Version 2021.2 (last update Dec 18, 2021)
The Rawhide Action Baseball League (RABL) is a 24-team league using the latest version of the Action PC Baseball game. All games are NETPLAY ONLY.
ORGANIZATION:
1.1 RABL Commissioner:
The commissioner will have broad powers. While policies in the RABL will strive towards a democratic approach involving majority-rule (13 votes), it is recognized that the Commissioner will have unilateral authorities to act in the best interest of the RABL, including, but not limited to, all rules, rulings, vetoes, violations, penalties, et al., in or outside of this Constitution. His interpretations and rulings will be final.
1.2 RABL Statistician:
The league has a Statistician who also maintains our League website at http://rablbb.com/rawhidebbl/rablmod.html . The Statistician will monitor player USAGE and issue overuse warnings when necessary. While he will do this as a service to the league, it is each owner’s responsibility to monitor and not exceed his player’s usage.
1.3 Communication: The RABL uses the SLACK website/application to communicate between members. SLACK is used to post League announcements, make trades, download League files, upload Manager files, post Game results and much more. All managers are expected to have a SLACK account and monitor it REGULARLY for all League communications.
1.4 Keeper League: The RABL is a “keeper” league. At the end of each season, teams are allowed to keep a maximum of 23 players on their roster. All other players are released to the Free Agent pool. At the beginning of each new season, team rosters are completed by Drafting players from the Free Agent pool.
RULES CHANGES:
2.1 Rule changes to improve the league can be proposed to the Commissioner. Normally, when deemed appropriate, there will be majority-rule voting (13 votes). However, this Constitution may be changed at any time at the discretion of the Commissioner.
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE & LEAGUE STRUCTURE:
The
League will play a 162-game regular season schedule. Each franchise
will play 81 home and 81 road games.
There will be two leagues: American and National. Each league will consist of three (3) divisions with four (4) franchises in each Division.
American League (12 Teams) National League (12 Teams)
Eastern Division: 4 Teams Eastern Division: 4 Teams Central Division: 4 Teams Central Division: 4 Teams Western Division: 4 Teams Western Division: 4 Teams
3.3 Teams in the American League will have MLB American League names, play in their associated home ballpark, and use the Designated Hitter rule.
3.4 Teams in the National League will have MLB National League names, play in their associated home ballpark, and not use the Designated Hitter rule.
3.5 For Inter-League games, the use of the Designated Hitter will be determined by the League of the Home Team.
PLAYOFF SYSTEM:
To promote competition and a fun atmosphere, twelve (12) teams, six (6) in each league, will be eligible for post-season playoffs.
4.1 The six (6) division champions will advance to the playoffs. Each league will have three (3) Wild-Card teams advance to the playoffs.
4.2 Tie Breakers: In cases where the tiebreaker between two teams would result in one team not making the playoffs, a one (1) game playoff will be played to determine a winner. All one (1) game playoffs will count as part of the regular season. USAGE will not be charged, and fatigue carries over.
4.2.1 Ties Within a Division: All ties within a division are resolved first, as follows:
4.2.1.1 Two teams tie within a division: Head-to-head record, record within the division, record within the league, run differential, lottery.
4.2.1.2 Three or four team tie within a division: Head-to-head record, record within the league, run differential, lottery. Once the tie is broken, the remaining teams follow the same tiebreaker format to determine where each team finishes. Once the lowest two teams remain, the two-team tiebreaker rules will be followed.
Note: A one (1) game playoff will not be conducted if there is a three-or four-way tie.
4.2.2 Ties between Teams of Different Divisions: After all Division ties have been broken, the league will consider ties between teams of different divisions starting with the highest seeded teams.
4.2.2.1
Two team tie
between divisional
winners: Head-to-head
record, record within the league, run differential, lottery.
4.2.2.2 Three team tie between divisional Winners: Head-to-head record if all three teams have played each other equally, record within the league, run differential, then a lottery to determine a winner. The remaining two teams break their tie: Head-to-head record, record within the league, run differential, lottery.
