------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | International Replay Baseball League - Founded October 30, 1973 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ***************** IRBL NEWSLETTER # 588 ***************** 12-22-99 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ...................................... ************** ***** URGENT MESSAGE ***** ************** LRD # 588 contains an updated version of the "IRBL Menu Program" (version 7.00.09). The upgrade should have automatically installed when you loaded this LRD. Each manager should verify that the new version was installed correctly by selecting menu choice "Display Or Change IRBL Menu Program Configuration" from the "IRBL Menu Program" and confirming that the 4th line from the top of the screen states the following: "Program version: 7.00.09" IMPORTANT: A change was made to IRBL Menu Program option # 6 to allow you to change the hard drive letter from "C" to the letter that you have the DMB game installed on (for those few managers that did not use the DMB game default). You will need to set this letter correctly in order for the IRBL Menu Program to locate the DMB game. You will only need to do this once a year when the IRBL Menu Program configuration file is updated for the new year and the letter is set back to "C" (which most managers are using). NOTICE: This newsletter should be appearing in the \IRBL\RESULTS.Y00 directory. When you installed this LRD, the following three directories should have been created: \IRBL\LEAGUE.Y00 \IRBL\RESULTS.Y00 \IRBL\SERIES.Y00 You can archive or delete any files that you do not want from the 1999 (Y99) versions of the above 3 directories. ************** ***** URGENT MESSAGE ***** ************** ...................................... PLAYER TRANSACTIONS: IRBL # 588 12-22-99 2 The CUBS released MIKE ROBERTSON, KEVIN SEITZER, JOSE BAUTISTA, JOE CRAWFORD, GLENN DISHMAN, RICK HONEYCUTT, PAUL MENHART, BLAS MINOR. The TIGERS traded KENNY ROGERS to the PIRATES for KELVIM ESCOBAR. The PADRES traded RICH BECKER, BRENT GATES, PADRES' 6TH round pick to the D-BACKS for CARLOS GUILLEN, D-BACKS' 5TH round pick. The RANGERS traded MIKE REDMOND, WAYNE GOMES to the PHILLIES for BUTCH HUSKEY. The TIGERS traded GARRET ANDERSON, ANDY ASHBY to the RANGERS for HOMER BUSH, DARIN ERSTAD, QUINTON MCCRACKEN. The PIRATES traded WILSON ALVAREZ, KEVIN APPIER to the BREWERS for WADE BOGGS, PETE HARNISCH. The ANGELS traded TONY FERNANDEZ, TURK WENDELL to the PHILLIES for JOSE OFFERMAN. The PIRATES traded RHEAL CORMIER, ROBB NEN to the RED SOX for RED SOX' 1ST round pick. The RED SOX released DENNIS ECKERSLEY, DENNIS MARTINEZ, DAVE STIEB, DON WENGERT. ...................................... CORRECTION ON ROSTERS FILES: There are 1209 players (not 1211) (580 pitchers, not 582). I used the statistics files that I purchased from Stats, Inc. and for some reason, they listed two batters (Adrian Brown and Lenny Harris) as pitchers (with GP=0 and IP=0, which makes no sense since that means that they never appeared as pitchers). I didn't catch the error until I checked the names against the DMB player files. Therefore, the following is the corrected information based on the revised total players numbers: During the 1999 Major League Season, 1209 players (629 batters and 580 pitchers) appeared in at least one game. There are 23 more players this season than last season (4 less batters and 27 more pitchers). According to IRBL Rule # 13B1, 9 teams will be allowed to draft until they have 41 rated players and 21 teams will be allowed to draft until they have 40 rated players. The following 9 teams will be allowed IRBL # 588 12-22-99 3 to draft until they have 41 rated players: DIAMONDBACKS, DEVIL RAYS, BRAVES, GIANTS, INDIANS, YANKEES, ROCKIES, ASTROS and REDS The following 21 teams will be allowed to draft until they have 40 rated players: ROYALS, TWINS, CUBS, TIGERS, ORIOLES, PADRES, ATHLETICS, ANGELS, EXPOS, METS, PIRATES, CARDINALS, MARINERS, MARLINS, RANGERS, BLUE JAYS, RED SOX, DODGERS, WHITE SOX, BREWERS and PHILLIES ...................................... I have included files of the current cross-referenced IRBL rosters and DMB Game rosters plus the updated DMB IRBL player files. Please notify me immediately if you find any errors on the IRBL or DMB rosters. ...................................... The players on the DMB Game Rosters without cross-referencing numbers will be eligible