Can-Am Constitution

1. Playing Rules.
    
   1. A schedule will be provided by the league for each season. The schedule will rotate on a yearly basis.
      A manager will play the home games and send instructions for an away series against the same team
      concurrently.
   2. When playing "face to face" no instructions sheets are required.
   3. Upon completion of the games, compile the statistics for both teams. The required statistics are covered
      in section 3.
   4. Keep the statistics for your opponent and record all statistics for your team.
   5. Mail the score sheets and series statistics for both teams before the first of the month.
   6. Upon receipt of the score sheets from the opposing manager for the games he played, check for violations
      of your instructions. If any are found, see sections 6 and 8.
   7. Record your team's statistics for the away series.
   8. Call the league office by the tenth of each month with your record and any current problems. Only the
      required number of games should be reported.
   9. Send complete statistics to the league statistician after completion of each block of games as announced
      by the league office.
   10. It is the home manager's responsibility to play his home games. If the instructions are not received before
       the twelfth of the month, the league office will issue instructions for that team.
   11. Emergency instructions are to be sent to the league office with each change in your 25 man active roster.
       Failure to do so will result in forfeit of any games where instructions are late. This includes any problem
       due to the postal service!!

        

2. Instruction Sheets.
    
   1. An instruction sheet is to be mailed to the opposing manager by the 27^th of each month for the next month's games.
   2. An instruction sheet is to be neat and legible. Neatly written, typed, or computer generated sheets are preferred
      but not required.
   3. An instruction sheet can be as comprehensive as desired, however there are required strategies to be covered.
      A sample instruction sheet will be provided to all managers for their use as a guide upon request. Nothing can
      be subjective. If "Use your best judgement" is part of the instructions, results cannot be challenged.
   4. When playing the games and a situation occurs which is not covered in the instruction sheet, ignore the situation
      and keep the status quo. Note any of these situations on the score sheet for the opposing manager.
   5. If an opposing manager's instructions include a player acquired in a trade unknown to the home manager, he
      may alter his lineups versus a particular pitcher or change his starting rotation.

1. Statistics.
    
   1. After playing the games for each series, total the statistics of the games for both teams for each player who
      appeared in the series.
   2. Record your team's statistics before sending a copy of the score sheets and series totals to the opposing
      manager. Do the same when you receive statistics for away games.
   3. Send accumulated statistics for your team to the league statistician after the June games are completed by
      July 15 and at the conclusion of all games at the end of the season.
   4. When recording statistics use either the league form or a similar handwritten, typed or computer generated form.
      Total all columns.
   5. Statistical categories to be recorded include:
      1. Batters - games played, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, homeruns, RBI, walks, strikeouts,
         stolen bases, caught stealing, errors, HBP, sacrifice hits, batting average, on-base percentage, and
         slugging percentage.
      2. Pitchers - games, games started, complete games, wins, losses, saves, innings pitched, hits allowed,
         runs allowed, earned runs, homeruns, walks, strikeouts, shutouts, and ERA.
          
2. Lateness.
    
   1. There are four types of lateness:
      1. Instructions sheets sent late,
      2. Results sent late,
      3. Records called in late, and
      4. Team statistics sent late.
   2. Instruction sheets are to be sent as outlined in section 2. If they are not received by the twelfth of the month,
      emergency instructions will be used. If a current set is not on file in the league office, the games will be forfeited.
   3. If score sheets and statistics from your opponents are late, the league office should be notified when the records
      are called in.
   4. Team statistics are to be mailed to the league statistician as outlined in section 3.
   5. There are no excuses unless the league office is notified in advance and approves of the reasons.
       
