STRAT-O-MATIC INTERNET

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SOMIFA

2006 Season Updated 9/19/2007

(changes in 2006 season listed in red)

 

 

Welcome to the SOMIFA!  The purpose of this league Constitution is to spell out as many details as possible regarding league rules and guidelines.  It is a lengthy document intended to cover most any situation which could arise.  There is a summary of highlights near the beginning so feel free to look at those instead of the entire document.  If you have any questions about the rules or if you feel there is anything missing from or contradictory in this document please don’t hesitate to let me know.

 

All league members must know at the very least the bolded items in the summary below.

 

 

LEAGUE SUMMARY

 

·        53-man roster plus 3 man injured reserve with up to all 56 kept from year to year; each team must have enough players at each position to have available backups

·        Long-term league which will be around for many years so draft for the future!

·        10-round rookie/free-agent draft each year in reverse order of previous year’s finish

·        The league will always consist of 24 teams

·        Each season if there are openings new coaches will take over existing teams

·        League issues such as rules or administrative changes will always be discussed in the league’s message board giving coaches an opportunity to provide opinions and often a vote

·        Each team will use the “good run defense / good pass defense” draft league defensive cards; before the season begins each team may choose whether a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive card will be used and if a 4-3 card is chosen then a 3-4 formation may not be used except under the same conditions as a 3-3-5 (see below); in playoff games the team with the higher seed will use slightly better defensive cards than the team with the lower seed

·        In many cases a coach may designate before the season one or more of his players to “switch sides” from left to right or vice-versa depending upon the circumstances (see the Constitution below for details):  positions which may be eligible for a switch are FL-SE, LDT-RDT, LILB-RILB, LCB-RCB, LT-RT, LG-RG, LE-RE, and LLB-RLB

·        Kickers and punters may be drafted only in the rookie/free-agent draft although each owned team must have exactly one of each at all times (except immediately prior to and during the draft); un-owned teams will not draft kickers or punters

·        All trades will be reviewed and unethical or clearly one-sided trades (as voted on by the league’s Trade Review Committee) will not be allowed; trades by new league members especially will be carefully reviewed and approved; trades of next year rookie/free-agent draft picks are allowed as long as each team does not trade away all of its next year high draft picks (see below for details)

·        The following Strat-O-Matic game options will be turned on:  penalties, RB fatigue, QB end run limits, LB containment, use individualized fumble ratings, do not allow exceeding longest run, do not allow exceeding longest reception, dumpoff rule, updated sack rule, emphasize 6-rated LBs, looser substitution restrictions (see players switching positions section below for details), empty flat pass = guessed wrong, and single game injuries.

·        The following general options should be turned on:  auto save after each play, do not allow play animation replay, do not allow CM subs for human players, fastest possible animation speed (or no animation)

·        The following general option should be turned off:  “scroll play by play output text”

·        There are no player usage limits except the following for QB’s and RB’s:  QB’s under 50 NFL attempts may not be used except due to injury or blowout (see below for blowout details) and a QB may not be replaced during a drive

·        RB’s under 50 NFL attempts may only run the ball on third or fourth down; within the defense’s 1-9 yard line; on 2nd down with 1-4 yards to go for a first down; due to an injury; or any time in overtime

·        RB’s with 50-99 NFL attempts may only run the ball any time during one half (the coach must announce which half before each game), on third or fourth down or within the defense’s 1-9 yard line, on 2nd down with 1-4 yards to go for a first down; due to an injury; or any time in overtime

·        The “show blitz” defensive formation may not be used except in the fourth quarter or overtime; with 0:01 through 2:00 remaining in the first half; on second, third, or fourth down; within the defense’s 1-19 yard line; or within the offense’s 1-9 yard line – in other words, “show blitz” may be used any time except on 1st down on the offense’s 10-80 yard line in the 1st through 3rd quarters not including the last 2 minutes of the first half

