2003 OFFICIAL JHML RULES

• The Merger Committee reserves the right to add already decided upon rules to this document that were inadvertantly left out during the creation of this document.

In the JHML, all Strat-O-Matic (SOM) rules, as described in the 1998 Strat-O-Matic Baseball Board Game Instructions will be used unless otherwise altered in these Official JHML Rules. In addition, official Strat-O-Matic rule changes released each year after 1998 by the company will also be used.

However, the official JHML Rules take precedence over rules in the SOM Board Game Instructions.

I. GAME RULES

A. Cards Used

The JHML will use cards from the Regular set and the Additional set that meet the following threshholds as determined by the AB or IP printed on the card:

1. Hitters with at least 100 atbats, and
2. Pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched.

All players under these two threshholds will be considered uncarded for that season. If a player has a card in the Regular set and/or the Additional set and that player has an Interleague card, only the Interleague card will be used provided it meets the minimum threshholds.

B. Injuries:

JHML Injury Chart
 20-sided Die Roll          Days Injured
       1-2                     OK
       3-4                     REM
       5-8                      1
       9-13                     2
      14                        3  (2 for an iron hitter)
      15-16                     4  (2 for an iron hitter)
      17                        5  (2 for an iron hitter, 4 for an iron pitcher)
      18                        6  (2 for an iron hitter, 4 for an iron pitcher)
      19                        7  (2 for an iron hitter, 4 for an iron pitcher)
      20                        9  (2 for an iron hitter, 4 for an iron pitcher)

1. A batter that has at least 600 at bats and walks combined, or played in at least 155 Major League games shall be injured for a maximum of two days each injury.
2. A pitcher that is "starred" shall be injured for a maximum of 4 days each injury. A pitcher will miss the number of days equal to the required rest days followed by the days of injury and cannot bat, run, or field for the duration of the injury days or rest days.
3. When a player is injured, his team has three options:
   • Keep the player on the active roster and not use him for the duration of the injury
   • Send him to the minors after the current series under the restrictions of
     Paragraph L: Minor Leagues - Rule 8: three series rule above.
   • Place him on the 9 day disabled list
     
     

     ---

     Disabled List rules
     1. Only injured players can be placed on the disabled list
     2. A player may be placed on the disabled list immediately after the game in which he is hurt, and his team may recall any player to replace him (even if the player to be recalled has not been down three full series).
     3. The injured player must stay on the DL until at least 9 days have elapsed after the day of injury (which can be less than 9 games).
     4. He may be activated any time after the 9 days have elapsed
     5. Any player may be sent to the minors when the injured player is activated (even if the player to be sent down has not been up three full series).
     6. The DL may be used retroactively. A player may be placed on the DL any number of days after his injury occurred, but he is only required to remain there until 9 days have elapsed from the day of injury.
        

        Example: FP Santangelo is injured on day 12. He remains on his
        team's active roster until day 15, and then is placed on the DL.
        In this case, Santangelo is eligible to be activated after day 21,
        even though he spent only 6 days on the DL, since day 21 is 9 days
        after the date of his injury.
        

     7. A player may be placed on the DL on any game day or off day during the season.
     8. Players currently on the DL may be traded but a trade does not negate any time left that must be spent on the DL.

        ---

   
   
4. The Designated Hitter (DH) spot in the lineup will always check the pitcher for an injury if a 6-12 is rolled, regardless if the batter is the DH, a pinch hitter, or a pitcher.

C. Playing Time:

1. A ratio of (JHML season length in games X 1.1)/162 will be used to determine the number of AB or IP for a player for the season. The result may be rounded and will be based on the AB or IP printed on the card.
   
   
   • For a 102 game season, the ratio is .6926
     
     
2. If a player exceeds the number of IP or ABs for the season allotted to him, all games played from that point on with the player in excess are forfeited. Stats from the forfeited game(s) will be used.
   
   
3. A pitcher can exceed his allotted innings by 0.1 if his final batter hits into a double play to cause the excess. The analogy for a triple play is an exercise left to the reader.

D. Cut-Off Rule

1. The offensive manager can select any number of trailing runners to advance and the defensive manager can throw to any base.
2. On a play at the plate, if the 20-sided roll results in the last number in the safe range or the first number in the out range, then roll the 20-sider again, and refer to this table to determine if the runner is safe or out.

