------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | International Replay Baseball League - Founded October 30, 1973 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ***************** IRBL NEWSLETTER # 564 ***************** 11-23-98 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ...................................... Final IRBL post-season series results: NL West: DODGERS Massimo Ortensi NL Central: PIRATES Ricky Diaz NL East: PHILLIES John Parker NL Wild-Card:MARLINS Don Swearingen AL West: ANGELS Matt Cummings AL Central: WHITE SOX Chip Hopkins AL East: RED SOX Frank Hopkins AL Wild-Card:BREWERS John Mattfeld NL Division Series: The PHILLIES defeated the DODGERS, 3 games to 0 The PIRATES defeated the MARLINS, 3 games to 1 AL Division Series: The WHITE SOX defeated the ANGELS, 3 games to 2 The BREWERS defeated the RED SOX, 3 games to 2 NL Championship Series: The PIRATES defeated the PHILLIES, 4 games to 2 AL Championship Series: The WHITE SOX defeated the BREWERS, 4 games to 1 World Series: The PIRATES defeated the WHITE SOX, 4 games to 2 Congratulations to Ricky Diaz for leading his PIRATES' to the IRBL World Championship! The series files for all the post- season series are included if you want to review the games. ...................................... POST-SEASON SERIES RULES CHANGES: Just before the start of the post- season, the BREWERS' manager, John Mattfeld, brought to my attention that the BREWERS had three players, BOOTY, COLES and ENCARNCION who had high batting averages, less than 21 actual AB's and were limited to actual AB's during the regular seasonbut due to a loop-hole in the post-season player usage rules, these players were allowed to play a full game every other game. John volunteered to accept IRBL # 564 11-23-98 2 my ruling that these players should be placed on the Inactive List for the post-season. I checked the other 7 post-season teams and only BROWN and CRESPO on the DODGERS were in this category. The DODGERS' manager, Massimo Ortensi, also agreed to place those two players on the Inactive List. Effective for the 1999 post-season, I have added the following two post- season series rules to IRBL Rule # 20D: D2)A player who had <100 actual AB cannot be used before the 7th inning in any game. Use the Avail 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. I have included an updated copy of the IRBL Rules. ...................................... NEW IRBL MANAGERS: DEVIL RAYS: George Widenor As most current IRBL managers know, George is the former eleven season (1987-1997) IRBL TIGERS' manager. After sitting out for one season, his batteries are recharged and he is ready to take on the challenges of a brand new expansion team. BLUE JAYS: Francois Lessard I welcome back Francois to the IRBL as the very first 3-time IRBL manager! Francois managed the IRBL CUBS from 1981 thru 1983 and the IRBL BRAVES in 1985. MARINERS: Robert Gunter I have enclosed an updated IRBL Manager Address List. ...................................... The DIAMONDBACKS and ROYALS are still without a manager. ...................................... All managers have paid their 1999 IRBL IRBL # 564 11-23-98 3 dues except: Mike Mayko (1) *GIANTS Matt Cummings (1) *ANGELS Carmine Salerno (1) *ORIOLES Rick Dean (1) *TIGERS Notes: (1) The check is in the mail *: The team draft order cannot be finalized until these managers who have LSP's or PUP's have officially signed up for the 1999 season. ...................................... PLAYER TRANSACTIONS: The WHITE SOX traded JEFF KENT, EDDIE TAUBENSEE, JOSE SILVA, WHITE SOX' 1ST round pick, WHITE SOX' 2ND round pick to the PADRES for BRIAN JORDAN, MIKE MATHENY, MICKEY MORANDINI, PADRES' 3RD round pick, PADRES' 4TH round pick. The PHILLIES traded BRAD FULLMER, PHILLIES' 3RD round pick to the ROCKIES for JOSE OFFERMAN, ROCKIES' 5TH round pick. The PADRES released HOWARD