Table of Contents

Amendments

  1. 02 Mar 2010 - Only simmed three seasons prior to the initial draft instead of ten.
  2. 02 Jun 2010 - Added details regarding Minor League Option Years, Waivers, Designated For Assignment, and Spring Training.
  3. 28 Jun 2010 - Replaced "Talent" with "Potential" to use correct terminology for OOTP X.
  4. 28 Jun 2010 - Moved date of amateur draft to avoid known OOTP X problems.
  5. 28 Jun 2010 - Removed contract restrictions.
  6. 28 Jun 2010 - Added trade process.
  7. 28 Jun 2010 - Added league rules from the simulation to the Constitution.
  8. 28 Jun 2010 - Free Agent Compensation will be disabled following the 2010 season. The Commissioner will manually adjust the 2010 and 2011 amateur drafts as necessary to remove any compensation picks that remain prior to being disabled.
  9. 29 Aug 2010 - Updated number of days per simulation.
  10. 29 Aug 2010 - Updated simulation schedule.
  11. 27 Feb 2011 - Updated days to correspond with simulation lengths.
  12. 27 Feb 2011 - Draft pick trading is disabled following the 2011 season, and Free Agent Compensation is enabled. FA Comp will begin with the 2012 off season.
  13. 27 Feb 2011 - The Salary Cap was removed after the 2011 season.
  14. 16 Jun 2011 - The All Star roster size was increased for the 2012 season.
  15. 16 Jun 2011 - Added in verbage specifically outlawing waiver trades post deadline.
  16. 16 Jun 2011 - Updated Participation Point Rules.
  17. 11 Jul 2011 - League transitioned to OOTP 12.
  18. 20 Jul 2011 - Removed college notation due to addition of HS feeder league.
  19. 06 May 2012 - Extended no-trade period.
  20. 06 May 2012 - Added GM Committee and Commissioner Oversight.
  21. 19 July 2012 - Updated Participation Point spending time frame.
  22. 9 Feb 2013 - Updated sim, DL, and DFA lengths.
  23. 9 Feb 2013 - Added Team Option limitations.
  24. 6 May 2014 - Added Single A roster clause.
  25. 6 June 2014 - League Transitioned to OOTP 15.
  26. 27 Aug 2014 - Added Double A roster clause.
  27. 23 Jan 2015 - Added Team Option buyout clause.
  28. 19 Feb 2015 - Revised Rules for Bidding on an Open Franchise using PP.
  29. 3 Mar 2015 - Added Player Option following a Team Option clause.
  30. 9 Jun 2015 - League Transitioned to OOTP 16.
  31. 25 Jul 2015 - League to Expand by 2 Teams Following 2023 Season.
  32. 7 Aug 2015 - Voted to re-introduce playoff rosters.
  33. 7 Aug 2015 - Revised Rule pertaining to trading recently drafted players.
  34. 27 Apr 2016 - Revised Participation Point system to include defense and coaches.
  35. 27 Apr 2016 - Passed Vote to Add a Rookie League Following the 2025 Season.
  36. 25 Nov 2016 - League Transitioned to OOTP 17.
  37. 25 Nov 2016 - Added Contract Clause Concerning the 2nd and 3rd Highest Paid Years.
  38. 28 Nov 2016 - Added 3 Year Service Time Rule.

BSA Constitution

League Overview

  1. The Baseball Stars Association (BSA) is a simulation baseball league.
  2. The BSA has been in existence since 2010 and is expected to be an ongoing league.
  3. The BSA uses Out of the Park 10 (OOTPX) 12 (OOTP12) 15 (OOTP15)16 (OOTP16) 17 (OOTP17)17 25 30 36as its simulation engine.
  4. The simulation engine may be changed by the commissioner upon receiving approval of 75% of the team managers.
  5. All owners are expected to own the simulation engine and be willing to switch engines upon approval of the GMs.
  6. The BSA uses fictional players generated by the simulation engine. It is a career league in which the players will age, develop, and eventually retire.
Top

