XFBL 2005
Official Rulebook

Baseball is thought to be a direct descendant of cricket, rounders, and town ball, though the game's origins are uncertain. Alexander Cartwright published the first known list of rules in 1845 to meet the demands of the already popular sport, and today's rules of baseball have evolved from them.

Professional baseball began in the United States around 1865, and the National League was founded in 1876. Several other leagues formed and failed, but the American League, formed in 1893 as the Western League, did succeed. While rivals who fought for the best players, the two major leagues began playing a World Series in 1903.

As with many sports, and perhaps even more so, statistics are very important to baseball. Statistics have been kept for the Major Leagues since their creation, and presumably statistics were around even before that. General managers, baseball scouts, managers, and players alike study player statistics to help them decide from various strategies to best help their team.

Fantasy Baseball is a game whereby players manage imaginary baseball teams based on the real-life performance of baseball players, and compete against one another using those players' statistics to score points. It is one of the oldest and most popular forms of fantasy sports.

The landmark development in fantasy baseball came with the development of Rotisserie League Baseball in 1980. Magazine writer/editor Daniel Okrent is credited with inventing it, the name coming from the restaurant where the game was invented. The game's innovation was that "owners" in a rotisserie league would draft teams from the list of active Major League Baseball players and would follow their statistics during the ongoing season to compile their scores. In other words, rather than using statistics for seasons whose outcomes were already known, the owners would have to make similar predictions about players' playing time, health, and expected performance that real baseball managers must make.

The statistics compiled by the players are then ranked, and the team with the best statistics at the end of the season is determined to be the winner. The original Rotisserie League used the following statistics:

team batting average                               total stolen bases                    total wins       

total home runs                                       total saves                               team ratio

total runs batted in                                   team earned run average

Wikipedia online encyclopidia

Charter members of the XFBL 2004 are: Chris Mongogna Jr. (TEX), Keith Lauf (BEL), John O’Donnell (RR), Gregg Vegas (WB), Lavandrea Webb (NO), Jimmy Buckel (MET), Paul Lott (SB), Sam Fayard (GRM).

The goal of the XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE is to provide members with an exciting, realistic simulation of professional baseball. Acting as the owner, general manager and coach of a professional baseball team, members must concern themselves with scouting, drafting, trading, players, the salary cap and setting their club’s lineup. And every year, history is made and both friendships and rivalries strengthened as unforeseen, unforgettable events occur.

The XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE is divided into two divisions of five teams each. Team names and team owners are as follows:

American League                                                  National League

French Quarter Butt Pirates........ David Farrell           Texas Hitmen.................. Chris Mongogna

River Ridge Bangers..... John O’Donnell            St. Louis Diamond Dogs............. Lisa Pitre O'Fallon Beavers...... Jim Klenc Belleview Knights….…Keith Lauf

Westbank Lizards......... Gregg Vegas                 South Bend Holy Rollers.. Paul Lott

xxxxx............................. xxxxx                             xxxxx................................ xxxxx          

Following the 90-game XFBL regular season, six teams — the two division winners and the next four teams with the best overall records regardless of division — advance to the League Championship Series. In round one, the two division winners get byes while the team with the best record hosts the team with the sixth-best record, and the team with the fourth-best record hosts the team with the fifth-best record. In round two, pairings are based on regular season record, but advancing division winners always have home field advantage and cannot play each other. Second-round winners advance to the XFBL’s championship series, The Xtreme Series. The team with the best regular season record is the home team.

XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE regular season and playoff statistics are calculated from Major League Baseball regular season player statistics. The XFBL regular season is broken into nine units known as “Reporting Periods” (RPs). RPs begin on Sunday and end on Saturday. The MLB season and XFBL season usually begins during the first week of April.   RP10, the first RP of the League Championship Series, begins on the Sunday following the close of RP9, the last XFBL regular season RP.

Regular season and playoff RPs are two weeks long, with three exceptions: (1) RP1, which begins on the first day of the MLB season,  is usually the normal 13-day period plus 1 or 2 days of additional games; (2) the RP in which the MLB All-Star Game is played, usually RP7, is three weeks long. (3) The XTREME finals, RP12, ends on the last day of MLB play.  MLB participation in the Olympics, World Cup, or labor stoppages may alter the XFBL schedule.

The statistical system used by the XFBL attempts to turn raw individual player statistics into team wins and losses, but without burdening owners with a needlessly complex and difficult-to-follow scheme. The XFBL system has been thoroughly researched and has been shown to be a valid indicator of team strength. To be considered valid, one should be able to rank MLB teams in each of the XFBL’s ten statistical categories, total their rankings and have the resulting order be similar to the actual won-loss percentage order. This has been found to be the case in every season sampled to date.

