Non-MLB Leagues Project

JPBBDB · 01-19-2006, 10:07 PM

With the OOTPB'06 being able to simulate multiple leagues throughout the world, it may be possible to simulate the entire modern-day world of baseball. While it appears that the game will come with "faked" versions some of the top international leagues, there are still others that are not included.

The goal of this project is to produce a realistic baseball world, as of 2006, for usage in OOTPB'06.

For this, I have come up with a list of 175 leagues and over 1600 teams, from throughout the world. Not included are any Major League Baseball affiliated teams, since there are multiple roster set makers for these leagues. The list of leagues is in the next post.

I am looking for researchers to help gather as much information as possible about these leagues, teams, and players so that a realistic version of them may be included in the game. To volunteer, please PM me with a requested nation, league, or team for research.

Information Needed
Leagues
League Name
Abbreviation
Location
League History (past placing, standings, records, etc)
Continental Qualifiers
Schedule
Roster Rules
Awards (with qualification and historical winners if possible)
Salaries (including salary cap information, maximum salaries, etc)
Draft(s) (length, date, eligibility of draftees)
All-Star Game(s)
Playoffs/Postseason Competition (include playoff qualifiers, promotion/regulation, etc.)
Where do players come from (local, from certain sub-national regions, other countries, etc.)

Teams
Team Name
Nickname
Abbreviation
Location
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity)
Average Attendance
League
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc)
Team Staff
Primary/Secondary Colors

Players/Staff
First Name
Last Name
Nickname
Uniform Number
Height
Weight
Date of Birth
Birthplace (with as much info as possible)
Nationality (-ies)
Bats
Throws
Position
Current Team
Previous Teams with Any Stats
Injury History
Contact Details (Amount/Length/Clauses/etc.)
League-Specific Contract Details (waiver status, service time, etc.)
Languages Spoken (Basic/Fluent)

Mini-FAQ

How will players be rated?
Due to the scope of this project, players will likely be rated by league-relative stats conversions.

Should there be a transactions/player status cut-off date?
Probably; I would suggest February 8th, the day after the Caribbean Series ends.

Why do you want to know about promotion/regulation or continental qualifiers, they are not in the game? While these options will not be in this game, they may be available in a future version.

What to do about leagues with no players?
Hopefully, there will be “grey players” in the game; if not, fictional players may have to be used, or the league will not be included.

Any comments, suggestions, additions, or critiques are welcome.

I look forward to your help
Michael Eng

JPBBDB · 01-19-2006, 10:08 PM

Below is a list of the leagues separated into classes based on how much information is out there on the league and, in some cases, approximant talent level. The league's name contains a hyperlink to the offical website of the league.

Levels of Detail
Class A – high level of detail; complete rosters, stats
Class B – rosters, stats for players
Class C – rosters, stats for some players
Class D – basic team information, possible player names and stats
Class E – IBAF member; may have a domestic league
Class F – IBAF member; to the best of my knowledge has no domestic league
Competitions - International competions between teams or nations

Nation, League Name [URL] (Teams) :: League Info [POST]

Class A
Australia, Claxton Shield (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily)
China, China Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily)
Cuba, Cuban Baseball League (16) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily)
Dominican Republic, Dominican Summer League (35) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Dominican Republic, Dominican Winter League (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily)
Germany, Bundesliga 1 (16) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily)
Italy, Serie A1 (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Japan, Nippon Professional Baseball (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Japan, NPB - Farm Leagues (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Japan, Shikoku Island League (4) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Mexico, Mexican League (16) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Mexico, Mexican Pacific League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
The Netherlands, Hoofdklasse (10) :: League Info (Thanks Hageneezz)
North America, Can-Am League (9) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
North America, Northern League (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Winter League (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
South Korea, Korean Baseball Organization (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Taiwan, Chinese Professional Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks sljchung)
United States, American Association (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
United States, Atlantic League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
United States, Frontier League (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
United States, Golden Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
United States, United League Baseball (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Venezuela, Venezuelan Summer League (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
Venezuela, Venezuelan Winter League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)

Class B
Austria, Austrian Baseball League (8)
Austria, Baseball Bundesliga (7)
Belarus, Belarus Championship League (6)
Belgium, First Division (8)
Belgium, First Division - Reserves (8)
Bulgaria, Bulgarian Seniors Baseball Championship (8)
Croatia, Hrvatski Baseball Liga (9)
Czech Republic, Extra League (8)
Czech Republic, National League (8)
Finland, Finnish Baseball League (6)
France, French Division Elite (8)
France, Nationale 1 - Poule A (8)
France, Nationale 1 - Poule B (7)
France, Nationale 1 - Poule C (7)
Germany, Bundesliga 2 (16)
Great Britain, British National League (6) :: League Info (Thanks Kivlehan)
Greece, A Division (8)
Hungary, NBI (10)
Hungary, NBII (12)
Italy, Serie A2 (24)
Lithuania, Lithuanian League (5)
Malta, National Baseball League (4)
The Netherlands, 1e Klasse (14)
The Netherlands, 2e Klasse A (8)
The Netherlands, 2e Klasse B (8)
The Netherlands, 2e Klasse C (8)
Nicaragua, Campeonato Nacional de Beisbol Nicaraguense (7)
Portugal, Portaguese National Championship (7)
Russia, Russian League (7)
Slovakia, Extraliga Muži (5)
Slovakia, Liga Muži (5)
Slovenia, Slovenian League (4)
South Africa, SABU Senior Tournament (18)
Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol (12)
Sweden, Elitserien (8)
Switzerland, NLA (7)
Switzerland, NLB (7)

Class C
Austria, Regionalliga Nord (4)
Austria, Regionalliga Ost (7)
Austria, Regionalliga West (7)
Belgium, Fourth Division (6)
Belgium, Second Division (8)
Belgium, Third Division (8)
Germany, Regionalliga - Nordost (8)
Germany, Regionalliga - Nordwest (8)
Germany, Regionalliga - Südost (8)
Germany, Regionalliga - Südwest (7)
Great Britain, Division One (13)
Great Britain, Northern Conference (12)
Great Britain, Premier Division (8)
Greece, B Division (8)
Ireland, Irish Baseball League (8) :: League Info (Thanks Kivlehan)
Israel, Senior National League (7)
Italy, Serie B (39)
Luxembourg, Luxembourgian League (6)
Moldova, Major League (4)
The Netherlands, 3e Klasse A (10)
The Netherlands, 3e Klasse B (10)
The Netherlands, 3e Klasse C (10)
The Netherlands, 3e Klasse D (12)
New Zealand, Auckland Baseball League (5)
Norway, 1.Division (4)
Norway, 2.Division (6)
The Phillipines, Titans League (7)
Serbia & Montenegro, Nacionalno Prvenstvo (6)
Singapore, Singapore National Baseball League (8)
Slovakia, Division A (6)
Slovakia, Division B (6)
Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol 1ª División A (7)
Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol 1ª División B (4)
Sweden, Division 1 (12)
Sweden, Division 2 (10)
Switzerland, 1.Division Liga Ost (6)
Switzerland, 1.Division Liga West (5)

Class D
Aruba, AA Division Baseball (8)
Austria, Landesliga Oberösterreich (5)
Austria, Landesliga Vorarlberg/Tirol (6)
Austria, Landesliga W/NÖ 1 (7)
Austria, Landesliga W/NÖ 2 (6)
Bahamas, New Providence Amateur Baseball League (5)
Brazil, Federação de Beisebol e Softbol de Maranhão (2)
Brazil, FBS do Mato Grosso do Sul (2)
Brazil, FBS do Rio de Janeiro (2)
Brazil, Federação Paranaense de Beisebol e Softbol (10)
Brazil, Federeção Paulista (42)
Czech Republic, Regional League - Bohemia (4)
Czech Republic, Regional League - North Moravia (4)
Czech Republic, Regional League - Prague (7)
Czech Republic, Regional League - South Moravia (7)
France, La Ligue Champagne-Ardennes (10)
France, La Ligue de Bretagne (13)
France, La Ligue de Haute Normandie (9)
France, La Ligue de Nouvelle-Calédonie (1)
France, La Ligue Provence Alpes-Cote d'Azur (15)
France, Ligue d'Alsace (3)
France, Ligue d'Aquitaine (14)
France, Ligue d'Auvergne (3)
France, Ligue d'Ile de France (46)
France, Ligue de Basse-Normandie (6)
France, Ligue de Bourgogne (6)
France, Ligue de Franche Comté (6)
France, Ligue de Languedoc Roussillon (11)
France, Ligue de Lorraine (9)
France, Ligue de Pays de Loire (4)
France, Ligue de Picardie (6)
France, Ligue de Poitou-Charentes (9)
France, Ligue du Centre (7)
France, Ligue du Limousin (2)
France, Ligue Midi-Pyrénées (11)
France, Ligue Nord pas de Calais (10)
France, Ligue Rhône-Alpes (16)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baseball Association (8)
Italy, Serie C1 (50)
Malta, Minor League Baseball (4)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse A (8)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse B (9)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse C (10)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse D (9)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse E (5)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse F (6)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse G (9)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse H (9)
The Netherlands, 4e Klasse K (7)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse A (6)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse B (9)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse C (10)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse D (8)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse E (7)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse F (10)
The Netherlands, 5e Klasse G (6)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse A (10)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse B (10)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse C (6)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse D (10)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse E (6)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse F (5)
The Netherlands, 6e Klasse G (10)
Pakistan, Pakistan National Championship (7)
Virgin Islands, Valmy Thomas AA Baseball League (6)

Class E
Chile , Costa Rica, Denmark, India, Guam, Lesotho (plays in SABU), Panama, Poland, Romania, San Marino (plays in Italian league), Scotland, Ukraine, Zimbabwe (plays in SABU)

Class F
American Samoa, Argentina, Armenia, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cameroon, Colombia, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia

Competitions
Asia, Asia Series (4)
Caribbean/Central America, Caribbean World Series (4) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB)
International, Baseball World Cup (8)
International, World Baseball Classic (16)

Useful Sites

General

League-Specific

CBL-Commish · 01-20-2006, 09:15 AM

Wow!

This is going to be a HUGE collaborative effort. HUGE. I applaud the effort, but this is the kind of thing in Championship Manager/Football Manager that it's taken years to get the data collected and right, and can only happen because of the efforts of hundreds or thousands of people from around the world contributing to the cause.

Some of those lower level leagues are going to need major league equivalencies of, like, 0.05. I used to play soccer with a German guy who came to the states in the late 80s and got addicted to baseball. He started playing, and formed a team of his friends when he went back to Germany. The team quickly got promoted to one of the regional leagues, probabaly the Regionalliga - Südost, or Südwest. These leagues are, at least in some cases, not a whole lot different from rural county leagues here in the States, just with lower talent levels. Probably play a game or two a week, players miss games because of work or family commitments. Semi-pro, in that they charged the equivalent of a buck or two for tickets, and they used the $25 or $50 they'd take in in a week to buy new equipment. They'd also have fundraisers like BBQs to try and cover expenses.

There are dozens upon dozens of leagues like this in your Class C or lower, comprised of teams that would get blown out of the water by teams from the Gulf Coast League or the Appy League. I'd bet some of the Class D leagues, like the The Netherlands - 6e Klasse E (6), are realistically no better than a small US high school league.

But if you get this done it would be really cool. Most of us could put ourselves on some of these lower level teams and realistically compete for playing time.

spleen1015 · 01-20-2006, 10:18 AM

I thank you for this information. I went about gathering it myself, but it turned into a big hassle.

Thanks!

