Name" options: If the team is using separate lineups vs LHP and vs RHP, then the lineups should be named and configured for: 1: vs LHP (road); 2: vs RHP (road); 3: vs LHP (home); 4: vs RHP (home); 5 and 6: name and configure as needed. If the team is not using separate lineups vs LHP and vs RHP, then name and configure lineup numbers 1 thru 6 as needed. A1C)"Depth" options: "Platoon", "Defense", "Util1", "Util2", "Util3", "Util4" and "Util5", as applicable for this team. There must be a back-up player filled in for every position (a player must be listed for every "Util1" position). Set the "Usage" to "Track starts". For players who cannot enter the game vs a LHP or vs a RHP (per IRBL # 8D1 and the "Player Usage Form" sheet), set the "Atbat limit vs LHP" or "Atbat limit vs RHP" to zero ("0") (in the lineup or Depth screens, right-click on the player and select "View player settings"). A1D)"Manager Tendencies": Set each of the "Manager Tendencies" categories as desired or leave it at the default "Neutral" setting. A1E)"Roster" status: Either set all players as "Active" (right-click the player and select "Promote") or "Farm" only those players that are mainly "Inactive" (right-click the player and select "Farm"). A2)EXPORTING MP FILES: To export your team's MP files, execute the DMB game and change the active database to the IRBL as detailed in IRBL Rule # 15A1. Then select from the DMB main screen: "Transfer-Export statistics", at the "Manager Profiles" screen, highlight your team only and click "Next"; at the "Game Accounts" screen, do not select any games (if there are any games listed, then click "Deselect All") and click "Next"; at the "Transactions" screen, do not select any transactions (if there are any transactions listed, then click "Deselect All") and click "Finish"; at the "Save As" screen, click the "Up one level" icon twice to change the selected "Save in" folder from "export" to "Series.y14" to "IRBL"; in the folders box, double-click on the "Results.y14" folder and verify that the selected "Save in" folder now indicates "Results.y14"; in the "File name" box type "MP-xx" (where "xx" is the 2 digit IRBL team number - refer to IRBL Rule # 15F) (i.e., the DODGERS would type "MP- 03") and click "Save" (it you have exported the MP previously, then click "Yes" at the "Replace existing file?" window) and then click "OK" at the "Statistics export file built successfully" window. To verify that you exported the correct MP file, from the IRBL Menu Program, select "Display or Print Series Results or Newsletter Files", highlight the MP-xx.ZIP file, press the [V] (View Archive) key and verify that the following two files are listed: "$$$o01.xtr" and "$$$team0yy.xrm" (where INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 11 "yy" is the 2 digit DMB team number - refer to rule # 15F) (i.e., the DODGERS MP file would be "$$$team027.xrm"). B)TEAM INSTRUCTIONS FILE: A file named INSTRUCT.Txx will be created containing starting lineups, "Ineligible" instructions and other special lineup modification instructions. Type the player names in all capital letters but type everything else using upper and lower case letters to make it easier to read. Be sure that you do not exceed 80 characters per line to make the file easy to display and print. B1)STARTING LINEUPS: The Team Instructions file will contain a list of all the starting lineups stored in the MP files (referencing the six stored lineups, "1" thru "6", and the lineup names) plus any additional lineups not stored in the MP files, indicating which series to use which starting lineups (for all series, home and road). If you have lineups vs LHP and vs RHP, use line # 1 for "vs LHP" and lineup # 2 as "vs RHP". Always place the "vs LHP" lineup on the left of the page and the "vs RHP" lineup on the right side of the page (to avoid confusion). You can indicate one or more "general lineups" with notes to substitute particular players for specified series, season game numbers or series game numbers. If you prefer, if you do not want to specify an exact plan for home series, for those players who are only limited by GP (no AB limit), you can just list these players, indicating how many games they will sit out during home series and who will replace them in those games. The League Office will review these lineups to verify that no players are scheduled to exceed the IRBL allowed season limits. The home lineups will also be used in case the League Office needs to have that team's home series played due to a manager falling behind schedule or leaving the IRBL during the season. B2)"Ineligible" INSTRUCTIONS: The Team Instructions file will contain a list of any players (batters and pitchers) that you want set to "Ineligible" (hold out of game) for specified series, season game numbers or series game numbers so that the MP will not use that player except for an emergency. You may want to use the "Ineligible" option for a batter who is limited by GP only and is sitting out a particular game or to limit the use of a relief pitcher. If you want to prevent the computer manager from using a pitcher as a reliever (because you want the pitcher to be only used as a starter), include the following instruction: Set the "Status" to "Ineligible (X)" for the following pitchers in the games they are not starting: (list the pitcher names) C)STARTING PITCHERS ROTATION (SPR) FILE: A file named PITCHING.Txx will be created containing the Starting Pitchers Rotation. Each manager will receive from the League Office a Starting Pitchers Rotation file that lists all 162 game numbers and a place to indicate the pitcher who starts that game, and is broken into separate series indicated by dates, opposing team names and whether it is a road or home series. When planning the rotation, there will be one day off between each series except there is no day off prior to a series that is flagged by an "*". Fill in the pitcher's initials next to each game number. At the bottom of the page, list each pitcher's full name alphabetically, the initials used, indicate if he throw "L" or "R" and the number of starts he is scheduled for using the following