The XFBL uses the following ten statistical categories: wins (W), saves (S), strikeouts (K), earned run average (ERA), walks + hits per innings pitched (WHIP), batting average (AVG), home runs (HR),  runs (R), runs batted in (RBI), stolen bases (SB).

Regular season RPs count as eight (8) games for the purpose of assigning wins and losses and determining team standings. In general, 50% of the teams receive a win and 50% of the teams receive a loss in each category. In case of a tie or ties in a category, the maximum number of teams will receive points. For example, if three teams are tied for the final two “points-paying positions” in a category, one receives a win and the other two receive ties.   No more than five (5) teams in a 8-team league will receive points in the same category.

Ties in a statistical category are broken in the following order:(A) (1) ERA-(a)most IP, (b)most GS;  (2) WHIP-(a)most IP, (b)most GS;  (3) K-(a)least IP, (b)least GS;  (4) W-(a)least GS, (b)least IP;   (5) S-(a)-least save opportunities, (b)least IP;  (6) SB-(a) least plate appearances, (b) least OBA;  (7) HR-(a)least AB, (b) least PA;  (8) AVG-(a)most AB, (b) least PA;  (9) RBI-(a)least AB, (b) least PA;  (10) R-(a)least PA, (b)least OBA; (B) coin toss.

At the end of RP9, each team will have played 90 regular season games. Ties in team standings are broken in the following order: (1) AVG; (2) ERA: (3) HR; (4) K; (5) coin toss.

Playoffs series are decided by comparing the two teams head-to-head in the ten original categories. In each series, the team with the best record during the regular season (using the above tie-breakers, if necessary) is the home team (see previous notes). Home-field advantage includes the home team winning both CATEGORY TIES and an OVERALL 5-5 tie. In addition, individual and team statistics and records will be maintained by the League Office.

All XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE players are acquired in one of three drafts — the Free Agent Draft,  Minor League Draft or a Waiver Draft.

The Free Agent Draft is held annually on a Saturday or Sunday in March. Eligible players include all players who are not eligible for the Minor League Draft, but who have been drafted or signed previously by an MLB team, and who are not on an XFBL roster. The Free Agent Draft continues until all roster spots

The order for Minor League Draft is the reverse order of standings at the end of the prior regular XFBL Season. The Minor League Draft is held 15 minutes after the last round of the Reserve Draft. To be eligible for the Minor League Draft, a player must have been drafted, signed by or played for an MLB team, but must not have exceeded the following limits: batters can have no more than 150 AB in their MLB career; pitchers can have no more than 50 IP in their MLB career.  No team shall have more than 8 pitchers on their minor league roster at any time.  The burden of proof for player eligibility is on the OWNER and NOT the League Office. The draft is five rounds long with a two-and-one-half minute time limit on each pick. Each team is allowed one two-and-one-half (2 ½) minute time-out during the draft.

Teams unable to conduct the Free Agent or Minor League Drafts in person must have an authorized representative make their selections. Failure to execute a pick prior to the next team’s selection will result in the pick being moved to the end of the draft.

Waiver Drafts are held seven times on “off” Sundays on which no lineups are due. The first Waiver Draft takes place on the Saturday after RP2 rosters are due, with the final draft held on the Saturday before RP9 rosters are due. Waiver selections, which are optional, are due to the League Office by 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Players selected can play in the next RP. Eligible players include any player eligible for the previous Free Agent Draft (or who would have been had he not been on an MIHL roster) who is not currently on an MIHL roster. Players released during a Waiver Draft are not eligible to be drafted until the next Waiver Draft. Each Waiver Draft is one round long, with each team receiving one pick. Order of selection is the reverse order of standing through the previous RP. If acquiring a player would put the team over the 28-man limit, the team must release a player. Players drafted receive a contract of $6.00 if drafted before the all star break and $12.00 if after.

XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE teams are comprised of as many as 47 players on two rosters, the Regular Roster and the Minor League Roster. Regular Roster players are those who were acquired in the Free Agent auction, Reserve or Waiver Drafts or who have been called up from the Minor League Roster. Minor League Roster players are acquired in the Minor League Draft only.

The Regular Roster consists of two separate rosters, the Active Roster and the Reserve Roster, and has a maximum of 32 players. From the conclusion of the Free Agent Draft through the end of the XFBL season, each team must have a exactly 1 of each of the following: C, 1b, 3b, CI, 2b, SS, MI;   2 UTIL;  5 OF;  9 PIT; and 9 RES  (32 players),. Teams are allowed to go over the 28-player limit during the off-season, but must cut their roster back to and can keep no more than 28 players from the Cut to 28 (when opening day rosters are due) through the end of the season. Regular Rosters are cut down to less than 16 annually on the last Sunday in February. Players on the Active Roster only accumulate statistics for their XFBL team’s RP totals. 