RMc · 01-20-2006, 12:52 PM

You might want to check out my "Spanning the globe..." thread, where I'm trying to thrash out power ratings for national baseball teams...clumsily, at best.

JPBBDB · 01-21-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBL-Commish

Wow!

This is going to be a HUGE collaborative effort. HUGE. I applaud the effort, but this is the kind of thing in Championship Manager/Football Manager that it's taken years to get the data collected and right, and can only happen because of the efforts of hundreds or thousands of people from around the world contributing to the cause.

Some of those lower level leagues are going to need major league equivalencies of, like, 0.05. I used to play soccer with a German guy who came to the states in the late 80s and got addicted to baseball. He started playing, and formed a team of his friends when he went back to Germany. The team quickly got promoted to one of the regional leagues, probabaly the Regionalliga - Südost, or Südwest. These leagues are, at least in some cases, not a whole lot different from rural county leagues here in the States, just with lower talent levels. Probably play a game or two a week, players miss games because of work or family commitments. Semi-pro, in that they charged the equivalent of a buck or two for tickets, and they used the $25 or $50 they'd take in in a week to buy new equipment. They'd also have fundraisers like BBQs to try and cover expenses.

There are dozens upon dozens of leagues like this in your Class C or lower, comprised of teams that would get blown out of the water by teams from the Gulf Coast League or the Appy League. I'd bet some of the Class D leagues, like the The Netherlands - 6e Klasse E (6), are realistically no better than a small US high school league.

But if you get this done it would be really cool. Most of us could put ourselves on some of these lower level teams and realistically compete for playing time.

I’m realistic; the priority of any research of this type should be on the Class A leagues, and these leagues should be completely done before even considering attempting the lesser leagues. The primary reason for including many of the Class C and D teams, would be so fictional players don’t pop up out of nowhere and go straight to your top team, but rather have some sort of developmental track through the lower tiers and reserve leagues.

I have already done some of the leg work by gathering stats and general league information. What is really requiring help are the player profiles, and to a lesser extent the team profiles.

Michael Eng

JPBBDB · 01-21-2006, 11:32 PM

League: Northern League (NOR)

Teams: 8
Structure: Two Divisions; East Division, West Division
Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season.
Regular Season: A 96 game season, with 58 intra-division games, and 48 inter-division games. Each team has 6 series versus each divisional opponent and 3 series versus every other opponent. Series are usually 3 games long, although they can be 4 games long. The season begins on the third Thursday in May, and lasts into early September. The first 48 games are the first-half; the second 48 games are the second-half.
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the First Round. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team. If a team wins both halves, a wild card team (the non-playoff bound team in the league based on winning percentage) will qualify; the fifth game would be played at the halves’ winner stadium. If there is a tie for the first half championship in a division, a one game playoff is usually played between those teams. After an off day the best-of-5 games Finals are played. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the Western team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the Eastern team; the format alternates yearly.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The all-star game is held on Tuesday.
Tryouts/Draft: A tryout camp is held in early April, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded.
Awards: Player of the Week, Pitcher of the Week, Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month, Post-Season All-Star Team, Organization of the Year, Executive of the Year, Manager of the Year, Best Playing Surface, League MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Relief Pitcher of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year
Salaries: Salaries range from around $750 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around thirty thousand per month ($100000 per year).
Teams:
West Division
Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Fargo, ND Newman Outdoor Field (4623)
Winnipeg Goldeyes Winnipeg, MB CanWest Global Park (7482)
Calgary Vipers Calgary, AB Foothills Stadium (8500)
Edmonton Cracker-Cats Edmonton, AB Telus Field (9200)
East Division
Gary SouthShore Railcats Gary, IN U.S. Steel Yard (6139)
Joliet Jackhammers Joliet, IL Silver Cross Field (4616)
Schaumburg Flyers Schaumburg, IL Alexian Field (7048)
Kansas City T-Bones Kansas City, KS CommunityAmerica Ballpark (5500)

League: American Association (AA)

Teams: 10
Structure: Two Divisions; North Division, South Division
Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season.
Regular Season: A 92 game season divided into two 46-game halves, with 70 intra-division games, and 22 inter-division games. Series are usually 3 games long, although they can be 4 games long. The season begins on the second Thursday in May, and lasts into late August.
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the First Round. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team. If a team wins both halves, a wild card team (the non-playoff bound team in the league based on winning percentage) will qualify; the fifth game would be played at the halves’ winner stadium. If there is a tie for the first half championship in a division, a one game playoff is usually played between those teams. After an off day the best-of-5 game League Championship is played, with home-field advantage given to the winner of a coin flip. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the losing team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the winning team.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The all-star game versus the Can-Am all-stars is held on Tuesday. The game is between the Can-Am League All-Stars and the American Association All-Stars. In 2006, the American Association will be the host.
Tryouts/Draft: A tryout camp is held in early April, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded.
Awards: Unknown
Salaries: Salaries range from around $750 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around thirty thousand per month ($100000 per year).
Teams:
North Division
Lincoln Saltdogs Lincoln, NE Haymarket Park (4500)
Sioux City Explorers Sioux City, IA Lewis & Clark Park (3800)
Sioux Falls Canaries Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls Stadium (4462)
St. Joseph Blacksnakes St. Joseph, MO Phil Welch Stadium (3600)
St. Paul Saints St. Paul, MN Midway Stadium (6069)
South Division
Coastal Bend Aviators Robstown, TX Aviators Stadium (4000)
Fort Worth Cats Fort Worth, TX LaGrave Field (5100)
Pensacola Pelicans Gulf Breeze, FL Pelican Park (2500)
Shreveport Sports Shreveport, LA Fair Grounds Field (6200)
El Paso Diablos El Paso, TX Cohen Stadium (10000)

League: Canadian-American League (Can-Am)

Teams: 8
Structure: One Divsion
Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season.
Regular Season: A 92 game season. Each team has 13 games versus each opponent (7–6, or 6-7) plus an additional game versus a “rival” team. Series are usually 4 games long, although they can be 3 games long. The season begins on the 4th Tuesday in May, and lasts through early September. The first 46 games are the first-half; the second 46 games are the second-half.
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. Each half winner plus the two top teams (three if a team wins both halves) non-qualifying teams based on winning percentage reach the playoffs. The first half winner plays the fourth ranked team, and the second half winner (or second ranked team) plays the third ranked team. The first 2 games are at the half winner (or second ranked team), then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the qualifying team. After an off day the best-of-5 games Championship Series is played. The first 2 games are at the first round winner with the lowest winning percentage’s stadium, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the other team.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The game is between the Can-Am League All-Stars and the American Association All-Stars. In 2006, the American Association will be the host.
Tryouts/Draft:: A tryout camp is held in early May, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded.
Awards: Batter of the Week, Pitcher of the Week, Player of the Month, Post-Season All-Star Team, Executive of the Year, Manager of the Year, Best Playing Field, Player of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year
Salaries: The minimum salary is $750 per month (for rookies), but there is no salary maximum. It is paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around $87,500 per year.
Teams:
Sussex Skyhawks Augusta, NJ Skylands Park (4300)
North Shore Spirit Lynn, MA Fraser Field (3754)
Les Capitales de Québec Québec City, PQ Le Stade de Québec (4800)
Worchester Tornados Worchester, MA Fitton Field (4000)
Brockton Rox Brockton, MA Campanelli Stadium (4750)
New Haven County Cutters New Haven, CT Yale Field (5000)
New Jersey Jackals Little Falls, NJ Yogi Berra Stadium (3748)
Nashua Pride Nashua, NH Holman Stadium (4375)

League: Atlantic League (ATL)

Teams: 8
Structure: Two Divisions; North Division, South Division
Roster Restrictions: There is a 25-man roster limit during the season. There is no roster limit in the preseason, non-roster invitees may be play in spring training.
Regular Season: A 126 game season, split into two 63 game halves. 18 games versus each opponent, 9 games are at home and 9 are away. The Road Warriors are a road team and never play at a home stadium. However, they are the “home team” for half of their games, and have “home stands” as if they had a stadium. Nearly all series are 3 games long. Most weekday games start at 6:35 PM or 7:05 PM, weekend games usually start at 1:35 PM. The regular season begins on the last Friday in April. Spring training is held before the season, with all teams playing at the Tigertown Complex in Lakeland, Florida. Players report to camp two weeks before the start of the season. A spring training schedule of around 7 games is played at the end of spring training. Few games are played on Monday, especially in May, August, and September.
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 3-game series against each other in the Divisional Series. If a team is the divisional champion in both halves, the non-playoff team with the best overall record will play against them as the second half “champion.” However, the third game, if necessary will be played at the Divisional Winner. The first game is at the second-half team, the remaining two games at the first-half team. The following day, the best-of-5 games Championship Series is started. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the South team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the North team; the format alternates yearly.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the second Tuesday in July. There is a Home Run Derby before the game on Wednesday. 25-man roster is announced a week before the game; starters are voted on by the fans, other players by general managers, field managers, and media personnel.
Tryouts: There is a 3-day long Atlantic League tryout camp at the Tigertown Complex during in early February. Teams may hold open tryout camps in April, before the start of spring training. Only free agents may attend.
Awards: Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Pitcher, Manager of the Year, GM of the Year, Grounds Keepers of the Year, Post-Season All-Star Team (POS, UT, DH, RHP, LHP, CL), Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month
Salaries: The average salary is around $2000 per month, with an unofficial limit of $3000. Also, the contracts are paid only during the season (May-September) and are not guaranteed. The league has no salary cap.
Teams:
North Division
Bridgeport Bluefish Bridgeport, CT Ballpark at Harbor Yard (5300)
Long Island Ducks Central Islip, NY Citibank Park (6013)
Newark Bears Newark, NJ Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium (6200)
Road Warriors None Road Team
South Division
Atlantic City Surf Atlantic City, NJ The Sandcastle (5900)
Camden Riversharks Camden, NJ Campbell's Field (6425)
Somerset Patriots Bridgewater, NJ Commerce Bank Ballpark (6100)
Lancaster Barnstormers Lancaster, PA Clipper Magazine Stadium (6500)

A new Atlantic League team will begin play in 2007 based in Charles County, Maryland, replacing the Road Warriors. Somerset will likely move into the North Division with the Maryland team taking its place in the South.