4.2.2.3 Two team tie between teams from different divisions that did not win their division: Head-to-head record, record within the league, run differential, lottery. A one (1) game playoff will be necessary only if one of the teams would miss the playoffs because of the tiebreaker.
4.2.2.4 Three or more teams tied between teams from different divisions that did not win their division: Head-to-head record if all teams have played each other equally, record within the league, run differential, lottery. This process will continue until all teams have been seeded. A one (1) game playoff will be necessary only if one of the final two teams would miss the playoffs because of the tie-breaker system.
4.3 Playoff Format:
All playoff series will be best-of-seven with a 2-3-2 Home-team format with the higher seed hosting the first two and final two games and the lower seed hosting the middle three games. There will be one (1) day of rest after games 2 and 5. One (1) day of rest will be given before the beginning of any new series.
4.4 Wild Card Playoff: The division winner with the lowest seed will play the Wild Card team with the lowest seed. The top two seeded Wild Card teams will play each other.
4.5 Divisional Playoff: Once the wild card playoffs have concluded, the #1 overall seed will host the lowest remaining seeded team. The #2 overall seed will host the highest remaining seeded team.
4.6 League Championship: The two Divisional Playoff winners will play in the League Championship Series.
4.7 World Series:
4.7.1 Home team advantage will alternate each season. The American League team will host the Championship Series in 2013 and all subsequent odd-numbered seasons. The National League team will host the Championship Series in 2014 and all subsequent even-numbered seasons.
4.7.2 Teams will use the DH in the American League ballparks only.
ROSTERS:
5.1 During the regular season and playoffs, a team's roster must always have at least 32 players and no more than 35 players. Teams may have an unlimited number of players during the off-season. The off-season will generally be from the end of the World Series to the announced Cut-down date.
5.1.1 Pitchers: Each team must have enough Real-life Starts and Innings Pitched to cover the USAGE requirements for the entire season.
5.1.2 Positional Players: Each team must have rated players for all positions at all times during the regular season. Each team must have a back-up for every position on its active roster. A player rated at multiple positions qualifies as a back-up for every position for which he is rated. No Positional player may play a position for which he is not rated. Outfielders may play any outfield position with the defense rating determined by the game engine. Each team must have enough Real-Life Plate Appearances to cover the USAGE requirements for the entire season.
5.1.3 Injuries: There will be no injuries in the RABL.
5.2 Rosters for Games
5.2.1 Teams will have no more than 26 active players for each series. Prior to the start of any series, teams are to provide a Manager file (.MAN file) with their active lineup and scheduled Starting Pitchers to the manager of the opposing team. The active roster (.MAN file) may not be changed for the entirety of a regular season 4-game or 3-game series. A regular season 6-game series is considered to be two 3-game series and teams may present different active roster (.MAN file) for each of the 3-game series. Active rosters will be expanded to 35 players for all games in September.
MANAGER FILES: Each team should keep their .MAN file updated with lineups and Daily Starters to help expedite game play. The Daily Starters tab should be filled in ahead of each series for opponents to view.
5.2.1.1 Starting Pitchers: Each team must have four (4) Starting Pitchers active who will not be used as a Relief Pitches in any game during the three- or four-game series. You may use other Starting pitchers who are rated as Relief Pitchers in the bullpen.
5.2.1.1.1 No Starting Pitcher may pitch on less than 3 days rest between starts.
5.2.1.1.3 No pitcher can start a game unless he had at least one (1) Real-life start. No pitcher may pitch in relief in any game unless he had at least one (1) Real-life relief appearance, except for the extreme extra-inning occurrence where ALL other pitchers have been used in the game.
5.2.1.1.4 No pitcher can start and relieve in the same three- or four-game series except for extreme extra inning occurrences where ALL other pitchers have been used in the game.
5.2.1.1.5 The League will follow the game’s 3 Batters Minimum Rule for Relief Pitchers.
5.2.1.1.6 A team cannot remove a positional player from a game if that removal results in the team not being able to field eight (8) eligible positional players at all positions.
