Rule Changes, Disputes, and Contingencies

Rule Changes

Offseason Rule Changes

Offseason rule changes may be proposed to the league by any GM and are adopted by a majority of GMs voting for or against a change. The Commissioner may also announce new rules as necessary in the offseason.

In-season Rule Changes

In-season rule changes are strongly disfavored, but may be instituted with teams' unanimous consent. However, this requirement does not apply in the case of ambiguity, where the Rules Board will craft a rule (described below).

Decisions Crafted by the Rules Board

Decisions crafted by the Rules Board due to ambiguity (described below) are incorporated into the Rules, whether they occur during the season or in the offseason.

Rules Board

Before the beginning of the season, the Commissioner will appoint three GMs and two alternates to the Rules Board, which is charged with resolving disputes and ambiguities related to the LDB Rules. Board members that are interested parties in a dispute over the rules must recuse themselves from deciding such disputes. Board members with the appearance of being interested parties may recuse themselves at their discretion.

When such a dispute arises, a GM requesting a ruling should present the question to the League, and the Rules Board will craft a resolution within a reasonable time.

When drafting a decision, the Rules Board should consider the goal of these Rules: to mirror the decisions faced by Major League Baseball teams while recognizing the needs of a fantasy baseball league. Where emails exchanged among the league demonstrate a consensus as to purpose behind a specific Rule or set of Rules, that should be considered in interpreting the Rules. If the explicit text of a Rule can only be read in one way, it should be read accordingly; any mid-season change to an unambiguous Rule should come by league vote. If the Rules are ambiguous or do not address an issue, the Board should craft a rule designed to best fulfill the goals and intent of the league, but should be mindful of the need to avoid harming or benefiting any individual team or subset of teams that has relied on a valid interpretation of the text of the Rules or would otherwise be affected in a way distinct from the rest of the league. Above all, the Board should be guided by common sense and its understanding of what makes LDB the most functional and the most fun, rather than legalistic or formalistic nuances.

The Rules Board may invalidate these Rules if the Board determines they were incorrectly drafted following the loss of our previous copy of the Rules in 2011.

Contingencies

Data Loss, Unavailability, and Inaccuracy

Given that our league software is far from enterprise-level, owners should expect some reasonable low level of data loss, unavailability, and inaccuracy. When such a case arises, the Commissioner will fashion a fix that he feels best furthers the intent of these Rules and the spirit of the league. The Commissioner may allow the Rules Board to decide how to address such a situation.

Incapacitated GMs

Should a GM become incapacitated, unable, or unwilling to manage his or her team, the team will be taken under receivership by the league. During receivership, the league shall collectively manage the team so as to maintain competitive balance within the league. The Commissioner will announce the means by which such a team will be collectively managed.

In the case of an incapacitated GM or GM unable to manage his or her team, if that GM has any chance of regaining the ability to manage within six months or by the next first of March, whichever is longer, the team shall remain in receivership for that period of time. However, if a GM is definitely unable to return, the Commissioner may turn over the team to a new GM as he sees fit.

In the case of a GM unwilling to manage his or her team, the team remains in receivership for as long as the Commissioner sees fit, until it is turned over to a new GM.