League: Frontier League (FL)

Teams: 14
Structure: Two Divisions; East Division, West Division
Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 24 players during the regular season. Of those 24 players, a maximum of 3 may be veterans and minimum of 10 must be rookies. The remaining players will be 1-Year or 2-Year Players; of these, up to 4 may be 2-Year, and up to 7 may be 1-Year. A year of service for a Frontier League player is 150 official plate appearances or more in a National Association or independent league or leagues, or 60 innings or more pitched in a National Association or independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. The roster definitions of players are Rookie, 1-Year, 2-Year, and Veteran. A Rookie is a player with less than one year of service, or under the age of 21, as of the season’s end. 1-Year is a player with less than two years of service. A 2-Year is a player with less than three years of service. A Veteran has over three years of service. Also, no player on the roster may be older than 27, as of opening day.
Regular Season: A 96 game season, beginning on the fourth Wednesday in May and lasts until early September. Most series are 3 games long. Each team plays 48 intra-division games; 12 games versus each opponent (6 home, 6 away). Each team plays 48 inter-division games; 12 games versus three opponents (6 home, 6 away) and 6 versus two opponents (3 home, 3 away)
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The top two teams in each division play each other in the best-of-5 games Semifinals. Two days later, the best-of-5 games Championship Series is started. The first 2 games are at one site, followed by the remaining 3 games at the other team; home-field advantage is given to the winning division in the All-Star Game.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the second Tuesday in July.
Tryouts/Draft: A two day tryout camp is held in early May, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s order is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings. The length of the draft is five rounds, or until every team passes. Draft picks may be traded. Individual teams may also hold tryout camps.
Awards: Morgan Burkhart Award (Player), Brian Tollberg Award (Pitcher), Jason Simontacchi Award (Rookie), Roger Hanners Award (Manager), Fran Riordan Citizenship Award (Citizenship), Playoff MVP, Post-Season All-Star Team (POS, DH, SP, RP), Organization of the Year, Executive of the Year, Groundskeeper of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Umpire of the Year, Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Writer of the Year (One per Division), Newspaper of the Year (One per Division)
Salaries: The minimum salary is $600 per month and the maximum salary is $1200 per month. Salaries range from around $800 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the three-month season. Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around $60000 for the entire season.
Teams:
East Division
Chillicothe Paints Chillicothe, OH V.A. Memorial Stadium (4000)
Traverse City Beach Bums Traverse City, MI Wuerfel Park (3518)
Florence Freedom Florence, KY Champion Window Field (4500)
Kalamazoo Kings Kalamazoo, MI Homer Stryker Field (4806)
Washington Wild Things Washington, PA Falconi Field (3200)
West Division
Gateway Grizzlies Sauget, IL GMC Stadium (5500)
Evansville Otters Evansville, IN Bosse Field (5181)
River City Rascals O'Fallon, MO T.R. Hughes Ballpark (4989)
Rockford RiverHawks Rockford, IL TBA (4000)
Windy City ThunderBolts Crestwood, IL Hawkinson Ford Field (3400)

League: Golden Baseball League (GBL)

Teams: 6
Structure: One Division
Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 23 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 23 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 6 must be rookies. The remaining players will be “experienced players.” A rookie must have less than 150 at bats or 25 innings or more pitched in a National Association or independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. A veteran is a player that is 28 years old or older, as of opening day. An experienced player is any player that is under the age of 28 and has any professional (National Association or independent league) experience. Each team is allowed two coaches and a trainer in addition to the manager. Player/coaches are allowed and do not count against veteran limit but are included in roster limit. The roster limit during the pre-season is 29 players under contract without regard to classification. The 24-player roster must be met before the start of the regular season.
Disabled List: No more than two players can be on a team's DL at any time. DL is seven day minimum and 15 day maximum. Players may be activated anytime after 7 days through day 15. DL placement may be retroactive to last day player appeared in a game. Players on DL do not count against monthly Salary Cap.
Waiver Wire: Any player to be released must first clear the 2 Day waiver process. If multiple teams are interested in a player, team with the worst record on that date receives priority. Replacement players may be added as soon as a player is placed on waivers. Players on Waivers do not have their salary count against monthly Salary Cap.
Roster Move Cap: Each team may make 16 roster moves at their discretion during the year to improve their team. A Move is not counted against a team's Cap for the following reasons: Retirements, Season-ending injuries, Acquisition of a Player by Major League Baseball or a foreign professional league.
Regular Season: An 80 game season, beginning on the first Thursday in June and lasting until the end of August. Most series are 3 games long. Each team plays 16 games versus each opponent (8-8). The first 40 games are the first-half; the second 40 games are the second-half. No designated hitter rule.
Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the Championship Series. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team.
All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July.
Tryouts/Draft: A two-day tryout camp is held in mid-December, with a draft of attending players on the second day after scrimmages; the draft’s order is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings. Draft picks may be traded.
Awards: Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month, Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year
Salaries: Salaries range from around $700 to $3000 per month with an average of $1150, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of $27,600 per month.
Teams:
Chico Outlaws Chico, CA Nettleton Stadium (4200)
Fullerton Flyers Fullerton, CA Goodwin Field (3500)
Long Beach Armada Long Beach, CA Blair Field (3238)
San Diego Surf Dawgs San Diego, CA Tony Gwynn Stadium (3000)
Yuma Scorpions Yuma, AZ Desert Sun Stadium (10500)
Reno Silver Sox Reno, NV Peccole Park (3000)

League: United League Baseball (UL)

Teams: 6
Structure: One division
Roster Restrictions: ? Unknown ?
Regular Season: The league plays a 90 game regular season, with each team playing 18 games versus each opponent (9, home; 9, away). Series are three games in length.
Postseason: The league uses a two round playoff system. The first round is best-of-three and begins on the Friday after the end of the regular season. The second round is best-of-five and begins the day after the first round ends.
All-Star Game: There is an all-star game held on the second Wednesday in July. The day prior to and after the game are off-days.
Tryouts: A three-day tryout camp is held in early April. Individual teams may also hold tryout camps. Tryouts are open to all players 18 years and older who have finished their college eligibility or have been released from professional contracts.
Awards: ? Unknown ?
Salaries: There is no salary cap.
Teams:
Alexandria Aces Alexandria, LA Bringhurst Field (3200)
Amarillo Dillas Amarillo, TX Potter County Memorial Stadium (7500)
Edinburg Coyotes Edinburg, TX Edinburg Baseball Stadium (5500)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings Harlingen, TX Harlingen Field (4500)
Laredo Broncos Laredo, TX Veteran's Field (3200)
San Angelo Colts San Angelo, TX Foster Field (4044)

Limited Service Player Classification System
Year of Service: A year of service for a league player is 75 official at bats or more in a National Association or independent league or leagues, or 30 innings or more pitched in a National Association or Independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. For Independent League seasons (except Atlantic League), the first two years of service equals one National Association year. For Rookie affiliated leagues, the first two years of service equals one National Association year. For foreign players, the classification and salary level will be determined by the league office.
Classes
Rookie: A player with less than one year of service.
LS-1: A player with less than two years of service.
LS-2: A player with less than three years of service.
LS-3: A player with less than four years of service.
LS-4: A player with less than five years of service.
LS-5: A player with less than six years of service. A LS-5 is one of the four LS-4s that has become a veteran by spending 2 years in the league. A player may spend only one year as an LS-5 and the age rule does not apply.
Veteran: A player with six or more years of service. If a player has five or more years of service but has not reached the age of 26 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-4. If he has not reached the age of 24 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-3.

struggles_mightily · 01-22-2006, 09:55 AM

Thought I'd chip in.

League: Australian Claxton Shield (ACS?)

Teams: 6
Structure: 1 six-team division.
Roster Restrictions: There is a roster limit of twenty-one players. All players represent their home state, the state in which they were born. Unsure about any other restrictions, but there are none to my knowledge.
Regular season: A five-game schedule, with each team playing each other team once. Games between the 21st and 25th of January, with three games being played on each day (i.e. each team plays each day). Games are at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 7:30pm with the exception of the opening day's first game, which begins at 2:00pm.
Postseason: After a rest day on the 26th of January (Australia Day, a national holiday) the semi-finals are played on the 27th. The first semi-final matches the second and third-placed teams, and begins at 3:00pm. The second starts at 7:30pm and pits the regular season winners against the fourth-placed team. The winners of these two games meet in the final on the next day, which is played at 7:30pm. The winner of the game is crowned Claxton Shield champion.
All-Star Game: None.
Tryouts / draft: The selection process for state teams begins around October, at the beginning of summer. There are numerous training camps, exhibition games and trials held during this period. No need for a draft, as players can only play for their 'home' team.
Awards: There are no awards selected for the Claxton Shield alone, but the BADAs (Baseball Australia Diamond Awards) are awarded on the rest day, Australia Day (26th Jan). Some relevant categories would be Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. No specific pitching / hitting award, and no Rookie equivalent (YPotY is based on age, under 21s may receive the award). Performances for state and club teams throughout the previous year are considered, not just the Claxton. This may have to be modified for OOTP, though.
Salaries: Unsure. With the tournament being only 7 games long, I imagine fees would be very small, though I have no concrete data.
Teams:
Australian Provincials Narrabundah, ACT
New South Wales Patriots Sydney, NSW
Queensland Rams Brisbane, QNS
South Australia Adelaide, SA
Victoria Aces Melbourne, VIC
Western Australia Heelers Perth, WA
Note: I am unsure about what 'Australian Provincial' means. It makes no direct reference to a state or territory as do the other six teams. My best guess is that it combines all the other territories (ACT, Northern Territory, Jarvis Bay, Tasmania, outlying islands) into one team. This is supported by the team's logo, which is an image of Australia as a whole. This seems to make sense, but I'm not certain.
Venues: Venues for the tournament are not 'home / visitor', various venues are used interchangably. The premier venue is Blacktown Olympic Park - two regular season games are held there each day (the two later games), as well as both semi-finals and the final. Here is the info for the venues:
Blacktown Olympic Park
Sydney, NSW.
1200 capacity (all seated)
Left Field: 321ft, Right Field 321ft, Centre Field 400ft.
8ft fences on all sides.
Open ballpark, grass surface.
Note: Blacktown Olympic Park is actually a complex holding three fields of identical sizes. It may be better to split them down into 'BOP I, BOP II' etc, so that the earlier and later games can be played at different venues.
All other venues hold one regular season game.
Narrabundah Baseball Complex
Narrabundah, ACT.
Open ballpark, unsure surface.
Note: NBC is a complex housing three diamonds, the first of which is the one used for the Claxton, the other two are for lesser events, and feature portable fences so as to be ready for various standards of baseball.
Fred Finch Park
Berkeley, NSW.
Open ballpark, grass surface.
Gilchrist Oval
Campbelltown, NSW.
Open ballpark, grass surface.
Baulkham Hills
Baulkham Hills, NSW.
Open ballpark, grass surface.
Aquatic Reserve
Manly, VIC.
Open ballpark, grass surface.

Dimensions and capacities for most second-tier grounds difficult to get. If anyone can fill the blanks there, I'd appreciate it. I have full roster information and logos, as well, which could come in handy.

Hageneezz · 01-22-2006, 03:26 PM

Here some info on the Dutch League:

League name: Hoofdklasse (Premier League)
Location: The Netherlands
Teams: 8
Structure: 1 division of 8 teams
Roster Restrictions: I could not find anything on restrictions at the official Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association.
Regular Season: Every team plays a 42 game schedule,and meets each other team 6 times. The regular season starts on Saturday 4/15/2006. Almost all games start at 14:00,other times are 19:30 and 19:45
Postseason: After the regular season,the number one team will play the number four team and the number three team will play the number two team,in a best of five series. The two winners will play in the Championship,(the Holland Series) in a best of five series.
Promotion/Relegation: The number 8 in the Hoofdklasse plays in a best of five series against the champions of the Eerste Klasse (2nd League) for a place in the Hoofdklasse.
All Star Game: None
Awards: Best Batter,Best Pitcher,Homerun King,Most Valuable Player,Guus van der Heijden Memorial Trophy (Best under 23 international),Roel de Mon Award(Best Rookie pitcher),Ron Fraser Award(Best rookie player),Coach of the Year.
Salaries: Unsure,but i cannot imagine them being very big.
Teams:
A note on the names:most teams use the name of their sponsor in ther clubname,like Instant Holland Almere 90(Instant Holland is sponsor)

ADO (from The Hague)
Amsterdam Pirates (Amsterdam)
Corendon Kinheim (Haarlem)
DOOR Neptunus (Rotterdam)
Instant Holland Almere 90 (Almere)
Konica Minolta Pioniers (Hoofddorp)
Mr. Cocker HCAW (Bussum)
Sparta/Feyenoord (Rotterdam)
Teamnames without sponsor:
ADO
Amsterdam Pirates
HC Kinheim
SC Neptunus
BSC Almere 90
SV Hoofddorp Pioniers
HCAW
Sparta-Feyenoord
Venues:
ADO (Leen Volkerijk Stadion)
Amsterdam Pirates (Sportpark Ookmeer)
Corendon Kinheim (Gemeentelijk Sportpark)
DOOR Neptunus (Neptunus Familie Stadion)
Instant Holland Almere 90 (Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark)
Konica Minolta Pioniers (Sportpark Toolenburg)
Mr. Cocker HCAW (Sportvallei)
Sparta/Feyenoord (Sportpark Beverwaard)

struggles_mightily · 01-22-2006, 04:53 PM

China this time.

