WBL Constitution
I. ORGANIZATION
1. Overview
The World Baseball League (the WBL) is a Strat-o-matic Baseball League containing 14 teams divided into�
an American League and a National League.�
2. The Regular Season
All teams will participate in a 162-game unbalanced schedule within their respective leagues. All games�
will be simulated on the Commissioner's computer using the most current version of Strat-o-matic�
Computer Baseball (SOM). Game results and other statistics will be posted on the WBL website.
During the course of the "Regular Season" it is the responsibility of each Owner/GM to send the�
Commissioner either written managerial instructions or an exported Computer Manager via e-mail.�
Instructions may be sent at any time. Instructions shall be implemented as timely as possible.
All games will be managed by Strat-o-matic Baseball's "computer manager" HAL based on the�
programmed instructions of each Owner/GM. All SOM Computer Baseball rule variations will be set to the�
most super, advance settings available. The DH rule will be used in all games.
Each Owner/GM shall be aware that HAL often makes decisions that seemingly contradict their�
programmed instructions. The League Commissioner is not responsible for these deviations from the�
intended instructions. In addition, the Commissioner is not responsible for errors of omission or�
commission when inputting teams' instructions. Such unintentional acts shall be considered Acts of God.�
Regular season games will never be replayed due to such mistakes.
3. Playoffs
League "Playoffs" shall commence as soon as possible following the end of the regular season.
In the case that teams are tied for 4th, there would be a 1 game playoff.� Tiebreakers for other seedings
are resolved first by Head to Head: if still tied then Intradivision record: if still tied then run differential.�
The top four (4) teams in each league shall advance to the Playoffs. All Playoff series, including the
World Series, shall be a best-of-seven (7) series. The first round shall consist of the 3rd place team
receiving home field advantage versus the 4th place team. The winners in Round 1 shall advance to Round 2,�
with the 2nd place team receiving home field advantage. The winners in Round 2 shall advance to their�
respective League Championship Series (LCS), with the 1st place team receiving home field advantage.
The winners of each LCS shall meet in the World Series, which shall commence the same day or as���
soon as possible after the completion of the last playoff game. The winner of the World Series shall�
be considered the WBL champion. In each and every Playoff series, the team with the best record
during the regular season shall host games #1,2,6 and 7 with travel days after games #2 and 5.
4. Stadiums
Each WBL team shall play in a current Major League Baseball stadium. Team Owners may rename��
and configure their stadium. In order to change the dimensions of their stadium an Owner must
notify the league prior to the draft and forfeit a 4th round pick. The weather factor is not used.
The dimensions for each park are listed on the team roster page for that team.�
II. TEAM ROSTERS
1. Legal Rosters
Each team in the WBL shall have a maximum "Legal Roster" of 27 players. A player who was injured and�
does not have enough innings or at bats can stay on that teams roster as a minor league player
for the year and cannot be used in games. This player can be traded, but still cannot play. If this player is�
released during the season he will then be eligible for the draft and cannot be picked up as a free agent.
Each Owner/Gm is responsible for maintaining a "Legal Roster" at all times during the Regular Season,�
Playoffs and World Series. A Legal Roster must have at least two activated players eligible to play each�
position. Players rated at multiple positions may satisfy the requirement at each of their rated positions.
2. The Rookie/Free Agent Draft and Protected Rosters
Prior to the start of each season, the league will conduct a draft of all "carded" rookies and any Free�
Agents who are not on any team's current roster. Any players not protected by teams join the pool
of eligible players in the annual draft.
The draft will consist of 12 rounds. Teams are allowed to draft players in all 12 rounds regardless of the�
number of players already on the team.
3. Free Agents Pickups
All players not selected during the draft remain Free Agents. Teams are allowed to acquire these players�
during the season. The following instructions apply to Free Agents:
A.) A free Agent picked up by a team after May 31 is returned to the the free agent list after the season
and eligible for the draft.�
B.) Players picked up prior to May 31 may be retained by their respective teams.