Player USAGE
5.3
The RABL values the challenge of Player USAGE management. Teams
are expected to manage so as not to OVERUSE their players. Players
may exceed 100% of their Real-life usage however the game
engine will impose increasing penalties that will decrease the
player’s proficiency.
Players may not exceed 110% of
their Real-life Usage. Exceeding 110%
will result in additional off-season penalties.
Game Engine Proficiency Penalties:
Over 100% Usage - 10% proficiency penalty
Over 105% Usage - 20% proficiency penalty
Over 110% Usage - 50% proficiency penalty PLUS additional off-season penalties.
5.3.1 Overuse Off-season Penalties: Maximum limits of 110% should never be violated. At the end of each season, a panel of managers chosen by the Commissioner will assign an increasing penalty for EVERY violation of the 110% Maximum. Penalties begin at the loss of a Keeper and/or the loss of a Draft Choice and will increase as warranted.
5.3.2
All pitchers will be limited to 110% (rounded up) of their Real-life
Innings Pitched.
Starting Pitcher will also be limited to 110%
(rounded up) of their Real-life Starts. Exceeding
110% will result in additional off-season penalties.
5.3.3 All positional players are limited to 110% use of their total Real-life Plate Appearances. Exceeding 110% will result in additional off-season penalties.
5.4 Playoff Roster USAGE:
5.4.1 For the playoffs, all USAGE calculations are rounding DOWN.
5.4.2 Positional Players: All positional players will be limited to 10% of their total Real-life Plate Appearances per playoff series.
5.4.2.1 All positional players with less than 250 Real-life PAs will be limited to the 10% Real-life ABs versus left- and right-hand pitchers.
5.4.3 Starting Pitchers: A pitcher must have at least 10 Real-life Starts to start a game in the playoffs. He will be limited to 10% of his Real-life starts and 10% of total IPs per series. Thus, a Starting pitcher with 189 innings and 29 starts would be limited to 18 innings and 2 starts per series.
5.4.3.1 Any starting pitcher may Start and Relieve in the same series.
5.4.4 Relief pitchers will be limited to 10% of their Real-life IPs in each series.
TRADES:
Trading is encouraged. However, it is recognized that trading must be kept within reason and the Commissioner may veto any trade if deemed unequal or not in the best interest of the league.
6.1 No trade will be final until all managers have announced and confirmed the trade to the league on SLACK and the trade has been approved by the commissioner.
6.2 Teams may complete a maximum of ten (10) trades during the regular season trading window. Teams may complete a maximum of three (3) trades with any one team during the regular season trading window. Multi-team trades will be counted as one trade.
6.3 Teams may trade Draft picks for the current season and next season only. No Draft pick can be traded during the Draft if it is not a usable pick. Only picks from Rounds 1 to 6 for the following season’s Draft can be traded. The following season's Draft picks are not tradable during the duration of the current season’s Draft period, from the time of the first pick until the final Draft selection is made.
6.4
Teams
will
be allowed
an unlimited
number
of trades
during
the
off-season.
6.5 No regular season trade may reduce a team’s roster below 32 players nor increase a team’s roster beyond 35 players.
6.6 The trade deadline will be July 29 in the league schedule. No trades are allowed from the period of July 30 to the completion of the World Series.
FREE AGENT CLAIMS:
7.1 A team may submit a Free Agent claim during the regular season. Free Agent claims will take effect at the beginning of the next series. No Free Agent claims may be submitted prior to Week 1 or after Week 28.
7.2 With any Free Agent claim, a team may be required to make a simultaneous roster cut to ensure the maximum roster size of 35 is not exceeded.
7.3 Should more than one team request the same Free Agent claim at the end of any given week, the player will be awarded to the team with the lowest current winning percentage.
7.4 All players acquired via the Free Agent claim process are eligible for post-season play.
7.5 All players acquired via the Free Agent claim process will be released from their team and returned to the league’s Player Draft Pool upon conclusion of the post-season.
Player CUT-DOWN:
8.1 At the start of each season, the Commissioner will establish the date for the Roster Cut-down. On that date, all franchises must reduce their rosters to 23 (or less) players.
