And start with Cory Sullivan

In the 13 games since the old Oiler sage predicted the fall of Mark DeRosa, the Ranger utility man has gone 25-for-53 with 6 homers and 25 rbi. I know there is still a month and a half to go in the season, and anything could still happen; but next time you badmouth a player, let it be a Warpig.

Standings update 8/9/06

B.U.D.	W	L	%	GB		Remaining Games	Last Update
Warpigs	67	49	.578	--		46	8/7/06
Rhinos	46	35	.568	3.5		81	8/9/06
Oilers	58	80	.420	20		24	8/8/06
Wahoos	31	59	.344	23		72	8/8/06
M.F.D.	W	L	%	GB
Buckeyes	52	26	.667	--		84	8/2/06
Mavs	30	21	.588	8.5		111	8/6/06
Inmates	43	36	.544	9.5		83	7/15/06
Nads	24	33	.421	18		105	3/26/06
A.W.D.	W	L	%	GB
Sidewinders	37	25	.597	--		100	7/17/06
Killer Bees	21	27	.438	9		114	7/18/06
Tweeners	27	34	.443	9.5		101	7/23/06
Zaps	29	41	.414	12		92	7/16/06
N.E.R.D.D.	W	L	%	GB
FFTs	68	46	.596	--		48	8/3/06
Fungoes	61	45	.575	3		56	8/9/06
Drillers	13	15	.464	9		134	3/26/06
DVs	48	63	.432	16		51	8/6/06

Hanging out with the rich and famous...

The Chief, looking a little too happy, with little Ben and Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban.

News

The Rhinos are married! For two months now! If you thought he was hard to get hold of before... Anyway, congratulations Jose!

The NASOMA Constitution

The commish and I have worked to update our league constitution and make it accurate with the latest rule changes. Here it is for your viewing. Comments welcome.

I. Preamble

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that baseball is the greatest game on earth; that Strat-O-Matic (SOM) baseball is the next best thing to the real thing; and that all managers and general managers are not created equal. The North American Strat-O-Matic Association (NASOMA) was established in 1980 so that the finest SOM baseball minds can compete annually for the true world SOM championship. The purpose of this document is to provide standard rules and procedures to govern the conduct of all NASOMA activities, so as to keep controversies and disputes to a minimum, to promote consistency, fairness, and league stability, and to otherwise allow for the full enjoyment of all participants.

II. Basic League Structure

1. Current league structure includes 16 teams, aligned in 4 divisions of 4 teams each, as follows:

Millard Fillmore Division

Grand Prairie Buckeyes - Glenn Wheeler, Commissioner

Waco Inmates - Steve Hart

Mavericks - Tad Collier

Nads - Dave Hibbard

Not Everyone Rolls Dice Division

O. U. Drillers - Shawn Spears

Fungoes - Derek Townsend

Diamondvision - Bryan Reusser

FFT's - Terry Miller

Bob Uecker Division

Hooterville Warpigs - Rick Lackey

Ewing Oilers - Herman Wheeler

Rhinos - Jose Escobar

Wahoos - Garth Lewis

Ab Wheeler Division

Tweeners - Norm Wheeler

Sidewinders - Vincent Mullen

VivaZaPastas - Tristan Traviolia

Killer Bees - Phillip Mullen

2. The schedule of games each season shall be prepared and distributed by the Commissioner or his designee prior to the pre-season draft. Each team shall play a 162 game schedule, including 14 games vs. each team within its own division and 10 games vs. each team in the other 3 divisions.

3. 6 teams make the playoffs each year, those being the 4 divisional champions and the 2 other wildcard teams with the best overall won-lost records. If there is need to resolve a tie to determine the final wildcard berth, first round bye, or division winner, even if the loser is guaranteed a playoff spot as a wildcard team, a playoff game shall be played, under the direction and guidance of the Commissioner, to determine which team makes the playoffs and proper seeding. The 1-game playoff will be treated as a playoff game. At bats and innings pitched count toward the playoff totals for both teams. The winner of the 1-game playoff must follow a regular pitching rotation with no day off before their first round series. The determination of the home team for the 1-game playoff is determined by roll of the dice prior to the start of the game.