to be drafted (234 total players: 93 batters and 141 pitchers). This total will increase by any additional rated players that are released. Usually, the breakdown between available batters and pitchers are much closer than it is this year. You can also see these 234 players if you access the "Agents" option using the DMB game. ...................................... I have included a file containing the Player Usage Forms for all teams plus a file containing the Player Usage limitations for all the players eligible to be drafted. I have also included some additional information on the forms that you may find useful as a reference in comparing the players. These files will be updated with every new LRD installation throughout the trading season. To print out your own teams Player Usage Form, you can use the LIST program to highlight and print your team's page or you can edit and paste the entire file using your text editor or Word Processor (or using the DOS EDIT program by pressing [E] from the LIST program file list). ...................................... Please let me know if you find any mistakes in the Player Usage Form IRBL season limits. If there are any errors, the correct calculation will override these information sheets. ...................................... IRBL # 588 12-22-99 4 Results of first IRBL draft date survey: 1) Keep the draft date at Sunday, Feb. 13th --> 1 manager 2) Change the draft date to Sunday, Feb. 6th --> 4 managers 3) Change the draft date to Sunday, Feb. 20th --> 4 managers 4) I don't care which of the above three dates is selected --> 12 managers Three managers did not respond. I then sent out a second survey to the 9 managers who had a preference for a draft date to determine a date where the most managers are available to participate "live" (as opposed to using a written list). I asked them to indicate an order of preference among the three possible draft dates ("1" for first choice, "2" for second choice and "3" for third choice). If any of the choices would force them to use a written draft instructions list, then indicate "written list" after the number. I weighted the results and the dates of Feb. 6th and Feb. 20th came out as a tie. Since 5 managers indicated Feb. 20th as a first choice and 4 managers selected Feb. 6th as a first choice, Feb. 20th will be the draft date. Nobody has indicated that they cannot participate on Feb. 20th so with no written lists (hopefully), the draft may proceed quickly. ...................................... The year 2000 IRBL Rookie / Free-Agent Draft will start on Sunday Feb. 20th at 8 am until 9 pm, Eastern Time. At 9 pm, I will make a determination if I can complete the draft that night or to postpone the continuation of the draft until 8 am on the following Sunday. ...................................... I have enclosed a "Method Of Participating In The 2000 Draft" form. Please send me the required information in one of the following ways: 1) Edit and fill in the form and rename the filename extension to IRBL # 588 12-22-99 5 your team number in the following format: DRAFTFOR.Txx (i.e., the DODGERS would name the file DRAFTFOR.T03). Then email the file to me. 2) Just include the required information in an email and I will fill out the form for you. ...................................... New DMB Player Disk: I received the 1999 Season DMB Player files via email on Dec. 16th. If you have not received your files yet from DMB, I suggest that you contact them about it. ...................................... MANAGER RESIGNATION: Bob Gunter has resigned from the IRBL as the MARINERS' manager due to failing health. The following IRBL managers have volunteered to handle the six open teams as temporary General Managers (handling the draft and preparing team season instructions): DIAMONDBACKS --> Ricky Diaz ROYALS --> Mike Boling DEVIL RAYS --> George Widenor ATHLETICS --> Massimo Ortensi BLUE JAYS --> Chip Hopkins MARINERS --> John Parker I have included an updated IRBL Manager Address List. Please update your email lists for the changes for John Parker and Massimo Ortensi. ...................................... DEADLINES: Jan. 30 - Trading and player release deadline (6 pm, EST) Feb. 20*- 2000 Draft (start 8 am, ET) Mar. 12*- Trading deadline (6 pm, ET) Mar. 26*- Team instructions to be received by League Office and all managers within your league Apr. 5*- First series of 2000 season *will slip one