format: MILITELLO, SAM (SM) R 11 D)INACTIVE LIST (IAL) FILE: A file named INACTIVE.Txx will be created containing the team Inactive List. Each manager will receive from the League Office an Inactive List file that lists the name of all rated players on the team in alphabetical order. Place an "XX" in the appropriate box for each player on the Inactive List for each series. D1)There must be exactly 25 players on the "Active List" for each series (i.e., 25 boxes next to a player's name in each column that do not have a "XX"). D2)As per IRBL Rule # 4A8, each team must always have at least one player to back up every position on the 25 player active roster (one INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 12 player can be the "back up" at more than one position). D3)At least four pitchers (in addition to the scheduled starting pitchers) must be on the "Active List" for every series. E)FILE FORMAT: The files are to be created and edited in text only format using the DOS EDIT program or another text editor (such as Windows Notepad - be sure to set the "Word Wrap" option off). You can edit a file using the DOS EDIT program by selecting "Display or Print Series Results or Newsletter Files" choice from the IRBL Menu Program, highlighting the file name and then pressing the [E] (Edit) key. If using the DOS EDIT program, you can access the pull-down menus by pressing the [Alt] key and then pressing the first letter of the menu name (to save the changes you made to the file, press [Alt-F] and then [S] (Save) and to exit, press [Alt-F] and then [X] (Exit)). F)IRBL and DMB TEAM NUMBERS: The xx and the yy in the file names referenced above are defined as follows: The first number listed after each team name is the 2 digit DMB team number (yy). The second number is the 2 digit IRBL team number (xx) (i.e., PITCHING.T03 and $$$team027.xrm for the DODGERS): DIAMONDBACKS: 28, 29; DODGERS: 27, 03; GIANTS: 26, 04; PADRES: 25, 05; ROCKIES: 24, 27; ASTROS: 23, 01; BREWERS: 09, 19; CARDINALS: 22, 07; CUBS: 21, 08; PIRATES: 20, 12; REDS: 19, 06; BRAVES: 18, 02; NATIONALS: 17, 09; MARLINS: 16, 28; METS: 15, 10; PHILLIES: 14, 11; ANGELS: 13, 13; ATHLETICS: 12, 14; MARINERS: 11, 25; RANGERS: 10, 15; INDIANS: 08, 20; ROYALS: 07, 16; TIGERS: 01, 23; TWINS: 06, 17; WHITE SOX: 05, 18; BLUE JAYS: 04, 26; RAYS: 29, 30; ORIOLES: 03, 21; RED SOX: 02, 22; YANKEES: 0, 24. 16)(deleted item) 17)HOME MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES: A)START OF A GAME OR SERIES OF GAMES: Execute the DMB baseball game and change the active database to C:\IRBL\SERIES.Y14. Verify that the active database is set to "Series" and is the latest IRBL version date by selecting "Game-Scheduled" in the DMB game and looking at the "Org" box in the upper left area of the screen (i.e., "IRBL Series (4/10/14)"). B)PRE-SERIES PREPARATIONS: If this is the first game of the series, follow these steps before starting the first game: B1)FARM INACTIVE PLAYERS: Prior to the start of a series, the home manager must "Farm" the players on both teams that are designated as inactive on the Inactive List so that only and exactly 25 players are available in the DMB game for each team. From the DMB main screen, select: "View- Roster / manager profile" and select your team. Right-click on the appropriate players and select the "Promote" or "Farm" options to "activate" or "inactivate" the player. B2)RESTART SEASON: Prior to the start of the first game of a series, select the following DMB game option to restart the season (which will erase all statistics and rest all players so the team series reports at the end of the series will only contain statistics for this series): "Tools-Restart a season", then at the "Season Restart Options" screen, click "OK" and at the "Are you sure you want to reset all stats and rest all players for organization: IRBL Series (mm/dd/yy)" (where "mm/dd/yy" is the latest date) screen, click "Yes" and then at the "Season has been restarted for organization: IRBL Series (mm/dd/yy)", click "OK". C)PLAY A GAME: To play a game, from the DMB main screen, select: "Game- Scheduled". On the calendar, click on the date of the first game of the series, then click on the "Visitor / Home" team line for this series and then click "Play-Play selected game". Click the "Managers" tab and click "All Human" for both the "Visiting team" and the "Home team" and then click "OK". At the "Weather Report" screen, click "OK". Select the starting pitchers for both teams, set the appropriate pitchers as "Ineligible" (refer to IRBL Rule # 17C1) and then click "OK". Select the starting lineups for both teams (by selecting players or loading a saved lineup), set the appropriate pitchers as "Ineligible" (refer to IRBL Rule INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 13 # 17C1) and then click "OK". NOTE: Use the starting lineups specified in the INSTRUCT.Txx file (even if they conflict with the lineups in the computer manager profile) (refer to IRBL Rule # 17J2). C1)"Ineligible" option: At the pre-game set-up menus, for all players indicated in the opposing team's "Ineligible" instructions, right-click on the player's name and select "Make ineligible" and verify the the "S" (Status) column to the left of the player's name changes to an "X" and the player's color changes to "black". If a pitcher reaches his "GAMES PITCHED PER SERIES LIMIT" (per IRBL Rule # 11D), the manager playing the game must set the pitcher to "Ineligible" at the pre-game pitcher selection menu for every game for the remainder of the series. Unless the opposing team's instructions indicate otherwise, set a pitcher as "Ineligible" for any pitcher not starting the current game but who is scheduled to start any of the next 3 games of this series. The "Ineligible" option, if needed, must be set prior to each game (the "X" setting is cleared each time a new game is being set up). C3)ACTIVATING THE COMPUTER MANAGER: After selecting the starting pitchers, starting lineups and the "Ineligible" settings for both teams, at the start of game display, select the following options: Click on "Change options", click the "Managers" tab and click "All