8.2 Each Team may protect any uncarded players they have the rights to, but that player would count against the team’s total keeper number.
Player Draft:
A player Draft will occur each off-season after teams have cut their rosters to 23 players. Teams will draft sufficient players to meet their roster requirements. Only “carded” players may be drafted.
9.1 The Draft order will be in reverse to the team’s finish in the previous season with lower-finishing teams drafting before higher-finishing. Ties will be broken using the same tie-breaking system employed in the playoff system, only in reverse.
9.1.1
Lottery
Teams
(The First 6 Picks): The
Lowest
six
(6)
franchises
in
the
league
standings
from
the
prior
season will
be placed
into
a lottery.
The Lottery will be weighed. The six
teams will be assigned a number from 1 to 999 as follows:
Last
Place Team – 1 to 299 (30%)
2nd
to Last Team – 300 to 499 (20%)
3rd
to Last Team – 500 to 649 (15%)
4th
to Last Team – 650 to 799 (15%)
5th
to Last Team – 800 to 899 (10%)
6th
to Last Team – 900 to 999 (10%)
A random number from 1 to
999 will be drawn awarding the First Pick to the corresponding team.
The remaining five (5) franchises have their Draft position seeded according to their record, from worst to best.
9.1.2 Non-Playoff, Non-Lottery Teams (Picks 7 to 12): The six (6) franchises that do not participate in either the Draft Lottery or the previous season’s playoffs will have their Draft position seeded 7 thru 12 according to their regular season record, worst to best.
9.1.3 Playoff Teams (Picks 13 to 24): The twelve playoff teams from the previous season will have their Draft position seeded according to how they placed in those playoffs.
9.1.3.1 Teams that lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs will have their Draft position seeded 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th based upon their regular-season record, from worst record to best.
9.1.3.2 Teams that lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs will have their Draft position seeded 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th based upon their regular-season record, from worst record to best.
9.1.3.3
Teams
that
lost
in the
League Championship
round of
the playoffs will
have their Draft position seeded
21st
and
22nd based
upon their
regular-season
record,
from worst
record
to best.
9.1.3.4 The team that lost the World Series will have the 23rd Draft position. The World Series Champion will have the 24th Draft position.
Moving FRANCHISES:
10.1 After two (2) years of residency, a franchise may request a of change of venue, division, or league. The request must be made to the Commissioner after the conclusion of the playoffs and before the Roster Cut-down deadline for the subsequent season. The Commissioner will consider the request and the impacts of such a move and rule accordingly.
10.2
Any
approved
franchise
move
will occur
in the
off-season,
prior
to the
Roster Cut-down deadline for the
subsequent season.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
The RABL is for the entertainment of our members. As such we do not accept cheating, name calling, backbiting, or any other DRAMATIC EVENT in this league. However, knowing we are all human beings with different personal standards, there may arise situations that will be handled by the Commissioner.
11.1 Cheating will not be tolerated. Any confirmed incident of cheating will result in discipline up to and including DISMISSAL from the league.
11.2 Drama has ruined some very good leagues. Courtesy and professionalism are expected. Making an effort to get games played when both participants are available will effectively eliminate any Drama. If you have problems with another member, please refer that to the Commissioner rather than getting into a disagreeable situation with that member. Engaging in conduct deemed to be detrimental to the spirit of RABL will result in a WARNING and/or further disciplinary action.
11.2.1 Series Scheduling. Games are expected to be played within the scheduled week. If, for any reason, the games cannot be completed, the Commissioner must be notified. A manager, or the Commissioner in his stead, may enlist a “spare” to play a series if necessary. In the rare case neither manager is available, the games may be AUTOPLAYED by the Commissioner.
11.2.2 This is a NETPLAY ONLY LEAGUE. A manager who is unable to play ONLINE or unable to complete games on schedule risks dismissal from the league.
11.2.3 MEMBER RECRUITMENT. We maintain the RABL as a strong, healthy league. Should we need to replace a member, applications should be referred by a current member of RABL. If you wish to recommend a new member, notify your Commissioner.