   Rule 13.65, CATCHER BLOCKING THE PLATE
                                       
   Catcher's Rating     Safe Range   Out Range
          1                1-2         3-20
          2                1-6         7-20
          3                1-10       11-20
          4                1-14       15-20
          5                1-18       19-20               
   

E. Robbing Home Run Rule

Whenever there is a Homerun/Flyout split, the outfielder's defensive ability may be challenged. If the last number in the homerun range or the first number in the flyout range is rolled, the outfielder's ability will be checked with another roll of the 20-sider. Refer to this table to determine which outfielder has a chance for the catch:

Rule 14.5, OUTFIELDER ROBBING/TIPPING A HOMERUN (Who to check)
Batter Bats     Last number in HR Range   First number in Flyout range
left-handed          Rightfielder                 Centerfielder
right-handed         Leftfielder                  Centerfielder

Rule 14.5, OUTFIELDER ROBBING/TIPPING A HOMERUN
Outfielder's Rating     Safe Range   Out Range
          1                 1-3         4-20
          2                 1-7         8-20
          3                 1-11       12-20
          4                 1-15       16-20
          5                 1-19       20       

Here is a list of current stadiums where the wall is greater than 10 feet. Those in bold are in use during the 2003 JHML season.

  Boston        (LCF)
  Chi-NL        (LCF & RCF)
  Detroit       (RCF)
  Florida       (LCF)
  Houston       (LCF & RCF)
  Minnesota     (RCF)
  Montreal      (LCF & RCF)
  Oakland       (LCF & RCF)
  Philadelphia  (LCF & RCF)
  San Francisco (LCF & RCF)

F. Balk/Passed Ball Attempt

The JHML does not use Strat Rule 29.1.C.
Instead, when rolling for a batter, and the 20-sided die results in a 2, use the result of the 6-sided die from the initial roll to determine if a balk or passed ball chance is in effect.

G. Corners In

1. gb 1b(x) or gb 3b(x)
   • Refer to the Infield In section of the Fielding Chart to get the result in all baserunning situations
   
   
2. gb 1b(a+) or gb 3b(a+) - This is not a single ** which can only occur when the entire infield is in. Refer to situation 3.
3. gb 1b(a,b, or c) or gb 3b(a,b, or c)
   • Third base is occupied
     • Refer to the Infield In chart to get the result
   • Third base is not occupied
     • Refer to the Infield Back chart to determine the result

H. Pinch Hitting

1. An offensive manager cannot Pinch Hit after a play has been put on (i.e., going for the lead, stealing, Sac, Hit & Run, WP, PB, or Balk).
2. The JHML removes the second paragraph of Strat Rule 10.1. Therefore, a manager CAN voluntarily remove his last player eligible to play a position.
   

I. Pinch Running

A baserunner can be removed for a pinch runner only in these circumstances:

1. The baserunner is eligible to try to get a lead.
2. The baserunner has not attempted to get the lead for the base he occupies and therefore would be eligible to try for the lead but cannot because his path is blocked as the subsequent base(s) is/are occupied.
3. The baserunner is a dash (-/-) stealer.
4. The baserunner reached base but was injured in doing so.

Example for #1: The bases are empty and Jamie Quirk walks. Quirk can be removed
                for a pinchrunner as long as he has not tried to get a jump
                from first base.

Example for #2: With a man on first, Jamie Quirk walks. Quirk cannot try to get
                a jump as 2nd base is occupied. Quirk can be removed for a
                pinchrunner in this situation.

J. Playing out of position

A player may play out of position only if no substitute is available. In this case, another player may be used under the following rules:

When a player is playing a infield or outfield position that is not rated on his card


1. All GBA, GBB, GBC, FLYA, FLYB, FLYB?, and FLYC to that fielder are treated as X-checks.
2. In this situation, the player is a 5eMAX with any other requisite adjustments for holding, playing in, etc.
3. The JHML does not use the "Outfield Adjustment Chart" on HTPSOMB p. 15. Therefore, always treat outfielders playing out of position as a 5eMax with a +5 arm.