Computer" for the "Visiting team" and click "OK". Then start playing the game. NOTE: At your discretion, you can play the game in "batter mode" or "pitch mode" or switch during the game or set the computer manager to handle the home team for all or part of the game. D)COMPLETION OF A GAME: At the "Post-Game" screen, click "Save game stats" and then at "The database has been updated with the results for this game" screen, click "OK". Then click "Exit game". NOTE: Do NOT click "Save box/ss" because the organization has been setup to automatically save all expanded boxscores and scoresheets. E)COMPLETION OF A SERIES: After completing the last game of a series, perform the following: E1)SERIES TOTALS (Write Series Totals to File): The "Batting", "Pitching" and "Fielding" statistics for each of the two teams will be printed to files which will be later appended to the "Series Results" file containing the boxscores and scoresheets. From the DMB main screen, select: a) Report-Report group b) Select the road team (i.e., IRBL - ROCKIES) c) Verify (or select) Output: "To a file(s) in text format" d) Verify (or set) the "Write file(s) to" box to "C:\Irbl\SERIES.Y14\" e) Click "Generate" f) Verify (or select): "Do not override the stored scope information" g) Click "OK" and "OK" h) Repeat steps (b) thru (g) for the home team E2)EXPORT FILES (Export Series Results): The following procedure will create an export ZIP files of the games in the series that the League Office will use to import into the master IRBL League database. From the DMB main screen, select: "Transfer-Export statistics", at the "Manager Profiles" screen, click "Deselect All" (do not select any teams) and click "Next"; at the "Game Accounts" screen, select only the games in the series just played (if previous series are listed, deselect them or click "Deselect All" and then select only the games for this series) and click "Next"; at the "Transactions" screen, do not select any transactions (if there are any transactions listed, then click "Deselect All") and click "Finish"; at the "Save As" screen, verify that the selected "Save in" folder indicates "export"; in the "File name" box type "STATS" and click "Save" (under normal circumstances, you should NOT see a "Replace existing file?" window) and then click "OK" at the "Statistics export file built successfully" window. INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 14 E3)SERIES RESULTS ZIPFILE (SRZ): After following the above procedures, create an SRZ: E3A)SELECT THE SERIES: Start the IRBL Menu Program (by double-clicking its shortcut on the Windows Desktop). Choose the "Select IRBL Series Date And Teams" option and follow the prompts to select the series date, the road team and the home team by selecting the choices from the program menus. Verify that the selected series is displayed near the bottom of the screen (i.e., "Selected Series: JUN 24, PIRATES at DODGERS, 4 games"). E3B)CREATE SRZ: Select "Create ZIP file of selected series" and then note the following: Before creating the SRZ, the IRBL Menu Program will verify that the selected series matches the series that was played using the DMB game (correct series date, correct game dates, correct number of games in the series and the correct road and home teams). If anything is wrong or missing, a detailed error message will be displayed. Either correct the noted problem and retry or report the error message to the League Office for further directions. E3C)SRZ CONTENTS: The SRZ is a compressed ZIP file containing the "Series Results" file and a pair of DMB game export files for each game of the series. The SRZ file name will be in the format of mmddrrhh.ZIP (when "mm" is the series month, "dd" is the series date, "rr" is the IRBL road team number and "hh" is the IRBL home team number) (i.e., 06241203.ZIP for the JUN 24, PIRATES at DODGERS series). E3C1)SERIES RESULTS FILE: The SRZ will contain a "Series Results" file containing the boxscore and scoresheet for each game of the series following by the series totals for batting, pitching and fielding for the road team followed by the home team. The file name will be the same as the SRZ but with a "S14" extension (i.e., 06241203.S14 for the JUN 24, PIRATES at DODGERS series). This "Series Results" (S14) file can also be found separately when you view the files from the IRBL Menu Program so you can view the results of the series. You will also receive a series results file for each of you team's road series. E3C2)DMB GAME EXPORT FILES: The SRZ will contain a pair of DMB export files for each game of the series (taken from the STATS.ZIP file before it was automatically deleted). The file names will be in this format: $$$yyyymmdd00hhg.xxx (where "yyyy" is the year, "mm" is the game month, "dd" is the game day, "00" is the organization, "hh" is the DMB home team code number, "g" is the number of the game for the day if the home team plays more than one game in a day and "xxx" is the file type: "xga" for the "Game Statistics" file and "xbs" for the boxscore/scoresheet file) (i.e., $$$2014062400270.xga and $$$2014062400270.xbs for the 6/24/14, PIRATES at DODGERS game) E3C3)Send the SRZ to the League Office via Internet email. F)FILE VERIFICATIONS: Verify the integrity of the series files by choosing the "Display or Print Series Results or Newsletter Files" option from the IRBL Menu Program and performing the following checks: F1)Highlight the S14 filename and press the [Enter] key. Verify that the S14 file contains the correct series heading on the first line (i.e., JUN 24, PIRATES at DODGERS, 4 games) and that the information contains the boxscore followed by the scoresheet for each game following by the road team then the home team series totals (if it does not, then notify the League Office). F2)Highlight the ZIP filename (SRZ) and press the [V] key to display and verify that it contains a list of files including a pair of files for each game date of the series and the S14 file) (if it does not, then notify the League Office). G)GENERAL GUIDELINES G1)The SRZ will remain in your C:\IRBL\RESULTS.Y14 directory as a backup in INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 