3. Player Usage.
    
   1. Only carded players may be used in league games.
   2. Batters will be allowed 10% of their at-bats added onto their total MLB at-bats.
   3. Batters must have 60 MLB at-bats to be eligible for use.
   4. Pitchers will be allowed 10% of their innings pitched added onto their total MLB innings pitched.
   5. All starting pitchers require 3 games rest before they may pitch again in the same series.
   6. Starting rotations are made up on the basis of each home and away series.
   7. All starters must pitch at least 5 innings in a game they start unless they give up 4 or more runs or reach their
      point-of-weakness prior to the 5^th inning.
   8. A starting pitcher cannot pitch past the 11^th inning of a game he starts.
   9. The Strat-O-Matic super-advanced rule for starting pitcher's fatigue is used.
   10. A relief pitcher who pitches past the inning in his ( ) on his card must rest the next game in the same series.
   11. A relief pitcher who pitches in a series may not start in the same series.
   12. A relief pitcher may not pitch more than double the innings in the ( ) on his card.
   13. The Strat-O-Matic fatigue after use on consecutive days rule for relief pitchers is not used in the regular season.
   14. The DH rule is used in all games. The DH can move into the field at any time with the pitcher batting in the
       removed player's spot.
   15. The league office will publish a schedule outlining when dual carded players may play in the regular season. In
       the playoffs, the combined IL cards are used for dual carded players. Depending on the final vote, the IL
       combined card may be used in the 1999 Can-Am regular season and playoffs.
   16. The injury rule is not used in this league.
   17. Players may not play out of position. If a player is forced to play out of position due to a foul-up, he will be
       rated the worst fielding rating possible for the position except for outfielders who will be rated according to
       the modifications used by Strat-O-Matic.
        
4. Violations and Penalties.
    
   1. Each game the player gets an at-bat or inning pitched after their 10% is extinguished will be forfeited if it is
      determined by the league office that it had an outcome in determining the playoff teams. Draft seeding will
      be based on record prior to forfeitures. Penalties for over usage of players which do not result in forfeiture of
      games will be determined by the league office.
   2. Violations of the opposing manager's instruction sheet will result in the game being replayed if the violation
      is clearly handled in the instruction sheet. Any questions about whether the game needs to be replayed
      will be handled by the league office.
   3. Lateness infractions cause the loss of the 4^th round draft pick for the first offense, 2^nd round pick for the
      second infraction subject to review.
       
5. Trading.
    
   1. The trading deadline for eligibility for the next month is the 23^rd of each month. July 23^rd is the trading
      deadline for players to be eligible for the playoffs.
   2. When a trade is made, the managers must decide which of the trading deadlines the trade becomes
      effective. The whole trade and all players or draft picks must be exchanged before the trade deadline
      agreed upon.
   3. After a trade has been completed, it is the responsibility of all managers involved to report the trade to
      the minister of trades within 7 days. The trade will not become effective until all mangers have reported
      the trade.
   4. When players are traded during the season, the original team will keep all statistics that the traded
      players accumulated for their team. They will also report the number of at-bats or innings pitched to
      the trading team.
   5. There will be no loans and no players to be named later. All players must be delivered at the same time.
   6. Draft picks for the next draft only may be traded.
   7. All trades must be clearly defined. No and/if statements will be permitted in the wording of the trade.
   8. A player traded by a team cannot be traded back to that team by the original trading team for a period
      of 243 games played by the league or 1 ½ seasons.
   9. There will be no trades with a new manager until that manager has been in the league for one month.
      There will be no exceptions. You will be free to call and negotiate immediately but no trade can
      become official until this date. Unofficial trades will not be recognized by the league and are not binding.
      All trades reported to the minister of trades under the above conditions are binding.
   10. The existing manager who recommends a new manager will have trades between his team and the new
       manager reviewed by the league office for a period of 1 year.
   11. Trades may be contested by any manager but strictly on the basis of "no perceived value." Protests are
       to be made to the minister of trades. If required, an independent counsel of 3 uninvolved managers will
       be solicited.
        
6. Rosters.
    
   1. Playing roster is the 25 man active roster which a team may use during the season. This roster is set
      at the beginning of the season and may be changed every month. Traded players join the roster at the
      beginning of each month.
   2. Reserve roster is the remaining players who are on the team but not on the 25 man active roster.
   3. Team roster is the roster of all the players on your team. This roster is to be made up of players drafted
      and obtained in trades.
   4. Changes to rosters are due in the league office no later than two weeks after the draft. Any players not
      on the team roster will re-enter the draft before the next season.
       
