The Demerit Rule

Below is how the Demerit Rule will appear in the Constitution. There are a few minor changes from the way it was written last year. The changes are in red. The changes to part A are only moving the deadlines by one day so they are due on the first of the month instead of the last day of the previous month. It actually gives you an extra day. The change in part C deals with games played on a third party's computer. It is now each team owner's responsibility for getting his game files - not the responsibility of the computer owner. The change in part E clarifies the deadline for turning in final stats. The change in part F was discussed last summer as a way to penalize teams falling way behind on their games played more than those who fall only a few games short. And the changes in part G is a compromise of several suggestions.

The idea of the demerits is not to penalize anybody; it's just to try to keep things on a fairly even schedule where we are all playing games on the same pace. Call or email your opponent or me or the Commish if there is some problem with playing games or getting results or instructions, and maybe we can get things resolved without demerits.

Something I noticed... Part D may have been overlooked last season. It says that if you are not planning on playing somebody face to face or on netplay, that you must have instructions sent to them by July 4. I'll try to remember to send out a reminder before the 4th.


V. Deadlines and Demerits

A.The deadline for playing regular season games is as follows:
April 1 - 20 games
May 1 - 35 games
June 1 - 50 games
July 1 - 75 games
August 1 - 100 games
September 1 - 120 games
October 1 - 140 games
November 1 - 162 games

B.All teams must report the results of all games played to the webmaster within 24 hours of playing the games, except for games played on Draft Weekend, which must be reported by midnight Wednesday after the Draft. For games played throughout the season, only one of the teams is required to report the results as long as the email is copied to the other team.

C.When a series is played on the computer, the one with the computer must send the other manager all necessary files (game files, box scores, subsets, etc.) within 24 hours of the final game. The receiving manager determines which files he wants sent to him. The receiving team should then acknowledge receipt of the files. If the computer used belongs to neither team, both managers are responsible for obtaining their own files from the computer.

D.Instructions for all games that cannot be played face to face or via netplay must be sent out by July 4th.

E.Final Stats must be submitted to the Commissioner and the Yearbook by midnight on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For pitchers, the following stats must be submitted: games, games started, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, hits allowed, runs allowed, earned runs allowed, walks, strikeouts, home runs allowed, wins, losses, saves, errors, and earned run average. For non-pitchers, the following stats must be submitted: games, at bats, runs scored, hits, runs batted in, doubles, triples, home runs, walks, strikeouts, errors, stolen bases, times caught stealing, times hit by pitch, and batting average. The season's final stats must also include a breakdown of the team's won-lost records against all other teams.

F.Failure to meet the deadlines in Rule V, part A will result in: 1 demerit for falling 1-20 games short of the minimum, 2 demerits for falling 21-50 games short of the minimum, or 3 demerits for falling 50+ games short of the minimum. This will apply each month. Failure to report results as stated in Rule V, part B will result in 1 demerit for each offense. Failure to send computer files or acknowledge receipt as stated in Rule V, part C will result in 1 demerit for each offense. Failure to send out instructions on time, as stated in Rule V, part D, will result in 1 demerit for each offense. Failure to submit stats on time, as stated in Rule V, part E, will result in 5 demerits.

G.Consequences for demerits:
0-3 demerits: no consequence
4 demerits: you are limited to a max of 20 players at the March cut down.
5 demerits: you are limited to a max of 19 players
6 demerits: you are limited to a max of 18 players
7 demerits: you are limited to a max of 17 players
8 demerits: you are limited to a max of 16 players
9-14 demerits: you are limited to a max of 15 players
15 or more demerits: you are limited to a max of 14 players

The number of Reserve Spots you own wouldn't affect the ruling. If you have 2 Reserve Spots, you will still have 32 players at the end of the draft, but you will only start with the max you were allowed. Example: if you have 2 Reserve Spots but earned 6 demerits, you start with a max of 18 players and use the draft to get to 32. And no protecting players for anyone.