The New Draft Rule Explained

The Official Rule for Protecting and Drafting in NASOMA

1. Each team will present a protected list of players to the Commissioner on a given date. The commissioner will announce the date at least a week in advance. The number of players protected can be 0 to 30 (plus one for each taxi spot).
2. Each team will be allowed to draft as many players in the draft as it takes to supplement their protected list and reach 30 players total (plus one for each taxi spot).
3. Taxi spots are for players who are ineligible to play in any games. You retain their rights, but they are inactive for the season. Each team initially has two taxi spots per year. Taxi spots are tradable commodities. In addition, a contest is held each year with the winner getting a third taxi spot. Taxi spots can be filled with either carded or uncarded players.
4. The Tweener Rule: Each team is allowed to take one or two extra picks, but must then cut one or two players following the draft so that they finish with a roster of 30 (plus one for each taxi spot). These picks are optional; teams are not bound to take either of those two extra picks and may pass when the optional picks come up.
5. The draft is done in rounds, with each team initially having one pick in each round. The order is based on last year’s standings. An owner may not use his pick in a given round if (A) that pick has been traded to another team or (B) he has reached his limit of players (which is 30 plus one for each taxi spot plus two per the Tweener Rule.)
6. During the draft, if a team does not have the rights to their pick due to reaching their limit of players, that pick is skipped. A draft grid will be dispersed prior to the draft which will have all picks in order and will have taken into account trades and the limit of picks each team may legally take.
7. Each team is allowed to draft a maximum of two uncarded players in a draft. These may be taken in any round. You may draft less than two.
8. Each team must designate, before leaving the draft, which of their 30 players are active for that season and which one(s) will be on their inactive taxi list. Players kept active on the 25-man playing roster for a series during the draft weekend’s games MUST be kept on the final 30-man rosters. Players kept on the official 30-man rosters can be either carded or uncarded players, but each team is responsible for having:
1. at least one back-up at each position
2. enough at bats to cover each position for a full season
3. at least 5 starting pitchers
4. enough innings for a full season
9. Official rosters may not be altered after being turned in.
10. During the season, each team may trade any or all picks and any or all players to other teams. All player transactions take effect after the end of the season. No players may switch teams during the season. There is no limit to the number of players and picks a team may acquire the rights to via trade.

FAQ’s:

Can I keep my entire roster from last year? Sure. Up to 30 (plus one for each taxi spot). Just remember, that means you cannot draft anyone.

Can I cut my whole team? Yes. You will draft 30 (plus one for each taxi spot).

Can I use my two optional Tweener Rule picks, but then cut two guys I protected? Yes

If I know in December that I am going to protect 27 guys, can I trade my draft picks from round 8 thru round 20? Yes, if you can find a buyer.

I kept 24 players, but thru trades I have 14 picks in the first 5 rounds. Can I still use them all? No. When you reach your limit (30 plus taxi spots plus 2 per the Tweener Rule), you are finished drafting. You could have traded some of those picks away prior to submitting your pre-draft protected roster, but once that list is submitted, your draft picks are frozen.

Can I have more than two uncarded players on my team? Yes, but you can only add two in any one draft.