If a player not rated at catcher catches at any time


1. Catcher has a +5 arm, T1-20, pb-20
2. pitcher-catcher net hold is always +5, adjusted per SOM rules when the runner is held.
3. The pitcher is automatically considered fatigued. The pitcher is no longer considered fatigued if a player who is rated as a catcher later comes in to catch, unless he has become fatigued due to normal SOM relief pitcher fatigue rules.

K. Stealing

1. The "default" for runners on first (i.e., what occurs if the defensive manager does not inform the offensive manager otherwise) is to hold all "starred" (*) runners.
2. The default for all non-starred runners on first and all runners on second is not to hold.
3. Baserunners with a steal rating may always attempt to steal second base on their second steal number. This is true regardless of whether the runner has failed to get the good lead; a wild pitch, balk, or passed ball check has been made; or any other game situation has occurred.
4. Double steals
   1. A dash (-/-) stealer may not take part in a double steal.
   2. The player stealing second will have an automatic lead in a double steal.
   3. When a double steal is attempted, the defensive manager has the choice of throwing to 2nd or 3rd. If the defensive manager attempts to throw to 2nd, the player stealing third can try to steal home by using the attempt to steal home chart (he will have an automatic lead.)

L. Pitching

The following rules apply to pitchers:

1. A pitcher must have 4 or more pro-rated innings left to be eligible to start any JHML game.
2. Opposing managers must announce their starting pitchers simultaneously for every JHML game.
3. Starting pitchers are announced after weather for the game is determined.
4. Define a baserunner as a player who reaches base on a hit or a walk (not HBP and intentional walk).
   
   All pitchers become fatigued when one of the following occurs:
   
   
   • pitcher allows 3 baserunners in any inning after the pitcher's "dot" is in effect.
     
   • pitcher allows 4 baserunners in 2 consecutive innings in which the first inning is the dot inning or later.
     
     
   In addition, a relief pitcher can become fatigued if the following occurs
   • reliever allows 3 baserunners in any 3-out period after the dot is in effect.
     The 3-out period may span across 2 innings.
     
     
5. Pitchers who are tired because they pitched recently will enter the game tired. Use the Realistic Usage chart to determine when a starter can make his next start based on his previous start.
   
   
6. Any pitcher who has a starter rating and who relieves must rest at least 2 days before starting.
   
   
7. A starting pitcher must pitch a minimum of 4 innings unless the pitcher is injured, becomes tired, or gives up 2 or more runs.
   
   
8. All pitchers are limited to a maximum of 28 starts over the course of a single 102 game season.
   Being traded during the season does not change this limitation.
   
   
9. The rule stating that a pitcher is fatigued if he gives up five runs in one inning, six runs in two consecutive innings, or seven runs in three consecutive innings only applies to starting pitchers.
   The rule does not apply to relievers.
   
   
10. A reliever who pitches an inning or less on two consecutive days can pitch during the next day. The pitcher is considered tired as soon as he starts his 2nd inning of work on his 3rd consecutive day of work.
    
    
11. A reliever entering a game for a 3rd consecutive day is automatically tired for the duration of his appearance if he pitched more than an inning in any of his two previous appearances
    
    
12. A reliever entering a game for the 4th consecutive day is automatically tired for the duration of his appearance.
    
    
13. If a relief pitcher pitches more than his dot innings in a single appearance, he is considered tired for the duration of any appearance made the next day.
    
    
14. A reliever with a 1 dot endurance rating and a closer rating of 4, 5, or 6 cannot enter a game before the 6th inning.
    
    
15. In addition to the current reliever rules, the following days fatigued chart will be used for relievers and supercedes the SOM rule for reliever fatigue:
    

    JHML Additional Reliever Rules
    
           Innings Pitched       Days Fatigued
              in a Day
           ---------------       ------------- 
              3.0 - 3.2                1
              4.0 - 5.2                2
              6.0 -                    3
    
    Example: Ted Lilly is a relief(3). Lilly pitches 3.0 innings in a game.
             Lilly is fatigued for the next day even though he did not
             exceed his dot inning during his previous appearance.
    

16. In a closer situation, when a closer has reached his closer endurance, intentional walks cannot make him fatigued. It must be a hit or an unintentional walk (See Strat Rule 28.35.).
    
