Seato league rules

A.GENERAL RULES

  1. Major League Baseball rules are followed unless amended by APBA Game Company or SEATO rules.
  2. SEATO rule changes are made by a majority vote of the league members. For a new rule to be effective immediately there must be a unanimous vote of all league members. Otherwise, it will go into effect in the following season. If a league member is not present at the rules meeting held on the first Sunday in October, that league member will not get a vote.
  3. The most recent edition of basic game boards and sacrifice and hit and run booklet are to be used.
  4. All optional rules of the basic game(except grade advancement for pitchers) are followed.
  5. The league has 2 conferences with 2 divisions in each conference.Each team will play:

a)3six-game seriesagainst each team in its own Division,

b)1 six-game series and 1 seven-game series against each team in the other Division of the same Conference, and

c)1seven-gameseries against each team in the other Conference.

  1. Each team is to play its games in the order shown on the schedule and is required to play those games as quickly as the schedule dictates. If games are played out of sequence, the starting pitchers which would normally start those games if played in the proper order must be used.
  2. A league meeting will be held annually on the first Sunday in October to review any new rules changes which are proposed and to conduct the annual All-Star Game. Each manager must have his statistics for the first 82 games of the current season (games through July) handed in the league statistician by September 15th in order to prepare the All-Star ballots. If a team has not completed all of the series that were scheduled in the first 82 games of the season, they will submit statistics for the All-Star game of the first 82 games that actually have been played according to the schedule.
  3. All games must be completed by the end of January of each season. Any teams not complying with this deadline will be subject to a penalty of the commissioner’s discretion.
  4. The previous season’s final statistics are to be handed in to the league statistician by no later than February 15th.
  5. The annual player draft will be held on the last Sunday in February.
  6. All money owed to the league for the previous season’s losses are due on the day of the draft.
  7. A majority vote of league members is required to bring a new member into the league.
  8. If a dice roll results as a rainout according to the boards, that roll will count as nothing. The dice will be rolled again until a result other than a rainout occurs.

B.PITCHING RULES

  1. Pitchers may not bat.
  2. Managers may not intentionally walk a batter with the bases loaded.
  3. Managers may intentionally walk a batter after a sacrifice has been announced.
  4. The starting pitcher in each game must have a starting grade and have sufficient rest as described in rule B v. (Table A).
  5. All starters will be assigned a required number of days rest between starts based on his prior Major League season’s games started (See Table A).
  6. When pitching as a starter, the number of innings the starting pitcher may pitch at his given grade will be listed on his card. The innings will be calculated by dividing his actual innings pitched as a starter by his games started in the prior Major League season. To that result 1 inning pitched will be added and the following rounding adjustment will be made for partial innings:

>0.667round up to next full inning

>0.334round up to 2/3 inning

>0round up to 1/3 inning

In each game a pitcher is used to start a gameand allows at least one run to score, he will drop one letter grade when he exceeds his assigned innings per start. After that his grade will drop again after each subsequent inning he pitches in that game. (Example 1: An “A” starter is rated at 7 innings per start. He pitches the first 7 innings as an “A”and allows at least one run to score. At the start of the 8th inning he becomes a “B”. At the start of the 9th inning, he becomes a “C” and from the 10th inning through the remainder of the game he is a “D“.)In each game a pitcher is used to start a game and does not allow a run to score, his grade will remain the same until he allows a run to score or when he begins pitching in the 11th inning.(Example 2: An “A” starter is rated at 7 innings per start. He pitches the first 7 innings as an “A” and allows no runs to score. He is still an “A” to start the 8th inning until he allows a run to score. As soon as a run is scored in the 8th he immediately drops to a “B”. At the start of the 9th inning, he becomes a “C” and from the 10th inning through the remainder of the game he is a “D“.) (Example 3: An “A” starter is rated at 7 innings per start. He pitches the first 7 innings as an “A” and allows no runs to score. He allows no runs to score in the 8th inning, so he is still an “A” for the 8th inning and to begin the 9th inning. Upon allowing a run to score in the 9th inning his grade immediately drops one grade for each inning he begins in excess of his assigned innings per start. In this case his grade would drop to a “C” as soon as he allows a run to score in the 9th inning. At the start of the 10th inning through the remainder of the game he is a “D“.) (Example 4: An “A” starter is rated at 7 innings per start. He allows no runs to score in the first 10 innings so he remains an “A” through the 10th inning. In the beginning of the 11th inning he drops to a “B”.In each subsequent inning his grade drops again until he becomes a “D”. Upon allowing a run to score in the 11th inning or later, his grade immediately drops one grade for each inning he begins in excess of his assigned innings per start. In this case he would drop to a “D” in the 11th inning.He would remain a “D” through the remainder of the game.)