League and Divisional Alignment

  1. The major league of the BSA is aligned as follows:
    National League
    Eastern Division Western Division Southern Division
    Team 1 Team 6 Team 11
    Team 2 Team 7 Team 12
    Team 3 Team 8 Team 13
    Team 4 Team 9 Team 14
    Team 5 Team 10 Team 2931
    Continental League
    Eastern Division Western Division Central Division
    Team 15 Team 20 Team 25
    Team 16 Team 21 Team 26
    Team 17 Team 22 Team 27
    Team 18 Team 23 Team 28
    Team 19 Team 24 Team 3031
  2. Teams 29 and 30 added after the 2023 season with subsequent AAA, AA, and A teams also being added.31
  3. Teams must be located within North or Central America (including Hawaii) and may not occupy the same city as another franchise. Each original team will be assigned to a division based on geography, and any team relocating must remain in the same general geographic area.
  4. The BSA utilizes the DH rule at all levels of play.
  5. Each major league team is affiliated with three four minor league teams, one each at AAA, AA, and Rookie 35 levels.
    1. AAA is divided into two leagues; the International League and the Pacific Coast League.
      1. Each AAA League contains 14 1531 teams.
      2. Original owners will have the option of determining the location of their AAA affiliate, at which point the Commissioner will assign the teams to a AAA league based on geography.
      3. New owners who wish to move their AAA affiliate must keep the team in the same geographic region as the rest of their league.
    2. AA is divided into three leagues; the Eastern League, the Southern League, and the Northwest League.
      1. All Three Two of the AA leagues will contain 10 teams. , the remaining will contain 8 teams. 31
      2. Original owners will have the option of determining the location of their AA affiliate, at which point the Commissioner will assign the teams to a AA league based on geography.
      3. New owners who wish to move their AA affiliate must keep the team in the same geographic region as the rest of their league.
      4. Beginning with the 2021 season, all players in the AA league will be 28 years old or younger on April 1st of the current season. He must be called up to a higher level if he is any older. Demotions will be disabled by the game. If any player is above the age limits at the end of the season, the game will automatically release them.26
    3. A is divided into three leagues; the Appalachian League, the Midwest League, and the Gulf Coast League.
      1. All Three Two of the A leagues will contain 10 teams. , the remaining will contain 8 teams.31
      2. Original owners will have the option of determining the location of their A affiliate, at which point the Commissioner will assign the teams to an A league based on geography.
      3. New owners who wish to move their A affiliate must keep the team in the same geographic region as the rest of their league.
      4. Beginning with the 2020 season, all players in the A league will be 24 years old or younger on April 1st of the current season. He must be called up to a higher level if he is any older. Demotions will be disabled by the game. If any player is above the age limits at the end of the season, the game will automatically release them.24
    4. Rookie League is divided into three leagues; Leagues names TBA. 35
      1. All Three of the A leagues will contain 10 teams.
      2. Owners as of 2025 will have the option of determining the location of their A affiliate, at which point the Commissioner will assign the teams to an A league based on geography.
      3. New owners who wish to move their A affiliate must keep the team in the same geographic region as the rest of their league.
      4. Players must be 22 years or younger on April 1st of the current season to be eligible. Players must be called up to a higher level if he is any older. Demotions will be disabled by the game. If any player is above the age limits at the end of the season, the game will automatically release them.
  6. The BSA will use college18 feeder leagues to provide the draft classes each season.
    1. College18 Feeder teams are not affiliated with any major league teams.
    2. Players entering the college18 feeder leagues will be generated by the simulation engine.
  7. The Coaching and Scouting system are enabled.
    1. Major League teams must maintain the following personnel:
      1. Manager - makes in-game decisions and effects overall player development
      2. Bench Coach - assists in making in-game decisions and develops fielding abilities
      3. Hitting Coach - develops hitters abilities
      4. Pitching Coach - develops pitchers abilities
      5. Scouting Director - provides information about players
      6. Team Trainer - effects health and healing of players
      7. Failure to have these positions filled on opening day will result in the commish filling these for you at 1 year, $250K contracts.
    2. Minor League teams must maintain the following personnel:
      1. Manager.
      2. Hitting Coach.
      3. Pitching Coach.
      4. Failure to have these positions filled on May 1st will result in the commish filling these for you at 1 year, $150K contracts.
  8. Players and Coaches are rated on a 1-20 scale.
    1. Current Batting, Pitching, and Pitch Ratings are hidden, all other current ratings are visible.
    2. Prior to the initial draft, the Commissioner will simulate 10 three1 seasons so that GMs will have statistics to reference.
    3. Potential ratings are visible.
    4. Overall ratings are represented by Stars and are comparisons against other players at the same position.
Top