Official player positions are based primarily on the position appearing for that player on the MLB’s official website, MLB.com.  Eligibility at a position for auction eligible Free Agents is based on the player playing 20 games at a position the previous or the current year. During the current season a player may become eligible at multiple positions.   Minor Leaguers activated while the XFBL season is in progress, will be eligible at positions in which the 20 games have been played in the minor leagues

Teams must provide the League Office with their complete Active Roster (NOT JUST CHANGES) and ISL (injury sub list) no later than 6:00 p.m. Central Time on Saturday via e-mail or phone, the first day of an RP. If a team fails to contact the League Office, the previous Active Roster will be used with the League Office making any adjustments necessary due to injuries. Adjustments will be based on GP and IP in the MLB season-to-date, not on performance. Failure to contact the League Office may result in penalties, including but not limited to, the loss of Waiver Claims, draft picks, etc.

To be eligible to appear in the playoffs, a player must have played in at least one RP through RP7 with one exception — if a player was injured at the start of each RP, making his activation in RPs one through eight unreasonable, the player is still eligible for the playoffs.

To be eligible as a keeper the player must have been acquired through the Major League, or Minor League Drafts.  An owner MAY keep a player acquired in a trade, or via a waiver claim, Reserve or Minor League draft.  

Contracts

It is the burden of the individual team owners, not the League, to monitor their Contracts for compliance with League rules.

Minor League Roster players, are those players acquired in the Minor League Draft who have retained their Minor League status and have not been called up to the Regular Roster. To retain Minor League status, a player must not exceed the limits described earlier. Once a player exceeds either the single season or career limits, he remains a Minor Leaguer for no more than two full XFBL seasons. If the player has not been called up by the end of the second season, he will be transferred to the Regular Roster following the Cut to less than 16 in the off-season.

The Minor League Roster maximum is 15 players. Teams are allowed to go over the 15-player limit during the off-season, but must cut the roster back to no more than 15 when RP1 rosters and are announced.

Minor Leaguers are identified by one of the following three codes. “AAA” Minor Leaguers, are in the final year of their Minor League status. “AA” Minor Leaguers, are “second-generation” Minor Leaguers that have exceeded one or both of the limits,  and are in their second-to-last year of Minor League eligibility. “A” Minor Leaguers, are Minor Leaguers that have exceeded neither limit and will have two full seasons of Minor League eligibility after exceeding a limit.

Transactions are allowed involving players, Major and Minor League Draft choices,  Waiver Draft choices and future considerations (provided all options are clearly spelled out and a deadline date for completion of the transaction is given). Trading is permitted from the end of the World Series through the deadline for reporting RP8 rosters of the following season.  Trades must be reported to the League Office by BOTH parties to be official.

All rule changes must be approved by a majority consisting of seven (5) out of ten (8) General Managers. 

Annual membership dues are $80.00 per team, payable on or before the Cut to less than 16. A $25.00 late fee will be added to each late payment, making it possible to pay as much as $105.00 per year to be an owner .

The annual membership dues are to be spent as follows: The XTREME Series winner will receive $350.00, the runner-up will receive $150.00, and each Division winner will receive $100.00.   In addition, $100.00 or more of league dues is spent each year on Draft Weekend food and beverages.  

XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE members are expected to remain active and interested in both XFBL and MLB affairs. The League Office reserves the right to remove any member following a warning and probationary period. The Commissioner, however, reserves the right to take any action necessary for the good of the league at any time, including the veto of trades and retroactive rule changes (the Master of the Universe Rule).

The XTREME FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE presents several player and owner awards each year. In addition to first- and second-team All-Stars, the XFBL honors the following:

·  Most Valuable Player................ player most valuable to his team during the regular season.

·  Hitter of the Year...................... hitter with the best overall performance.

·  Pitcher of the Year................... pitcher with the best overall performance.

·  Catcher of the Year.................. catcher with the best overall performance.

·  Comeback Player of the Year... player making the most remarkable comeback.

·  Rookie of the Year.................... rookie (less than three RPs) with the best overall performance.

·  Waiver Claim of the Year......... best overall performance by a player claimed in a Waiver Draft.

·  Owner of the Year..................... owner showing the most dedication to the XFBL.

·  General Manager of the Year... GM (owner) most instrumental to his team’s success.

·   Draft Choice of the Year........................ best draft choice made by a GM (owner).

    ·  Trade of the Year..................................... best trade made by a GM (owner).

The Xtreme Fantasy Baseball League provides league services “as is” with no warranties of any kind. The statistical system developed and used by the XFBL, all published materials and statistical data are the property of the XFBL and may not be duplicated, reproduced, published, distributed or otherwise used in any form without the express written consent of the XFBL and its officers.

****SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE WINTERS AND THE MIHL FOR THE OUTLINE OF OUR RULE BOOK