·        The 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 defensive formations (and also the 3-4 formation if a 4-3 defensive card is used) may not be used except in the fourth quarter or overtime, with 0:01 through 2:00 remaining in the first half, on 3rd or 4th down, on 1st or 2nd down and 16+ yards to go, or against any 3 or 4 WR offensive formation

·        A superior FL or SE may not be positioned at 3rd or 4th WR if a lesser WR of the same position (FL or SE) is positioned at FL or SE; the roster for each particular team will define which two players may not be positioned at 3rd or 4th WR

·        Only players who are rated at BB, FB, RB, and/or HB are eligible to be positioned at BB; for example, a player who is rated only as a TE may not play the BB position (the offense may use the 1RB 2WR 2TE formation or the “Tight End” formation, however, as examples to get that second TE in the game)

·        During the season each team must have on its roster at least one QB with at least 50 NFL attempts and either at least one RB with at least 100 NFL attempts or at least two RB’s with at least 50 NFL attempts; there are many other roster limits which are detailed below

·        Each league member will have 4 weeks to complete a particular block of 4 scheduled games and these 4 games may be played in any order; the regular season will last 16 weeks approximately concurrent with the NFL season; while it is possible that a 4-week deadline may be extended a couple of days in extraordinary circumstances league member should make sure to play their games in time and with 4 weeks of time and no requirement that the 4 games be played in any particular order that should leave plenty of leeway

·        Poor sportsmanship (swearing, berating, etc.) will not be tolerated

·        Games must be fully completed, deciding not to complete a game is not acceptable

·        If you and your opponent agree to a day and time then if you are not able to make it as soon as you find out that you can’t make it send an e-mail to your opponent and the Commissioner indicating this; no-showing an agreed-upon day and time is to be avoided and if you agree to a time but there is a decent chance that you won’t be able to make it let your opponent know this

·        Commissioner will keep full stats and update the league web page at least every few days

 

 

What is expected of each league member:  play 4 games within a specified 4-week timeframe, understand and follow the rules of the league (enough so that violations do not occur) especially in-game rules, send game results and receive confirmation of receipt, communicate with the Commissioner any unusual issues which arise, check e-mail every couple of days (or e-mail the Commissioner when you can’t do this) near league deadlines (unless you have already sent in your results for that quarter and the Commissioner has acknowledged receipt of each) and whenever reporting a trade, and remain courteous during games and in all league communications.

 

What each league member can expect from the league:  game files will be processed and web page standings will be updated almost every day with web page stats updated likely every few days as results warrant, fair review process of all trades, fair resolution to any disputes which may arise, full draft lists before each draft, full roster lists, game result deadlines which will be adhered to with exceptions only under unusual circumstances, and communication of all league issues.  (I will add to this list as I think of more.)

 

 

THINGS TO KNOW WHILE PLAYING A LEAGUE GAME

 

·        QB under 50 attempts = can only play when there is a QB injury (or blowout which is 17+ point game with 3mins to go)

 

·        Once a drive has begun the QB on the first play must remain in the game throughout the entirety of the drive until the drive or half ends or that QB is injured

 

·        HB, FB, or RB under 50 NFL carries = may only run the ball

o       Any time on 3rd or 4th down

o       On 2nd down and 1-4 yards to go for a 1st down

o       Any time on the defense’s 1-9 yard line

o       Any time in overtime

o       Any time when a RB with 50+ carries is injured

 

·        HB, FB, or RB between 50-99 NFL carries = may only run the ball

o       Same as HB under 50 attempts plus

o       Any time during an entire half announced by the coach before the game – if no announcement is made then it is assumed to be the second half in which this RB is unlimited

 

·        Show Blitz formation may be used only at any of these specific times

o       Any time on 2nd, 3rd, or 4th down

o       Any time in the 4th quarter or overtime

o       Any time with 2:00 or less remaining in the 2nd quarter

o       Any time on the offense’s 1-9 yard line

o       Any time on the defense’s 1-19 yard line

 