China Baseball League (CBL)
Teams: 6 (not 4 as the OP stated, the league is expanding to 6 in 2006).
Structure: One six-team division.
Player restrictions: 20-player roster limit. Only three foreign players allowed on the roster, two on the field at any one time (although doubt this could be recreated in OOTP).
Regular Season: Thirty-game schedule, with each team playing each other team six times - one home and one road series of three games. The season runs from April 1st to June 26th. The scheduling takes the format of three three game series running concurrently, followed by four rest days. For example, Guangdong might play a three game series in Beijing from the 1st to the 3rd, then the teams rest from the 4th-7th, and then Gunagdong might host Sichuan.
Postseason: The top two teams play off in a five game series. The first two games are on July the 2nd and 3rd, and are hosted by the second-placed team. The final three games take place between the 8th and 10th, at the venue of the winning team.
All-Star Game: There is an all-star game of sorts, which sees the previous year's champions take on a team which combines the best players from all other teams. The game takes place on May 8th, at the league's halfway point. The break as a whole lasts from the 2nd of May to the 26th.
Tryouts / Draft: I am unsure about this. Searches suggest there have been drafts in the past, for example at the league's initiation and when lower-league talent was subsumed by the CBL. For this reason, I would suggest there is a draft, but I'm not sure.
Awards: There is an MVP and a Finals MVP. I'm sure there are more, but these are all I know of.
Salaries: Players generally make between $600 and $1000 per month.
Teams:
Beijing Tigers
Guangdong Leopards
Hope Stars
Note: The Hope Stars are a team of under-21s from around the country. They are based in Beijing.
Sichuan Dragons
Shanghai Eagles
Tianjin Lions
Venues:
Beijing Tigers - Beijing Fentai Stadium
Hope Stars - Beijing Fentai Stadium
Guangdong Leopards - Guangdong Tianhi Stadium (2000 capacity)
Shanghai Eagles - Shanghai Sports Stadium (1000 capacity)
Sichuan Dragons - Chengdu Jinniu Stadium (1400 capacity)
Tianjin Lions - Tianjin Dodgers Stadium
Note: Despite the groundshare between the Hope Stars and Tigers, they are regularly playing at home at the same time, but one later in the day than the other. It's quite rare in the CBL that two games are being played at the same time.

Sadly, ballpark info is pretty scant. I'd guess that the Fengtai has one of the biggest capacities (2-3k at a guess) because Beijing is obviously the biggest market, and the team are the NYY of the CBL. Tianjin would perhaps be an average sort of size (1-2k). Any more concrete info on this is, of course, welcome.

struggles_mightily · 01-22-2006, 05:15 PM

Cuba. Some of this stuff is sketchy, as the net doesn't really have too much info about Cuban baseball. In particular, info on awards, drafting and especially BALLPARKS would be very useful.

Cuban National League (CNL)
Teams: 16
Structure: Two leagues - the East and West, subdivided into two groups each, all of four teams.
Roster Restrictions: There is a thirty player roster limit. No foreign players as far as I am aware.
Regular season: All the sixteen teams plays each other over a ninety-game season. All teams play all others six times. The season runs from November to April.
Potseason:
Credit: Le Grande Orange

Quote:

The playoffs in each zone consist of the first place finisher of each group plus two wildcard teams, for a total of four playoff qualifiers in each zone. The group winners are seeded #1-#2 and the wildcard teams are seeded #3-#4. The first round pits #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. The winners of the first round meet to determine the zone champion, and then the champions of each zone then meet for the league title.

All Star Game: Takes place on the 22nd January, the halfway point, and pits the best Western League players against the Eastern League's finest. In the past, the winning all star team has sometimes faced off with an all-star team from the Mexican Professional league, in May.
Tryout / Draft: *INFORMATION REQUIRED* But note: Cuba has no free agency.
Awards: *INFORMATION REQUIRED*
Salaries: MLB.com article says that salaries range between the equivalent of $120 and $175 per annum. This seems very low, but consistent with another site's claim that Cuban players salaries would not buy a 'single meal' for a US Major Leaguer. Salaries likely to be topped up heavily with incentives and priveliges.
Teams:
West League
Group A
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers
Mantazas Crocodiles
Metropolitan Warriors
Group B
Havana Lions
Cienfuegos Shrimp
Sancti Spiritus Roosters
Havana Cowboys
East League
Group C
Villa Clara Orange Growers
Camaguey Ceramists
Ciego de Avila Tigers
Las Tunas Magicians
Group D
Granma Sorrels
Santiago de Cuba Wasps
Holguin Hounds
Guantanamo Indians
Venues:
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers -
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers -
Mantazas Crocodiles -
Metropolitan Warriors - Latinamericano (Capacity - 55,000, Dimensions - 325ft to right, 400ft to centre field, left I'm not sure, but it looks symetrical.)
Havana Lions - also play in Latinamericano.
Cienfuegos Shrimp -
Sancti Spiritus Roosters -
Havana Cowboys -
Villa Clara Orange Growers -
Camaguey Ceramists -
Ciego de Avila Tigers -
Las Tunas Magicians -
Granma Sorrels -
Santiago de Cuba Wasps -
Holguin Hounds -
Guantanamo Indians -

Cuban Baseball Structure: Following the National League, there is then a 'Super League' competition from April to May. There are four teams, and they play each other ten times (thirty game schedule).
The teams are:
Occidentales (players from Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio and Mantazas)
Havana (Lions, Metropolitans, Cowboys)
Centrales (Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Camaguey, Santa Spiritus, Ciego de Avila)
Orientales (Las Tunas, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo).
It is something of an 'all star' league, pooling the best players from National League teams into regional sides.

Young players (above the age of sixteen) are often a part of the 'Developmental League' which runs before the National League. The league has sixteen teams, one from each province except Havana, which has two. These players generally do not make the National League. The league runs before the National League.

There is also the 'Provincial Leagues', low level leagues, of which there is one in each of Cuba's fifteen provinces. Runs before the Developmental League.

So, any info about awards and whether there is a draft process would be really helpful here. Thanks to anyone who can provide it. Also, BALLPARKS! No info about any park outside of Latinamericano.

JPBBDB · 01-22-2006, 07:01 PM

Cuban League Stadiums
Source

Code:

Stadium (Teams)                                        LF    CF    RF   Capacity
Estadio Capitán San Luis (Pinar del Río)               325   400   325  15000
Estadio Cristóbal Labra (Isla de la Juventud)          320   390   310  5000
Estadio Victoria de Girón (Matanzas)                   325   400   325  35000
Estadio Nelson Fernández (La Habana)                   325   410   325  8000
Estadio José Antonio Huelga (Sancti Spíritus)          325   400   325  15000
Estadio Cinco de Septiembre (Cienfuegos)               325   400   325  35000
Estadio Augusto César Sandino (Villa Clara)            325   400   325  20000
Estadio José Ramón Cepero (Ciego de Ávila)             325   400   325  13000
Estadio Julio Antonio Mella (Las Tunas)                325   370   325  13000
Estadio Cándido González (Camagüey)                    346   405   346  15000
Estadio Guillermón Moncada (Santiago de Cuba)          330   405   330  20000
Estadio Calixto García Íñiguez (Holguín)               325   400   325  30000
Estadio Nguyen Van Troi  (Guantánamo)                  320   400   320  14000
Estadio Mártires de Barbados (Granma)                  325   405   325  10000
Estadio Latinoamericano (Metropolitanos, Industriales) 325   400   325  55000

Names with Translations
Camaguey Ceramists - Los Alfareros de Camaguey
Ciego de Avila Tigers - Los Tigres de Ciego de Avila
Cienfuegos Shrimp - Los Camaroneros de Cienfuegos
Granma Sorrels - Los Alazanes de Gramma
Guantanamo Indians - Los Indios de Guantanamo
Havana Cowboys - Los Vaqueros de la Habana
Industriales Lions - Los Leones de Industriales
Holguin Hounds - Los Sabuesos de Holguin
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers - Los Toronjeros de la Isla de La Juventud
Las Tunas Magicians - Los Magos de las Tunas
Mantazas Crocodiles - Los Cocodrilos de Matanza
Metropolitan Warriors - Los Guerreros Metropolitanos
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers - Los Vegueros de Pinar del Rio
Sancti Spiritus Roosters - Los Gallos de Santi Spiritus
Santiago de Cuba Wasps - Las Avispas de Santiago de Cuba
Villa Clara Orange Growers - Los Naranjas de Villa Clara

Le Grande Orange · 01-22-2006, 09:37 PM

A few corrections about the Cuban National League, at least according to the information I have which is correct up through the 2004-05 season.

The league is divided into two zones of eight teams each, the Occidental and Oriental Zones. Each zone is divided into two groups of four teams; Group A and B are in the Occidental Zone, and Groups C and D are in the Oriental Zone. (Zones are essentially the same thing as conferences and groups are essentially the same thing as divisions.)

The playoffs in each zone consist of the first place finisher of each group plus two wildcard teams, for a total of four playoff qualifiers in each zone. The group winners are seeded #1-#2 and the wildcard teams are seeded #3-#4. The first round pits #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. The winners of the first round meet to determine the zone champion, and then the champions of each zone then meet for the league title.

sljchung · 01-22-2006, 11:44 PM

League: Chinese Professional Baseball League (I dropped the word "Major" because I'm not entirely sure that is the official name yet)

English Website: http://www.cpbl.com.tw/html/english/cpbl.asp (this will help non-English speaking people, though it is a bit out of date)

Abbreviation: CPBL
Location: Taiwan, R.O.C.
League History (past placing, standings, records, etc):

1990 Wei Chuan Dragons defeated Mercuries Tigers, 4-2
1991 Uni-President Lions defeated Wei Chuan Dragons, 4-3
1992 Brother Elephants (by winning both half-seasons)
1993 Brother Elephants defeated Uni-President Lions, 4-2
1994 Brother Elephants (by winning both half-seasons)
1995 Uni-President Lions (by winning both half-seasons)
1996 Uni-President Lions defeated Wei Chuan Dragons, 4-2
1997 Wei Chuan Dragons defeated Chinatimes Eagles, 4-2
1998 Wei Chuan Dragons defeated Sinon Bulls, 4-3
1999 Wei Chuan Dragons defeated Chinatrust Whales, 4-1
2000 Uni-President Lions defeated Sinon Bulls, 4-3
2001 Brother Elephants defeated Uni-President Lions, 4-3
2002 Brother Elephants defeated Chinatrust Whales, 4-0 (actually 3-0, Brother Elephants got a 1 game adv. by winning both half-seasons)
2003 Brother Elephants defeated Sinon Bulls, 4-2
2004 Sinon Bulls defeated Uni-President Lions, 4-3
2005 Sinon Bulls defeated Macoto Cobras, 4-0

... more to come when necessary ...

