League Rules
These league rules have been used for nearly 30 years without much variance. They provide a solid league structure and any organization needs a strong foundation with well tested rules to deliver surety.
The commissioner will function as tie-breaker in any league-wide vote including rules and player pool teams.
If, at any point during a season, updated card information is made available from Chris Davis (game creator), we will automatically use the corrected card. Any games played previous to the correction will not be replayed, but the new card will be used going forward.
BEFORE Anything Else
This should go without saying, but I will say it here at the very beginning: This league is an escape from reality. Treat others with the same respect you expect for yourself. This league is not about politics or theological debate. I don’t want to see anything disrupt this league’s success. I have strong opinions on many matters including those, but they do not belong in the conversations within the league confines. Again, this is an escape. Let’s keep it that way.
Player Pool
The Inside Pitch League’s player pool consists of a select set of teams determined prior to the first season and then expanded prior to the second season when the league expanded from 8 teams to 12. The pool teams will never change, however others may be added as needed upon any league growth. In the inaugural season each owner will select a team for the player pool. Additional teams will be added to the pool to help compensate for potential player movement between seasons (i.e. if a player moved out of the player pool). Any additional teams will be added will by vote by the the league with the commissioner acting as a tie-breaker if needed.
The selected pool teams are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago (N), Cincinnati, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York (A), New York (N), Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St. Louis and Texas.
NOTE: Players from these teams comprise the pool talent for the league. In case of players who were on multiple teams during the given season, they will be placed with the team they finished the season regardless of which team they are carded. i.e. 1977 Dave Kingman played for four teams with his final team being the Yankees for the final two weeks of the season. Since he finished the season with the Yankees, he is part of that team regardless of which team he was carded.
Game Play
When playing online, both teams are required to keep score and keep the score sheets until the season is over (via paper or electronic format). Prior to any series (either home or away) it is suggested you send basic information that includes pitching rotation for that series, and bullpen availability and any roster moves. Sending this information allows your opponent to prepare for the series and you as well. It will speed up the process if this portion is done in advance. Be proactive in arranging times to play against your opponent – do not wait for them to contact you and do not wait until the last week before making arrangements. Be reasonable in your scheduling and courteous to be ready at the arranged time — everyone’s time is valuable, not just yours. This should be easy since we play only one or two opponents with a limited amount of games for each month.
Latest Rules
If a play within the game is in question, always refer to the Inside Pitch Baseball Version 3 Rules and game chart which were released by Chris Davis, game creator, in 2020. We do have some minor variances to these rules and the LIPL rule changes supersede the Version 3 booklet. IF the rule is not covered and you feel left without a clear-cut answer, and you can’t reach myself or Joe, come to a consensus and continue play. There is no need to have any stoppages. Play on!
Statistics
Everyone is responsible for their own stats if they desire to keep them. A league leader board will be maintained, but it is up to the GM of each team to submit their leaders if they choose.
“Statistics are to baseball what a flaky crust is to Mom’s apple pie.”
– Harry Reasoner, American Journalist
“When you’re stuck in last place, the only thing you have left is stats.”
– Conrad Brunner, Indy Hosers General Manager
Minimum stats requested:
Pitching: G – GS – CG – Sho – W – L – Sv – IP – H – R – ER – HR – BB – K – HBP – WP
Hitting: G – AB – R – H – 2B – 3B – HR – RBI – SB – CS – BB – K – HBP – SacF – GDP
Salary Cap
The Salary cap for the LIPL is $300. After the Auction Draft, the salary cap increases to $330 to help facilitate making trades, however, PRIOR to the next year’s Auction, each team must have enough available funds to fill a 25-man roster and not go over the $300 auction day salary cap.
At the end of the season the commissioner will meet with each team individually to go through all roster decisions (releases, buy outs, extensions). After all teams have concluded their roster decisions an updated roster sheet for the entire league will be released. This will keep things moving so no one team is trying to be last and making decisions based on other teams roster moves — and it keeps all teams on even footing.
