Current League Date:
September 19, 2006
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Miami X Giants
Oakland Oaks
Philadelphia
Quakers
Seattle Pilots
St. Louis
Perfectos
New Federal Baseball League Charter
1. Overview
The NFBL is a simulation league using the Out Of The Park simulation engine, version 6.11. Ownership of the OOTP program is optional. The NFBL began play using real National League players and prospects as of Opening Day 2003.
2. League Structure
The NFBL consists of the Jackie Robinson League and the Lou Gehrig League. Neither league uses the designated hitter. Each league shall begin with six franchises. The league may expand in the future, though there are no current plans to do so.
3. Regular Season
The NFBL plays a 162-game regular season that includes interleague play.
4. Playoffs
The top two teams in each league will meet in a best-of-seven League Championship Series. (See tiebreaker rules) The LCS winners will advance to the best-of-seven Federal Series.
5. Sim Schedule
The sim schedule will generally be two sims a week, Sunday and Wednesday, of eight and seven days, respectively. This schedule will be adjusted as necessary, e.g. to slow down for playoffs and pennant races, or as the commissioner's schedule demands.
6. Owners' Responsibilities
Owners are responsible for submitting updated lineups for each sim. Lineups will be due at noon PDT the day of any weekend sim and 7 pm PDT the day of any weekday sim unless otherwise stated. Owners who will be unavailable, e.g. vacation, should notify the commissioner ahead of time.
Owners are also responsible for participating in drafts and other league activities. Owners need not be active traders, but are expected to respond timely to trade proposals from others.
Owners are expected to attempt to field a competitive team. While a "rebuilding phase" is understandable, owners may not deliberately "tank" either to help another owner or to improve their own draft position.
Our league depends on the active participation of its owners. Although not required, owners are encouraged to write articles for the web site, and generally contribute to the community.
7. Trades
Prior to the trade deadline, or in the off-season, teams may trade players, cash, and draft picks for the upcoming amateur draft. All trades must be confirmed by email to the commissioner. NO TRADE IS OFFICIAL UNTIL IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY ALL PARTIES AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER, or the assistant commissioner in the case of a trade involving the commissioner's team. Trades will only be vetoed if they appear collusive, are so lopsided as to threaten the integrity of the league, or would violate another league rule.
8. Financial System
The OOTP6 financial system will be used. All teams began with $5 million cash. There is no salary cap and no cash maximum; however, the league financial structure shall be reviewed each year and a salary cap, revenue sharing, or some other adjustments may be imposed in necessary to ensure a fair and competitive league. As of the 2006 season, there is a luxury tax as follows. At the end of each season (beginning in 2006), teams will be charged a tax if their Total Player Expenses exceed the league average (mean) from the previous season. From 100% to 110% of the league average, the tax rate is 25%, from 110% to 125%, it is 50%, and above 125% it is 100% (dollar for dollar).
Owners who run out of money may not be permitted to bid on free agents, offer contract extensions, or make trades that increase team payroll, and shall be required to submit a plan to the commissioner for restoring a positive cash balance to the franchise.
9. Free Agency
If possible, offseason free agent offers will be processed through a neutral third party. Otherwise, the procedure below will be followed.
For every day in the free agency period, the commissioner shall record his own free agent offers before inviting owners to send in their offers by email. Owners shall be notified of signings, counteroffers, or player comments. To ensure a level playing field, if the commissioner has bid on a free agent for whom a second round of bidding is necessary, all competing owners shall be notified of all prior offers made to that player.
10. Amateur Draft
After each season, a seven-round amateur draft shall be held. The non-playoff teams shall draft first through eighth (in reverse order of finish), the two LCS losing teams shall draft ninth and tenth (again in reverse order of finish), the Federal Series losing team shall draft eleventh, and the Federal Series winning team shall draft twelfth.
11. Coaches and Scouts
The coaches and scouts option will be used. All scouts have been set to "average."
12. New Stadiums
Rules for modifying or constructing stadiums will be determined in the future.
13. Relocation
New owners will be permitted to relocate their franchise if they so desire. Other rules for relocating a franchise will be determined in the future.
14. Vacancies
Any vacancies shall be filled at the commissioner's discretion. Teams without an owner shall have their lineups set, and draft choices and free agent bids made by the computer. Computer-controlled teams shall not make any trades.
15. Enforcement and Modification of Rules
The commission will enforce these rules and amend them as necessary to ensure the fair operation of the league. Wherever possible, owners shall be consulted before and rule changes are made.