Season Format

  1. Regular Season
    1. Major League, AAA, AA, and A will run 162 games per regular season, beginning on the first Monday on or after 1 April.
    2. Interleague play is enabled.
    3. The balanced-schedule option is not selected for the Major League. Teams will play their division opponents more frequently than other teams.
    4. College feeder leagues will run 50 games per regular season.
  2. All-Star Games
    1. The Major League(only) will run an All-Star game.
    2. All GMs are expected to vote for All-Star selections for their own league.
    3. Each team will have a minimum of one representative on the All-Star roster.
    4. Each All-Star roster will consist of 12 pitchers and 13 18 14 position players including:
      1. A Starter for each defensive position.
      2. A Designated Hitter.
      3. A backup catcher for each defensive position and Designated Hitter14.
      4. Three additional bench players.14
  3. Playoffs
    1. Major League
      1. Each divisional winner, plus the team with the best record in each League who is not a divisional winner will advance to the playoffs.
      2. The playoffs consist of three rounds.
        1. Divisional Series - Best of 7.
        2. League Championship Series - Best of 7.
        3. BSA Championship Series - Best of 7.
    2. Minor Leagues
      1. AAA minor leagues will advance each division winner and one wildcard to the playoffs.
      2. AA and A minor leagues will utilize a split season format to determine which teams advance to the playoffs.
      3. All minor league playoff series are Best of 5.
  4. Simulation Format
    1. The league will run three simulation periods per week prior to the trade deadline. After the trade deadline, the league will run four simulation periods per week. Specific days for simulation are at the discretion of the commissioner.10
    2. Each regular season simulation period consists of 5 722 virtual days.9
    3. Simulation periods consisting of fewer than 5 722 days 9 may occur around the following events:
      1. All-Star Game.
      2. Trade Deadline.
      3. September Roster Expansion.
      4. Drafts.
    4. Playoff simulation periods consist of 1 or more virtual days. Additional days will be simulated only during "off" days for all teams.
    5. Pre-Season schedules will be determined by the Commissioner.
Top

League Offices

  1. Commissioner
    1. Holds position for life.
    2. Can name his own successor.
    3. Responsibilities:
      1. Simulate games.
      2. Provide the league file for download.
      3. Maintain the league web page.
      4. Enforce league policies.
    4. The Commissioner can not be an owner in the BSA to avoid conflict of interest.
    5. The Commissioner may adminster teams on a temporary basis, either short term until a vacancy is filled or for up to a full season, based on the condition of the team. See the BSA League Oversight Document for details.20
    6. Can create or abolish other league offices at his discretion.
  2. General Manager
    1. Must own a copy of the current simulation engine and be willing to upgrade if the league decides to.
    2. Responsibilities:
      1. Submit an export or report "no-change" to the Commissioner.
      2. Participate in all mandatory events.
      3. Notify the Commissioner of any planned extended absences.
  3. GM Committee Member20
    1. Each league will elect two GMs to serve as Committee Members. One will serve for two seasons, the other for four. Committee Members cannot succeed themselves.
    2. During seasons where both positions are up for election, the GM receiving the most votes will hold the four season position.
    3. Committee Members will be responsible for the following:
      • Create and tally All Star and End of Year ballots.
      • At the request of the Commissioner provide input into the review of trades for the purpose of franchise protection and collusion protection.
      • Review all rule proposals before they are presented to the league at large.
      • Assist in reviewing applications for vacant GM positions.
      • Review and approve any plans put forth by the Commissioner under the Commissioner Oversight rules.
      • Approve any trades negotiated by the Commissioner under the Commissioner Oversight rules.
Top