4. For playoff seeding, the 2 divisional champs with the best records get first round byes. The remaining divisional champ with the best record plays the wildcard team with the worst record in the first round, with the other first round series featuring the remaining wildcard team with the best record playing the divisional champ with the worst record. In the second round, the divisional champ with the best regular season record plays the lowest seeded first round winner. The winner of the NASOMA championship shall have the team and owner's name engraved on the permanent, rotating championship plaque, which is designated as the Randy Higdon Championship Plaque. All playoff series are best of 7 games, and should be included on the annual schedule so that off days and days of rest for pitchers can be accurately determined. At the beginning of the playoffs, all pitchers are assumed to be fully rested, but thereafter the schedule is strictly observed, with pitchers' usage at the end of one series potentially affecting their availability or how well rested they are at the beginning of the following series.

III. Drafting and Team Rosters

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.

11. Each team's roster for the first 140 games of the regular season consists of 25 active players and 5 inactive. In addition, there is a Taxi that contains players ineligible for any games in the current season. Players may be switched between the taxi squad and active roster for each individual series (an individual series may be 2, 3, or 4, games - refer to the official schedule). The 25 player active roster may not change during an individual series. All 30 players are active for the final 24 games of the regular season. Teams once again return to 25 player active rosters for the playoffs, and the same rosters must be used throughout the post-season. No roster changes may be made as you advance through the playoffs.

12. If non-playoff teams finish the regular season with identical records, the following tie-breaker system is used to determine draft position: first tie-breaker is always head-to-head records; for remaining ties involving teams within the same division, the next tie-breaker is record within the division; any otherwise unresolved ties are broken by a roll of the dice, with the Commissioner presiding. One team will then pick first in odd number rounds with the other team picking first in the even rounds.

13. Travel expenses for both draft and playoffs shall be shared equally by all active teams in the league.

14. Trades that amount to "renting" players for the season, such as trading a player for a "player to be named later" with the express understanding that the "player to be named" will be the same player returned at the end of the season, are prohibited.

15. Immediately prior to the draft, each team picks the NASOMA ballpark in which they will play their home games. A team may take the new numbers of their current park, keep the same ballpark numbers from the previous year, or adjust any or all of their previous numbers by a maximum of +2 or -2. Each number may be independently adjusted at the team owner's discretion. Every fourth year (in U.S. Presidential election years) a team has the additional option of choosing a completely new SOM ballpark.

IV. Game Rules

Unless otherwise provided herein, all games shall be played and scored in accordance with the Official Rules of Baseball. All super-advanced game rules of SOM baseball shall also apply, subject to the following additions, deletions, modifications, and clarifications:

1. When referring to the super-advanced fielding chart, if an infielder is considered to be responsible for "holding" a baserunner, do not add 1 to that fielder's range rating (but all readings for that fielder followed by the # symbol are still treated as "SI2").

2. No player may appear in a game at a position that is not listed on his card, and position players may not be called on to pitch.

3. A batter must be announced before you can roll for the lead to steal. Contrary to SOM rules, you may roll for a baserunner's lead during each different at-bat. There does not need to be a change in the baserunner situation to try for the same lead a second or third time as outs are made.

4. Do not use the optional super-advanced rules for individual balks, wild pitches, and passed balls. Wild pitches and passed balls should only occur from a standard reading of the "catcher-X" section of the fielding chart.

5. Rather than using the SOM rules for determining pitchers' weakness, each pitcher is given a point of weakness (POW) number by performing the following calculation. First, determine the number of earned runs allowed by a pitcher by dividing I.P. as shown on his card by 9, then multiplying by his E.R.A. (round result to the nearest whole number). Then use this formula: (earned runs times 3) + (hits allowed times 2) + (walks allowed) = X. Divide X by I.P., and multiply by the critical inning number shown on the card. To this result, add 1 if the pitcher's E.R.A. was 2.50 to 2.99; add 3 if it was 2.00 to 2.49; and add 5 if it was under 2.00. As a final adjustment, add 4 to the number of a starting pitcher, and 2 to the number of a reliever. The result is the pitcher's POW number.