·        3-3-5 and 4-2-5 formations may be used only at any of these specific times

o       Any time on 3rd or 4th down

o       Any time in the 4th quarter or overtime

o       Any time with 2:00 or less remaining in the 2nd quarter

o       Any time the offense has 3 or 4 WR’s in the game

o       Any time the offense has 16+ yards to go for a first down

o       Any time the offense is goal-to-go at the 16+ yard line

 

·        3-4 formation may be used only at either of these specific times

o       Same conditions as 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 formations

o       Any time if a 3-4 defensive card is being used

 

·        A player may not switch during a game from left to right (for example, LDT to RDT or SE to FL) or vice-versa unless:

o       He is rated at both positions (for example “CB” may play LCB or RCB at will)

o       There is an injury at that position (for example, if the FL is injured then a SE may play FL during that time)

o       If the offense is in a 0 or 1 WR formation then the LCB and RCB may switch positions

 

·        A team’s top 2 WR’s – designated with an asterisk next to their position on the Excel roster – may never be positioned at 3rd or 4th WR in any formation at any time

 

·        A HB may never be positioned at FB in any formation at any time unless he is rated at FB or RB

 

·        A TE may never be positioned at BB at any time unless he is rated at FB or BB

 

·        A SS may never be positioned at FS in any formation at any time unless he is rated at FS, S, or DB

 

·        A FS may never be positioned at SS in any formation at any time unless he is rated at SS, S, or DB

 

 

 

I.  LEAGUE BASICS

 

There are no fees to be in this league.  Each league member is responsible for playing games and sending results in a timely manner and participating in player drafts as needed.  Each league member will be expected to communicate with the commissioner any issues which arise such as being away from e-mail for more than a few days (on vacation) or scheduling problems.  Each league member must, of course, own the current version of the Strat-O-Matic game with the current season installed and internet access or at least have fairly regular access to a PC with the current version of the Strat-O-Matic game and internet access.

 

This is a very long term league and will very likely be in existence for many years.  Joining the league and once the season starts is a commitment that you are playing the full season at least, please do not join the league if you are unsure about whether you will be able to complete the current season; there will be a clear indication when the commitment begins for that season which will be just before the season begins (which is after all drafts).

 

While some of the details of various league rules and policies are open to future change based upon Commissioner approval there are a couple of league issues which will never change:

 

·        This league will never have a salary system of any sort.  The desired result of parity will be achieved through the location of rookie/free-agent draft picks (winning teams draft last in each round), through the ability of each league member to manage his own team and not give up too much in a trade, and through the trade review process in which clearly one-sided or unethical trades (especially with new league members) will not be allowed.

·        This league will always have a balanced schedule in which teams play each other an equal number of times (with probably one extra game against random opponents as needed) and all playoff spots and seeding will be based upon record only.  Consequently, there will be no conferences or divisions except as required within the Strat-O-Matic game and/or for aesthetics purposes only.

·        This league will always play games via computer, no board game play will be allowed.

 

 

 

II.  ROSTERS

 

 

The league will consist of 24 teams.

 

Each team will consist of no more than 53 players and up to 3 unrated and uncarded players on injured reserve at all times (up to 53+3 players are kept from one season to the next) although shortly after the rookie/free-agent draft teams will likely have more players than this and will be required to cut down to 53+3 at a specific time before the season begins.  Players cut are added into the rookie/free-agent pool.  After teams cut down to 53+3 (immediately after the rookie/free-agent draft) teams may pick up players from the rookie/free-agent pool (and cut an equal number of players) by submitting a list, this supplemental draft will be run with the same format and order as the rookie/free-agent draft.

 

In addition to its 53 man roster consisting of players both with and without cards and ratings each team may keep up to 3 players on its injured reserve IR.  Only players who do not have a card or rating in the current set are eligible to be placed on IR.  No player may be on IR for more than 2 consecutive seasons.

