KERN COUNTY STRATOMATIC LEAGUE
BYLAWS
2006
Accepted 12-23-05
Name
The name of this organization is Kern County Stratomatic League, hereinafter referred to as KCSL. It is a
non-profit organization.
Objective
The objective of KCSL is to encourage good fellowship among people who enjoy the game of baseball, and
promote the game of Stratomatic Baseball through sponsorship of social, athletic, recreational and other
constructive activities.
Location
The home base of KCSL shall be Bakersfield, California, but can include other cities in or around Kern
County.
Membership
A. All Team owners shall be eligible for membership in KCSL.
B. Each team will have one (1) vote.
C. All members of KCSL shall be subject to the provisions of these bylaws and other rules and regulations
as may be established by the league.
D. It is the responsibility of the members to determine if each activity is in the best interest of the Kern
County Stratomatic League and to vote accordingly.
Officers
A. The officers of KCSL shall consist of a Commissioner and two Executive Committee assistants.
B. Those officers specified above shall comprise the Executive Committee of KCSL.
C. All officers must be members in good standing.
D. Two non-Executive Committee positions will be filled each season: (1) League Website coordinator and
(2) League Trade Recorder. Each of these positions may be filled by an Executive Committee member, but
it is only optional.
Elections
A. The Commissioner shall be elected by the league prior to the beginning of each new season.
B. The Executive Committee assistants shall be nominated from the members of the league.
C. A simple majority of team votes shall determine election results.
D. Individuals may serve any number of terms if re-elected or drafted.
Commissioner’s Duties
A. The Commissioner shall conduct the KCSL meetings in an orderly manner and ensure that each motion
brought before the league gets proper consideration. An Executive Committee member can conduct league
meetings in the Commissioner’s absence.
B. A designated member shall ensure that accurate copies of all team rosters are available to any member of
the league.
C. The Commissioner (or one of his assistants) with league approval shall be responsible for conducting all
league business with outside sources.
D. The Commissioner shall be considered the official spokesperson for KCSL.
E. The Commissioner (or one of the Executive Committee members) is responsible for finding a host and
scheduling all meetings and game nights.
Procedures
A. Upon resignation of a Commissioner, one of the Executive Committee members will move to the
Commissioner’s chair. The league will then designate a replacement assistant. These moves will be in
effect until the next official election.
B. Upon resignation of an Executive Committee member, the Commissioner shall be able to appoint a
replacement until the next official election.
C. The league shall have the power to impeach any officer for cause by a two-thirds majority vote of all
league teams.
D. If an officer is removed from office, the rules for resignation shall govern replacement.
Meetings
A. Regular league meetings begin with the start of the new KCSL season and end with the last play-off
game.
B. Regular league meetings shall be weekly at a pre-determined place and time
C. Winter meetings start after the play-offs and end with the General Draft.
D. Winter meetings shall be scheduled as desired by the League.
E. Special meetings may be called by the Commissioner, or requested of the Executive Committee by a
member as the occasion may warrant.
F. If deemed necessary, the commissioner may call an “Executive Committee” meeting. The purpose and
outcome of this meeting shall be reported to all league members at the next regular meeting.
G. Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings at all meetings.
H. A Quorum shall consist of a majority of voting teams, one of which must be the Commissioner or an
elected assistant.
I. Unless otherwise specified in these articles, all league matters shall be decided by a simple majority of a
quorum of members.
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Committee Formation
A. A committee may be established for any item of business.
B. The Commissioner will ask for volunteers to be on the committee.
C. Any league member may serve on a committee if he/she so desires.
D. Committee chairpersons shall present a complete report of the committee findings to the league on a
date to be set by the Commissioner.
Proposals
A. Any member of KCSL can present an idea or proposal for league consideration.
B. An outside interest can present a proposal to the league if, and only if, that outsider is sponsored by a
member in good standing.
C. No obligations, financial or otherwise, shall be incurred in the name of KCSL – except for activities
approved by the league and within limits of funds allocated for such activities.
D. Authority to incur financial obligations for approved activities is vested in the Commissioner.
E. Receipted bills must be presented for reimbursement.
F. All expenditures shall be shared equally by all members of the league.
By-Laws Changes
A. The membership of KCSL shall have the power to make, alter, amend or repeal these bylaws, or any
article or section thereof, by a simple majority vote of the total membership.
B. Changes in the bylaws can only be addressed during the “winter meetings” from the end of the last playoff game to the start of the draft for the next year, unless approved by a unanimous league vote.
Issue Resolution
If a specific rule does not exist in the KCSL bylaws, it is up to the Commissioner and Executive
Committee to resolve any and all league issues. Whatever they recommend will be subject to a league vote
of approval.