6. As an optional short-cut formula, you may multiply the critical inning number by 3, then adjust as described above for pitchers with E.R.A.'s under 3.00, and add 4 for starters or 2 for relievers. A team must be consistent and use the same formula to calculate the POW number for all of its pitchers.

7. To determine if a pitcher is tired in a game, add up his "points": 3 points for each earned run allowed, 2 points for each hit allowed, 1 point for each unintentional walk allowed. Relievers appearing in both games of a doubleheader are charged with their game 1 points immediately upon entering game 2. The "game 1 points" are determined as of the moment the pitcher is removed from game 1, without considering whether a subsequent pitcher allows any inherited runners to score. When the points total equals or exceeds the POW number, he is tired, and thereafter readings on his card followed by • are instead SI**. Also, regardless of the number of points surrendered, once a pitcher has pitched a number of innings equal to the critical inning number + 4, he is thereafter considered tired. For example, a starter with a "6" on his card is tired after 10 innings, or a reliever with a "1" is tired after 5 innings.

8. When a relief pitcher goes more than 3 innings in a day (including the combined total for both games of a doubleheader), if he then pitches the next day he is tired when he comes in. When a reliever goes more than 5 innings in a day, he may not pitch the next day, and on the second following day he would be tired when he comes in. Because regular season series might not be played in the actual order as shown on the schedule, assume that all relievers are fresh to begin each individual series.

9. Although regular season series may be played out of order, the rotation for starting pitchers is based on the official schedule, and starters must have at least 3 days rest between starts. For each individual series, whether it be 2, 3, or 4 games, a team must designate at least 4 of its active pitchers as being in the starting rotation, even though 1 or more of those starters may not actually appear in that series.

10. Pitchers are eligible to start a game only if the word "Starter" appears on their cards. Pitchers are eligible to appear in relief only if the word "Relief" appears on their cards, except in post-season play, when a team may designate 1 "Starter" as being eligible to pitch in relief, and such pitcher shall have a POW number of 9. Once a “Starter” is used in relief in the post-season, no other “Starter” may do so.

11. Do not use the optional "closer" rule.

12. Do not use the super-advanced "cut-off rule with throw to home". If you throw at a runner attempting to advance to third or home, any other runners automatically advance. If you cut-off the throw and concede the base to the lead runner, all other runners hold.

13. Injuries only occur in games played face-to-face, and do not follow SOM injury rules. If a roll includes a possible injury, it is a 50-50 chance the player is injured. Roll the 20-sided die to determine if the player is injured. If an injury results, the player is only out for the remainder of the game. If an injury would leave no player available for that position, ignore the injury.

14. The active roster for each individual series must include at least 1 back-up at each position.

15. If a team pinch-hits or makes other substitutions late in a game, and rallies to tie the game, but then has no one available to play a particular position, that team must forfeit the game.

16. Players may be used during the regular season until they have reached 110% of the at-bats or innings pitched as shown on their cards. If a player has more than one card, use his combo card only. Regardless of their regular season usage, all players are once again eligible for post-season play, although limited to a maximum of 33% of the AB's or IP's as shown on the card. The 33% limit applies to the entire post-season, regardless of whether the team plays in 1, 2, or 3 different playoff series.

17. A team must mail its instruction sheet no later than 1 week prior to the scheduled date for any games to be played by mail. If instructions sent at the beginning of the season are not intended to apply to the entire season, this should be indicated on the instruction sheet. All instruction sheets must include (1) the team's complete roster, with taxi squad designations; (2) starting lineups; (3) starting pitching rotation; and, (4) all pitchers' POW numbers. All other instructions are optional, but when other valid instructions are included, opposing managers must follow them as closely as possible.