15 case the SRZ is lost before it is received at the League Office. The manager who plays the series should retain these files until he sees the results of the series published in the newsletter; otherwise, if the SRZ is lost, the playing manager will have to replay the series. G2)It is critical that you successfully complete the above procedures before you start another series to prevent accidental loss of the series totals and export files. H)RESULTS TO BE SENT OUT BY THE HOME MANAGER: The home manager will email the SRZ to the League Office only. The League Office will add the results to the League Office official DMB IRBL League Results Database Files. I)SERIES DEADLINE: I1)The series is to be played as soon as possible (but a manager is not required to start the series before the series date). I2)If the home manager (due to other obligations) does not have time to play a series, he should notify the League Office well in advance of the series date, so that the League Office can arrange to have someone else play the series. I3)If the League Office does not receive the SRZ from the home manager for a series within one week after the series date, that manager will receive an LSP and will receive another LSP for every additional week that transpires until the series is played (refer to rule # 29). If the SRZ is not received within 4 weeks after the series date, the League Office will arrange to have the series played using the team instructions that the League Office has on file. If the SRZ should arrive after the series has been played by the person designated by the League Office, the late results will be voided. I4)The deadlines will be based on midnight, Eastern Time. J)INSTRUCTION CONFLICTS: J1)When playing a game, if a conflict exists concerning which players on one team that will play against players on the other team, the home manager will use the following order of priority: road team pitcher, home team pitcher, road team lineup, and then home team lineup. J2)Although the team lineups in each teams' computer manager profile are supposed to match the lineups in the INSTRUCT.Txx file, if there is a conflict, the lineups in the INSTRUCT.Txx file take precedence. If you notice a conflict, please notify the League Office so that manager can be notified to update his computer manager profile (but play the series using the lineups exactly as stated in the INSTRUCT.Txx file). 18)(deleted item) 19)GENERAL MANAGER (GM) ONLY TEAMS: A)If a manager does not have the time to play one or more or all his home series, with special approval from the Commissioner, he may operate his team as a GM only and let the road manager play his home series using the computer manager for his team. B)A team that is scheduled to play a road series against a team that has a GM only (a team without a current playing manager) will play that series using the computer manager following the home series instructions section of that team's season instruction sheet. 20)POST SEASON SERIES: A)The schedule for a Division Title Playoff Game (if required) and all other post-season series will be listed on the complete NL/AL regular season schedule sheet. B)Regular season limitations do not apply to these games (player rule # 8A, 8B, 8D2 and pitching rules # 11A, 11C). C1)Starter rest rules apply for all games starting with the last games of the regular season (rules # 11B). The last game of the regular season (game # 162) is considered to be on Sunday for purposes of determining if the starting pitcher has the required days rest before his first post- season series start. C2)Reliever GP per series limit rules do not apply to post-season series INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 16 (rule # 11D). D)BATTER APPEARANCE LIMITATIONS: D1)A player who had <81 actual GP (do not use IRBL statistics) cannot be used before the 7th inning in 2 consecutive games (with carry-over from one series to the other). Use the Ineligible option to place the player on "Hold" until the 7th inning for those games that he is limited (remove the "Hold" before the start of the 7th inning). EXCEPTION: If the computer manager uses such a player before the 7th inning even though he is set to "Hold", that will be allowed. D2)A player who had <100 actual AB cannot be used before the 7th inning in any game. Use the Ineligible option to place the player on "Hold" until the 7th inning (remove the "Hold" before the start of the 7th inning). D3)A player who had both <21 actual AB vs left-handed pitchers and <21 actual AB vs right-handed pitchers cannot be used at all in post-season series and must be placed on the Inactive List. EXCEPTION: A weak player who was allowed 400 IRBL AB rule per # 8A1 EXCEPTION #1 can be used unrestricted as needed (the above restrictions will not apply). E)Pitchers' batters faced carry over from each post season game to the next with days off added per the Post-Season Schedule (which will affect how quickly a pitcher becomes fatigued). F)Each Post-Season team manager will include an Inactive List with the Post- Season instructions at the end of season which will designate 25 players that will active for all games of all post season series. Per rule # 31B, any player that exceeds his IRBL season limits and is subject to a PUP, will be placed on the Inactive List for all post-season series. The DMB computer manager profile active/farm status will be adjusted to match the Inactive List. G)PITCHER APPEARANCE LIMITATIONS: G1)A pitcher who had <10 actual GS (do not use IRBL statistics) cannot start a post-season game. G2)A pitcher who had 10 thru 19 actual GS (do not use IRBL statistics) is limited to 1 GS in each post-season series. G3)A pitcher who had both <40 actual IP and <40 actual GP (do not use IRBL statistics) is limited to 1 GP in each post-season series. Use the Ineligible option to place the pitcher on "Hold" after their 1st relief appearance. H)POST SEASON FACE-TO-FACE PLAY: Any manager may request that Post Season series games be played face-to-face, by phone, or via the internet, at his own expense, before the start of the series. The opposing manager