week for every Sunday the draft continues beyond Feb. 20 ...................................... Files included on LRD # 588: --------------------------- DRAFTFOR.Y00 --> Draft Participation Form DRAFTPUF.TXT --> Player Usage Form for IRBL # 588 12-22-99 6 all players eligible to be drafted IRBLROST.TXT --> IRBL Rosters MANAGERS.TXT --> Manager Address List NEWSL588.xxx --> Newsletter # 588 PLAYERUF.TXT --> Player Usage Forms for all teams File Extension Legend (xxx): --------------------------- T1C --> Viewable one column newsletter text format TXT --> Viewable text format ...................................... BK IRBL # 588 12-22-99 7 MESSAGES OF INTEREST SENT VIA INTERNET EMAIL -------------------------------------------- From: "JOHN_PARKER" To: "Barry Koopersmith" Subject: Re: LRD's # 584 thru 587 Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 07:08:12 -0800 New email address is: JOHN_PARKER@telus.net I can receive email at the old address until March 1, 2000. Yours, John Parker. From: "Ricky Diaz" To: IRBL Managers Subject: Klassen and Co Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 14:00:42 -0500 Although he has lost his appeal he is still young enough to carry on your roster if you have the room. He is available for ab's at any infield position. Diamond Backs are currently covered as follows C- mark Lohnson 282 ab's 1b-Travis Lee 450 ab's + Fernando Seguinol 157 ab's 2b- #1 Selction in draft Warren Morris 154 games ss- ?????? Hansen probale 400 ab guy 3b- ?????? Sheldon probale 400 ab guy + Scarsone 102 ab's dh- ?????? anyone lf- ?????? Ramirez 145 ab's cf- Marvin Bernard 156 games rf- Roger Cedeno 161 games Available: Alex Cora, Edwin Diaz, Carlos Guillen, Marcus jensen, Danny Klassen, Jessie Levis From: "Ricky Diaz" To: IRBL Managers Subject: D'Backs Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 14:23:23 -0500 Are not in need of pitching Brewer 250 inn Clement 35 starts Medina 23 inn Myers 94 inn Nunez 16 starts 163 inn Pavano 30 starts Perez 30 starts Vazquez 31 starts Ricky IRBL # 588 12-22-99 8 From: MMikeW60@cs.com Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 14:55:52 EST Subject: Players Available To: IRBL Managers The Rangers have the following players available for those looking to fill some holes: Mike Benjamin, John Wehner, Reggie Williams, Gregg Zaun, Andy Fox, Robin Jennings, Terry Jones, Jorge Velandia. Also Quinton McCracken, David Dellucci and Mike Redmond. Pitchers: Steve Sparks, Alvin Morman, Lance Painter, Mike Fyhrie, Rafael Carmona, Mike Busby, Tom Martin and Wayne Gomes. Looking for Draft picks or combining any of these players for a hitter with some power or starting pitching. Mike Rangers From: GWidenor@aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:01:51 EST Subject: TIGERS still in search of... To: IRBL Managers ... a 1B man. Full time, part time, any time, but we haven't got any! Still have full complement of draft picks + Chip's 1st. Still looking to deal Ashby to a contender to fill other needs. Any deal that doesn't dig me a new big hole to fill this one is doable. Looking for some help.... George From: MMikeW60@cs.com Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 11:42:35 EST Subject: Trade To: IRBL Managers The Rangers have (LHP) Brian Anderson available: Would like to trade staight-up or in combination with the following: Huskey Looking for OF/DH in return Trammel / Kelly Looking for OF/DH in return Brosius Looking for 3b in return Make an offer Mike Rangers IRBL # 588 12-22-99 9 Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:46:27 +0100 To: Barry Koopersmith From: Massimo Ortensi Subject: Re: IRBL draft date (survey # 2) Please also note that I'm changing my email account from m.ortensi@bo.nettuno.it to m.ortensi@tin.it both addresses will be working through the end of the year, then only the @tin.it will be working. From: GWidenor@aol.com Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:05:46 EST Subject: Just one more hole to fill... To: IRBL Managers The TIGERS will look to acquire an OF with some power, either through trade or via the draft. Still a full complement of draft picks, plus an additional 1st rounder. Also now find myself in the unique position of having 2 full time 2B. Can package some or much of that up to a team who is rebuilding and looking to trade one FT player for multiple players with potential (via picks). Am willing to overpay just a bit.... George