 

 

Players Switching Positions

 

Players are not allowed to play “out of position” with the following comments and exceptions:

 

1)     At any time without making any announcements a coach may play any CB or S at any extra DB position;

2)     A player who is not rated at BB, FB, RB, or HB may not play BB;

3)     A player who is not rated at FB, RB, or BB may not play FB;

4)     A player who is not rated at HB or RB may not play HB;

5)     A player who is not rated at HB, FB, RB, or BB may not play RB;

6)     A player who is not rated at SS, S, or DB may not play SS;

7)     A player who is not rated at FS, S, or DB may not play FS.

 

Immediately before the season begins each coach may designate certain players to switch positions for the entire season.  These switches will be designated on the league roster and players who are switched in this manner are treated as if they are at their new position for the entire season.  These switches may not be made during the game except by announcing the specific switch before the season begins.

 

1)     Any player may be switched from FL to SE or SE to FL as long as another player on the team is not switched the other way;

2)     Any player may make the following switch – LT to RT, RT to LT, LG to RG, RG to LG, LE to RE, RE to LE, LDT to RDT, RDT to LDT, RLB to LLB, LLB to RLB, LILB to RILB, RILB to LILB, LCB to RCB, or RCB to LCB – as long as another player on the team is not switched the other way;

3)     If there is an injury then any of the swaps listed in #1 and #2 above may be made for a player in order to fill the position; as an example, if a player positioned at RCB is injured then a LCB may be used at RCB for the duration of the injury, no announcement needs to be made, and the player swapped may be different on each play;

4)     When using any formation with 1 WR (FL or SE) then any player rated at FL, SE, or WR may be positioned at FL or SE without having to make any sort of prior announcement;

5)     If the offense is in a formation which uses only 0 or 1 WR (Full House or 3RB 2TE) then the defense may swap its LCB and RCB without making any sort of prior announcement; for example, if the offense is in a Full House formation then the defense may play a LCB at RCB and/or a RCB at LCB

 

For example, if player Smith is rated at RLB his coach may designate before the season that Smith will switch to LLB for the entire season and playoffs and Smith will then not be allowed to play at RLB unless due to an injury.  However, if switching Smith from RLB to LLB a coach may not also switch another player from LLB to RLB.

 

For clarification, during a game a coach may not move a player rated only at LG to RG or a player rated only at SE to FL.  However, a coach may announce to the Commissioner before the season begins that a particular player rated only at LG will move to RG and in that case this player may play RG throughout the season and playoffs (but then he may not play LG at all except due to injury).

 

 

Rookie/Free-Agent Draft

 

Each year there will be a rookie/free-agent draft consisting of all players who are not on an owned team.  Un-owned teams (if any) will participate in the rookie/free-agent draft so that no matter what happens there will be 24 draft picks in each round of the draft.  If a coach leaves the league then any draft picks owned by that team in the upcoming draft remain in the same position as if the coach remained in the league.

 

In the rookie/free-agent draft teams will draft in reverse order of their record from the previous season except that the league champion will always draft last in each round while the coach who lost the championship game will draft in each round second-to-last.  The rookie/free-agent draft will proceed until all players eligible are drafted or 10 rounds, whichever comes first.  All players in the rookie/free-agent pool who are not drafted will remain in the pool.

 

Teams participating in a mini-playoff game but not a playoff game (see playoffs section below) will not be considered as playoff teams for draft positioning.  Ties for draft positioning will be broken in the same manner as playoff tie-breakers with playoff and mini-playoff games counting towards tie-breakers; for example, if team A is tied with team B (and no other teams) and team A won the only matchup between the two teams then team B’s draft positioning will be ahead of team A.  Non-playoff teams which were tied reverse their order of drafting in even-numbered rounds so in the previous example team A will draft ahead of team B in even-numbered rounds.

 

Immediately after the rookie/free-agent draft each team will cut down to 53+3 players with those cuts being added into the rookie/free-agent pool.  Very shortly after cuts are made a supplemental draft will be held with the same format and order as the rookie/free-agent draft.  This draft will be held by the Commissioner using lists submitted by each coach who wants to participate.  Each team must cut one player for each player picked up in the supplemental draft with each cut being added into the rookie/free-agent pool.  After the supplemental draft the rookie/free-agent pool will be “locked” until next season.  Supplemental draft picks may be traded just as rookie/free-agent draft picks may be traded.