C.) A free agent may be picked up by a team to fill in for an injured player during the season by using the�
injured list (IL). The player will be returned to the free agent list when the injured player returns from the�
IL. The injured list may be 5, 10 or 15 days.� The 5 day IL is for 5 - 9 days, the 10 day IL is for
10 - 14 days and the 15 day IL is the max.�
D.) In the playoffs, a player put on the IL is out for the series. This can be determined prior to the start of the
series. In the event that a catcher or shortstop gets injured during the series, they may be put on the IL. In this�
situation the player would be out for the remainder of the series and the replacement must play their position.
4. Trading Players�
Trades between teams are permitted during the "off-season" and during the WBL season until July 31. A�
trading moratorium shall exist between September 1 and the last day of the World Series. The July 31�
date may be adjusted to accommodate a later or earlier start of the season.
The following types of transactions are not allowed in the WBL:
A.) Loans of players
B.) Unethical trades
Player to be named later deals may consist of only 1 PTBNL. A PTBNL cannot be traded for another�
PTBNL. The name of the PTBNL must be sent to the league commissioner prior to the draft.
All trades must be reported to the League Commissioner. Trades will be entered into the computer at the�
first available opportunity. There is no trade committee or approval process but the Commissioner
reserves the right to block and/or rescind any transaction that is detrimental to the league.(see above)
This action will never be used to prevent baseball stupidity, only collusion and/or other unethical behavior�
between Owner/GMs.The Commissioner must receive confirmation of all trades from all parties involved�
before they go into effect.
III. PLAYER USAGE
1. Usage Limits
Players must have 150 plate appearances to be eligible. Plate appearances are determined by adding up�
the walks and at bats on the players strat card. Starting pitchers must have at least 80 innings pitched
to be eligible. Relievers must have 30 innings pitched or must have appeared in at least 30 games
to be eligible. Pitchers listed as a starter/reliever but that do not have 80 innings, are eligible as relievers. They may�
be selected by the "computer manager" to start in the place of an injured starting pitcher.
Usage during the Playoffs and World Series for starting pitchers is that they must have three days of rest�
between starts, this includes the scheduled travel days.
2. Player Positions
Players may play any and all positions for which they have a SOM fielding rating.�
IV. OWNER/GMs' RESPONSIBILITIES
Lineups
Owner/GMs are responsible for submittinmg to the League Commissioner, via e-mail, before the start of the�
season:
Owner/GMs must fill out and send in the "manager tendency" sheet which includes the
A.) Starting lineups vs. LHP and vs. RHP
B.) Starting pitching rotation
C.) Closer and setup-men designations
D.) Any defensive replacement changes
E.) Manager tendencies
V. LEAGUE COMMISSIONER'S RESPONSIBILITES�
1. League Maintenance and Preservation
The League Commissioner shall do whatever is necessary to preserve the WBL and to maintain the�
integrity of the league. It is the intention of the League Commissioner to treat each and every
Owner/GM fairly and equitably.
The Commissioner shall be responsible for filling league vacancies, maintaining league files and data. The�
Commissioner shall play the games and update the web pages in a timely manner.
The Commissioner shall have the right to appoint other Owner/GMs to various league positions in order to�
delegate some league responsibilities and functions as he finds necessary.
2. Adjudication of Disputes
Most importantly, the Commissioner has the responsibility to settle disputes among Owner/GMs and�
between Owner/GMs and the league. The Commissioner reserves the right to act unilaterally,
under advisement from the rest of the league, for the express purpose of preserving the WBL.�
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Loopholes
It is the intention of this constitution to describe all rules of the WBL. In the event that an unintentional�
loophole exists which contradicts the spirit of this constitution the League Commissioner has the right,
under guidance from the members of the league, to make any ruling for the benefit and preservation of the�
League as well as the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.
2. Rule Amendments
A.) Rules may be amended by a league-wide vote. All amendments/changes must be approved by�
10 of 14 owners (75%).
B.) Owners are required to vote on every issue.�
C.) All voting will occur during the "off-season". No rules will be amended once a WBL season begins
unless an "emergency" arises which jeopardizes the league.
Jeff Chaput
Commissioner, WBL