BATTLE, RAFAEL BELLIARD, ROB BUTLER, GAREY INGRAM, PAT LISTACH, OZZIE TIMMONS. The WHITE SOX traded TERRY STEINBACH to the ANGELS for OREL HERSHISER. The PIRATES traded SCOTT ERICKSON, PIRATES' 3RD round pick to the ASTROS for DELINO DESHIELDS, BOB TEWKSBURY. The RED SOX traded WILLIE GREENE, RED SOX' 2ND round pick, RED SOX' 3RD round pick to the ASTROS for TOM GOODWIN, TODD ZEILE, BOB WELLS, ASTROS' 5TH round pick. The WHITE SOX traded MIKE REMLINGER, WHITE SOX' 4TH round pick to the ASTROS for GREGG OLSON, ASTROS' 4TH round pick. The ASTROS traded TROY O'LEARY to the EXPOS for EXPOS' 1ST round pick, EXPOS' 2ND round pick. The PIRATES traded TREVOR HOFFMAN to the WHITE SOX for TERRY ADAMS, BILLY WAGNER. The PIRATES traded ERIC DAVIS, PIRATES' 5TH round pick to the TWINS for REGGIE SANDERS, TWINS' 3RD round pick. The CUBS traded SANDY MARTINEZ, CUBS' 2ND round pick, CUBS' 3RD round pick to the PADRES for ESTEBAN LOAIZA, PADRES' 5TH round pick, PADRES' 6TH round pick. IRBL # 564 11-23-98 4 The CARDINALS released ALVARO ESPINOZA, BRIAN RAABE, PETE ROSE JR., RAMON FERMIN, KEVIN GROSS. The PHILLIES traded ANDRES GALARRAGA to the ANGELS for PAUL SORRENTO, JAMIE MOYER. The RED SOX traded MARTY CORDOVA, CRAIG GREBECK, RED SOX' 1ST round pick to the PIRATES for TONY GWYNN, DENNIS MARTINEZ, JEFF MONTGOMERY. The ASTROS traded JEFF D'AMICO, UGUETH URBINA, PIRATES' 3RD round pick, WHITE SOX' 4TH round pick to the MARLINS for JOSE HERNANDEZ, PEDRO ASTACIO, MARLINS' 1ST round pick. The PIRATES traded TOM GLAVINE to the BREWERS for JEFF ABBOTT, DARREN DREIFORT. The CARDINALS traded JIM MECIR, CARDINALS' 5TH round pick to the MARLINS for RAUL CHAVEZ, MARLINS' 3RD round pick. The PIRATES traded OTIS NIXON, JEFF REBOULET to the BREWERS for DARRIN JACKSON, SCOTT SPIEZIO. The BREWERS traded JERRY DIPOTO, JUAN GUZMAN, CHARLES NAGY, BREWERS' 3RD round pick to the CUBS for BRIAN BOHANON, MIKE JACKSON, CUBS' 4TH round pick. The WHITE SOX traded JASON BERE to the REDS for BILL HASELMAN. The WHITE SOX traded WHITE SOX' 3RD round pick to the PIRATES for LUIS SOJO. The PIRATES traded MARTY CORDOVA, REGGIE SANDERS to the INDIANS for DANTE BICHETTE, ROBB NEN. The RED SOX traded STEVE FINLEY, MIKE MORGAN to the EXPOS for DAVE MLICKI, EXPOS' 3RD round pick. The MARLINS traded BRENT GATES to the PADRES for CECIL FIELDER. The WHITE SOX traded RAUL MONDESI, DARRYL KILE, PADRES' 3RD round pick to the METS for TONY BATISTA, RANDY D. JOHNSON. The BREWERS traded MIKE MACFARLANE to the EXPOS for BIP ROBERTS. ...................................... I will publish updated IRBL rosters as soon as the new DMB player diskette is released (in mid-December). My programs that sort the IRBLROST file and create the IRBL season limits file uses the trades information file (which I have now brought up-to-date), the STATS Inc. final Major League statistics files (which I will receive in about 10 days) and the DMB player IRBL # 564 11-23-98 5 files (which will not be available until mid-December). In addition, I need to modify all my programs to handle two new teams and to switch the divisions of two existing teams (which will require some effort to change and test the program code). The program code is difficult to modify because I originally wrote it back in the 1970's on a "Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I" computer before IBM PC type computers were even invented. I have since converted the program to work on a "Radio Shack TRS-80 Model II", then on a KAYPRO II (using the CP/M operating system) and then on an IBM PC (using the MS-DOS operating system). I then modified it to allow 26 teams (instead of 24) and then 28 teams (instead of 26). If I had the time, I would rewrite everything which would make it easier to modify in the long run (but I don't have the time). ...................................... TRADING POST ..... For those who want to contend, the Padres can