  1. Grade advancement will not be used. Grade reduction rules will be followed.
  2. Pitchers will be limited in the number of relief appearances per six game set of games based on his total number of appearances in the previous Major League season (See Table B).
  3. Relief pitchers will also be limited in the frequency of their appearances based on the number of innings pitched in SEATO League games (See Table C).
  4. The number of innings a relief pitcher may pitch at his given grade will be listed on his card. The innings will be calculated by dividing his actual relief innings pitched by his relief appearances in the prior Major League season, rounding that figure up to the nearest 1/3 of an inning and adding 1/3 of an inning. In each game a pitcher used in relief exceeds his assigned innings per appearance; he will drop one letter grade when he exceeds his assigned innings per appearance. After that, assuming he is allowed 1 or more innings at his initial grade, his grade will drop again after each subsequent inning he pitches in that game. (Example: An “A” reliever is rated at 2 innings per appearance. He pitches the 6th and 7th innings as an “A”. At the start of the 8th inning he becomes a “B”. At the start of the 9th inning, he becomes a “C” and from the 10th inning through the remaining time he becomes a “D“ and remains a “D“ for the rest of the game.
  5. A starting pitcher may only be used in relief if he pitched at least one game in relief and had at least 25 appearancesduring the previous Major League season. A starting pitcher who pitched in relief will be assigned an innings per appearance rating of 2. The same rules stated in B. ix. for remaining grade reductions apply to starting pitchers used in relief. The same rules stated in B. viii. and Table C for frequency of relief appearances will apply to starting pitchers used in relief.
  6. Pitchers in the starting rotation who pitched at least one game in reliefand who had a minimum of 25 appearances in the previous Major League season may be used in relief as long as they have fulfilled their required starters rest. When used in relief he is subject to normal relief rest. (Note: Be sure his relief rest does not take him beyond his next scheduled start, or another starter will have to be used in his place.)
  7. Any pitcher used in reliefwho is not beginning the half of the inning in which he is pitching and whose first batter he faces bats from the same side as the pitcher throws will have his grade advanced one letter grade for that batter. There is no grade advancement when a reliever enters the game facing a switch-hitter or a batter hitting from the opposite side of the plate. (Example: A “B” right-handed reliever comes in to face a right-handed batter his letter grade for that batter is upgraded to an “A”. An “A” left-handed reliever enters the game to face a left-handed batter his grade for that batter becomes an “A & C”.)
  8. If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out.
  9. Any pitcher used as a pinch runner during a game may be injured.
  10. The breakdowns used in rules B v. (Table A) and B vii. (Table B) will be prorated to the actual number of games played if the Major League season is shortened for any reason.

C.POSITION PLAYERS

  1. All position players will be limited to the number of games they may play in a series using a formula based on their prior Major League season’s games played and plate appearances. (See Table D).
  2. Players may only play defensive positions listed on their cards. Outfielders will also be limited to playing only the specific outfield positions they played in the actual Major League season which the card set is based on.
  3. No player may play a position for which he has no fielding rating, unless the last player available to play that position was removed from the game by an ejection.

a) If a catcher is ejected and no other catcher is available to play, the replacement will have a throwing rating of –5.

  1. A manager may not remove a player from a game if the removal of that player causes the team to have no eligible player available with a fielding rating at that position. If this situation occurs by error, the opposing manager may select to: 1) Replay the game over from the point of the illegal substitution or 2) Continue the game and select the replacement player for that position from the players available on the violating team’s bench.

a) If the player that was removed from the game by the manager was the catcher and no other catcher is available to play, the replacement will have a throwing rating of –5.