will oblige this courtesy as long as game times and method of play can be arranged and the results will be timely (i.e., the series must be played within a period of the next 3 weekends). Requests for face-to-face play after a series has started can be made by mutual agreement; however, any manager can refuse the request, since all or part of one team's home games will have already been played with one manager not having the opportunity to take advantage of face-to-face play. 21)IRBL NEWSLETTERS: The League Office will publish the IRBL Newsletter, usually on a bi-weekly basis. The newsletter will contain the current IRBL standings, batting and pitching leaders plus other information. The newsletter will be included on the LRD as detailed in rule # 3C. The newsletter will be in a text file format which can be displayed or printed at each IRBL manager's discretion (using the IRBL Menu Program or any Word Processing program or any Text Editor of your choice). A)PRINT FILES: IRBL Newsletters (and other IRBL files) will be supplied in several formats identified by the last 3 characters of the file name. TXT files are text only. T1C files are text only in single column format. To print the files, select "Display or Print Series Results or Newsletter Files" from the IRBL Menu Program. Highlight the filename and press the INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 17 [Enter] key to view the file. Press the [7] key to display all the print codes. Press [Ctl-P] to print the file. To print just a section of the file, mark the top and bottom of the section (using the key combinations listed when pressing the [F1] key for the Help Screen) and then press [Ctl-P]. If the last page does not print, press [Ctl-F] which will issue a "form-feed" command to the printer. 22)INDIVIDUAL PLAYER IRBL RECORDS: Report to the League Office: A)All pitchers who achieve 30 or more ShO IP in a row (and when stopped). B)All pitchers who achieve 10 or more W or L in a row (and when stopped). C)A player who gets 8 or more hits in a row (and when stopped). D)A No-Hitter. E)Any other outstanding achievement. 23)PROTESTS and FORFEITS: A)If a home manager finds illegal instructions contained in a road manager's instructions, he should ignore those instructions and notify the League Office. B)If a road manager believes the home manager violated his instructions or that he violated the IRBL Rules, he should file a protest with the League Office. C)If a road manager's instructions or IRBL Rules are clearly disobeyed and it may have affected the outcome of the game, the game can be forfeited at the discretion of the Commissioner. 24)NEW RULES or RULE CHANGES: A)The Commissioner will alter, add or delete IRBL Rules at his discretion. B)Rule changes are open to discussion or compromise if any manager objects. C)Any manager can propose a rule change to the Commissioner and a decision will be made as to whether or not to reject the proposal, add the new rule, compromise or put the proposal up for a league vote. D)A proposal to be voted on will be passed if 2/3's of all votes received by the League Office by the voting deadline (one week from the date of the ballot posting) are "FOR" the proposal (the Commissioner may require a unanimous vote if he feels it necessary). 25)ARTICLES: Any member can submit an article in a text file format which will be printed in the next newsletter (on any topic). News for the "Trading Post" column in the newsletter can be submitted on paper instead of a test file if is less than 50 words. 26)IRBL DUES: Beginning with the 2011 season, dues are abolished. 27)NEW (EXPANSION) TEAMS: Any new (expansion) Major League teams included on the DMB Players Files for the first time will enter the IRBL with the players placed on these teams as follows: A)INITIAL PLAYERS: All players that appeared in at least one game with that team that are not on any IRBL team roster, belong to that team. B)EXPANSION DRAFT: Prior to the Rookie/Free Agent Draft in the team's first season, an Expansion Draft will take place. Each pre-existing team will submit to the League Office a list of 15 protected players. The new teams, in turn, will then draft one non-protected player from each pre-existing team. C)ROOKIE/FREE AGENT DRAFT: In the Rookie/Free Agent Draft prior to the team's first season, that team will draft the first 2 picks in the Bonusy Round, the first pick in the first regular round and 3 picks in each round from the second round on. D)NEW TEAM DRAFT ORDER: If more than one team enters the same year, the draft order will be determined using the guidelines: Worst Pct., then the guidelines specified for a tie within a league in rule # 13D3 using the actual Major League statistics. If there are two new teams, for the Bonus Round only, the team with the first pick will get the first and fourth pick in the draft; the other team will get pick numbers two and three. 28)NEW MANAGERS: A new manager entering the IRBL will be required to play a 4 game practice series and submit the results via Internet email before he INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 18 plays his first official IRBL series so that the League Office can be assured that the new manager fully understands the IRBL procedures. 