 

All un-owned teams (if any) will use in all drafts an ordered draft list created by the Commissioner (with advice from various sources) and consisting of all players eligible for that draft.  This list will be available before each draft for everyone to see.  Un-owned teams need not fill out all roster positions and will simply draft the highest-ranked player still available on the list.

 

Players who are not rated by Strat-O-Matic with either a card or rating are not eligible to be drafted in the rookie/free-agent draft although they may be kept on a team if the coach chooses (and they will count towards the 53+3 player limit but will not count towards specific position roster limits).

 

If a league member is unable to attend a draft then that league member may send a detailed list with instructions for the Commissioner to use or he may designate someone not in the league to execute his draft picks.

 

 

Defensive/Penalty Cards

 

Each team will use the “good run defense / good pass defense” draft league defensive cards.  A few days before the season begins each team will choose whether to use 4-3 or 3-4 defensive cards and that choice will remain for their team throughout the season and playoffs.  See the Playoffs section for defensive cards during the post-season.

 

Each season the Commissioner will designate a current season NFL team’s penalty card to be used by all teams in the league.  This penalty card will be the penalty card of the current season with the least chance for a penalty.

 

For the 2005 season the Kansas City penalty card is used by all teams since that card has the fewest penalties (for both teams) in the 2005 set.

 

Each team will use the same QB/receiver fumble card which will be chosen by the Commissioner as an NFL team’s QB/receiver fumble card with a rating of 2.

 

 

Special Teams

 

Kickers and punters will be treated the same as all other players with the following exceptions.  Each owned team must have one and only one Strat-O-Matic carded kicker and one and only one Strat-O-Matic carded punter at all times with the exception of immediately before and during the first few rounds of the draft.  If at any time a team has more than one carded kicker or more than one carded punter (for example, as soon as the new card set is released) then that team must up to a few days before the rookie/free-agent draft trade or cut until having exactly one of each and kickers and punters cut in this manner will be added into the upcoming rookie/free-agent draft.  Also, if a team would like to draft a kicker or punter but already has one with a card on his roster then as soon as he drafts a second kicker or punter he must immediately cut a kicker or punter to fulfill the requirement of one at each position; kickers and punters cut in this manner will be immediately added into the rookie/free-agent pool and available to be drafted.

 

If a player is rated at more than one position which includes kicker and/or punter then if his coach chooses to never use him at kicker or punter for the entire season that player would then not count as that position for roster limit purposes.

 

If a team does not have a carded kicker then with his last draft pick before the end of the 5th round he must take one of the available kickers.  Un-owned teams do not draft kickers.

 

If a team does not have a carded punter then with his last draft pick before the end of the 6th round he must take one of the available punters.  Un-owned teams do not draft punters.

 

For example, if a team has a kicker but would like a different kicker then before the end of the 5th round he may draft another kicker and then immediately cut a kicker; the kicker who was cut may be drafted by anyone prior to the end of the 5th round.

 

A kicker’s card includes the team’s kicking card where he is listed by Strat-O-Matic as the kicker and will also include that team’s kickoff card and kick return coverage card.  A punter’s card includes the team’s punting card where he is listed by Strat-O-Matic as the punter and will also include that team’s punt return coverage card.

 

If a team is missing one PR or one KR then an 8th round pick (or earlier) must be used to fill the spot; if two spots are needed then a 7th and an 8th round (or earlier) pick must be used; etc. A coach may choose to take a carded player or be put into the "lottery" below just by announcing PR lottery or KR lottery. No player rated at PR or KR may be taken after round 8 unless there is no-one stuck in that lottery (for example, if there are any coaches in the PR lottery then no player rated at PR may be taken in the draft after the 8th round).  After the draft any PR and KR still not taken (which may be one or two or not even any) will be put into a pool along with enough of the very worst previous season PR and KR cards as needed so that every team will get what they need. Each PR or KR card added to a team will count towards the 53 roster max.  For example, if after round 8 there are two teams which each need one KR and one team which needs two KR then that's 4 KR's needed; if there's 1 KR remaining from the draft then that would mean the 3 worst previous season KR cards would be added into the KR lottery. Then I would determine randomly which team KR spot would be filled with which KR card.