Auction Day
BIDDING PHASE: At the start of every season, we will have an auction to fill out our 25 man rosters. One by one each team will announce a player from the available auction pool. The GM announcing the player is automatically placing a $1 bid on that player — this way you cannot bring up a player you were not planning to bid. Bids are in whole dollar increments. The average salary is $12 ($12 x 25 players = $300 salary cap). Highest bid during the auction for a player will add him to their roster. When your roster is full (25 players), you are done with the bidding phase of the auction and must wait for all other teams to conclude the bidding phase. Each of these players will receive a 3-year contract (see note for FIRST SEASON VARIATION).
During the Bidding Phase, you may not stop less than or have more than 25 though that number may vary during the season due to trades.
MINOR LEAGUE PHASE: Each team will have ten (10) minor league positions on their roster and will fill these spots during the Minors Draft. Each teams Minors will consist of paired “snaking” draft picks (1 and 24, 2 and 23, 3 and 22, etc) based on previous season’s win/loss record (worst to first with the World Series winner having last pick in the odd rounds). The minors will be complete when all teams have 10 minor leaguers. Your team may not stop less than or have more than 10 minor league players at the conclusion of this portion of the draft though that number may vary during the course of the season due to trades.
These players contracts will function differently than those in the bidding phase. Each minor will have a One Year contract plus an option year. A player selected in the minor phase has a salary of $0 for the first year. If a player with a first year Minors Contract (designated an M1) plays in fewer than 12 games DURING HIS FIRST CONTRACTED YEAR (2 starts or less for starting pitchers), he is eligible to be extended (same contract — $0) in the Minors for another second season at no cost to the team (will be designated an M2).
If an M1 player exceeds the limits outlined above he must be either a) given a one-year-contract at $10 (1-1 with no options) OR b) be released into the player pool. An M2 player must either be picked up for a one-year-contract at $10 or released into the player pool. He cannot be extended again and must re-enter the auction.
SPECIAL NOTE: If a minor league player is placed on a post-season roster, he cannot remain in the minors for the next season. He must either be signed to a one-year-contract for $10 or released into the player pool.
Contracts:
Auction Phase contracts are for three years with a single option year in the fourth year at the same cost. If a player’s option is not picked up, he MUST be released after the third year. This decision is to be made at the END of the third season of his contract, but may be made sooner. After the decision is made, it cannot be reversed.
FIRST SEASON VARIATION — In the first season, in order to allow some roster turnover during the first few seasons, five contracts will be randomly selected as 1 year deals with no option, and five contracts will be randomly selected as 2 year deals with an option. Each owner will be allowed to protect 5 players prior to random selection, as well as an additional player after every two random choices. This will be accomplished via random dice roll in a chat room the week following the auction draft. In case of expansion in subsequent seasons, new owners will be subject to the same procedure.
The Bonilla Effect: Since we “know the future”, players under contract that are either un-carded or Out of the Pool the following year(s) will not count against the 25 man roster, but WILL continue to be paid 50% of their salary (round up) until the third year is completed. This salary will count against the salary cap.
Contractual Caveat
If a player is un-carded (but stayed uninterrupted on a pool team – i.e. he was not traded out of the pool and then back in) for the 2nd season of his contract and then returns for his 3rd season, he may be kept by his contracted team. During his time un-carded, his salary is cut to 50% of original (rounded UP), but DOES tie up a roster spot. When he returns in his 3rd season his salary goes back to a full 100%.
OR the team can let him buy him out following typical buy-out procedures. When he is carded again he will be placed in the auction talent pool and follow the typical auction process.
Contract Buyouts
A GM may elect to buy out a contract. During the off-season roster decisions (pre-auction) a GM may decide to release a player currently under contract. The team will still be held for 50% of his contract (round up) for the remainder of his 3 year contract (option year is not considered UNLESS IT WAS ALREADY awarded).