29)LATE SERIES PENALTY (LSP): A)LATE SERIES RESULTS: A1)If the League Office does not receive the SRZ from the home manager for a series within one week after the series date, that manager will receive an LSP and will receive another LSP for every additional week that transpires until the series is played. NOTE: Road managers or volunteers who play a series will not receive a LSP for a late series. A2)If the SRZ is not received by the League Office by 2 weeks after the series date, the opposing manager will be given the option to play the series. If he does not want to play it, either a pre-arranged volunteer will play it or the League Office will play it. If there are no home team lineup instructions then the road series lineups for the previous road series will be used. If the lineup is missing a player (due to the Inactive List) then any available player can be used to fill the spot. If any managers wants to stand ready to play such series that fall back to the League Office to be played, they can request to be put on a "ready to play late series" list. LSP's will still continue to accumulate until the results of the series is received from whoever plays it. A3)If the SRZ should arrive from the home manager after the League Office has played the series, the series played by the home manager will be voided. A4)If the League Office receives a series that was played without using the DMB "Restart a season" option prior to the start of the series (i.e., the results files contains game summaries or player statistics from prior played series): A4A)If the League Office can fix the files, the manager will receive one LSP for fixing this problem. A4B)If the League Office cannot fix the files, the manager will be notified that the series will have to be replayed. The manager will accumulate LSP's until the re-replayed series is received by the League Office based on the original series date LSP deadlines. A5)If a manager changes to a "GM Only" status (refer to rule # 19) during the season, the manager will stop accumulating LSP's starting with the manager's next home series two weeks after the League Office receives such notification. For all home series prior to that series that are not yet received by the League Office, the manager will continue to accumulate LSP's until those series are played by a volunteer and received by the League Office. EXCEPTIONS: 1)If a series in an SRZ that is received by the League Office contains one or more defective (unreadable) files, the manager will be notified that a replacement SRZ for that series must be sent to the League Office. LSP accumulations (if any) will be suspended at that date. The replacement SRZ must be received by the League Office within 10 days of such notification before LSP accumulations will resume. 2)If a manager has a problem submitting an SRZ due to computer problems, at the League Office's discretion, the LSP may be waived (but only if the problem is reported to the League Office by the series deadline). 3)A road manager or a volunteer who plays a series other than his team's home series will not be subject to late series LSP's. NOTE: There will be no other LSP exceptions except as listed above. B)LATE POST-SEASON SERIES RESULTS AND INSTRUCTIONS: From the date a manager has been notified to provide instructions for a post-season series or has been sent instructions to play a post-season series, if the results or team instructions are not received within 7 days, the manager will receive an LSP. An additional LSP will be issued for every 3 days afterward that INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 19 the series or team instructions has not been received. After 13 days (3 total LSP's), the overdue set of games will be played by the opposing manager. If a manager is late for 2 sets of post-season games in the same season or if the 13 day limit is reached even once, the opposing managers will play all remaining post-season series games against that team. C)LATE INSTRUCTIONS: If your complete team instructions for the entire season (covering all road and home series) are not received by the League Office no later than one week before the date of the first series, a manager will receive an LSP. A manager will receive one additional LSP for every additional week that passes before the League Office receives the instructions. D)CREDIT LSP's: A manager will receive a credit LSP for each of the following tasks: D1)Playing a road series for your team ---> 1 credit D2)Playing a series between 2 teams other than your own ---> 1 credit D3)Preparing pre-draft player release, preparing a draft list and drafting for a team without a manager ---> 1 credit D4)Preparing season instructions for a team without a manager ---> 1 credit D5)Preparing an IRBL NL or AL league season series schedule ----> 3 credits D6)All managers will start each season with 4 credit LSP's to allow for lost emails or personal emergencies. E)EFFECT OF LSP's: E1)Credit LSP's will be subtracted from LSP's accumulated until the total reaches zero. Extra credits not needed will not be carried over to following years. E2)The adjusted total LSP will then be used as follows: A team will be lowered one position in the next Rookie / Free Agent Draft for each LSP and the remaining teams will be adjusted upward in the draft order as necessary. E3)Draft picks traded away will be lowered by the LSP. E4)The LSP applies to the manager who accumulated the LSP only and will not carry over to a new manager of a team. If a manager who has accumulated LSP's leaves the IRBL before the next draft, should he ever be permitted to rejoin the league, those LSP's will be applied to his new team during the next draft he participates in. 30)LEAGUE OFFICE (THE COMMISSIONER): The Commissioner will be responsible for the overall operation of the league which includes publishing the newsletters, up-dating the standings, maintaining rosters, recruiting new managers, altering the league rules and maintaining the IRBL web site. The Commissioner will retain a copy of the DMB game export files and Series Results files for each series sent to him by the manager that plays the series until the season is completed and the final season statistics are distributed. The Commissioner may drop any manager from the IRBL if the Commissioner considers such a move to be in the best interests of the IRBL. 31)PLAYER USAGE PENALTY (PUP): It is each manager's responsibility to plan his team roster, prepare his team's road instructions and monitor his players useage during the season, to insure that the IRBL season player limitations are not exceeded. After the completion of the regular season, the League Office will publish a list of all players who exceeded the IRBL season limits indicating each limit exceeded and the actual IRBL season total. A)DRAFT POSITION PENALTY: A manager will be issued a PUP for each of the following the player exceeds his allowed IRBL limits: BATTERS: every 1 GP PITCHERS: every 1 GS For the batters' AB and pitchers' IP overages, add them all