18. The designated hitter rule is in effect for all NASOMA games.

19. If the infield is playing "in" or "in at the corners", the pitchers and catcher are considered to be playing "in" when referring to the fielding chart. Also, it is permissible to play "in at the corners" to defend against a possible sacrifice bunt, even if there is no runner on third base.

20. Complete final stats must be submitted to the Commissioner's office at season's end. 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, homeruns 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, homeruns, 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.

21. Any games may be played on the SOM computer game by agreement of the managers, or at the discretion of the home team for play-by-mail games. A computer league will be issued after that draft. Only this league may be used for games played on the computer, including all Netplay games.

22. For all games played on the SOM computer game including Netplay, rules set-up is to be consistent with the rules described in the Game Rules section. Upon agreement by both teams, any rules that vary as a result of differences between the SOM computer game and this Game Rules section are acceptable.

23. All regular season games must be played and results provided to opposing managers no later than October 1 of each year. Any team failing to meet this deadline will have their remaining games played for them using the "default instructions" that are submitted by each team before leaving the draft. The team NOT at fault will play the game(s) and return results. Commissioner rulings may be needed. The Commissioner has the authority to develop and implement the plan for completing games not played after October 1^st.

V. Miscellaneous

1. The Commissioner shall have the authority and responsibility to preside over all league activities, to resolve any questions or disputes concerning interpretation of the provisions of this Constitution, to impose any necessary sanctions or remedies for violation of league rules, and to otherwise ensure compliance with both the letter and spirit of this Constitution. The Commissioner may assign specific duties or limited authority to deputies or committees to assist him as necessary.

2. All amendments to this Constitution shall require the approval of at least two-thirds of the league managers. Any rules changes announced from year-to-year by the SOM game company (if such changes relate to SOM rules previously adopted by NASOMA) shall automatically be incorporated into the NASOMA rules, unless rejected by a vote of at least two-thirds of the league managers.

Approved and adopted (as amended) by league members this 5th day of August, 2006.

GLENN WHEELER, Commissioner

The Boys of Summer

Twice a week, the over-60 slow-pitch softball team from Grand Prairie takes the field. Game time is usually around 9:30 AM (about four hours after the players get up). Here are some observations from my visit to the park for their most recent game...

This is not a "first to third" kind of league. First to second is a stretch. At one point a player on the other team tried to score from second on a single. He lost control about two steps past the third base bag. He ended up crumpled on the ground ten feet wide of third, very nearly smashing his face into the concrete curb in front of his dugout.

Everyone is named Walter, Herman, or Chester. Even the women. And yes, women can play in this league. The GP team had two that day. Both hit the ball and fielded their positions well. Pretty fast, too. Well, relatively.

It's not easy to get a flyball to drop in the outfield, as it appeared there were like 17 outfielders, but when the balls did drop, they would quite often end up as fielder's choice outs at second. And, of course, there was the occasional 7-to-3 "ground out". And like runners in baseball can run thru the bag at first, in this league they can also run thru the bag at second and the bag at third. Sliding is not an option.

Many batters have designated runners. It's the first time I've ever seen a guy running to first say out loud, "nice hit!" on his way to first. I also saw a batter swing and miss at the first pitch, but be called out because his designated runner took off too soon. Bummer for the batter.

This is also not a league where they play "just for fun." Not only were there several arguments about the rules ("A thrown ball that hits a runner is a dead ball!" "No, that's only on a batted ball." "You don't know everything!" "No, but I know that!"), but after one player, a middle school coach and teacher, hit his second grand slam of the game over the fence, the other team complained that "He should be in a Class C league!" They may have initially underestimated him because he wore loafers (no socks).

Our favorite player, Herman "Lefty" Wheeler, was the starting pitcher and earned the win. His relief pitcher didn't have his good stuff; so Herman re-entered the game after one inning, thereby getting both the win and the save. Our hero also went 2-for-3 with a double and did all his own running. After the double, the game was momentarily stopped while he checked to make sure I saw his hit ("Did you see that?!? Did you see that?!?").

The morning was very entertaining. It won't be long until I'm out there. I'll need to buy some loafers, though.

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.