Notes from the League Office

Rules Voting Ends

The deadline for casting your vote on the 2006 rules proposals has passed. Thanks to the fourteen owners that took a couple of minutes to vote. No proposal passed, so we will use the same rules in 2007 that we did this year.

Overuse Committee Rules

The Overuse Committee has recommended that all 2006 and probationary 2005 penalties be enforced. As we move forward, here are a few hints to avoid trouble in 2007:

• Plan your use at 90-95% to allow for some flexibility should something happen like a late injury. Remember, there is no rule stating a player must appear in 100% of his allowable games or at bats.
  
• Roster a few unlimited players to fill in as necessary when you run out of at bats.
• Farm any players in danger of being used by the automanager in a manner that could push that player past his limit.
• If you are going to be out of town for an extended period, get one owner to act in your stead monitoring use. Note that you will still bear ultimate responsibility for any penalties.
• The league office is lenient when one of your starting pitchers is forced into relief duty by the automanager even though they aren't listed in the relief table, but asks that you contact the Commissioner as soon as you note the issue. Normally, this would make that pitcher GS- and IP-limited.