together for a grand team total and then a PUP will be issued for every 10 or fraction of 10 (i.e., 8 PUP's if the total is 74). A team will be lowered one position in the next Rookie / Free Agent Draft for each PUP its manager has accumulated. PUP's will lower a team's draft position in addition to a manager's accumulated LSP's but extra credit INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 20 LSP's that cannot be applied to LSP's will not be applicable to PUP's. B)POST-SEASON PENALTY: Any player that exceeds his IRBL season limits and is subject to a PUP, will be placed on the IAL for all division title tie- breaking play-off games and all post-season series games. NOTE: There will be no voting to allow overused players to be used in the post-season. The voting process delays the post-season schedule and is a time-consuming exercise. If you object to a particular overusage situation, either propose a rule change to change or eliminate the penalties (before the new season starts) or abide by the rules at the end of the season. C)PENALTY EXCEPTION: A PUP may be waived if a manager submits proof that the over-useage was caused by an opposing manager violating a team's instructions and the manager had no opportunity to compensate for this over-usage in a later series. NOTE: If near the end of the season, if a manager needs the results of an overdue road series in order to prevent player over-usage in the remaining series, the manager must contact the League Office (before the LSP deadline) to receive a waiver for either a LSP or a PUP (at the League Office's discretion). 32)CONTRACTION (what happens when Major League Baseball dissolves teams): If Major League Baseball dissolve teams, at the end of the last IRBL season of that dissolved team, the corresponding IRBL team will be dissolved with all players on those teams released and will become available in the next IRBL Rookie / Free-Agent Draft. The remaining teams will be re-aligned to match the Major Leagues (as per IRBL Rule # 2). The managers of those former IRBL teams may take over any available team or be placed on the waiting list for the next available team. If more that one manager loses a dissolved team, then the order of preference for getting another team goes to the manager whose dissolved IRBL team's last season had the best winning Pct. A tie in Pct. will be broken using the following categories in order of importance with the best of the teams getting the preference: record within own division, difference between runs scored and runs allowed, total and then within own division, a dice roll. 33)SHORTENED SEASONS: If the prior Major League baseball season was cut short (i.e., some of the 162 game season was canceled) (due to a labor dispute or any other reason), the following rules will be used to calculate a multiplier which will be used to "pro-rate" some of the actual Major League statistics up to a normal 162 season schedule: A)Calculate the multiplier by multiplying the 162 game season by 14 teams and dividing by the total games played during that shortened Major League season rounded up to 2 decimal places (i.e., 162 x 14 / 2017 = 1.13). B)Multiply the actual Major League statistics for the following categories by the multiplier before calculating the allowed IRBL limits or Post- Season Series limitations: GP, AB, GS and IP. The resulting number will be rounded off to the nearest integer (i.e., if the decimal portion is .5 or higher, then round up; otherwise, round down) and will be referred to as the "adjusted" Major League statistics. The "Player Useage Form" will have an extra column for filling in the "adjusted" Major League statistics. EXCEPTION: The multiplier will not be applied to determine the <21 AB limited batters and <25 IP limited pitchers (i.e., use actual AB, not "adjusted" AB, for rule # 8A1, EXCEPTION # 2 and rule # 8D, and use actual IP, not "adjusted" IP for rule #11A, EXCEPTION). 34)IRBL Internet Web Site: The IRBL Internet web site is located at: http://www.irbl.net Most IRBL documents will be available for viewing and downloading at the web site. LRD's will also be posted for downloading. 35)(deleted item) 36)Windows Configuration Instructions: A)IRBL Menu Program Windows Desktop Short-Cut Creation Instructions: If an IRBL Menu Program shortcut was not placed on the Windows Desktop after INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 21 installing the IRBL Menu Program, then use the following procedure to create the shortcut. A1)Open Microsoft Explorer (right click on the Windows Start button and then left click on Explorer). In the left pane, navigate to the \IRBL\MENU directory. Click on MENU in the left pane so the files in that directory appear in the right pane. Locate and click on the "IRBL Menu Program" shortcut file, right click to pop up a menu and then left click on "Copy". Make sure the Explorer Window is small enough so you see part of the Windows desktop on the edge of the screen (if necessary, click on the overlapping folder button, second from the top right corner of the window). With the mouse pointer on the shortcut file, hold down the left mouse button, drag the file off the Explorer window and release the button when the file is anywhere on the Windows desktop (the file may disappear from view). Close the Explorer Window (click on the upper right close button that looks like an X). You should see the IRBL Menu Program shortcut file on the desktop. B)IRBL Menu Program Configuration: From the IRBL Menu Program, select menu option <5> and verify or select these options to match your computer: <1> Change hard drive letter <2> Change DMB game directory 37)Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Instructions: The following is a summary of what you need to do in order to use IRC: A)Download and install an IRC program. I recommend the mIRC and the following are the directions for configuring version mIRC version 7.27 or later: B)Download the mIRC program from the following web site: You can try the program for 30 days and then they expect a $20 registration fee if you want to continue using the program. C)After installing and