  1. A player may not be switched from one outfield position to another during a game unless a substitution is made at his position or another player currently in the game is moved to his position due to an additional player being brought into the game.
  2. A player may switch from a fielding position to designated hitter and vice versa without losing the team’s privilege to the use of a designated hitter.
  3. All injuries to position players will be ignored due to rule C i. (Table D).
  4. The breakdowns used in rule C i. (Table D) will be prorated to the actual number of games played if the Major League season is shortened for any reason.
  1. BASERUNNING
  1. Every player with an 11 in the first column of his card will be assigned a caught stealing rating based on his prior Major League season’s statistics. The formula is as follows: CS/ (SB+CS) =CS% thentake CS% x 36=CS#. To find the players final caught stealing number, if there is any fractional remain round the number down. (Example: If the CS# is 7.625, the CS# is 7). Further adjustments are made if the player stole less than 15 bases take the CS# and add one. (Using the above example, if the player stole 12 bases and his CS# is 7 it becomes 8.) If the player stole 50 or more bases, take the CS# and subtract 1. (Using the above example, if the player stole 57 bases and his CS# is 7 it becomes 6.) To find the dice roll equivalent of the CS#, start at 11 on the player’s card and count down until you reach the CS#.
  2. If a player had no caught stealing and has a first column 11 he will have a caught stealing rating of “10” with adjustment made dependant upon the opposing catchers arm rating.
  3. The manager of any player with a first column 11 and a caught stealing number attempting to steal will have to roll his dice to determine the results of the attempt. If the roll is less than the caught stealing number the attempt is unsuccessful, if the roll is higher than the caught stealing number the attempt is successful.
  4. The caught stealing number will be adjusted for each attempt by taking into consideration the opposing teams catcher’s arm rating based on the Master Game catcher arm rating system.
  5. Any player with a caught stealing number trying to steal home will have his caught stealing number increased by 12 numbers on the card.
  6. The following exceptions to the SEATO League revised stolen base rules are as follows:

a)Runner on First Base

23 – If the steal is successful, there is no ejection.

b)Runner on Second Base

41 (Fielding 2 & 3) – Steal is automatically successful due to the

Catcher’s throwing error.

c)Runners on First & Third Base

40 (Fielding 1 & 2) – If the runner on first has an 11 and the manager decides not to attempt the steal the other runners holds third.

d)Hit and Run

36 – Steal is automatically successful due to the wild pitch

e)Sacrifice

Squeeze Plays – All sacrifice booklet results will be followed on steals and caught stealing. Caught stealing numbers are not applicable.