Trading of Bought Out Contracts
Due to the strict Salary Cap, a contract of a player’s who was bought out is deemed a tradable commodity. Trades of this nature may seem as if a player is picking up something for nothing – however, with the strict cap rules in place, cap space is the item being procured. Such trades will be highly scrutinized to ensure proper value is still received, i.e. enough cap space is cleared so that the penalty matches the pickup.
Minors
Minor League Draft Picks are tradable commodities, although you must acquire one for every minors spot you trade. If an owner decides to renew a player’s minor league contract, his LAST pick comes off the books (2 players – last two picks, and so on). If a player has traded one of those picks, the next earliest pick will be awarded to the player who should have acquired it.
Example – TEAM A trades it’s 8th round pick to TEAM B for their 5th in a deal involving other players. TEAM A decides to keep two minor leaguers for the next season, losing their 8th and 7th round picks. TEAM A’s 6th rounder now goes to TEAM B to satisfy the trade.
Schedule Lengths
8 teams – 54 games (one league, two divisions, four teams each)
12 teams – 54 games (two leagues, one division in each)
16 teams – 54 games (two leagues, two divisions in each, four teams each)
Playoff Teams
In the case of a single division (6 teams per league), the first place will get a bye while second place will play third place in a best of 5 (2-2-1 format). Winner will play the first place team for the League Championship in a best of 7 (2-3-2 format). Winner will play in the World Series in a best of 7 (2-3-2 format). An off day will be built in as travel days.
Any tie breakers needed will follow MLB rules.
Player Injury Rules
Injuries are a frustrating part of every manager and general manager’s life. But they do occur in the game of baseball and it does become part of team management. A supplemental Prorated Injury Chart is linked on the front page of the league website. Rolling for the injury duration will occur as laid out in the Inside Pitch Injury Chart then the amount of days will be prorated down based on the supplemental chart.
Disabled List
If a player is injured during the course of a game and will be out for multiple days, you may need to place him on the 7 day disabled list. The 7 days (minimum) cannot start the same day, but would start the day after the injury.
A player may be on the DL longer than 7 days, but not shorter.
A player may be placed on the DL retroactively if needed, but again, not starting on the day of the injury, but the day after. He must not have appeared in any game since his injury.
A player may be placed or activated from the DL at any time during the monthly series.
If a player is injured and you do not have a person to backup his position (you are required to have a backup at all positions), you may need pick up a player from the scrub pile for the duration of the injury, even if for the remainder of the season. The move MUST require a player to be placed on the Disabled List.
The scrub pile is the remaining players not selected from the current season’s auction/minors pool. When the player is activated from the DL or the final out of the season (whichever occurs first), the scrub player is immediately removed from the roster. The scrub player does not cost the team anything, but is limited to remain on the team only as needed and is still subject to any AB, IP, or GS limitations as listed.
Minor League Call-Ups
NON injury roster moves (call-ups and demotions) may only occur between series or at the midway point of a series. Call-ups and demotions may occur at any time when the move involves the Disabled List or pertaining to a trade.
Pitchers may not be sent to the minors unless they are are fully or sufficiently rested enough to appear in a game (i.e. starters on short rest or relievers who could be available if needed).
Every minor league player may be called up on GAME DAY 51 as rosters expand, but is not automatic. Notice must be provided to the commissioner.
Trade Rules
Trades must be made in full (complete) with each deal. No trades for future considerations, picks further out than the next draft, or players-to-be-named-later shall be allowed. If this occurs and it is brought to light, the commissioner will administer penalties to the violator as he sees fit. In other words, don’t do it, you’ll regret it.
GAME DAY 43 is the official trade deadline. No team having played on GD44 is eligible to be involved in any further trades until after the final game of the playoffs.
There is a $330 In-Season Salary Cap. All teams will need to get back to $300 or lower before the next auction with available salary cap space to sign the necessary players for a minimum of $1..