starting the mIRC program, you will need to configure the following settings: C1)When you first start mIRC, the "mIRC Options" window with "Connect" highlighted in the "Category" tree on the left should appear. If not (or if you have previously started mIRC), then select "View-Options" and select "Connect". C2)In the "Full Name" box, type your full name (i.e., Barry Koopersmith) C3)In the "E-Mail Address" box, type your email address (i.e., bkoopers@optonline.net) C4)In the "Nickname" box, type your first name and last name initial followed by a dash and your team name (i.e., BarryK-Yankees) C5)Select on "Servers" in the "Category" column on the left and then select "Add" in the middle of the window and fill in the following in the "Add Server" window: C5A)Description: IBL C5B)IRC Server: irc.ibl.org C5C)Password: (fill in password supplied via email) C5D)Leave the "Port" set to "6667" and the "Group" blank C6)Select "Add" C7)Click on "IBL" in the IRC Servers list and click "Select" C8)Under the "Category" tree at the left, select "Options" C9)Check the "Connect on startup" box and uncheck the "Pop up connect dialog on startup" box C10)Under the "Category" tree at the left, select "Connect" C11)Verify that in the middle of the screen in shows "Server: IBL" D)Click on "Connect". The "mIRC Favorites" window will then appear (if the window does not appear, then select "Favorites-Add to Favorites"). Then do the following: D1)Uncheck "Pop up favorites on connect" D2)Select "Add" and the "mIRC Add Channel" window will appear. Fill in the following: INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 22 D2A)Channel: IRBL D2B)Check the "Join on connect" box D2C)Leave "Password", "Description" and "Folder" blank and leave "Network" set to "All Networks" D2D)Select "OK" D3)At the "mIRC Favorites" window, with "#IRBL" highlighted, select "Join" and the "#IRBL" chat window will open. The dialog window will appear on the left and the names of the people in the chat room will be listed on the right. Type in your messages in the bottom box and press [Enter] and your message will be posted. E)The above setup only needs to be done once. Thereafter, the settings will be remembered. From now on, the IRBL chat window should automatically appear when starting mIRC (once you have registered the program; otherwise, the register prompt window will appear). If IBL is not selected when you start the program the next time, then select the pulldown arrow and select IBL. Once you select "Connect to IRC server", the IRBL chat window will automatically open. F)EMERGENCY BACKUP IRC SERVER: If the irc.ibl.org IRC server is not working at the start of the draft, switch to the "Galaxynet - random server" (which you will find in the pull-down list of servers). 38)64-bit operating systems: The IRBL Menu Program does not work on computers with a 64-bit operating system. Instead, to take the place of the IRBL Menu Program, the following three batch (script) files are used to accomplish the same functions. The following is a description and directions for using the batch (script) files: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Install IRBL LRD.bat: When you download the LRD file pair (or at times single LRD's), use Windows Explorer to navigate to the RESULTS.Y14 folder, highlight "Install IRBL LRD.bat" and double-click it to execute it and the LRD will be installed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Create IRBL SRZ file.bat: After you play an IRBL series and export the stats to STATS.ZIP and print the reports files, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the RESULTS.Y14 folder, highlight "Create IRBL SRZ file.bat" and double-click it to execute it. Depending on the security setting on your computer, you may have to click "yes" or "allow" to permit the batch file to run. You will then see this on the screen: *************************************************** Routine to create IRBL SRZ file Type 8-digit SRZ file name and press [Enter] format: mmddrrhh mm is 2-digit series month dd is 2-digit series day rr is 2-digit road team IRBL code number hh is 2-digit home team IRBL code number 13 - ANGELS 07 - CARDINALS 25 - MARINERS 11 - PHILLIES 27 - ROCKIES 01 - ASTROS 08 - CUBS 28 - MARLINS 12 - PIRATES 16 - ROYALS 14 - ATHLETICS 29 - D-BACKS 10 - METS 15 - RANGERS 23 - TIGERS 26 - BLUE JAYS 03 - DODGERS 09 - NATIONALS 30 - RAYS 17 - TWINS 02 - BRAVES 04 - GIANTS 21 - ORIOLES 22 - RED SOX 18 - WHITE SOX 19 - BREWERS 20 - INDIANS 05 - PADRES 06 - REDS 24 - YANKEES INTERNATIONAL REPLAY BASEBALL LEAGUE (IRBL) - LEAGUE RULES 1-5-14 PAGE 23 example: for the AUG 12, PADRES at ROCKIES series type this: 08120527 and it will create a 08120527.zip file (type the 8-digits at the below blinking cursor) *************************************************** You will then type in the 8-digit SRZ file name and press [Enter] and it will create the SRZ zip file in the RESULTS.Y14 folder and it will delete the IRBL report files from the SERIES.Y14 folder and will delete the STATS.ZIP file from the SERIES.Y14\EXPORT folder. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Create IRBL team instructions zip file.bat: When you want to submit updated team instructions, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the RESULTS.Y14 folder, highlight "Create IRBL team instructions zip file.bat" and double-click it to execute it. Depending on the security setting on your computer, you may have to click "yes" or "allow" to permit the batch file to run. You will then see this on the screen: ************************************************************ Routine to create IRBL team instructions zip file (creates INSTRUxx.zip file where xx is the IRBL team number) Type 2-digit IRBL team number and press [Enter] ************************************************************ You will then type in the 2-digit IRBL team number and press [Enter] and it will create the INSTRUxx.zip file in the RESULTS.Y14 folder. The INSTRUxx.zip file will contain all the instruction files for the selected team (including post-season instructions, if any). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------