    
17. After any appearance, a relief pitcher becomes fully rested only after making no pitching appearances in any games played during the prescribed number of consecutive rest days. For each pitching appearance made during the rest period, the rest period is extended by a day.
    
    
    Example, a reliever pitched 4 innings in one game. By rule, the rest period is 2 days. If the reliever appears the next day, the pitcher is tired for that appearance and now is fatigued the next 3 days. If the reliever rested the first day, but pitched in the second day, he must rest one day to take care of the original rest day, plus an additional day because he came into the game before he was completely rested.
    
    
18. Any starter-only pitcher may relieve during the regular season under these circumstances:
    • No unfatigued relievers remain in the bullpen AND
    • The starter-only is fully rested from his previous appearance AND
    • The game is in extra innings OR any pitcher on his team has been injured during the game.
    • When entering the game, the pitcher is a relief(1)/closer(N)
    • Use SOM fatigue rules for starters used in relief
    • After the appearance, the starter must rest as per the starter's rest chart
    
    
19. A batter cannot enter the game to pitch before the 7th inning unless the batter is also the starting pitcher of that game, or all other relief pitchers on the team are fatigued or injured.
    
    
20. Reliever warm up rules
    
    
    1. In order to warm-up a reliever you must announce the reliever is warming in the bullpen.
    2. Unless replacing an injured pitcher, a reliever must warm for at least one batter before entering the game.
    3. If a reliever replaces an injured pitcher, he enters the game warm and does not have to warm up in the bullpen.
    4. The bullpen can only have at most 2 pitchers warming at one time.
    5. The number of batters it takes to get warm is equal to the pitcher's relief endurance factor.
    6. A reliever may begin warming while you are at bat so that he will be warm for the next inning. The period in-between innings is equivalent to one batter worth of warming-up.
    7. A reliever who enters the game without having warmed-up for a number of batters equal to his relief endurance rating is considered fatigued until he has faced enough batters (minus any batters who batted while he warmed up before entering the game) to be considered warm.
    8. Once a reliever is warm, he is considered warm for the remainder of the opponent's inning and can be brought into the game without penalty.
    9. A relief pitcher is assumed to be down (e.g. sitting, not warming) after an inning in which he warms up, and becomes warm, and doesn't come into the game. His manager must explicitly say the reliever is staying up to keep the reliever up.
    10. If a reliever gets up in the bullpen and does not get warm before the last batter of the inning comes to bat, the reliever will be considered warm for the next inning and a 2nd time warming will not be charged for the next inning as long as the manager does not sit the reliever down. In this situation, the reliever is assumed to be automatically staying up in the bullpen for the next inning until
        • brought into the game next inning
        • sat down by the manager
        • the opponent's next at bat completes.
          
          Example: A relief(2) reliever begins to warmup with 1 out in the 6th inning. The next 2 batters are retired. The reliever was not warm before the last batter of the inning came to bat. The warmup counts as one time, but the reliever continues warming for the 7th inning as he was never warm enough to enter the game unfatigued in the 6th inning. The player is charged with 1 warm in this scenario.
          
          Example: A relief(2) reliever begins to warmup with 1 out in the 6th inning. The next 2 batters are retired. The reliever was not warm before the last batter of the inning came to bat. The warmup counts as one time, but the reliever continues warming for the 7th inning as he was never warm enough to enter the game unfatigued in the 6th inning. The reliever is not brought in during the 7th inning so he is considered to now be down. His manager warms him for the 8th inning. The player is charged with 2 warms in this scenario.
          
          Example: A relief(2) reliever begins to warmup with 1 out in the 6th inning. The next 2 batters are retired. The reliever was not warm before the last batter of the inning came to bat. His manager explicitly sits him after the 6th inning. While the opponent bats in the 7th, his manager warms this reliever again. The player is charged with 2 warms in this scenario.
          
          
    11. If a reliever warms 4 or more times in a game, consider him fatigued for the duration of his appearance that day.
        

M. Roster Moves:

1. The minors will contain the extra players over the 25 (or fewer) man active roster.
   
   
2. Before each series, a manager may send any number of players to the minors and recall an equal number of players from the minors.
   