Pitcher Usage
Every starting pitcher is required to use the rest chart below. If they are removed due to injury or ejection and have only pitched 2 innings or less, they will only require 1 day rest.
If a starting pitcher leaves the game due to ejection, injury or rain delay in the first two innings another starter may come in and use his start ratings. The new pitcher must be rested enough to appear in the game and will be required to use Starter’s rest.
Pitchers who have only a starting rating may relieve only on the condition that there are no other relievers available, are rested enough to appear in a game, and are subject to the reliever rest requirements. His ‘Tired/Pull’ rating will be 8/5. The use of a starter as reliever is not a strategic option, but an emergency one.
A starter who does not have a relief rating may be used in a playoff game if needed, but again, will be subject to reliever’s rest (8/5 ‘Tired/Pull’).
A pitcher used in relief will need at least one day (minimum) rest before being able to start a game.
For a reliever to be used in three consecutive days, he may not pitch more than 1 inning in any of the three.
TIRED/PULL RATINGS: A pitcher may pitch beyond the Tired OR Pull with the
( ) results coming into play once a pitcher has reached either rating. IF a pitcher reaches both Tired AND Pull and a ( ) result comes up, he must be removed immediately and a new pitcher brought in – even if the relief pitcher is not fully warmed up (he would face penalties as listed below).
Starting pitchers who pitch between 4.1 to 9.0 innings who exceed both Tired AND Pull ratings will be required 4 days rest.
Relievers who exceed both Tired AND Pull ratings will be required at least one day off (based on chart and usage).
Relief pitchers are required to face at least ONE batter before being removed apart from an injury or ejection. This is based on MLB rules used prior to 2020.
Pitcher’s WARM UP RULE
Relief pitchers must warm up for 2 batters prior to coming into a game. Between innings counts as ONE batter. If a relief pitcher is brought in without proper warm up, any walk chances are considered automatic walks until he has faced the minimum of two batters that he needed to have warmed up.
A relief pitcher may only be warmed up twice in a game. When his team comes to bat, the relief pitcher sits down. If his team is at bat when he is told to warm, the warm up will last until the NEXT time his team gets to bat. No more than two pitchers may be up in the bullpen at any given time. If a reliever has warmed up twice, he MUST start the following inning or will be considered “burned” and ineligible for the remainder of the game.
Emergency Pitcher
Each season the commissioner will select an emergency pitcher card to be used by position players (in cases of blowouts). You cannot use this card unless your team is trailing by 8 or more runs or you are out of relief pitchers. For the 1973 Season we will use Bill Parsons of the Milwaukee Brewers. You do still need to manage your roster since it will be a POSITION PLAYER that will be required to pitch (using the Emergency Pitcher card).
Player Limits
Players with equal to or less than 25 IP, 10 Starts (pitchers), 40 AB per side (indicated when players with only H? rather than LH?/RH? splits) , or 125 AB will be limited to a prorated amount of Innings Pitched or At Bats. The prorated amount may vary based on the amount of games in our schedule. IP are rounded up to the next 1/3 of an inning. Spot Starts and ABs will be 40% of actual At Bats or Starts rounded up to the next full start or AB. Batters will NOT be limited to side, but rather to the 40% of AB regardless of the side the pitcher throws.
If a pitcher is limited in starts and innings, he may exceed his innings during his spot start.
PLAYOFFS – limited players will be prorated to either 5 games (3.1% of full limits) or 7 games (4.3% of full limits) depending on the series length – rounded up to the next whole number. Pitchers with Start limitations will not be able to start a game in the playoffs.
Players with limits MUST be tracked. After they have reached their limits, they will not be allowed to be used as a pitcher OR to bat. He may be used defensively, but when he comes to bat would need to be pulled for a pinch hitter. IF they must bat and have no AB limits left, they must use their team pitcher’s batting card selected in the draft. If you do have another players for his position available – even if the replacement is horrible, you must use him rather than letting your “used” player bat off the pitcher card.