League Rules

  1. League Policy Creation
    1. League policies can be suggested by the Commissioner or any GM.
    2. Policy suggestions must be submitted in writing, via e-mail.
    3. Policies can be enacted in one of four ways, as selected by the Commissioner:
      1. Through Commissioner decree.
      2. By unanimous vote of the Virtual Sports Commissioners.
      3. By majority vote of the GMs (Commissioner vote breaks ties).
      4. By two-thirds vote of the GMs.
    4. The Commissioner retains the final decision on all league policies.
  2. Disenfranchisement
    1. GMs can have the privilege of ownership taken away by Commissioner decree or after three-quarters of the GMs in the league vote to reovke ownership.
    2. Grounds for disenfranchisement are as follows:
      1. Failing to upload or report no change of lineups for three consecutive sims.
      2. Failing for two simulations to submit lineup changes after a player suffers an "out" injury."
      3. Failing to participate in a mandatory event.
      4. Behavior detrimental to the league.
  3. Rosters
    1. GMs are responsible for maintaining a minimum roster size of 25 players per team (Major League, AAA, AA, A) at all times.
    2. Major League teams have a maximum roster size of 25 players.
    3. On 1 September, Major League Teams may expand their roster size to 40.
    4. AAA, AA, and A teams have a maximum roster size of 35 players.
    5. Minor League Option Years are enabled, and players who are out of Option Years may refuse assignment to the minor leagues. As soon as a player spends one day on the secondary roster while not on the active roster, he is considered to be on "optional assignment." A player can only spend three seasons on "optional assignment." Once a player is placed on optional assignment he may be moved up and down between the major league roster and the minors freely for the duration of the year.2
    6. To accommodate the simulation period, the Disabled List length is 15 1422 days11 and the Designated for Assignment period is 16 2011 2822 days.
    7. Starting with the 2023 season, playoff rosters will be re-introduced to the BSA. A player must be on the 25 man roster when the calender moves from August 31 to September 1 to be eligible to be on that team's playoff roster. If a player on the roster is injured and placed on the disabled list, they can be replaced by the GM at any time. 32
  4. Lineups
    1. GMs are responsible for maintaining a full lineup and depth chart including DH for all levels.
  5. Trades
    1. Normal trades may only occur after the last game of the BSA Championship day Free Agents file19and before virtual 31 July.
    2. Waiver trades are not allowed.15
    3. Trading of Draft picks is allowed but may only include picks from the current or next season's drafts.12
    4. PTBNL trades are not allowed.
    5. Players who were recently drafted and have less than one full year of professional service time may not be traded. not be traded until the offseason after they were drafted.733
    6. Trades that appear to involve collusion or that appear to take advantage of a new owner may be reviewed by the Commissioner who reserves the right to veto the trade.
    7. Trades must be sent in writing (e-mail) to the Commissioner by both parties. The Commissioner will process the trade immediately FOLLOWING the next simulation. Players with major league contracts received in trade will appear on a team's Designated for Assignment list in that league file.6
Top