Appendix Section:
Appendix A: 24 Team Schedule
Each franchise will play fourteen (14) intra-division games against the other three (3) teams within their division for a total of 42 games.
Each franchise will play six (6) games against the other teams in their league that are not in their division for a total of 48 games.
Each Franchise will play six (6) inter-league games against each team in the other league for a total of seventy-two (72) games.
The games will always be balanced in terms of the number of home and away games against opponents.
Appendix B: Pre-series Manager Setups and Simple Game Start
The
following are tips to help a new manager to get started. If you are
having any problems feel free to contact the Commissioner or any
other manager. Most managers are more than happy to help:
B.1
Preparing a Manager file (.MAN file):
On your Team Page,
Activate 26 players and fill out the Daily Starters Tab.
Select
the Manager drop-down menu and select “Export Manager”.
A file with the .MAN extension will be saved in your League
folder.
Upload the .MAN file onto SLACK in “manager_files”.
B.2
Preparing to Play:
Download your opponent’s .MAN file
into your League folder.
Open the game and select the Import
drop-down menu and select “Managers”
DOUBLE-CLICK the
Manager file you wish to Import. You must Double-click. Selecting OK
is insufficient.
B.3
To Start a Game:
Select the Internet drop-down
menu.
Select “Host Game Session” or “Join Game
Session” as agreed on by your opponent.
B.4 A Game Crash
In
the unlikely event of a crash during a game, the Host can Resume the
Game.
Disconnect and reconnect.
The
Host should select the Play drop-down menu and select “Resume
Game”.
Double-click the game to be resumed.
B.5
Upon Series Completion
When the series of games is completed,
select the Export drop-down menu and select “Export Games”.
You
will be creating a .BBX file. The name of the file is in the top
right box and you can change it as desired. (Eg. “NY vs
Detroit Week 4”)
Click the empty box to the left of each
game to be exported to change the empty box to “Yes”.
Select
“Begin Export”. The .BBX file will be saved into your
League file.
Upload the .BBX file onto SLACK in “export_files”.
Appendix C: Tie Breaker Examples
If would like a more detailed clarification, examples of various tiebreaking scenarios are available from the League Commissioner.
Appendix
D:
Game
Settings:
The game should have the following settings under “Organize”, “Rules”:
General Tab:
Standard
Batter/Pitching Average
Season
Length 162
Innings - 9 DH - 9
Require
Minimum Batters Faced – 3
Mound
Trips – Leave
“----”
Reviews\Team
– 1
Booth
Review Inning – 8
Use
Generic L/R Splits For Batters Below
- Never
The following boxes should be checked:
DH
League-2 American League
Use Inter-League DH (Home League Rules)
Apply Park Effects
Bullpen Warm-Up
Allow Estimated Pitch Count (EPC) Editing
Delete
Last Play Option
Ejections
Allow
Outfielders to Play Out of Position
No Pitch IBB
Allow Replay
Reviews
Crew Chief Reviews
Rules For Batting Team Era
No
other boxes should be checked on this page
Roster Tab:
Management
Opening Day Roster Limit - 26
September 1 Roster Limit - 35
Additional
Players for Doubleheaders – 0
Inactive Options Per Player - No Limit
Use
Daily
Lineups
if
Available
– Check
No Injuries - No
other boxes should be checked on the page
Usage Tab:
Batting:
Over 100%
Of Real
Reduce Hits and Walks
By 10%
Pitching:
Over 100% Of Real
Increase Hits and Walks By 10%
Based
on
Plate Appearances
Based on Innings
No other boxes should be checked on this page
Miscellaneous Tab:
The following boxes should be checked:
Display
Pitcher
Estimated
Pitch
Count
(EPC)
Display
Outcome Box
Display Base Stealing
Success
%
Display Base Runner Success%
League Pitch by Pitch is not to be checked
Info Tab:
The following boxes should be checked:
Display Wild Card Standings
Apply League Records to All-Time Record Bood
Locate Player Photos in Sub-Folder
Include Game Played Date and Time Stamp in Box
Save Computer Games
Save Human Games