The official name of this league is the Total Strat Baseball League (TSBBL).
TSBBL is a Strat-O-Matic baseball simulation league that replicates the experience of Major League Baseball franchise ownership through realistic financial management, player contracts, and competitive gameplay.
All contracts are guaranteed for the full amount.
All Dollar amounts listed in the rules are subject to inflation, but the contracts already signed don't inflate, even in a long term contract.
When paying for contracts the commissioner will round down to the nearest $10k for each two week payment, with any extra $10k payments to make the balance correct paid at the end of the year.
TSBBL begins with 12 teams and plans to expand in increments of 4 teams until reaching a maximum of 24 teams.
League structure varies by league size:
12 teams: Two subleagues (American League/AL and National League/NL)
16 teams: Two subleagues (American League/AL and National League/NL)
20 teams: Two subleagues, each divided into two divisions (East and West)
24 teams: Two subleagues, each divided into two divisions (East and West)
Expansion will occur when sufficient ownership interest exists, following these requirements:
Minimum of 2 years between expansion periods (including the initial season)
All existing teams must have active owners
Four (4) prospective owners must be on the waiting list
Commissioner approval of expansion timing
New teams are admitted through an expansion process. Interested parties apply by notifying the Commissioner of their intent to join the league.
Expansion drafts will follow established MLB precedents for expansion team roster construction. Specific expansion draft rules will be finalized prior to each expansion period.
Jasper Cattin serves as League Commissioner, having founded TSBBL and established its governing structure. The Commissioner does not own a team within the league, ensuring unbiased administration and conflict-free decision-making.
Commissioner Powers and Responsibilities:
- Trade Administration: The Commissioner may veto any trade if at least two (2) team owners file objections within 24 hours of the trade announcement.
- League Operations: The Commissioner manages all league operations including:
Operating and maintaining Stratdraft (stratdraft.com) for drafts and auctions
Managing the official league website
Organizing all free agency periods
Administering arbitration processes
Managing draft pick assignments and tracking
Maintaining current game files for computer simulation
Setting league schedules
- Rule Changes: The Commissioner may implement minor rule changes unilaterally. Major rule changes require a super majority vote (two-thirds) of team owners.
- Abandoned Teams: If a team owner leaves or abandons their franchise, the Commissioner has authority to:
Offer the team first to any designated alternate owners
Operate the team temporarily to complete the current season
Make contract adjustments or provide additional funds to restore competitive balance if the previous owner left the team in severe financial distress
All decisions regarding abandoned team remediation are at the Commissioner's sole discretion
The league shall have two (2) League Presidents: one for the American League and one for the National League.
Selection and Terms:
- League Presidents are elected by team owners within their respective league
- Terms are three (3) years in length
- If a League President position becomes vacant, an election will be held within two (2) weeks
- The newly elected League President serves the remainder of the current year plus three (3) additional years
Primary Responsibility: League Presidents serve as the appeals board for disputed Commissioner decisions.
Appeals Process:
- Any team owner may appeal a Commissioner decision to the League Presidents
- Both League Presidents review the appeal and render individual decisions
- If both League Presidents vote to overturn the Commissioner's decision, the Commissioner is overruled
- If the League Presidents disagree (one votes to overturn, one votes to uphold), the Commissioner's original decision stands
- If both League Presidents vote to uphold the Commissioner's decision, it stands
Each team must have one (1) designated owner who holds final decision-making authority.
No individual may own more than one (1) team in the league.
Team owners may designate assistants or advisors to help manage their franchise, but all final decisions must come from the designated owner or from the same registered account/email address.
Financial Year: The league financial year follows the calendar year (January 1 - December 31).
Season Dates The Season calendar is located in Appendix D and has all relevant dates listed.
The Commissioner will announce any calendar adjustments prior to each season to ensure consistency with the league's operational needs.
Additional key dates are established in relevant rules throughout this constitution (e.g., arbitration deadlines in Rule 4, draft timing in Rule 3).
Primary Communication: League communications are conducted primarily via email, with potential migration to Discord for enhanced collaboration.
League Website: TSBBL maintains an official league website featuring:
Current standings and statistics
Team rosters and depth charts
League constitution and rules
Transaction history and announcements
Additional content befitting a professional sports league
Stratdraft Platform: The league utilizes Stratdraft (stratdraft.com) to host player drafts and auctions. This platform may serve as a temporary league website until the full official website is operational.
Decision Authority: The Commissioner has authority to decide most league matters. Major decisions affecting league structure, financial rules, and fundamental operations require a league-wide vote.
Proposing Rule Changes: Any league member may propose a rule change by notifying the Commissioner in writing.
Voting Procedures:
All team owners are eligible to vote on matters requiring league approval
The Commissioner does not vote except to break ties
All votes are conducted via secret ballot
When a vote is announced, the Commissioner will specify the voting period timeline
The Commissioner announces results upon conclusion of the voting period
Major rule changes require a two-thirds (2/3) super majority to pass
Initial Resolution: All disputes are initially resolved by the Commissioner.
Appeals Process: Team owners may appeal Commissioner decisions to the League Presidents following the procedures outlined in Rule 1.4.4.
Final Authority: Decisions upheld or overturned by the League Presidents are final and binding on all parties.