give away the following players: Jay Bell, Jim Leyritz, Mike Simms. Primarily I'm looking for a young SS and/or draft picks, but I'm open to talk about everything. ..... The METS say: Avoid PUP's - get your infield AB's now: If any of you need middle infield at bats I can help. Mike Benjamin is available. Mike batted .272 in 1998, with a .372 slugging percentage. He had 349 at bats (which gives you 424). In 1998 he played 1st, 2nd, short and 3rd so he can cover all around the infield. Gary DiSarcina could also be available (157 GP, .287 BA) but obviously he will cost you more ;) Remember to get your at bats now, before the post draft scramble. ..... The BRAVES are offering HIGGINSON and LIGHTENBERG ..... ...................................... PLAYER USAGE PENALTIES (PUP): I have reviewed and ruled on the protests, complaints and corrections to the 1998 IRBL player overages list. The following is a revised summary of the penalties (PUP's): PUP TEAM PUP TEAM --- ---- --- ---- 210 *MARINERS 3 ATHLETICS 24 *BLUE JAYS 2 CARDINALS 11 GIANTS 2 ORIOLES IRBL # 564 11-23-98 6 11 PADRES 2 #RED SOX 11 *ROYALS 1 #ANGELS 5 TIGERS 1 BRAVES 4 CUBS 1 #PHILLIES 4 EXPOS 1 TWINS *: PUP's are voided because 1998 manager will not return in 1999 #: Post-season roster was impacted; players with PUP's were placed on Inactive List The attached revised PUP.Y98 file details each player that was over- used. Please review the list and let me know if I have made any mistakes. The list will become final once I receive the last IRBL dues check (hopefully any day now). ...................................... RESULTS OF PROPOSALS: Details of the individual votes can be found at the end of this newsletter. Proposal #1 submitted by Wing Lee (ROCKIES): Amend IRBL Rule # 8B to read as follows: 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% or 143 GP, whichever is greater 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. VOTING RESULTS SUMMARY: PROPOSAL # ---> 1 -- FOR ---> 4 AGAINST ---> 5 NOT VOTING ---> 16 RESULT: ---> Fail -------------------------------------- Proposal #2 submitted by John Parker (PHILLIES): Since the last newsletter, a special vote was held via email to regarding IRBL # 564 11-23-98 7 allowing the PHILLIES' to use ISMAEL VALDES in post-season series. John Parker submitted the following appeal to a vote: Excuses for I.Valdes overuse: I overused Valdes in the away series vs the Blue Jays. Barry had notified me that the series was overdue by 2 weeks. The manager of the Blue Jays had quit. I was in between my holiday schedule and coaching my boys Little League team. In an effort to get the series played I used I.Valdes instead of J.Smoltz in game #3. The only excuse I can think of is that's the only series that M.Valdes was to start a game all year. He pitched game #2 of the series. The division was won the 1st game of the series when the Phillies beat the BlueJays. So the result of the game that I used I.Valdes was meaningless. There's no excuse for overusing a player. I wrote the wrong name down beside the Blue Jays rotation sheet, it was an away game and Valdes pitching in place of J.Smoltz isn't that big of a change in starting pitchers. I would like to appeal to the League and have I.Valdes activated for the Playoffs. I know last year the Cubs had 3 overused players and they played against me in the playoffs. Thanks for your time, John Parker. The proposal was: The PHILLIES' will be allowed to use Ismael Valdes in post-season series even though Valdes had a PUP (but the PUP will stand and still affect the PHILLIES' 1999 team draft order). Vote FOR or AGAINST allowing the PHILLIES to use Ismael Valdes in post-season series. PROPOSAL # ---> 2 -- FOR ---> 13 AGAINST ---> 10 NOT VOTING ---> 2 RESULT: ---> Fail The voting was very close and highly debated. Although there was a slight majority in favor, it did not reach the required 2/3's