Any votes of the Executive Committee will be reported as unanimous.
Morals Clause
Unacceptable behavior (physical or verbal) directed towards a KCSL member(s) or his or her
spouse/significant other will not be tolerated.
A. Physical abuse is grounds for immediate expulsion. No exceptions!
B. Verbal abuse is subject to review by the Executive Committee to determine what course of action is
appropriate.
C. The Executive Committee’s findings will be presented to the entire membership for discussion and
possible league vote to resolve the situation.
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League Structure
League structure will be determined by league vote during each year’s winter meetings prior to opening
day of the new season.
A. Basic Alignment: one division
B. Number of teams: to be determined.
C. Playoff teams: to be determined
Schedules: Regular Season
The league will establish regular season schedules each year during the winter meeting period. The number
of teams, games, series, and dates will be determined at that time
Schedules: Post Season
The league will establish playoff particulars during the winter meetings of each off season. This includes
possible dates of the playoffs, the number of teams involved, and whether or not byes will be awarded.
All playoff series will be a “best of seven” , 2-3-2 game format.
Team Structure
Owners
A. Each team must have an owner that is not affiliated with any other team in the league.
Owner Resignation
A. If an owner resigns, the Commissioner may appoint an interim owner for the remainder of the season, as
long as the new owner is not affiliated with any other team. This interim owner, because he/she was
appointed, does not have a vote.
B. If an owner resigns or cannot play the team’s scheduled games during the season, and an interim owner
cannot be found, the Commissioner may do one of the following:
1.
If one-third or less of the team’s games have been played, the team will be dropped from the
league and all games will be erased from the records.
2.
If more than one-third, but less than two-thirds of the team’s games have been played, the
Commissioner shall appoint an interim manager(s) from the league membership to play
enough games to equalize the number of games played with other teams. Once this is done,
the team will be dropped from the league and all remaining games will be erased from the
records.
3.
If two-thirds or more of the team’s games have been played, the Commissioner shall appoint
an interim manager(s) from the league membership to play the remaining games, and all
games will count in the standings.
C. If an owner has to withdraw for personal reasons, he/she may, with the approval of two-thirds of the
league, appoint an interim owner for a specified time period not to exceed one (1) season. This interim
owner will have all rights and privileges.
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Ownerless Teams
A. An ownerless team becomes the property of the league.
B. A search will be conducted to find an owner that will be acceptable to the league.
C. A new owner must be accepted by a ¾ majority of all members of the league.
D. If no owner is obtained:
1.
The team will be frozen for at lease the remainder of the season.
2.
Dispersal of the players will be through a dispersal draft involving current league teams,
or determined during the winter meetings.
Freezing Rosters
A. A team owner can request that his team be “frozen” for one season only. After one season, if the owner
elects to withdraw from or fails to contact the league, his team will be subjected to a dispersal/re-entry or
general draft.
B. Once an owner declares his team “frozen”, it must remain frozen until the following season (1
year/season minimum). No roster changes can be made once the owner requests/declares his team frozen.
(excluding expansion years)
C. After December 31st and until the day of the general draft, an owner may petition the league to have his
team “unfrozen” before the start of the next season. This amounts to a request to have a league vote on the
issue of reinstatement.
D. Requesting that a team be frozen between seasons must be done between the conclusion of the last playoff game and December 31st of the same year.
E. For a team to be unfrozen, the owner must receive a 2/3’s vote of the entire league membership.
F. After one season/year a team owner must petition for a league vote on reinstatement.
G.. If an owner declares his intention of leaving the league for whatever reason, the team will be treated in
the same fashion as a request to be “frozen” and is subject to the same conditions listed above.
Frozen Team Trades
A. Trades are not allowed with teams that are on “hold” or “frozen”.
B. Trades are not allowed with teams that have no owner. This becomes effective when the owner declares
his/her intentions to give up the team, quit the league, freeze the team, or when any other owner becomes
aware of these intentions.
C. If a team is frozen after December 31st, any trades made involving the frozen team can be either voided
or a supplemental draft pick can be created by the Executive Committee to compensate the affected teams.
D. If the frozen team has acquired any draft picks, the team will forfeit those picks. This would result in a
roster reduction that would be made up in the following year’s draft if the team is reinstated.
E. If the teams remains frozen for 1 year/season and is not reinstated, the roster reduction from the lost draft
picks become irrelevant.
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Rosters
A. A team shall consist of thirty-five (35) players.
B. The playing roster of a team shall consist of twenty-five (25) players. This roster shall be declared
before the start of each game.