Continental Qualifiers: Asia Series with the champion team from CBL, NPB and KBO
Schedule: to be filled later, there will be some major schedule change in 2006.
Roster Rules: 25-man roster, all others are on the reserve list.
Awards (with qualification and historical winners if possible):

Highest Batting Average:
1990 Kuang-hui Wang, Brother Elephants, G 79, AB 310, H 106, AVG .342
1991 Luis Iglesias (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 79, AB 272, H 90, AVG .331
1992 Juan Castillo (foreign player), Uni-President Lions, G 73, AB 276, H 90, AVG .326
1993 Kuei-chang Tzeng, Chinatimes Eagles, G 85, AB 323, H 109, AVG .337
1994 Angel Gonzalez (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 87, AB 311, H 112, AVG .360
1995 Angel Gonzalez (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 88, AB 274, H 97, AVG .354
1996 Luis Santos (foreign player), Brother Elephants, G 92, AB 355, H 133, AVG .375
1997 Robert Wood (foreign player), Brother Elephants, G 96, AB 373, H 139, AVG .373
1998 Jay Kirkpatrick (foreign player), Sinon Bulls, G 104, AB 354, H 137, AVG .387
1999 Chi-feng Hung, Chinatrust Whales, G 71, AB 252, H 84, AVG .333
2000 Chung-yi Huang, Sinon Bulls, G 88, AB 325, H 115, AVG .354
2001 Min-ching Lo, Uni-President Lions, G 82, AB 272, H 97, AVG .357
2002 Chien-wei Chen, Chinatrust Whales, G 83, AB 293, H 98, AVG .334
2003 Cheng-min Peng, Brother Elephants, G 100, AB 369, H 131, AVG .355
2004 Cheng-min Peng, Brother Elephants, G 99, AB 338, H 127, AVG .376
2005 Cheng-min Peng, Brother Elephants, G 76, AB 274, H 93, AVG .339

Most Homerun in a year:
1990 Luis Iglesias (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 90, AB 322, HR 18
1991 Chung-chiu Lin, Mercuries Tigers, G 78, AB 281, HR 16
1992 Chung-chiu Lin, Mercuries Tigers, G 88, AB 339, HR 24
1993 Leonardo Garcia (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 81, AB 305, HR 20
1994 Campusano Silvestre (foreigh player), Wei Chuan Dragons, G 90, AB 336, HR 25
1995 Min-hsiung Liao, Chinatimes Eagles, G 98, AB 346, HR 22
1996 Luis Iglesias (foreign player), Mercuries Tigers, G 100, AB 376, HR 31
1997 Fredinand Rodriguez (foreign player), Uni-President Lions, G 92, AB 314, HR 27
1998 Jay Kirkpatrick (foreign player), Sinon Bulls, G 104, AB 354, HR 31
1999 Robert Wood (foreign player), Brother Elephants, G 94, AB 329, HR 19
2000 Chung-chiu Lin, Sinon Bulls, G 86, AB 302, HR 15
2001 Chung-chiu Lin, Sinon Bulls, G 89, AB 329, HR 18
2002 Wen-ping Chen, Chinatrust Whales, G 85, AB 283, HR 26
2003 Tai-shan Chang, Sinon Bulls, G 100, AB 396, HR 28
2004 Tai-shan Chang, Sinon Bulls, G 100, AB 377, HR 21
2005

... more to come later ...

Salaries (including salary cap information, maximum salaries, etc): between about NT$30,000 to 300,000 per month (about US$1,000 to 10,000 per month), paid all 12 months, no team salary cap, no maximum salary.
Draft(s) (length, date, eligibility of draftees): the URL above is out of date. One amateur draft per year, held around Dec/Jan. There is also a special draft at this moment, but it is likely to be removed in a few years.
All-Star Game(s): some time in July.
Playoffs/Postseason Competition (include playoff qualifiers, promotion/regulation, etc.): the URL above is also out of date. Three teams playoff. Each year/season is splitted into 2 halves. The champion of each half qualifies. The team with the best "annual" record from those unqualified teams receives a wild card. If the same team won both half-seasons, the top two remaining teams receive a wild card each.
The qualified team with the best annual record gets a bye. The remaining two teams play a best-3-out-of-5 series. The winning team then plays the best team with a best-4-out-of-7 series for championship.
Where do players come from (local, from certain sub-national regions, other countries, etc.): mostly local, Taiwanese players. In 2006, each team is allowed to have 3 foreign players on their 25-man roster, however, once a foreign player is removed from the 25-man roster, he cannot return within the same year/season. The new foreign player cut off date is 31st August. Local players cannot play unless they are listed in the team's roster (either active or reserved list) at the beginning of the season.

Teams: 6 teams, all in the same league.

There is no strict home town allocation in Taiwan yet. Some teams have home games in all major cities in Taiwan.

Team Name: Brother Elephants
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: Taipei
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): N/A, all major cities
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: huh? manager, coach names here?
Primary/Secondary Colors: Yellow/Black

Team Name: Chinatrust Whales
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: to be filled later
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): to be filled later
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: to be filled later
Primary/Secondary Colors: Blue/Green/Red !?

Team Name: La New Bears
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: Kaohsiung
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): 20,000 audiences, LF/RF line 328, CF 400, grass
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: to be filled later
Primary/Secondary Colors: Green/White

Team Name: Macoto Cobras
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: Taipei
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): to be filled later
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: to be filled later
Primary/Secondary Colors: Black/White

Team Name: Sinon Bulls
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: Taichung
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): 10,500 audiences, LF/RF line 310, CF 360, grass
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: to be filled later
Primary/Secondary Colors: Green/White

Team Name: Uni-President Lions
Nickname: N/A
Abbreviation: N/A
Location: Tainan
Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity): 12,500 audiences, LF/RF line 339, CF 400, grass
Average Attendance: to be filled later
League: CPBL
Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc): to be filled later
Team Staff: to be filled later
Primary/Secondary Colors: Green/White

struggles_mightily · 01-23-2006, 05:35 AM

Thanks for the corrections LGO, I edited in your explanation of the playoffs structure, as it was far better than mine.

Here's a useful, well-maintained thread about the Cuban League, from a Cuban baseball fan. It helped my research quite a bit and is updated with league leaders and standings etc, which could be useful when it comes to rate players.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=36389

I tried starting the Dominican Summer Leagues, but found it pretty difficult. Their website has an English version, but bits are missing here and there.

The winter league should be quite a bit easier, and I'll start that soon.

struggles_mightily · 01-23-2006, 07:44 AM

Here we go.

Dominican Winter League (DWL)
Teams: 6
Structure: One six-team division.
Roster Restrictions: Don't seem to be any, team pages just make long lists of players, with no obvious restrictions.
Regular Season: Fifty game schedule, each team plays each other ten times. It begins on the nineteenth of October and ends on the 22nd of December.
Postseason: The top four advance to a further round robin of eighteen games (6 against each other, two three game series). The top two from this round robin go to a nine-game championship series. A difficult format to recreate on OOTP, that one.
Allstar Game: There is an allstar game (and break) which comes forty games into the season. The break begins on the 10th of December, with the game itself on the 12th. The game actually matches the Dominican Winter League all-stars against the best players from the Puerto Rican Winter League. Again, not very OOTP-friendly, unless we consider these two sub-leagues of a general Winter League. There is also a Home Run derby, with three players from each team taking part (this is on the same day as the game). The ASG has an MVP.
Tryouts / Draft: Each year there is a rookie draft. As there is no free agency, plenty of players remain on the same team for life. So all DR MLB players have an assigned Winter League team if they should choose to come over and play, as this is decided in their youth. If they come back to DR after a long break, they still play with the team they were originally assigned to (excepting if they are traded or released of course) Note: Many MLB players from the DR do not play the whole Winter League season even if they do play. They often play only from mid-November onwards.
Awards: MVP, Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Pitcher of the Year. All awards have official (league-awarded) versions, and 'Dominican First', highly-regarded but unofficial, awards which can only be awarded to DR-born players.
Salaries: *INFORMATION REQUIRED*
Teams:
Cibao Eagles Santiago, DR
Cibao Giants San Francisco de Macoris, DR
Eastern Bulls La Romana, DR
Eastern Stars San Pedro de Macoris, DR
Escogido Lions Santo Domingo, DR
Licey Tigers Santo Domingo, DR
Venues:
Cibao Eagles - Estadio Cibao (Capacity - 18,000, Dimensions - 335ft to left and right, 385 to centre)
Cibao Giants - Estadio Julian Javier (Capacity - 12,000)
Eastern Bulls - Estadio Francisco Michelli (Capacity - 12,000)
Eastern Stars - Estadio Tetelo Vargas (Capacity - 11,000, Dimensions - 330 to left and right, 385 to centre)
Escogido Lions and Licey Tigers - Estadio Quisqueya (Capacity 15,000- 335 to left and right, 411 to centre)
All open ballparks, natural grass.

So, info on salaries would be great, as would the dimensions for the Michelli and the Javier. Roster restrictions are also uncertain, I have a vague feeling their may be a foreign player limit. It's also a little hard to believe that they have no general limit whatsoever.

datrain021 · 01-23-2006, 12:20 PM

He said the summer league (R), not the winter league

struggles_mightily · 01-23-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datrain021

He said the summer league (R), not the winter league

Who did? JPBBDB? Actually, he said:

Quote:

Dominican Republic - Dominican Summer League (35) [NAPBL]
Dominican Republic - Dominican Winter League (6)

Both of them. And besides, how could it possibly be not useful or irrelevant to post up that info here?

struggles_mightily · 01-23-2006, 01:58 PM

Right, here's what I could find out about Germany. It's probably been the hardest so far, so there are a few blanks. Most importantly, information about the draft (if any) and salaries would be excellent. There are a few ballpark-related holes to fill as well.

German 1. Bundesliga (G1B)
Teams: 16
Structure: 16 teams are divided into two divisions, a North and South.
Promotion / Relegation: The bottom team in the South plays off with the winner of 2.Bundesliga South, and the same for the North. If the 2.Bundesliga team wins, they are promoted, and the losers relegated. This is a a three-game playoff.
Roster Restrictions: It seems teams have twenty-man rosters, unsure of any others.
Regular Season: 28 game schedule, each team plays each other four times, with no interdivisional matches. The games are in series of two, one home and one on the road against each other team. The season starts on the first of April and runs until the fifth of August.
Postseason: The top four teams from each division qualify for the playoffs. The format is as follows, where S= South, N=North and the number is the finishing position of the team in the regular season:
Quarter Finals:
Series 1: N1 vs. S4
Series 2: N2 vs. S3
Series 3: N3 vs. S2
Series 4: N4 vs. S1
Semi Finals:
Series 1 Winner vs. Series 3 Winner
Series 2 Winner vs. Series 4 Winner
Final
All series are five games long.
All Star Game: South Allstars play the North Allstars. Unsure of the date.
Tryouts / Draft: *INFORMATION REQUIRED*
Awards: There are awards for the best hitter, best pitcher and MVP in both divisions. However, these are unofficial, but are awarded by reliable sources (www.baseball-softball.de).
Salaries: *INFORMATION REQUIRED*
Teams:
North
Bennigsen Beavers Bennigsen
Bonn Capitals Bonn
Cologne Cardinals Cologne
Lokstedt Stealers Lokstedt
Neunkirchen Nightmares Neunkirchen
Paderborn Untouchables Paderborn
Solingen Alligators Solingen
Wuppertal Stingrays Wuppertal
South
Furth Pirates Furth
Gauting Indians Gauting
Heidenheim Heidekopfe (Heathheads) Heidenheim
Mainz Athletics Mainz
Mannheim Tornados Mannheim
Regensburg Legionare (Legionaires) Regensburg
Saarlouis Hornets Saarlouis
Tubingen Hawks Tubingen
Venues:
Bennigsen Beavers -
Note: Hoping to build a new park, after their last was levelled. Not sure.
Bonn Capitals - Rheinaue Stadion
Cologne Cardinals - Müngersdorfer Stadion
Lokstedt Stealers - Hamburger Baseball Park (Capacity - 1,000, Dimensions - 320ft to left and right, 390 to centre)
Neunkirchen Nightmares - Nightmares Ballpark
Paderborn Untouchables - Ahorn Ballpark (Capacity - 1,200, Dimensions - 315ft to left and right, 375 to centre)
Solingen Alligators - Baseballpark Weyersberg (Capacity - 250 seated, Dimensions - 320ft to right and left, 375 to centre)
Wuppertal Stingrays
Furth Pirates - Pirates Field (Capacity - 500)
Gauting Indians - Wurmtal Baseball Park (Capacity - 200, Dimensions - 325 to left, 320 to right, 390 to centre)
Heidenheim Heidekopfe (Heathheads) - New Heidekopfe Ballpark (Capacity - 2000, Dimensions - 320ft to left and right, 375 to centre)
Mainz Athletics - Sandflora Stadion (Capacity - 1,400 incl. 1000 seated, Dimensions - ?)
Mannheim Tornados - Roberto Clemente Field
Regensburg Legionare (Legionaires) - Armin Wolf Arena (Capacity 3100, incl. 1100 seated, Dimensions - 365ft to right and left, 394 to centre).
Saarlouis Hornets - Neuer Platz (Capacity - ?, Dimensions - 325 to left, 350 to right, 375 to centre).
Tubingen Hawks - Franzosensportplatz

Note: The smallest capacities include only seated fans, so would probably be somewhat higher if standing fans were factored in.