Financial System

  1. Average attendance: 30,000.
  2. Starting Ticket price: $15.00 (set for all teams) Teams can set their ticket prices at will.
  3. Fan Interest for original and relocated franchises is set to 75.
  4. Fan Loyalty for original and relocated franchises is set to Average.
  5. Market Size for original franchises is set to Above Average.
  6. Market Size for relocated franchises is set to Average.
  7. All income is available for team use.
  8. Players are eligible for Arbitration after two years of service.
  9. Players are available for Free Agency after five years of service.
  10. Media contracts vary by Market Size.
  11. There is a $75,000,000 salary cap.13
  12. Teams have a $30,000,000 cash maximum.
  13. Player contracts can last no longer than 5 years, and cannot use performance clauses.5
  14. Option years cannot extend the length of a contract beyond 5 years, and cannot be more that 25% higher than the average annual salary of the guaranteed portion of the contract.5
  15. Waiver rules are in effect. The Waiver period is 8 1011 1422days. See the OOTPX manual for details.2
  16. The Designated For Assignment period is 16 2011 2822days. See the OOTPX manual for details.2
  17. At the start of Spring Training, all players currently on the secondary roster are moved to the active roster. Players moved to the minors before the start of the regular season do not accrue Major League Service Time, but must use a Minor League Option Year or clear waivers to be sent down.2
  18. Players may not be offered a contract or extension in which there is a Team Option whose value is greater than 150% of the highest guaranteed salary year of the contract. For example, if the highest single year salary in a contract is $6 million, no Team Options in that contract can exceed $9 million. If a contract is signed in violation of this Team Option limit, the Team Option will be converted to a guaranteed year, and the salary of all other guaranteed years will be increased by 25%. This applies to all contracts signed after 11/23/2016.23
  19. All players who are offered team options must also offer AT LEAST a 20% of any and every team option year included in the contract. If a buyout is not included or is not at least 20% the buyout will be edited to 30% by the commish as a penalty. For example, if the team option is $10 million, the buyout must be at least $2M. If there are two options years at $10 million apiece, both years must include a $2 million buyout. This applies to all contracts signed after 12/31/2022.27
  20. All players who are offered player options AFTER a team option year, must abide by the 150% option rule for this year as well. This must be 150% of the highest guaranteed year which is not to not include the team option year. This year must also include a 20% buyout tacked on to the team option buyout year. For example, if a 4 year deal is structed like: Year 1: 7.5M, Year 2: 7.5M, Year 3: 10M Team Option (Buyout $2M), Year 4: 10M Player Option), $2M must be added to the buyout of the 4th year making it a $4M buyout to account for the buyout of the player option year. If any contract is in violation of this rule, there will be two different penalties. If a buyout is not included for the player option year, 30% will be added to the buyout as a penalty. If the player option exceeds 150% of the highest guaranteed year, all other years will increase by 25% and the team option year will become a guaranteed year. This applies to all contracts signed after 2/25/2022.29
  21. All contracts that are 3 or more years are subject to the 3 year rule. The 2nd and 3rd years must be within 20% of the highest paid guaranteed year. Any contract that is found in violation of this rule will automatically make the 2nd and 3rd years equal to the highest guaranteed year. Example: 5 year contract. 2M-4M-6M-8M-10M. The 2nd and 3rd highest paid years must be within 20% of 10M, in this example, they must be 8M.37
  22. A player must have 3 years of MLB service time to receive a multi-year extension. Players under 3 years of service time can receive 1-year extensions. Any violation of this rule will void the contract extension and the team will be fined $1M in cash.38
Top

Ballparks

  1. Whenever a team constructs a new ballpark (including original franchises) the GM must submit to the Commissioner the details of the park.
    1. Grass (Long, Medium, Short) or Astroturf
    2. Distance and wall height at the following points:
      1. Left Foul Pole (min 300', min 4' high)
      2. Left Field (330', 4')
      3. Left Center (350', 4')
      4. Center Field (380', 4')
      5. Right Center (350', 4')
      6. Right Field (330', 4')
      7. Right Foul Pole (300', 4')
    3. Prevailing Wind Direction:
      1. In from left
      2. In from center
      3. In from right
      4. Out to left
      5. Out to center
      6. Out to right
  2. After receiving the park design, the Commissioner will determine the Park Factors for the new ballpark.
  3. All college teams use standardized parks (1.000 Park Factors).
Top