majority to pass. ...................................... EXPANSION TEAM RULE CHANGES: As I indicated in an email to all IRBL managers, it has been brought to my IRBL # 564 11-23-98 8 attention that the expansion IRBL DIAMONDBACKS may only have a few players prior to the draft (players that played for the Major League DIAMONDBACKS but are not currently on any IRBL rosters) (which is very different than previous IRBL expansion teams that had about 15 players prior to the draft). Therefore, the IRBL rules have been changed to give the new expansion teams 3 picks in each round starting with the second round (they will still get two preliminary round picks and the first pick in the first round). Please refer to the special note under IRBL Rule # 27 that indicates that this rule change will be re-evaluated after the draft to determine whether or not if it will be a permanent change for future expansion team drafts. The following is the new team draft order (not counting LSP's or PUP's): PRELIMINARY SECOND ROUND 1 DEVIL RAYS 37 DEVIL RAYS 2 DIAMONDBACKS 38 DIAMONDBACKS 3 DEVIL RAYS 39 DEVIL RAYS 4 DIAMONDBACKS 40 DIAMONDBACKS 5 ASTROS 41 DEVIL RAYS 6 REDS 42 DIAMONDBACKS 43 ROCKIES FIRST ROUND 44 BLUE JAYS 45 ASTROS 7 DEVIL RAYS 46 REDS 8 DIAMONDBACKS 47 INDIANS 9 ROCKIES 48 RANGERS 10 BLUE JAYS 49 METS 11 ASTROS 50 ORIOLES 12 REDS 51 YANKEES 13 INDIANS 52 CUBS 14 RANGERS 53 CARDINALS 15 METS 54 PADRES 16 ORIOLES 55 MARINERS 17 YANKEES 56 BRAVES 18 CUBS 57 TIGERS 19 CARDINALS 58 TWINS 20 PADRES 59 ATHLETICS 21 MARINERS 60 RED SOX 22 BRAVES 61 GIANTS 23 TIGERS 62 ANGELS 24 TWINS 63 EXPOS 25 ATHLETICS 64 ROYALS 26 RED SOX 65 MARLINS 27 GIANTS 66 BREWERS 28 ANGELS 67 PHILLIES 29 EXPOS 68 DODGERS 30 ROYALS 69 WHITE SOX 31 MARLINS 70 PIRATES IRBL # 564 11-23-98 9 32 BREWERS 33 PHILLIES 34 DODGERS 35 WHITE SOX 36 PIRATES Additional rounds will match the Second Round. ...................................... 1998 Season DMB Player Disk: If you have not done so already, place your order for the 1998 Season DMB Player Disk ($24.95 plus postage). You can order it at the Diamond Mind Baseball web site or you can call DMB at 800-400-4803. ...................................... Files included on LRD # 564: --------------------------- DPOS1103.S98 --> NL Division Series, DODGERS vs PIRATES DPOS2812.S98 --> NL Division Series, CUBS vs PHILLIES DPOS1318.S98 --> AL Division Series, MARINERS vs TIGERS DPOS1922.S98 --> AL Division Series, ROYALS vs ATHLETICS IRBLRULE.TXT --> IRBL Rules LCS-1211.S98 --> NL Championship Series, PHILLIES vs PIRATES LCS-1819.S98 --> AL Championship Series, TIGERS vs ROYALS MANAGERS.xxx --> Manager Address List NEWSL564.xxx --> Newsletter # 564 PUP .Y98 --> Player Useage Penalties WS--1812.S98 --> World Series, WHITE SOX vs PIRATES File Extension Legend (xxx): --------------------------- PED --> Epson Dot Matrix Compatible Printer "print file" PHL --> HP Laser Compatible Printer "print file" T1C --> Viewable one column newsletter text format TXT --> Viewable text format ...................................... BK IRBL # 564 11-23-98 10 VOTING RESULTS OF PROPOSALS: TEAM MANAGER 1 2 ---- ------- - - DODGERS Massimo Ortensi F F GIANTS Mike Mayko F F PADRES Andrea Cristiani - A ROCKIES Wing Lee F F ASTROS Mike Rainey - A CARDINALS Don Tobin - F CUBS Mike Boling F F PIRATES Ricky Diaz A - REDS Jeff Nicholson - A BRAVES Jim Jansen A A EXPOS Chris Williams - F MARLINS Don Swearingen - A METS Gerry McDonald - F PHILLIES John Parker - F ANGELS Matt Cummings - F ATHLETICS Bill Koens - F MARINERS RANGERS Michael Walsh - A BREWERS John Mattfeld A A INDIANS Bill Mattfeld - A ROYALS TWINS Mark Johnson - F WHITE SOX Chip Hopkins A F BLUE JAYS ORIOLES Carmine Salerno - F RED SOX Frank Hopkins - A TIGERS Rick Dean - A YANKEES Barry Koopersmith A - PROPOSAL # ---> 1 2 -- -- FOR ---> 4 13 AGAINST ---> 5 10 NOT VOTING ---> 16 2 RESULT: ---> Fail Fail