C. The taxi squad of a team shall consist of ten (10) players.
D. Game rosters expand to thirty-five players (35) for games 136 through 162. This coincides with the
implementation of the four (4) man pitching rotation. (If the season is not 162 games, then a league vote
will determine the game number for implementation.) (If season is 126 games, then games 105 through
126).
Taxi Squad Moves
When a player is sent to the Taxi Squad, he must remain there for five (5) games/days. A player promoted
to the active roster must remain on the active roster for 5 games/days.
Roster Size Reduction
When Strat-O-Matic “e ratings” are released for the upcoming season (around mid-December), team
owners must reduce their rosters from thirty five (35) to twenty five (25) players without league expansion,
to twenty (20) players with league expansion. The ten players released from each team become eligible for
the upcoming draft. A team’s twenty-five (25) man roster can include “no card players” that are ineligible
for actual team play and must remain on the team’s roster for the entire season (unless traded to another
team).
The league will designate a cut down deadline. Once the deadline passes, the players become property of
the league, and become frozen until the draft.
Players
Eligibility
A. Player eligibility will be reviewed yearly by the league.
B. A non-roster player with no Stratomatic card shall be ineligible for the draft and league play.
C. Current roster player(s) with no Stratomatic card can be carried on a roster. This can be done at the
discretion of the manager. The player cannot be used in league play. The player will occupy a roster spot.
D. Players with more than one Stratomatic card:
1.
Must meet the league qualifications on one of the cards, or be declared ineligible.
(Cannot combine stats)
2.
If two cards qualify, only combined stats one can be used and the player is only eligible
for the positions qualified for on the card.
Player Eligibility
Position players must have a minimum of 200 plate appearances (at bats and walks combined)
Starting pitchers must have a minimum of 75 innings pitched.
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Relief pitchers must have a minimum of 30 appearances or 50 innings pitched.
Positions
A. A player can only play positions listed on his card for that year.
B. If a position is depleted during a game; the replacement must be a logical choice and be agreed upon by
both managers. The agreed upon player will then become the worst possible player for that position.
C. If an injured outfielder is replaced by another outfielder, the Stratomatic rule for out-of-position
adjustment applies.
Drafting
Drafting without Expansion
A. The General Draft shall consist of each team drafting players to fill a roster of thirty-five (35) players.
B. The draft will take place on a specified date determined by the availability of the Stratomatic cards or
Stratomatic Ratings Book.
C. The order of the draft will be the reverse order of the final regular season standings from the previous
season. Any teams that were on “hold” during the previous season will draft at the end of each draft round.
D. If a team is reinstated before one year/season, that team’s original first round draft pick is changed to the
last pick in the draft. If the team has more than one first round pick (acquired through a trade), or does not
have a first round pick (traded away), the league will vote to decide the appropriate penalty for being
reinstated.
Drafting with Expansion
A. Current teams will still reduce their rosters to twenty (20) players. The fifteen (15) released players from
each team will make up the expansion draft pool.
B. Each expansion team will draft players from the expansion draft pool to fill a roster totaling the same
number of players now listed on current teams’ rosters. ( twenty (20) in most cases)
C. Within 48 hours of the conclusion of the re-entry draft, the expansion manager(s) with help from other
current managers has the opportunity to review and re-evaluate the draft choices made versus those players
not chosen. The expansion manager(s) can exchange any amount of drafted players for undrafted ones up to
the number of players taken in the draft.
D. This same procedure (C above) will be available to an expansion team(s) after the regular general draft.
An expansion team(s) will have forty eight hours to review with help the players taken in the general draft,
and has the opportunity to trade drafted players for undrafted ones, up to the total amount of players taken
in the general/regular draft.
E. Draft positions of expansion teams will be decided by league vote prior to the expansion and general
drafts.
Re-entry Draft
A. The Re-entry Draft shall consist of each active team drafting players from the combined rosters of all
ownerless teams. The number of players to be drafted by each team will be determined by the league.
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B. The draft (if needed) will take place on some specified date prior to the General Draft.
C. The order of draft will be the same as the General Draft.
Expansion Draft
A. The Expansion Draft shall consist of the new team(s) drafting players (see Article 10, Drafting Players,
with Expansion).
B. The draft (if needed) will take place on some specified date prior to the General Draft.
C. The order of draft will be determined by a coin flip or a roll of the dice. The winner has a choice of
choosing the first pick in the Expansion Draft or the General Draft, but not both. The General Draft (for
the new teams) will proceed in reverse order of the Expansion Draft.