Another Note: In Germany, games are often only seven-innings it seems. However, to my knowledge, this can't be recreated on OOTP.

So, the capacity of Saarlouis' ground, the dimensions for Mainz and Furth, and any info on Bennigsen, Cologne, Neunkirchen, Wuppertal, Mannheim and Tubingen would be great.

Also note that I haven't bothered with any umlauts here.

JPBBDB · 01-23-2006, 07:44 PM

League: Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)

Teams: 12
Structure: Two divisions; Central League and the Pacific League
Roster Restrictions: There are four rosters for each club. The organizational roster of all players under contract is limited to 70 players; the roster includes bullpen catchers and batting practice pitchers. The first team (ichi-gun) has a limit of 40 players. These are the players who may be called-up to play in a NPB game. Players may only be added or removed from the first team roster on a few specified dates throughout the season or in order to make room for a new player joining the organization.
The first team bench is made up of 28 players; these are the players that are allowed to play in a NPB game. This squad can be changed daily (i.e. yesterday's starting pitcher is taken off so another pitcher may be added). All other players not of the first team bench can only play in farm league (ni-gun) games. Players who are sent to the second team cannot be re-activated for ten days. The final roster of 25 players from the 28-man first team bench roster may play in a given game. There is no disabled list, waivers, minor league options, etc.
Foreigners: A team may have any number of foreign players on its organizational roster, but there is a four-player limit on the game-day bench roster (25-man). Of these four there at least one position player, and one pitcher. Also, only three may be on the field at one time, if one is the pitcher. A player is considered to play the position that he enters the game in (i.e. a pitcher that enters the game as a shortstop is a position player). June 30th is the deadline for signing foreign players. Non-Japanese born players may be considered Japanese by: Become a naturalized Japanese citizen; Live in Japan for five or more years, and attend three or more years of a Japanese junior high school, high school, or vocational/community college; Live in Japan for four or more years, and attend a Japanese 4-year college for four continuous years; Live in Japan for five or more years, and play for an industrial league team for three or more of years; Attain NPB free agency eligibility; Live in Japan for four years and join a team via the draft.
Spring Training: The exhibition season in the NPB, or open-sen, takes place during February and March. All of the teams train in the southern part of the Japanese archipelago, although the Yakult Swallows used to train in Arizona. The teams move north as the weather improves.
Regular Season: 136 game season in the PL, and a 146 game season in the CL. There are 20 (PL)/22 (CL) games against each team in the league. There is also interleague play. All of the inter-league games are played in a single slate, in 2005 it was from May 6 to June 16. Each team will play six games (6G-3H/3A) versus each inter-league opponent, for a total of 36 games. The CL season begins on the last Saturday in March if the date is the 27th or later, if it is not then the season begins on the first Saturday in April. The PL begins a week earlier. There are usually no games on Mondays. Each team usually plays at least a half dozen “home games” at a stadium other than their primary stadium. The season usually ends by mid-October. Extra-inning games are limited to 12 innings, after which a draw is announced. Weekday games are held at 6:00 PM, weekend games are usually at 2:00 PM, unless in Tokyo where they are at 6:00 PM.
Postseason: The Nippon Series is a best-of-seven game series between the winners of the Pacific League and Central League pennants. It begins on the first Saturday after the end of the PL Playoffs. The first two games are played at the stadium of the team with holds the home field advantage. After a Monday travel day, the next three games are played at the other team’s stadium. The final two games are played at the first stadium. The home field advantage is rotated on a yearly basis. In 2005, the Pacific League had home-field advantage (Games 1, 2, 6, 7). A typical Nippon Series schedule is SAT-SUN-OFF-TUE-WED-THU-OFF-SAT-SUN.
Pacific League Playoffs: The Pacific League uses a two-stage playoff system. Placing is based on winning percentage. The top three teams advance to the playoffs, with the first place team receiving a first stage bye. The second and third place teams play a best-of-three series and the second place team's stadium. The winner then plays a best-of-five game series versus the first place team, with all games being played at the first-place team's stadium. If the first stage winner was more than 5 games-behind the first place team at the end of the regular season, it starts with an automatic loss. The 2005 Pacific League Playoffs first stage will begin on October 8th, and the second stage will begin on October 12th.
All-Star Game: The All-Star Game Series is a set of two, sometimes three, games at different stadiums in July. It is usually held on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in July, with Thursday as rainout date. Fans vote for a player at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, three outfielders, a staring pitcher, a relief pitcher, a closer, and, in the Pacific League, a designated hitter. The managers, who faced in last year's Nippon Series, then choose the players to fill out the 30-man rosters. A common setup would be 14 pitchers, 3 catchers, 7 infielders, and 6 outfielders. The rosters are finalized by the beginning of July. Also, different players may play each game. It is usually held on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in July. There is one game at a stadium of each league; games may also be held at a "neutral site".
Tryouts: Clubs may hold tryouts.
Draft: A two stage draft of high school players in early October; university/industrial league players in mid-November (after the Nippon Series). There are more complex rules regarding skipping rounds, free selections, etc. - it changed this year (2006) so I have not gotten around to writing about it, they are also unable to be implemented in the game. More Info, NPB (Japanese)
Awards: There are the annual “Best Nine Awards,” which are given to the best player at each position for each league as voted on by experts. There are Gold Gloves, the MVP and the Rookie of the Year Award. The Sawamura Award, is given to the best starting pitcher. However both the Sawamura Award and the Rookie of the Year Award may not be given out, if no player is worthy.
Salaries: The top earners are usually foreigners, who make millions USD. The top salary is around 7-oku yen for foreigners, and a half-billion for Japanese players. The minimum yearly salary for a player is 440-man yen. In 2004, the average player salary was about 3800-man yen. However, the Central League average was 4300-man yen, while the Pacific League had an average of 3300-man yen. The highest salary in NPB history was about 7-oku yen. Nearly 60% of players earn under 2000-man yen, and 10% of players earned over 1-oku yen.
Contracts: Player contracts are generally no more than three years long; most players are resigned or released each year. Foreign players usually have among the highest salaries; however they are expected to contribute immediately. After a poor season it is common for a player to take a pay cut; in the case of foreign players, to be released.
Free Agency: Japanese players qualify for free agency after 9 years of service, at 145 days per year of service, at any level. A NPB club that signs a NPB free agent must give the player's former team 120% of his previous year’s salary.
Posting System: The posting system was created to allow NPB clubs to receive compensation for players who go to the Major Leagues. A player may be posted from November 1st to March 1st. For a player to be posted, both the team and player must agree on the posting. After this agreement is reached, Major League teams have four days bid for the right to negotiate a contract with the player.
Farm Teams (Minor League): Each of the twelve teams has one farm team, or ni-gun. These teams play in the Eastern and Western Leagues. The farm teams are located near the parent team due to the NPB’s roster rules. Most teams share their first team’s names followed by ni-gun name, however to avoid confusion the teams are also referred to by the city in which they play. However, there are three teams that have sold the naming rights to their farm team.
Continental Qualifiers: The Nippon Series winner plays in the year’s Asia Series.
Teams:
Central League
Chunichi Dragons
Founded in 1936; 6 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series
Play at Nagoya Dome (Nagoya, Aichi)
Owned by Chunichi, a newspaper
Hanshin Tigers
Founded in 1936; 5 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series
Play at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya, Hyogo)
Owned by Hanshin Electric Railway, a railroad
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Founded in 1950; 6 League Titles; 3 Nippon Series
Play at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium (Hiroshima, Hiroshima)
Owned by Toyo, a tire manufacturer, and the city of Hiroshima
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Founded in 1950; 6 League Titles; 5 Nippon Series
Play at Meiji-Jingu Stadium (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo)
Owned by Yakult, a yogurt and drinks company
Yokohama BayStars
Founded in 1950; 2 League Titles; 2 Nippon Series
Play at Yokohama Stadium (Yokohama, Kanagawa)
Owned by the Tokyo Broadcasting System, a media conglomerate
Yomiuri Giants
Founded in 1936; 30 League Titles, 20 Nippon Series
Play at the Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo)
Owned by Yomiuri, a media conglomerate
Pacific League
Chiba Lotte Marines
Founded in 1950; 5 League Titles; 3 Nippon Series
Play at Chiba Marine Stadium (Chiba, Chiba)
Owned by Lotte, a food conglomerate
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
Founded in 1938; 15 League Titles; 4 Nippon Series
Play at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome (Fukuoka, Fukuoka)
Owned by Softbank, an internet company
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Founded in 1946; 2 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series
Play at the Sapporo Dome (Sapporo, Hokkaido)
Owned by Nippon Ham, a meat products company
Orix Buffaloes
Founded in 1936 (BW)/1950 (BUF); 11/4 League Titles; 3/0 Nippon Series
Play at Skymark Stadium (Kobe), and the Osaka Dome (Osaka)
Owned by Orix, a financial services company
Seibu Lions
Founded in 1950; 20 League Titles; 12 Nippon Series
Play at the Seibu Dome (Tokorozawa, Saitama)
Owned by Seibu , a railroad and real estate company
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Founded in 2005; 0 League Titles; 0 Nippon Series
Play at Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (Sendai, Miyagi)
Owned by Rakuten, a internet retailer

