The AFBL was created for the sole purpose of having fun and testing an individuals skill at something we all wish we could do, create and manage a major league baseball team.

The AFBL is a simulated baseball league using Season Ticket Baseball/Out of the Park V1 (OOTP6) as its sim engine. Having access to this program is required to participate in this league.

All owners need to actively participate in the league to guarantee membership. This is really the only thing that I will require of you as an owner. I understand everyone has a busy schedule with responsibilities to attend to, as do I, and I do not expect individuals to devote hours of time to the AFBL. What I would define as actively participating includes: - Emails from Commish and other managers returned in a timely fashion. - Your team "needs" (e.g. injured players removed, lineup changes made, replacements chosen etc.) need to be addressed quickly. If a team owner will be unavailable for a period of time (vacation, etc.), please drop me an email and let me know you'll be gone. Each season will comprise approximately 24 sims. Any owner who fails to send either a lineup, or a "no changes" email for at least 8 of the sims will lose their team with no prior notice. If you can't meet this requirement, you're not really participating anyway. For obvious reasons, no owner will be allowed to own more that one team at a time. Also, as it is simply common sense and good manners, no offensive language or behavior will be allowed towards anyone involved in the league. We are here to have fun and that type of behavior will result in immediate league expulsion.

It will be the commissioner's responsibility to see that the league runs smoothly. He will carry out the sims, drafts, update the web page, etc. He will handle any disputes which may arise. Larger issues may involve asking for a league-wide response on the matter, again however, the final say on all disputes will rest in the hands of the commissioner.

The Amateur draft will be held at the beginning of each season via the league message board, draft order to be determined on the basis of league standings at the end of the prior season. Those who cannot regularly access the board and don't want the computer choosing for them, should email the commish with a draft list. The Amateur Draft will be five rounds in length. The owners will draft the first three rounds and the computer will finish the two remaining rounds. Amateur picks are eligible for Major League service immediately. 

Financial Rules

There are none. The AFBL does not use financials.

This is probably the reason we enjoy playing fantasy baseball so much. The simple joy of having complete power to reshape and mold a team in any way you see fit. As far as trading goes, all trades will be deemed legal if they are done with best interest of BOTH teams. The commish will have the final say on all trades. If a deal seems suspect, both owners will be questioned as to their personal reasoning behind the deal. If a reasonable response can be offered (e.g. team rebuilding, etc.), chances are, the trade will go through. Please post all trades on the League Forum under "The Trading Post". Both owners must post in order for a trade to be official. 

I will be simming three times  weekly, 7-8 days per sim. Sim days will be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Roster moves, Trades and Lineup changes must be FTP'ed by 10am CST(USA) on the day of sim, and I will be checking my messages the evening before the sims and the transactions will be made before the sims take place. The GM is also responsible for placing and removing players from the disabled list (DL).  If a player trade creates a hole in your lineup, or excess players on your roster, the Commissioner will use his discretion as to placing the acquisitions in the lineup or releasing the extra player. The Commissioner will do his best, but unless it is obvious (trading your 2B for another 2B) you might want to send in an updated roster move or lineup to clarify your intentions. There will be no debate over his choices as you may change rosters and lineups as soon as the sim is over and posted.

Since the AFBL does not use financials, there is no Free Agency, per se. However, to increase player movement we use a "Free Agent Draft." At the end of every season, every GM must submit a protected player list. Each team will be allowed to protect 12 players. This is accomplished by submitting a lineup file with the 12 protected players placed on the trading block. Then, a two round "Free Agent Draft" will be held from the unprotected players on the rosters at seasons end. No team can lose more than two players. This method will help to increase player movement, while allowing GM's to keep the core of their teams intact.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any minor leaguers with either 130 career AB's or 30 career IP's need to be protected if you don't want to lose them. Minor leaguers WITHOUT this amount of ML experience are ineligible for the draft and don't need to be protected (until reaching the age of 30 when they are declared Free Agents).

FRANCHISE PLAYERS:    Teams can declare up to two players to be "Franchise Players. Franchise players are exempt from the draft and do not require protection. Teams are not required to declare a Franchise Player. A player can be declared "Franchise" if he has achieved:

At the end of every season, there will be a short break before the next season begins. During this time, we will conduct the Rookie and Free Agent Drafts.

The above rules and policies are subject to change at any time. Any suggestions or ideas as to the betterment of the league will be appreciated. For clarification of any of the rules above, please contact the League Commissioner.