  1. If a runner has a first column 11 and the result of a play is a stolen base or caught stealing for that runner, the manager will have the option of whether to have the runner attempt a steal or not. The manager must state whether or not they are attempting the steal before rolling the dice.However, on the hit and run play, if the result is a stolen base or caught stealing, that runner must attempt the steal. For all squeeze plays, see rule D vi.,e.
  2. If a double or triple steal is attempted and more than one runner has a first column 11 and a steal rating, the defense has an option as to which runner it wants to attempt to throw out. However, only one player may be caught on any given play.
  3. If a manager declines to run a player with a first column 11 and a steal rating and the opposing manager then makes either a defensive or pitching change, the offensive manager regains the option of having his base runner attempt the steal or not.
  4. The breakdowns related to the number of steals needed used in rule D i. Will be prorated to the actual number of games played if the Major League season is shortened for any reason.
  5. We will continue to play it safe for base runners as stated in the prior boards play it safe rules. In other words, we may name a specific play or plays to which a named runner will play it safe. (Example: Play it safe to the steal or single or double…)
  1. HIT AND RUN
  1. With less than two outs if the roll result is a 13 on a hit and run play with a runner on first with a first column 11 and a steal rating, the play result will be a strikeout for the batter with the runner attempting to steal. With two outs if the roll result is a 13 on a hit and run play with a runner on first with a first column 11 and a steal rating,the batter strikes out and there is no steal attempt.
  2. For all hit and run situations a second column 11 is regarded the same as a first column 10.
  3. If the roll result on a hit and run play results in a “1” in the first column at 66, it will be a home run. If the roll result on a hit and run play results in a “1” at anywhere else than 1st column 66, follow the results of the board.
  4. If the roll result on a hit and run play with runners on 1st and 3rd is “6”, the result will be “Double, both runners score (S on 1st out at home, batter to 3rd).”
  1. SACRIFICE
  1. With a runner on second base only and a sacrifice is being attempted, the result of an 8 or 9 on the batter’s card will be changed to: “Out at first; runner to third.” The batter will receive a sacrifice.
  1. FIELDING
  1. With the Bases Empty the Fielding One play result for the numbers 18, 19 and 20 will be changed to: “Out at first.”
  2. All results of play result numbers 15 through 20 will be determined by an additional roll by the defensive manager and referring that roll to the error card.
  1. TRADING
  1. The trading deadline is either the beginning of play of a team’s 110th game or the end of the annual meeting held the first Sunday in October whichever comes first.
  2. If at the time a trade is made, one team has played more games than the other, any players traded to the team with the lesser amount of games played, may not appear in any games for their new team until it has reached the number of games completed by the team they were acquired from at the time of the trade.
  3. Only draft choices for the upcoming year’s draft may be traded during the season. Draft choices for the following year’s draft may be traded after the completion of the current season.
  4. No trade may be completed where it is agreed upon at the time of the trade that any players involved in the trade will be returned to their original teams at a later time.
  5. Elimination of “Player to be named later” rule: No trade may be made in which a player or players are moved to a team and another player or players are moved at a later date to a team or teams as part of the same transaction. However, trading of draft choices are governed by Rule H iii.
  6. Notification of all trades must be given to the SEATO League’s recorder of trades at the time of transaction.
  7. Selling of players is not permitted.
  1. ROSTERS
  1. Each team may carry a maximum of 40 players on its roster at any time.
  2. Managers may keep players on their rosters that do not have current APBA cards. These players do count as part of the 40 man maximum.
  3. Each team may carry a maximum of 27 players on its major league roster at any time.
  4. Each manager must have on his major league roster at least two players with a fielding rating for each position to cover 7 games.
  5. Players may only be moved between the major and minor leagues between each 6or 7 game series.
  6. Any player not on the major league roster is not eligible to play in a SEATO League games unless legally assigned to the major league roster. (See rule I v.)
  7. No pitchers who currently need rest are eligible to be sent to the minor leagues at any time. Also, additional pitchers may not be brought up to the majors to replace non-pitchers when any relievers need rest.
  1. STATISTICS
  1. The following statistics will be kept for all position players: At Bats, Runs, Hits, RBI’s, Doubles, Triples, Home Runs, Sacrifices, Stolen Bases, Caught Stealing, Strikeouts, Bases on Balls, Hit by Pitches, Errors, Batting Average, and Slugging Percentage.
  2. The following statistics will be kept for all pitchers: Appearances, Games Started, Complete Games, Innings Pitched, Earned Runs, Hits, Strikeouts, Bases on Balls, Wins, Losses, Won/Lost Percentage, Shutouts, Saves, Earned Run Average, and Errors.
  3. Combined shutouts will be added into the team total but listed separately at the bottom of the stat sheet.
  4. The total number of double plays turned will also be kept.
  5. All statistics must be submitted to the league statistician using the official SEATO League stat form or a similar form with the statistical columns in the same sequence as the official form.
  1. PLAYOFFS
  1. The four Division winners and one wild card team from each Conference qualify for playoff competition. Of the teams that did not win a Division, the team which has the best record in the Conference will be the wild card team for that Conference.
  2. If there is a tie for first place in any Division, a one game playoff will be played to determine the Division champion.
  3. If there is a tie for the wild card spot in a Conference, a one game playoff will be played to determine the wild card team.
  4. If there is a tie for the best record between the two Division winners in the same conference, the following tie breaker will be used to determine which team gets the first round bye:

1)Head to head record