Rule Changes, Disputes, and Contingencies
Rule Changes
Offseason Rule Changes
Offseason rule changes are proposed, debated, and voted on as a package in one streamlined rulemaking process during the offseason. The manner in which such process takes place is prescribed by the Commissioner. Offseason rule changes may be proposed to the league by any GM and are adopted by a majority of teams voting for or against such changes. At the conclusion of the official rulemaking process, the Commissioner may also announce subsequent rulemaking processes, as necessary, in the offseason.
The offseason, for purposes of rule changes, ends at the keeper deadline.
In-season Rule Changes
In-season rule changes are strongly disfavored, but may be instituted so long as no team objects. However, this requirement does not apply in the case of ambiguity, where the Rules Board will craft a rule.
Decisions Crafted by the Rules Board
Decisions crafted by the Rules Board due to ambiguity are automatically incorporated into the Rules, whether they occur during the season or in the offseason.
Commissioner Relief
The Commissioner may provide relief to teams in situations where a roster mistake or misunderstanding of the Rules: 1) has no impact on the outcome of any LDB matchups, 2) severely hinders a team's ability to compete in either the short or long-term, and 3) is brought to the Commissioner's attention promptly.
Rule Disputes
In the event of a dispute over one of these Rules, the Commissioner will resolve it or, if he chooses, nominate one or more GMs to resolve the issue.
Contingencies
Given the complexity of LDB and the fact that CBS cannot completely accommodate all of the nuances of the game, 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.
In the case of stats accumulated during the resumed portion of a suspended game resumed in a week following the week in which the suspended game took place, per CBS policy, the game stats will only be applied retroactively to the original date if the suspended game is resumed within seven days. All stats accumulated during the resumed portion of suspended games completed after seven days will not count towards any fantasy statistics for the season.
The Commissioner may allow the Rules Board to decide how to address such a situation. See In re Robinson Cano's Contract Status, 2012 LDB 1 (Feb. 16, 2012).
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.[1]
MLB Work Stoppage
In the event of a season that starts late or misses some mid-season weeks, the Commissioner has discretion to rework the schedule as necessary to facilitate the continuation of the LDB season.
In the event that games are cancelled through the end of the season or where there are insufficient weeks remaining to conduct a full playoff bracket, non-expense portions of LDB dues will be refunded to GMs. If MLB plays games through the All-Star Game break, a league champion will still be decided on the basis of best overall record, but that champion's accomplishment will be marked with an asterisk, otherwise there will be no LDB champion for the year. A team denied a championship due to a shortened season will be known as "Seliged."
- ↑ Matt McQueeney was unavailable for comment.