Trading
Trading Guidelines
The trading of players between consenting teams is permissible and becomes final when rosters are
changed with the league office. (subject to G below)
Trading Draft Choices
After the roster reduction to 25 players in non expansion years, to 20 players in expansion years, and before
the final round of the draft, teams can trade a player(s) for a draft choice(s). This would result in a team
having more than 10 draft choices in the draft, and the other team having less than 10 picks. A team cannot
exceed thirty-five (35) players on its roster at the end of the draft.
Trading During The Season
A. Trades between teams are allowed only if teams involved meet or exceed the monthly games played
threshold.
B. It is the responsibility of the League Trade Recorder to check and verify that all trades meet the
requirements of article A above before the trade is officially recorded.
C. The trading of players is not allowed between games of a series
D. During the regular season a traded player must appear on two (2) different rosters before becoming
eligible to return to the original team. This must also be verified by the Trade Recorder.
Trading deadline
The league will establish the trading deadline date prior to the beginning of each new season. Trading will
be suspended at midnight on that date. The trading of players is not allowed between then and the end of
the championship series.
Trade Objections
A. Any active member of KCSL may petition the Commissioner questioning the validity of or objection to
a trade within forty eight (48) hours of the trade. Any games played during this period will count, no matter
what the outcome on the trade’s validity.
B. The Commissioner shall do everything possible to clear up any problems with a trade prior to veto
proceedings.
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C. A trade veto must carry a 2/3’s league vote of the members not involved in the trade.
Trading During The Off Season
A. A player can be returned to his original team during the off season without appearing on a second team’s
roster
B. During the off season, a player can be traded an unlimited number of times.
Rules Addendum
Governing Rules
All Super advanced rules of the Stratomatic Baseball Game shall govern the playing of games with the
exceptions listed below.
Injuries
The following is an amendment to the Super Advanced Injury Rule:
700 total at bats: max injury 1 game
600 total at bats: max injury 3 games
500 total at bats: max injury 5 games
400 total at bats: max injury 8 games
Ball Park dimensions
Ball Park Dimensions are due before the first game of the season. They can be changed up to a maximum
of 4 at the beginning of each season.
Stealing Rule
Use the Stealing Chart found on the basic game chart, first combine the pitcher’s and catcher’s arm rating,
(maximum allowable range of +5 to -5). If holding the runner, deduct 2. If not holding the runner, no
deduction. Then refer to chart to see the runner’s chances.
Pitcher positioning
The pitcher is considered “in” whenever the infield or corners are “in”. The pitcher is “in” unless the
defensive manager states that the pitcher is “back”.
Holding and Range Changes
A. With a runner on first, or runners on first and third, if holding the runner on first, there is a rise of 1 in
the first baseman’s range. Example: if the 1b has a range of 1, he becomes a 2 if holding the runner. If the
1b is a 5, then all # signs become a single** if play is on the X chart. There is no effect to the middle
infielders.
B. With a runner on second and holding the runner the middle infielder responsible for holding the runner
has a rise of 1 to his range. Example: holding a runner on second with a rhb at the plate, the 2b with a R of
2 becomes a R of 3. If the middle infielder is a 5, then all # signs become a single** if play is on the X
chart.
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C. With a runner on 3rd and attempting to steal home: see stealing chart. Deduct 2 if holding, no deduction
if not holding. If the defense is holding the runner, add 1 to the 3 rd baseman’s range. If range is 5, then #’s
become single**.
D. The defense can hold base runners with “corners in”. If holding the runner(s) add 1 to the affected
infielder’s range. If a range is 5, then #’s become single**. If not holding runner(s), there is no range
change. Refer to the chart for gb results with infield in.
E. Strat rule 20:71: with corners in, ignore ground balls with +. They do not become single**.
F. Ground balls with + become single** only when the entire infield is in.
G. If holding a runner and the infielder is in, there is a rise of 1 to the player’s range, and all #’s become
single** if result is on the X chart.
Not Holding Runners
A. If not holding runners on base, add 7 to the steeling range (found on the advanced steeling chart) plus or
minus the catcher’s arm rating.
Catcher’s X-Chart
A. For results under W/S and W/G: check pitcher’s wild pitch rating, roll 20 sided die to determine if a
wild pitch has occurred. If no wild pitch occurs, same batter is up.
B. For results under P/F and P/P: check catcher’s passed ball rating, roll 20 sided die to determine if a
passed ball has occurred.
Starting Pitchers
A. Starting pitchers must have four (4) days of rest between games during the first 135 games of the season
(in a 162 game schedule), and every third game during the playoffs. (If the schedule is less than 162 games,
then the league will establish a new threshold.)