WeatherBeginning in the 1972 Season we will be using weather rolls found on the google/docs page before games. Note that the schedule now indicates day or night games which will effect the game time temperature. If there is an adjustment to the HR due to temperature, treat it as an adjustment to the Ballpark card for that game only. NO pre-game weather rolls for 1973.
Pitcher’s Hitting
Pitchers may pinch hit if they have their own hitting card. A team generic pitcher’s hitting card will be set each season to be used by all pitchers who do not have their own card. For 1973 the generic team’s pitcher’s batting card will be used for ALL pitchers who do not have their own batting card as selected in the supplemental draft for Pitcher’s Batting Cards.
Every pitcher will have a +2 GDP (minimum) when batting.
Pinch Hitting
Teams must announce a PH before attempting a steal.
Hit and Run
You may only hit and run with runners at first, first and second or first and third (runner on third is not considered running). Pitchers may NOT hit and run. No player may hit and run with two outs.
If a batter strikes out while employing a hit and run strategy, the baserunner will have a -6 to the baserunner’s stolen base rating.
You cannot hit and run after a failed attempt to get the jump (runner couldn’t get the lead for a steal attempt).
Catcher rest
Each team’s starting catcher must rest one game per month. He may be used as a PH in the lone game in which he does not start, but cannot play behind the plate each game of the month.
A way “around” this, if you want to make sure his bat is in the lineup as much as possible, you could play your catcher 4 games of the 6 with two games played in another position (if they are carded for another). But if he is behind the plate in 5 games (or 7 games of 8 for months with 8 games), he must have one day off from the field.
The starting catcher is not required to rest during the playoffs since OFF days are built into the schedule.
Error Ratings
Players playing their secondary or any other non-primary position will never use a ‘0’ error rating. They will instead be required to use a minimum of ‘8‘ for their error rating
Rain Outs
If a rain out roll occurs, consider this a rain delay that requires both teams to replace their current pitcher. After the game is official (and without a tie score), a game can be rained out.
Stadiums
Each GM may choose any stadium from the current season. If two GMs want the same stadium the commissioner will come up with a way to resolve the issue. Whichever stadium is chosen, the next season will require the stadiums to “roll forward” to match the next season.
If a stadium chosen is no longer in use (i.e. you had Shibe Park and in 1971 they switched to Veterans Stadium) you use that new stadium unless you are eligible to change stadiums. If your stadium changed mid-season (i.e. Crosley Field to Riverfront Stadium), you may elect to change mid-season as they did in real life OR use either park for the entire season. You will be required to use the new one in the following season unless you are eligible to change stadiums.
You may change stadiums (always must choose a free stadium) after being in your current stadium a minimum of three seasons). When changing stadiums, there will be a $3 fee that comes off of your Salary Cap for one season.
In-Game Rules
Pitcher Pick Offs:
The defensive manager must roll for pick-offs chances if his card has ratings in that area (BK, PO, POE). This is only repeated IF the runners on base situation has changed. i.e. A potential wild pitch results in the pitch blocked – nothing changed, roll for the pitch – not a possible pickoff again.
Order of Decisions for Positioning.
A house rule for solitaire and head to head has been the Defense sets up and then the Offense has to declare the intentions for advancing the runner on 3rd. EX: Do you need to decide if you’re going to go for a DP with the bases loaded before the ball is hit
Infield is always set to back unless otherwise stated by the defensive manager. You announce your infield position (4 options):
-
- Infield Back (assumed unless stated otherwise)
- Infield half-way (or double-play depth)
- Infield in
- Corners in (middle infielders are considered at double-play depth)
The batter announces he’s ready (or bunt, or H&R). Then the dice are rolled by the pitcher. You do not have to make your decision in advance for plays in the infield and will have the option(s) as the play unfolds for things like DPs.