Nippon Professional Baseball – Farm Leagues
Teams: 12
League Structure: Two divisions; the Eastern League and the Western League
Roster Restrictions: Each team is affiliated with an NPB team. All players not on that team’s 28-man first team bench roster may play in a league game.
Regular Season: There is a 96 game season in the EL, and an 88 game season in the WL. The WL has 21 to 22 games versus each league opponent, while the EL has 15 to 16 games versus each league opponent. There is limited inter-league play (6 games in 2006). The both leagues begin their seasons on the last Saturday in March. There are usually no games on Mondays. Extra-inning games are limited to 12 innings, after which a draw is announced. Games are usually held at 2:00 PM.
Playoffs: The “Farm Championship” is a single game between the winners of the Eastern League and Western League pennants. It is on the second Saturday in October. The game is play at a “neutral” stadium. The Eastern League is the home team in odd-numbered years, the Western League in even-numbered years.
Continental Qualifiers: None
All-Star Game: The Junior All-Star Game is usually held on the third Tuesday in July. An MVP is awarded.
Awards: There are no awards given.
Teams:
Eastern League
Chiba Lotte Marines (Marines)
Lotte Urawa Kyujo - Saitama, Saitama
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Fighters)
Fighters Stadium - Kamagaya, Chiba
Seibu Lions (Lions)
Seibu Dai-2 Kyujo - Tokorozawa, Saitama
Shonan Searex (BayStars)
Yokosuka Stadium - Yokosuka, Kanagawa
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Golden Eagles)
Yamagata-ken Yakyujo - Higashi-Murayama, Yamagata
Yakult Swallows (Swallows)
Yakult Toda Kyujo - Toda, Saitama
Yomiuri Giants (Giants)
Yomiuri Giants Kyujo - Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Western League
Chunichi Dragons (Dragons)
Nagoya Kyujo - Nagoya, Aichi
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Hawks)
Gannosu Kyujo - Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Hanshin Tigers (Tigers)
Hanshin Naruohama Kyujo - Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Carp)
Yuu Rensyujo - Kua, Yamaguchi
Surpass Kobe (Buffaloes)
Ajisai Stadium Kobe - Kobe, Hyogo

01-19-2006, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
JPBBDB Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	Non-MLB Leagues Project With the OOTPB'06 being able to simulate multiple leagues throughout the world, it may be possible to simulate the entire modern-day world of baseball. While it appears that the game will come with "faked" versions some of the top international leagues, there are still others that are not included. The goal of this project is to produce a realistic baseball world, as of 2006, for usage in OOTPB'06. For this, I have come up with a list of 175 leagues and over 1600 teams, from throughout the world. Not included are any Major League Baseball affiliated teams, since there are multiple roster set makers for these leagues. The list of leagues is in the next post. I am looking for researchers to help gather as much information as possible about these leagues, teams, and players so that a realistic version of them may be included in the game. To volunteer, please PM me with a requested nation, league, or team for research. Information Needed Leagues League Name Abbreviation Location League History (past placing, standings, records, etc) Continental Qualifiers Schedule Roster Rules Awards (with qualification and historical winners if possible) Salaries (including salary cap information, maximum salaries, etc) Draft(s) (length, date, eligibility of draftees) All-Star Game(s) Playoffs/Postseason Competition (include playoff qualifiers, promotion/regulation, etc.) Where do players come from (local, from certain sub-national regions, other countries, etc.) Teams Team Name Nickname Abbreviation Location Home Stadium/Field(s) (with dimensions, capacity) Average Attendance League Team History (past placing, standings, team records, etc) Team Staff Primary/Secondary Colors Players/Staff First Name Last Name Nickname Uniform Number Height Weight Date of Birth Birthplace (with as much info as possible) Nationality (-ies) Bats Throws Position Current Team Previous Teams with Any Stats Injury History Contact Details (Amount/Length/Clauses/etc.) League-Specific Contract Details (waiver status, service time, etc.) Languages Spoken (Basic/Fluent) Mini-FAQ How will players be rated? Due to the scope of this project, players will likely be rated by league-relative stats conversions. Should there be a transactions/player status cut-off date? Probably; I would suggest February 8th, the day after the Caribbean Series ends. Why do you want to know about promotion/regulation or continental qualifiers, they are not in the game? While these options will not be in this game, they may be available in a future version. What to do about leagues with no players? Hopefully, there will be “grey players” in the game; if not, fictional players may have to be used, or the league will not be included. Any comments, suggestions, additions, or critiques are welcome. I look forward to your help Michael Eng __________________

01-19-2006, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
JPBBDB Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	Leagues/Competitions Listing Below is a list of the leagues separated into classes based on how much information is out there on the league and, in some cases, approximant talent level. The league's name contains a hyperlink to the offical website of the league. Levels of Detail Class A – high level of detail; complete rosters, stats Class B – rosters, stats for players Class C – rosters, stats for some players Class D – basic team information, possible player names and stats Class E – IBAF member; may have a domestic league Class F – IBAF member; to the best of my knowledge has no domestic league Competitions - International competions between teams or nations Nation, League Name [URL] (Teams) :: League Info [POST] Class A Australia, Claxton Shield (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily) China, China Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily) Cuba, Cuban Baseball League (16) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily) Dominican Republic, Dominican Summer League (35) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Dominican Republic, Dominican Winter League (6) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily) Germany, Bundesliga 1 (16) :: League Info (Thanks struggles_mightily) Italy, Serie A1 (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Japan, Nippon Professional Baseball (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Japan, NPB - Farm Leagues (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Japan, Shikoku Island League (4) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Mexico, Mexican League (16) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Mexico, Mexican Pacific League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) The Netherlands, Hoofdklasse (10) :: League Info (Thanks Hageneezz) North America, Can-Am League (9) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) North America, Northern League (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Winter League (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) South Korea, Korean Baseball Organization (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Taiwan, Chinese Professional Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks sljchung) United States, American Association (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) United States, Atlantic League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) United States, Frontier League (12) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) United States, Golden Baseball League (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) United States, United League Baseball (6) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Venezuela, Venezuelan Summer League (10) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Venezuela, Venezuelan Winter League (8) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) Class B Austria, Austrian Baseball League (8) Austria, Baseball Bundesliga (7) Belarus, Belarus Championship League (6) Belgium, First Division (8) Belgium, First Division - Reserves (8) Bulgaria, Bulgarian Seniors Baseball Championship (8) Croatia, Hrvatski Baseball Liga (9) Czech Republic, Extra League (8) Czech Republic, National League (8) Finland, Finnish Baseball League (6) France, French Division Elite (8) France, Nationale 1 - Poule A (8) France, Nationale 1 - Poule B (7) France, Nationale 1 - Poule C (7) Germany, Bundesliga 2 (16) Great Britain, British National League (6) :: League Info (Thanks Kivlehan) Greece, A Division (8) Hungary, NBI (10) Hungary, NBII (12) Italy, Serie A2 (24) Lithuania, Lithuanian League (5) Malta, National Baseball League (4) The Netherlands, 1e Klasse (14) The Netherlands, 2e Klasse A (8) The Netherlands, 2e Klasse B (8) The Netherlands, 2e Klasse C (8) Nicaragua, Campeonato Nacional de Beisbol Nicaraguense (7) Portugal, Portaguese National Championship (7) Russia, Russian League (7) Slovakia, Extraliga Muži (5) Slovakia, Liga Muži (5) Slovenia, Slovenian League (4) South Africa, SABU Senior Tournament (18) Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol (12) Sweden, Elitserien (8) Switzerland, NLA (7) Switzerland, NLB (7) Class C Austria, Regionalliga Nord (4) Austria, Regionalliga Ost (7) Austria, Regionalliga West (7) Belgium, Fourth Division (6) Belgium, Second Division (8) Belgium, Third Division (8) Germany, Regionalliga - Nordost (8) Germany, Regionalliga - Nordwest (8) Germany, Regionalliga - Südost (8) Germany, Regionalliga - Südwest (7) Great Britain, Division One (13) Great Britain, Northern Conference (12) Great Britain, Premier Division (8) Greece, B Division (8) Ireland, Irish Baseball League (8) :: League Info (Thanks Kivlehan) Israel, Senior National League (7) Italy, Serie B (39) Luxembourg, Luxembourgian League (6) Moldova, Major League (4) The Netherlands, 3e Klasse A (10) The Netherlands, 3e Klasse B (10) The Netherlands, 3e Klasse C (10) The Netherlands, 3e Klasse D (12) New Zealand, Auckland Baseball League (5) Norway, 1.Division (4) Norway, 2.Division (6) The Phillipines, Titans League (7) Serbia & Montenegro, Nacionalno Prvenstvo (6) Singapore, Singapore National Baseball League (8) Slovakia, Division A (6) Slovakia, Division B (6) Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol 1ª División A (7) Spain, Liga Nacional de Béisbol 1ª División B (4) Sweden, Division 1 (12) Sweden, Division 2 (10) Switzerland, 1.Division Liga Ost (6) Switzerland, 1.Division Liga West (5) Class D Aruba, AA Division Baseball (8) Austria, Landesliga Oberösterreich (5) Austria, Landesliga Vorarlberg/Tirol (6) Austria, Landesliga W/NÖ 1 (7) Austria, Landesliga W/NÖ 2 (6) Bahamas, New Providence Amateur Baseball League (5) Brazil, Federação de Beisebol e Softbol de Maranhão (2) Brazil, FBS do Mato Grosso do Sul (2) Brazil, FBS do Rio de Janeiro (2) Brazil, Federação Paranaense de Beisebol e Softbol (10) Brazil, Federeção Paulista (42) Czech Republic, Regional League - Bohemia (4) Czech Republic, Regional League - North Moravia (4) Czech Republic, Regional League - Prague (7) Czech Republic, Regional League - South Moravia (7) France, La Ligue Champagne-Ardennes (10) France, La Ligue de Bretagne (13) France, La Ligue de Haute Normandie (9) France, La Ligue de Nouvelle-Calédonie (1) France, La Ligue Provence Alpes-Cote d'Azur (15) France, Ligue d'Alsace (3) France, Ligue d'Aquitaine (14) France, Ligue d'Auvergne (3) France, Ligue d'Ile de France (46) France, Ligue de Basse-Normandie (6) France, Ligue de Bourgogne (6) France, Ligue de Franche Comté (6) France, Ligue de Languedoc Roussillon (11) France, Ligue de Lorraine (9) France, Ligue de Pays de Loire (4) France, Ligue de Picardie (6) France, Ligue de Poitou-Charentes (9) France, Ligue du Centre (7) France, Ligue du Limousin (2) France, Ligue Midi-Pyrénées (11) France, Ligue Nord pas de Calais (10) France, Ligue Rhône-Alpes (16) Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baseball Association (8) Italy, Serie C1 (50) Malta, Minor League Baseball (4) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse A (8) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse B (9) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse C (10) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse D (9) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse E (5) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse F (6) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse G (9) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse H (9) The Netherlands, 4e Klasse K (7) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse A (6) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse B (9) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse C (10) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse D (8) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse E (7) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse F (10) The Netherlands, 5e Klasse G (6) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse A (10) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse B (10) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse C (6) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse D (10) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse E (6) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse F (5) The Netherlands, 6e Klasse G (10) Pakistan, Pakistan National Championship (7) Virgin Islands, Valmy Thomas AA Baseball League (6) Class E Chile , Costa Rica, Denmark, India, Guam, Lesotho (plays in SABU), Panama, Poland, Romania, San Marino (plays in Italian league), Scotland, Ukraine, Zimbabwe (plays in SABU) Class F American Samoa, Argentina, Armenia, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cameroon, Colombia, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia Competitions Asia, Asia Series (4) Caribbean/Central America, Caribbean World Series (4) :: League Info (Thanks JPBBDB) International, Baseball World Cup (8) International, World Baseball Classic (16) Useful Sites General International Baseball Federation Confederation of European Baseball Baseball Oceania ESPN's WBC Page League-Specific Australia - Australian Major League Cuban League - RadioCoco Cuban League - Stats Frontier League - Fan Site Germany - baseballparks.de Hoofdklasse - Grand Slamm Stats Serie A1 - baseball.it Mexican League - MiLB Site Nippon Professional Baseball - Japan Baseball Daily Nippon Professional Baseball - JapaneseBaseball.com Northern League - Fan Site Russia - Russian League Baseball Shikoku Island League - island-league.net Singapore - X-Men (Team) Slovenia - Lisjaki (Team) South Africa - KwaZulu Natal Site Spain - CBS Rivas (Team) Switzerland - Stats __________________ Last edited by JPBBDB; 04-19-2006 at 01:47 PM. Reason: Added hyperlinks to league/competition sites and to forum posts

01-20-2006, 09:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
CBL-Commish All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,689 Thanked 97x in 56 posts	Wow! This is going to be a HUGE collaborative effort. HUGE. I applaud the effort, but this is the kind of thing in Championship Manager/Football Manager that it's taken years to get the data collected and right, and can only happen because of the efforts of hundreds or thousands of people from around the world contributing to the cause. Some of those lower level leagues are going to need major league equivalencies of, like, 0.05. I used to play soccer with a German guy who came to the states in the late 80s and got addicted to baseball. He started playing, and formed a team of his friends when he went back to Germany. The team quickly got promoted to one of the regional leagues, probabaly the Regionalliga - Südost, or Südwest. These leagues are, at least in some cases, not a whole lot different from rural county leagues here in the States, just with lower talent levels. Probably play a game or two a week, players miss games because of work or family commitments. Semi-pro, in that they charged the equivalent of a buck or two for tickets, and they used the $25 or $50 they'd take in in a week to buy new equipment. They'd also have fundraisers like BBQs to try and cover expenses. There are dozens upon dozens of leagues like this in your Class C or lower, comprised of teams that would get blown out of the water by teams from the Gulf Coast League or the Appy League. I'd bet some of the Class D leagues, like the The Netherlands - 6e Klasse E (6), are realistically no better than a small US high school league. But if you get this done it would be really cool. Most of us could put ourselves on some of these lower level teams and realistically compete for playing time. __________________ For the best in O's news: Orioles' Hangout.com Last edited by CBL-Commish; 01-20-2006 at 09:22 AM.