7. Drafting.
    
   1. The annual draft will be held after the cards are issued by Strat-O-Matic as announced by the league office.
   2. The annual draft will be held by telephone. If a manager is unable to participate in the draft, a list of players
      should be sent to the league office in advance of the phone draft. If no list is received and the manager is
      not home when called to pick, after 2 calls the manager will be skipped and he can make his picks when
      next contacted. If this contact is after the completion of the draft, he will have until a specified date indicated
      by the league office to make his selections. After this point, draft picks are lost.
   3. It is each manager's responsibility to know who is available to be drafted. Current rosters will be provided
      before the draft. If a player is drafted who is already on an existing roster, a new pick may be taken when
      the error is discovered. If the error is discovered after the league cutoff date, the pick will occur in the next
      year's draft.
   4. The draft is an open draft concept. Any player is eligible for the draft. This includes players without cards.
   5. There are either 6 or 16 rounds in the draft (alternating each year) which include a bonus round. In years
      when there are 16 rounds, teams must cut their roster to 20 protected players.
   6. The order of drafting will be the reverse order of finish for all non-playoff teams. The playoff teams will pick
      in reverse order of finish except for the Can-Am champion and runner up who pick last and next to last regardless of record.
        
8. Voting Process for Amendments.
    
   1. The league managers will vote on amendments to the rules. An issue can be voted on during the draft.
   2. Issues must be introduced in writing and submitted to the league office by January 1.
   3. To change or repeal an existing rule, a 2/3 majority vote is required.
   4. To add a new rule, a majority vote is required.
   5. The most advanced version of Strat-O-Matic rules will be used except as indicated by the league office.
      If a new version of the game is introduced, new rules will not apply for one year unless the league votes
      by a majority to waive the waiting period.
       

Playoff Rules.
 

1. The top 3 teams in each division will go to the playoffs.
2. Player usage limitations for each post season series are as follows:

1. The maximum games allowed on the chart above will not count against non-starting players when they enter
   the game in the 7^th inning or later or are used as a pinch hitter/runner and leave the game immediately prior
   to the next half inning. It is the responsibility of each manager to inform his opponent of player game usage
   limits of all his players.
2. Position players and starting pitchers availability is based upon actual MLB statistics.
3. Starters require 10 MLB starts, relief pitchers require 20 MLB appearances or 30 MLB innings pitched, and
   position players require 60 MLB at-bats to be eligible for use in the playoffs.
4. Player restrictions should be listed on the playoff roster and instruction sheet beside each player's name.
5. The schedule for playoff games will be 2 games, 1 day off, 3 games, 1 day off, and 2 games. There is one day
   off between series.
6. This schedule applies for all series. Teams are awarded an extra day of rest for every game their next opponent
   plays more than they did. Example, team A wins in 4 games and team B wins in 6. Team A is awarded 3 days
   rest (1 between series and 2 for winning in 2 less games.)
7. Playoff rosters are in "stone" and may not ne changed between or during each series.
8. Dual carded players must use the IL combined card in the playoffs.
9. One starting pitcher may be used as a reliever. He will have an endurance of 1(N). If that pitcher is used as a
   starter in a subsequent series, he will require 3 days rest from his last appearance.
10. All relievers will require 1 days rest after 2 appearances on consecutive days.
11. All relievers may have a maximum of 5 or less appearances per series according to the chart above.
12. All relievers require 1 additional day of rest per inning pitched exceeding their endurance (number in ( ) on their card.)
13. All relievers may pitch a total of 150% of their endurance over two consecutive days (excluding day off in 2-3-2 format.)
    Example, a reliever with an endurance of (2) may pitch 3 innings on consecutive days and rest only one day. Any
    excess innings will require an additional day of rest per inning.
14. All position players ineligible to start may enter a game as a pinch-runner or batter prior to the 7^th inning but then
    must leave the game prior to the next half inning. Any player may enter and stay in the game from the 7^th inning on.
     
1. Miscellaneous Rules.
    
1. All player cards will be used.
2. The most recent cards will be used.
3. Both pitcher hitting and batter pitching rules will be used.
4. Existing stadiums will be used unless the league votes by a majority vote to allow alterations to the stadiums. Once this
   is changed it will take a 2/3 majority to change it back.