Cut Off:
Offense needs to decide which baserunner(s) they want to try and advance. Defense will have the option to throw at the base of their choice. If the defense decides not to attempt throw for an out or concede the base. They are not required to throw.
If the play is an ET? the election to use the concede the base will negate an ET? result.
Offensive managers may elect to have their team run conservatively by NOT attempting for any additional bases (go station-to-station).
Infield Throwing Error:
If an ET? Results in an error, roll 1d6 against the 1st baseman’s range. If it is equal or lower, the 1st baseman is able to keep the ball in front of him and the error is just 1 base. If the roll is higher than the 1st baseman’s range, roll another 1d6 and check against all runners (including the batter); if less than or equal to the runner/hitter they advance an extra base, if higher they stay. There must be a base available to move up or they hold.
ET? to 1B. This is still an error check as it is considered First to pitcher covering the bag.
Players Playing Out of Position.
Apart from Outfield, players are limited to positions on their card except in cases of emergency – then follow the procedures outlined below. For outfielders, corner positions (listed only) may play the opposite corner, but may NOT play CF. An outfielder listed in CF only may play any of the OF positions.
Players will be limited to playing only the positions listed on their card UNLESS there is absolutely no one on the bench to play that position. If, in an emergency, you need to use a player out of position, he will use: 1 (range), 20 (error), -1 (pivot), 0 (passed ball for catchers), +2 for arm (catchers or outfielders).
If during the game you need a position player and NO ONE is left on your bench rated for that position, the absolute worst defense rating will be given (typically 1 (20) with a -1 for a pivot (middle infielder) or a +2 for an OF. Catcher’s would be a 1/1 (20) +3.
You cannot manage yourself into a corner. If you have played all of your catchers, you cannot intentionally remove your current catcher without another on your bench. If you are required to replace someone due to injury or an ejection then you may put in a player with the worst defensive stats. If you only have the last player at a particular position in the game, he cannot be pulled. If both managers miss this happening, play still precedes with the worst possible ratings as explained above.
Designated Hitter
The Liberty Inside Pitch League will never have the DH as part of it’s rules. Pitchers will be required to hit unless a pinch hitter is used which would remove the pitcher from the game.
Any player that does not have a position listed on his card can play a corner position in the field (1B, 3B, LF, or RF) with a 1 (15) +2 rating (throwing arm only applying to an outfield position).
REMINDERS
Men on Base: When men are on base, remember to roll for the potential pick off chance. Make sure both players are aware of how they are rolling (some use each die roll separately while others may use 5 dice rolled together). Just make sure to communicate and be consistent with your rolling style for your series.
Grounder to third: Men at 1st and 2nd and grounder to third – if using the command with three d6, use the final one to determine where the grounder to third is (1-2, towards the line; 3-4, right at the 3rd baseman, 5-6, in the hole). After determining the grounder, resolve the rest of the play.
REST:
Catchers – will need to rest one game of the six (or eight for months with two four-game series) OR play an alternate position in two games.
Pitchers – must be rested enough to pitch in a game (even if short rest for a starter) before being sent to the minors. i.e. If a relief pitcher throws 3 innings in the final day of the monthly series, he cannot be sent to the minors UNLESS there is a day off at the end of the six game series.
Intentional Walks:
Intentional walks do NOT count against the pitcher’s pull rating (right side of the slash), however he does still count as a batter faced (left side of the slash).
IP RULES V3
IP CHART V 3
Rare Play V3
All the NEW rules for the 1973 Season:
- Infield positioning will mirror the computer version (4 options):
- Infield Back (assumed unless stated otherwise)
- Infield half-way (or double-play depth)
- Infield in
- Corners in (middle infielders are considered at double-play depth)
- Secondary and tertiary error ratings of (0) become (8).
- Pre-game weather rolls are removed.
- All teams will draft a NL Pitcher’s Batting card at the end of the minor league draft – reverse order of wins/losses with the World Series winner getting last selection.