   
3. Each series begins with the first weather roll. Once weather is rolled, a manager is prohibited from making a non-DL player move between majors and minors until after the series is over.
   
   
4. Each move up and each move down for a player counts as 1 move(e.g., if player A is sent down that's 1, and if player B is then recalled that's a 2nd move).
   
   
5. 48 such player moves per team are permitted during the regular season.
   
   
6. Moves that do not count against the 48 move maximum
   1. Sending players to the minors before the start of the season
   2. Recalling players from the minors at the beginning of September
   3. Recalling a player from the minors to replace a player placed on the disabled list or traded away
   4. Sending a player to the minors when a player is activated from the disabled list or acquired via trade and placed on the active roster.
   
   
7. If a player is sent down before the beginning of a series, his replacement need not come up at the same time.
   • Therefore, a team may have fewer than 25 active players for a series
     
     
8. Each player moved up or down must remain where sent for three full series.
   
   
   1. Exception: Players "sent down" before the regular season begins are not subject to the three-series requirement.
   2. Exception: Players sent down before either of the last two series in August may be recalled on September 1 even though they have not been down three full series.
   3. Exception: A player may be recalled from the minors to replace an injured player even if the player has not been down for 3 full series.

      (See Section B: Injuries   Paragraph: Disabled List Rules   Rule #2)

   4. Exception: A player may be sent to the minors when activating a player from the disabled list even though the player being sent down has not been up for 3 full series.

      (See Section B: Injuries   Paragraph: Disabled List Rules   Rule #5)

   5. Exception: Trades - Any player may be recalled from the minors to replace a traded player even if the player has not been down for 3 full series. Additionally, any player may be sent to the minors even if he has not been up for three full series if a player is acquired via trade and placed on the active roster.
      

N. Designated Hitter (DH):

1. If the DH is used to play the field, the pitcher will hit in place of the player being removed.
2. The DH can only be used for the pitcher.

O. Fielding Chart Clarifications:

1. On a SI2 rare play on the fielding chart, runners on 2nd and/or 3rd score before the batter overruns 1st base and is picked off.
2. The SI1 rare play found on the 1B/2B/SS/3B X-Chart should only be used on a groundball to 1st or 2nd. If an SI1 RP comes up for a grounder to 3rd or short then consider this a single with runners advancing 1 base.
3. When computing the safe chance for a runner on a DECIDE result from the X-chart, use the fielder's adjusted range rating (per the DECIDE rule description).
4. Make the adjustment for throws from RF and LF to 3B on all plays resulting from an F2 result on the X-chart.

P. Squeeze defense:

The squeeze defense is an extra defensive option; normal "corners in" and "infield in" defenses, as per SOM rules, remain options for the defensive manager.

The defensive manager may use the special squeeze defense if and only if third base is occupied. In this situation, he must announce he is using the "squeeze defense," which has the following effects

1. the infield is considered to be in
2. the bunter's ability is reduced by an additional grade (total of 2 grade reduction)
3. If the bases are loaded, reduce the bunter's ability by a total of 3 grades.
4. all results on the pitcher's card followed by a "dot" are ignored and instead treated as a single** (as if the pitcher was fatigued).

Q. Hit and Run

A batter's H&R rating is improved when the infield is playing in, regardless of whether the result in on the "Super Advanced Hit and Run Chart" or the "Super Advanced Pitching Results H&R Adjustments."

II. LEAGUE STRUCTURE

    TGML Division Managers
          Steve Aikens       - Oakland A-Sox
          Rich Chenoweth     - Anaheim Angels
          Don Hanson         - Baltimore Orioles
          Lonnie Magargle    - Cleveland Quirks
          Glenn Morton       - Seattle Slews
          Carroll Reese      - Philadelphia Phillies
          Tony Soltero       - Houston Colt 45s

    CBML Division Managers
          Craig Bergeron     - Florida Marlins
          Daryl Cooper       - San Diego Zoo
          Dennis Fitzgerald  - San Francisco Giants
          John Francis       - New York Yankees
          Bob Glaub          - Atlanta Braves
          Eric Labram        - Toronto Blue Jays
          Doug Smith         - Pittsburgh Pirates