B. There is one off day of rest after every fourth series played that counts against injuries and a pitcher’s
day of rest.
Starting Pitcher Usage Changes
A. Five (5) man rotation through game #135. (Must have 5 starting pitchers on active roster at all times). (If
the season is less than 162 games, then the league will designate the appropriate game number).
B. Four (4) man rotation for last 27 games. (No starter days off.)
C. Can use a three man rotation for playoffs, but must have a minimum of nine (9) pitchers on the active
playoff roster.
D. A starting pitcher can be removed after 4 runs, 5 innings, or POW (Point Of Weakness).
E. A starting pitcher is tired when he allows 7 runs.
Relief Pitchers
A. Relief pitchers remain tired – once they become tired during a game.
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B. If pitching is depleted during a game, the next game “starter” can be used with the penalty of losing his
next start.
Relief Pitcher Usage
A. If a reliever pitches more than one inning (3 outs) past his point of weakness (POW) he must rest two
games/days or he is tired for his next and any subsequent appearances.
Example: reliever with a POW of 1 may pitch two innings (6 outs) and not be required to rest two games. If
he goes two innings (6 outs) plus one batter (or more) he must rest two games or pitch tired the next and
any subsequent consecutive games.
B. A reliever may pitch in three consecutive games without resting if he does not go over his POW in each
of the three games.
C. If a reliever goes over his POW in any game he must not enter more than two consecutive games or he is
tired, and must rest one game/day or enter the next and any subsequent consecutive games tired.
D. A reliever must rest one game/day after his third consecutive game or enter the next and any subsequent
games tired.
Example: Reliever with a POW of 1 may pitch one inning (3 outs) or less in three consecutive games
without resting or being tired. However, if a pitcher appears in three consecutive games and exceeds his
POW rating in the third game, he must now rest two (2) games/days,
E. The above does not affect a pitcher’s Closer Rating in a closer situation.
Playoffs’ Rules
A. Before the first game, each playoff team must establish a 25 man roster, containing a minimum of 9
pitchers, 3 of which must be starters. (Please list this on the score sheets being used for play off games.)
B. Allowed one roster move for injury per play off series.
C. After each series, the roster reverts to the original 25 man roster.
D. Can use a three man rotation for playoffs, but must have a minimum of nine (9) pitchers on the active
playoff roster.
E. There will be one (1) day of rest between the end of the season and the start of the playoffs that will
count against injuries and as a pitcher’s rest day.
F. Each play off series is 11 days in duration.
i.e.: Off, G1, G2, Off, G3, G4, G5, Off, G6, G7, Off.
G. If series is finished in less than 7 games, the remaining days are still counted for injuries and days of
rest. For example: if series finishes in 4 games, then the winning team has 5 days of rest before beginning
the next series.
H. Starting pitchers used as relievers will have a POW of 3. Forced days off are determined by the
following chart:
Innings pitched
Days off
0.0 to 1.0
1
1+ to 3.0
2
3+
3
4+ = tired
3
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I. Starting pitchers used as relievers cannot close unless they have a closer rating.
J. Starter/Relievers when used as relievers can close if they have a closer rating.
K. Starter/Relievers have the POW given them by Strato, and are subject to our relief pitcher usage rules.
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Table of Contents
Category
Pg#
Ball Park Dimensions
Bylaws Changes
9
3
Catcher's X Chart
Commissioner's Duties
Committee Formation
10
2
3
Drafting
Drafting with Expansion
Drafting without Expansion
7
7
7
Elections
Eligibility
Expansion Draft
1
6
8
Freezing Rosters
Frozen Team Trades
5
5
Governing Rules
9
Holding and Range Changes
9
Injuries
Issue Resolution
9
3
League Structure
Location
3
1
Meetings
Membership
Morals Clause
2
1
3
Name
1
Objective
Officers
Owner Resignation
Ownerless Teams
Owners
1
1
4
4
4
Category
13
Pg#
Pitcher Positioning
Player Eligibility
Players
Playoffs
Playoffs' Rules
Positions
Procedures
Proposals
9
6
6
11
11
7
2
3
Re-entry Draft
Relief Pitchers
Relief Pitchers Usage
Roster Size Reduction
Rosters
Rules Addendum
7
10
10
6
5
9
Schedules: Post Season
Schedules: Regular Season
Starting Pitchers
Starting Pitchers Usage
Stealing Rule
4
4
10
10
9
Taxi Squad Moves
Team Structure
Trading
Trading Deadline
Trading Draft Choices
Trading During the Off-Season
Trading During the Season
Trading Guidelines
Trading Objections
6
4
8
8
8
9
8
8
8