Any league rules that deviate from the standard ESPN rulebook are outlined below. We have our own quirky little guidelines for each owner to make themselves familiar.
League Entry Fee & Payout
Currently, there is no fee for entry in the league.
The Draft Date
Our live online draft is historically held on the Sunday closest to the start of the MLB season.
Draft Order
The league draft order for the following season is determined by a mix of lottery and league standings. Teams making the playoffs will draft by the inverse of their standings. Example: League Champion automatically drafts last, with the remaining teams drafting ahead of him.
Non-playoff teams will take part in a weighted draft lottery, based on their position at the end of the regular season (consolation playoffs do not affect standings for non-playoff teams).
The 3 teams at the bottom of the standings will receive 3 entries in the lottery. The next 3 teams will each receive 2 entries in the lottery.
“7 Starts Rule” for Pitching Limits
Each weekly matchup, you are allowed to throw 7 GS (Games Started) by your pitching staff. You may manage them any way you choose so long as you don’t end up throwing more than the allotted limit per matchup. ESPN does post the limit next to each matchup; however it is up to YOU to track your starts. Keep in mind that occassionally one of your RP may throw an unexpected spot start, or that one of your starting pitchers may exit a game after throwing just 1 pitch, or 1 inning. Both of these scenarios still qualify as a GS and will count against your number.
The rule is titled the “7 Starts Rule,” however the actual guideline allows for 1 start for each day of a matchup. A few matchups during the season may be 10 or 14 days in length, and would allow for 10 and 14 starts respectively. This is a gentelmen’s agreement by our league that everyone MUST follow. Failure to limit your GS will result in loss of categories and ultimately may cost you a win for the week.
Regular Season Waivers and F.A.A.B.
Each team is issued $100 at the beginning of the regular season. The cash is used to bid on players in silent auction format. Silent auctions will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to process new free agent acquisitions.
The minimum amount required to bid on a player is $0.
Your budget will carry over to the playoffs. See the rule below regarding FAAB and the playoffs.
Waivers In the Playoffs and Championship
New for 2013! When the playoffs begin, only the playoff teams may make roster acquisitions and drops. Each playoff team may carry over 1/2 (half) of its remaining FAAB budget plus an additional bonus based on seed (1st- +$25, 2nd- +$20, 3rd- +$15, 4th- +$10) to be used on a maximum of 5 roster additions for the duration of the post-season.
Ties in the Playoffs and Championship Game
Ties during the quarter, semi and other non-championship playoff weeks will be awarded to the team with the better seed.
Currently, ties in the championship are treated the same way. This is still under review.
Keepers & The Off-Season
The off-season officially begins on the Monday following the conclusion of the league championship. Teams may begin to trade players and draft picks and may continue to do so through the keeper lock date during the following March.
Waivers and free agency resumes on the following Friday after the league championship has concluded and is done so in a normal, Waiver Priority format. There are no auctions or bidding during the regular season. Waivers will process each Friday during the off-season.
We play in a Franchise Keeper League. Each team is required to keep exactly 5 players from their roster to carry over to the following season. Each team must select their keeper players before the date in March of the following year, or they will forgo their right to choose their own keepers and will have them determined by the league commissioner.
At the time of the keeper lock date, all rosters are locked. No team may add or drop players until after the league draft.
Keeper players reserve the first 5 rounds of the draft. Round 6 marks the beginning of adding new players to your team.