Draft System

  1. Rookie Draft
    1. The Rookie Draft lasts for 10 rounds, with the possible inclusion of two supplimental rounds based on Free Agent signings.812
    2. The Rookie Draft will take place on virtual 30 November span class="editout">2 September 1 July4.
  2. Rule 5 Draft
    1. The Rule 5 Draft is enabled.
    2. The Rule 5 Draft will take place on virtual 1 December.
    3. To make a selection during the Rule 5 Draft, a team must have a vacant position on it's 40-man roster.
    4. Any player selected during the Rule 5 Draft must remain on a Major League roster or disabled list for the entire season, even if traded.
Top

Participation Rewards16

  1. GMs can earn Participation Points (PPs) throughout the season.
    1. 2 PPs - On time Regular Season Export.
    2. 8 or 2 PPs - Post article about team, player, etc to message board mailing list. The first article in a virtual month earns a GM 8 PPs, the second-fourth articles earn a GM 2 PPs. Active participation on the BSA Twitter list can substitute for one 2 PP article during a month.
    3. 12 PPs - No missed (unexcused) Exports.
    4. variable - Discretionary awards given by Commissioner for actions benefiting the League.
  2. GMs can lose Participation Points (PPs) throughout the season.
    1. -5 PPs - Missing export without excused absence.
    2. -1 PPs - Having too many or too few players on a roster at sim time.
    3. -10 PPs - Failure to participate in mandatory event.
    4. variable - Discretionary penalty given by Commissioner for actions detrimental to the League.
  3. Participation Points can be redeemed at the end of the season between Jan 1 and Opening Day21 for a variety of uses.
    1. 120 PPs - Relocate Major League Team
      1. Teams can relocate a maximum of one time per five seasons (exc: new owners).
      2. Relocation points include a new basic stadium
      3. Relocation points include the ability to re-name the team.
    2. 60 PPs - Re-name Major League Team
    3. 40 PPs - Relocate Minor League Team
      1. Minor league teams can be relocated a maximum of one time per two seasons (exc: new owners).
      2. Relocation points include the ability to re-name the team.
    4. 20 PPs - Re-name Minor League Team
    5. Various - Modify Stadium
      1. 15 PPs - Increase capacity by 200 seats
      2. 45 PPs - Switch between grass and artificial turf - modifies Park Factors
      3. 75 PPs - Add Dome (cannot be undone) - +3 Fan Interest, modifies Park Factors
      4. 75 PPs - Add Retractable Roof (cannot be undone) - +5 Fan Interest
      5. 15 PPs - Move wall section (between minimum and 10' beyond original construction) - modifies Park Factors
      6. 15 PPs - Change wall height (between minimum and 5' above original construction - modifies Park Factors
    6. 100 PPs - Build new basic stadium
    7. 20 PPs - Individual Talent Potential3 Training
      1. Every season each owner will receive 2 free player upgrades to use at their discretion before spending their own PP points.
      2. One player many increase histalent potential3 ratings.
      3. The player must be under 28 years old on the last day of the post-season of the upcoming season.
      4. Each purchase of Individual Talent Potential3 Training allows one of the following:
        1. A batter may increase one of the following by one point: Gap, Power, Eye, Avoid K's as well as Range, Error, Arm and Turn DP on defense.34
        2. A pitcher may increase one of the following by one point: Movement, Control, one Pitch.
        3. A coach may increase one of the following by one point: Handle Players, Handle Veterans, Handle Rookies, Teach Hitting, Teach Pitching, Teach Fielding. Coaches can only improve by 1 point per season. Scouts cannot be improved. 34
      5. A player can only receive Individual Talent Potential3 Training 2x per season.
      6. No Talent Potential3 Rating can be increased above 20.
    8. 250+ 15028+ PPs - Bid on open franchise
      1. When a franchise becomes open, the Commissioner will solicit bids to assume control of the franchise.
      2. Each owner with at least 250 15028 PPs may submit one bid.
      3. The Commissioner will set the deadline for bids, any late bids will be rejected.
      4. The highest bid will be declared the winner and the GM will immediately assume control.
      5. In the case of a tie in bids, the team with the better record will be declared the winner.
      6. The GM inherits the team as-is.
      7. An owner can only submit a bid once every 5 season after a successful bid has gone through. 28
Top