 

 

Roster Requirements

 

Each owned team must have as the season begins and all throughout the season at least the following roster positions filled by players eligible to play the position with a card or rating.  A player who has switched positions (see Players Switching Positions) counts as the position he switched to and not the original position; for example, if a coach switches a player from RLB to LLB then that player counts only as a LLB and not a RLB.  A player may fulfill multiple roster requirements as long as he is eligible to play each of those positions:

 

Offense

·        At least 21 players overall

·        2 QB’s (no team may have more than 3 QB’s with cards except noted below)

·        2 HB’s

·        1 BB (any HB, FB, or BB who is rated a 4 or better)

·        2 FB’s (including BB’s who the computer game allows to be positioned at FB)

·        4 total RB’s (including HB’s and FB’s)

·        1 FL

·        1 SE

·        4 total WR’s (including FL’s and SE’s)

·        2 TE’s

·        2 C’s

·        1 OLG’s

·        1 ORG’s

·        3 OG (including OLG’s and ORG’s)

·        1 OLT’s

·        1 ORT’s

·        3 OT’s (including OLT’s and ORT’s)

·        8 total OL’s (including C’s, OG’s, and OT’s)

 

Defense

·        At least 19 players overall

·        1 LDT (including NT’s)

·        1 RDT (including NT’s)

·        3 DT’s (including LDT’s, RDT’s, and NT’s)

·        1 LDE

·        1 RDE

·        3 DE’s (including LDE’s and RDE’s)

·        6 total DL’s (including DT’s and DE’s)

·        3 MLB’s (including ILB’s, LILB’s, and RILB’s)

·        1 LLB (including LOLB’s and OLB’s)

·        1 RLB (including ROLB’s and OLB’s)

·        3 OLB’s (including LLB’s and RLB’s)

·        6 total LB’s (including MLB’s and OLB’s)

·        1 LCB

·        1 RCB

·        3 CB’s (including LCB’s and RCB’s)

·        2 SS’s

·        2 FS’s

·        7 total DB’s (including CB’s and S’s)

 

Special Teams

·        2 PR’s or 1 LP “lone PR” (no team may have more than 3 PR’s/LP’s except noted below)

·        2 KR’s or 1 LK “lone KR” (no team may have more than 3 KR’s/LK’s except noted below)

·        1 P (no team may have more than 1 P at any time)

·        1 K (no team may have more than 1 K at any time)

 

A “lone PR” designated on the roster LP is defined as any player rated at PR who is the only player on a Strat-O-Matic team with a PR card while a “lone KR” designated on the roster LK is defined as any player rated at KR who is the only player on a Strat-O-Matic team with a KR card.  Any LP or LK may be designated on the team as the only PR or KR for that team while any PR or KR who is not a lone PR or KR may not be designated as the only PR or KR for that team.  This is handled in the default depth charts so there is no need to take care of this for your team unless you want to.  Minor note:  each team which will be using a lone PR must have on its roster a player rated at “DB” in order to fill the depth charts.

 

During the season each team must have on its roster at least one QB with at least 50 NFL attempts and either at least one RB with at least 100 NFL attempts or at least two RB’s with at least 50 NFL attempts.

 

No team may have more than 3 QB’s with cards except during and immediately after the rookie/free-agent draft until the cut deadline after which time each team must have exactly 2 or 3 QB’s with cards.  If any team has more than 3 QB’s with cards (not including during and immediately after the rookie/free-agent draft) – for example, just after the card set is released -- then that team must trade or cut down to 3 carded QB’s three days before the rookie/free-agent draft and QB’s who have been cut will be immediately added into the rookie/free-agent pool.

 

No team may have more than 3 PR’s with cards or 3 KR’s with cards except during and immediately after the rookie/free-agent draft until the cut deadline after which time each team must have no more than 3 of each with cards.  If any team has more than 3 PR’s or KR’s with cards – for example, just after the card set is released -- then that team must trade or cut down to 3 carded PR’s or KR’s three days before the rookie/free-agent draft and PR’s and KR’s who have been cut will be immediately added into the rookie/free-agent pool.

 

In some cases a team’s starter at one position will serve as the depth chart backup at another position but the Strat game does not handle injuries well in this situation.  Therefore, teams will be assigned in their rosters within the game (but not in their official rosters) 0-0 rated backups as necessary in order to have a non-starter listed as a backup for each position.  These 0-0 rated players will not be considered to be on the team’s roster but may appear in games.  Most teams will not need these extra players assigned but they will be assigned by the Commissioner if needed.

 

Each team must be named the same as an NFL team from the current season.  Once a team name is chosen (just after the inaugural or expansion draft) then it cannot be changed unless that NFL team moves cities.  For example, if the Indianapolis Colts is chosen and then for the 2005 NFL season the team moves to Los Angeles to become the California Stars then when the league is using the 2005 season cards (in 2006) the SOMIFA team who was named the Indianapolis Colts must choose a different NFL team as its name or have California Stars as its name.  Duplicate names are not allowed and if multiple teams enter the league at the same time and want the same team name then it is decided by random dice rolls.

 

However, each coach may change his team’s name once (and no more than once) during his career.  If any team name becomes available (via an event which will be posted on the league’s web page) then up until 3 days other coaches (who have not used their one career team name change) may apply for the new team name and for all of the coaches requesting it the one who has been in the league the longest will get the team name with ties broken by a random method.  After the 3 days then the team name is available to the first coach who requests it.  If a team loses its coach before or after a season then up until 3 days after a new coach takes over the team that team name becomes available to any other coach who requests it; after the 3 days if no-one has claimed the team name then the new coach taking over the team may retain the team name or choose a different one; if the team name is claimed by another coach then the new coach must choose a different team name.  If a team loses its coach during a season then he retains that team name unless and until he decides to change the team name in the future.  In no case may a team name be changed during a season.

 

 

Trades

 

Each coach participating in a trade must send an e-mail directly to the Commissioner announcing the exact terms of the trade.  After the cut deadline which is shortly after the rookie/free-agent draft each team involved in a trade must be receiving the same number of players as they are giving up.  Trades for draft picks may only include the current and/or next season’s rookie/free-agent draft.

 

Each team must have at all times at least either one first round draft pick, two second round draft picks, or a second and a third round draft pick for next season’s rookie/free-agent draft.

 

A few days before the season begins on a date announced by the Commissioner no trades may be made or agreed to until next preseason which is a date announced by the Commissioner near when Strat ships the cards.

 

The trade review committee (TRC) is comprised of volunteers with anyone who has been in the league for at least one year and agrees with the basic philosophies of the TRC being eligible.  TRC volunteers should be aware that they will be presented with difficult decisions and should have a philosophy consistent with the questionable trade guidelines outlined below.  The purpose of the TRC is to make the trade review process as fair as possible and to make the process a group decision so that no one person is blamed for a decision which someone may disagree with.

 

All trades are reported by each participating party directly to the Commissioner.  Any trade review process and vote will not include anyone directly participating in the deal.


1) Trades involving at least one new league member:  all trades will immediately go to the TRC for a discussion (if desired) and a vote (all participants in the trade will be notified of this), the vote's result will become official no less than 3 days after the Commissioner has acknowledged receipt of the trade from all participating parties (although the resolution time is often much less than 3 days with 1 day being the average); if the vote is that the deal violates league guidelines (i.e. the deal is disallowed) then the Commissioner will sum