01-20-2006, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
spleen1015 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 5,020 Thanked 85x in 50 posts	I thank you for this information. I went about gathering it myself, but it turned into a big hassle. Thanks! __________________ GM Indianapolis 500s- Classic Baseball Union

01-21-2006, 11:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
JPBBDB Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	Leagues Info - North America/United States (Independent) League: Northern League (NOR) Teams: 8 Structure: Two Divisions; East Division, West Division Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season. Regular Season: A 96 game season, with 58 intra-division games, and 48 inter-division games. Each team has 6 series versus each divisional opponent and 3 series versus every other opponent. Series are usually 3 games long, although they can be 4 games long. The season begins on the third Thursday in May, and lasts into early September. The first 48 games are the first-half; the second 48 games are the second-half. Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the First Round. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team. If a team wins both halves, a wild card team (the non-playoff bound team in the league based on winning percentage) will qualify; the fifth game would be played at the halves’ winner stadium. If there is a tie for the first half championship in a division, a one game playoff is usually played between those teams. After an off day the best-of-5 games Finals are played. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the Western team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the Eastern team; the format alternates yearly. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The all-star game is held on Tuesday. Tryouts/Draft: A tryout camp is held in early April, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded. Awards: Player of the Week, Pitcher of the Week, Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month, Post-Season All-Star Team, Organization of the Year, Executive of the Year, Manager of the Year, Best Playing Surface, League MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Relief Pitcher of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year Salaries: Salaries range from around $750 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around thirty thousand per month ($100000 per year). Teams: West Division Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Fargo, ND Newman Outdoor Field (4623) Winnipeg Goldeyes Winnipeg, MB CanWest Global Park (7482) Calgary Vipers Calgary, AB Foothills Stadium (8500) Edmonton Cracker-Cats Edmonton, AB Telus Field (9200) East Division Gary SouthShore Railcats Gary, IN U.S. Steel Yard (6139) Joliet Jackhammers Joliet, IL Silver Cross Field (4616) Schaumburg Flyers Schaumburg, IL Alexian Field (7048) Kansas City T-Bones Kansas City, KS CommunityAmerica Ballpark (5500) League: American Association (AA) Teams: 10 Structure: Two Divisions; North Division, South Division Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season. Regular Season: A 92 game season divided into two 46-game halves, with 70 intra-division games, and 22 inter-division games. Series are usually 3 games long, although they can be 4 games long. The season begins on the second Thursday in May, and lasts into late August. Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the First Round. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team. If a team wins both halves, a wild card team (the non-playoff bound team in the league based on winning percentage) will qualify; the fifth game would be played at the halves’ winner stadium. If there is a tie for the first half championship in a division, a one game playoff is usually played between those teams. After an off day the best-of-5 game League Championship is played, with home-field advantage given to the winner of a coin flip. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the losing team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the winning team. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The all-star game versus the Can-Am all-stars is held on Tuesday. The game is between the Can-Am League All-Stars and the American Association All-Stars. In 2006, the American Association will be the host. Tryouts/Draft: A tryout camp is held in early April, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded. Awards: Unknown Salaries: Salaries range from around $750 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around thirty thousand per month ($100000 per year). Teams: North Division Lincoln Saltdogs Lincoln, NE Haymarket Park (4500) Sioux City Explorers Sioux City, IA Lewis & Clark Park (3800) Sioux Falls Canaries Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls Stadium (4462) St. Joseph Blacksnakes St. Joseph, MO Phil Welch Stadium (3600) St. Paul Saints St. Paul, MN Midway Stadium (6069) South Division Coastal Bend Aviators Robstown, TX Aviators Stadium (4000) Fort Worth Cats Fort Worth, TX LaGrave Field (5100) Pensacola Pelicans Gulf Breeze, FL Pelican Park (2500) Shreveport Sports Shreveport, LA Fair Grounds Field (6200) El Paso Diablos El Paso, TX Cohen Stadium (10000) League: Canadian-American League (Can-Am) Teams: 8 Structure: One Divsion Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 22 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 5 must be rookies. The league uses the Limited Service Player Classification System. The remaining players will be designated limited service players; of those LS players, 1 must be an LS-1, and up to 4 may be LS-4. The roster limit during the pre-season is 28 players under contract without regard to classification. The 22-player roster must be met 3 days before the start of the regular season. Regular Season: A 92 game season. Each team has 13 games versus each opponent (7–6, or 6-7) plus an additional game versus a “rival” team. Series are usually 4 games long, although they can be 3 games long. The season begins on the 4th Tuesday in May, and lasts through early September. The first 46 games are the first-half; the second 46 games are the second-half. Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. Each half winner plus the two top teams (three if a team wins both halves) non-qualifying teams based on winning percentage reach the playoffs. The first half winner plays the fourth ranked team, and the second half winner (or second ranked team) plays the third ranked team. The first 2 games are at the half winner (or second ranked team), then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the qualifying team. After an off day the best-of-5 games Championship Series is played. The first 2 games are at the first round winner with the lowest winning percentage’s stadium, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the other team. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. The game is between the Can-Am League All-Stars and the American Association All-Stars. In 2006, the American Association will be the host. Tryouts/Draft:: A tryout camp is held in early May, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s first round is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, the second round is the reverse of the first. Draft picks may be traded. Awards: Batter of the Week, Pitcher of the Week, Player of the Month, Post-Season All-Star Team, Executive of the Year, Manager of the Year, Best Playing Field, Player of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year Salaries: The minimum salary is $750 per month (for rookies), but there is no salary maximum. It is paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around $87,500 per year. Teams: Sussex Skyhawks Augusta, NJ Skylands Park (4300) North Shore Spirit Lynn, MA Fraser Field (3754) Les Capitales de Québec Québec City, PQ Le Stade de Québec (4800) Worchester Tornados Worchester, MA Fitton Field (4000) Brockton Rox Brockton, MA Campanelli Stadium (4750) New Haven County Cutters New Haven, CT Yale Field (5000) New Jersey Jackals Little Falls, NJ Yogi Berra Stadium (3748) Nashua Pride Nashua, NH Holman Stadium (4375) League: Atlantic League (ATL) Teams: 8 Structure: Two Divisions; North Division, South Division Roster Restrictions: There is a 25-man roster limit during the season. There is no roster limit in the preseason, non-roster invitees may be play in spring training. Regular Season: A 126 game season, split into two 63 game halves. 18 games versus each opponent, 9 games are at home and 9 are away. The Road Warriors are a road team and never play at a home stadium. However, they are the “home team” for half of their games, and have “home stands” as if they had a stadium. Nearly all series are 3 games long. Most weekday games start at 6:35 PM or 7:05 PM, weekend games usually start at 1:35 PM. The regular season begins on the last Friday in April. Spring training is held before the season, with all teams playing at the Tigertown Complex in Lakeland, Florida. Players report to camp two weeks before the start of the season. A spring training schedule of around 7 games is played at the end of spring training. Few games are played on Monday, especially in May, August, and September. Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 3-game series against each other in the Divisional Series. If a team is the divisional champion in both halves, the non-playoff team with the best overall record will play against them as the second half “champion.” However, the third game, if necessary will be played at the Divisional Winner. The first game is at the second-half team, the remaining two games at the first-half team. The following day, the best-of-5 games Championship Series is started. In 2005, the first 2 games are at the South team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the North team; the format alternates yearly. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the second Tuesday in July. There is a Home Run Derby before the game on Wednesday. 25-man roster is announced a week before the game; starters are voted on by the fans, other players by general managers, field managers, and media personnel. Tryouts: There is a 3-day long Atlantic League tryout camp at the Tigertown Complex during in early February. Teams may hold open tryout camps in April, before the start of spring training. Only free agents may attend. Awards: Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Pitcher, Manager of the Year, GM of the Year, Grounds Keepers of the Year, Post-Season All-Star Team (POS, UT, DH, RHP, LHP, CL), Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month Salaries: The average salary is around $2000 per month, with an unofficial limit of $3000. Also, the contracts are paid only during the season (May-September) and are not guaranteed. The league has no salary cap. Teams: North Division Bridgeport Bluefish Bridgeport, CT Ballpark at Harbor Yard (5300) Long Island Ducks Central Islip, NY Citibank Park (6013) Newark Bears Newark, NJ Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium (6200) Road Warriors None Road Team South Division Atlantic City Surf Atlantic City, NJ The Sandcastle (5900) Camden Riversharks Camden, NJ Campbell's Field (6425) Somerset Patriots Bridgewater, NJ Commerce Bank Ballpark (6100) Lancaster Barnstormers Lancaster, PA Clipper Magazine Stadium (6500) A new Atlantic League team will begin play in 2007 based in Charles County, Maryland, replacing the Road Warriors. Somerset will likely move into the North Division with the Maryland team taking its place in the South. League: Frontier League (FL) Teams: 14 Structure: Two Divisions; East Division, West Division Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 24 players during the regular season. Of those 24 players, a maximum of 3 may be veterans and minimum of 10 must be rookies. The remaining players will be 1-Year or 2-Year Players; of these, up to 4 may be 2-Year, and up to 7 may be 1-Year. A year of service for a Frontier League player is 150 official plate appearances or more in a National Association or independent league or leagues, or 60 innings or more pitched in a National Association or independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. The roster definitions of players are Rookie, 1-Year, 2-Year, and Veteran. A Rookie is a player with less than one year of service, or under the age of 21, as of the season’s end. 1-Year is a player with less than two years of service. A 2-Year is a player with less than three years of service. A Veteran has over three years of service. Also, no player on the roster may be older than 27, as of opening day. Regular Season: A 96 game season, beginning on the fourth Wednesday in May and lasts until early September. Most series are 3 games long. Each team plays 48 intra-division games; 12 games versus each opponent (6 home, 6 away). Each team plays 48 inter-division games; 12 games versus three opponents (6 home, 6 away) and 6 versus two opponents (3 home, 3 away) Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The top two teams in each division play each other in the best-of-5 games Semifinals. Two days later, the best-of-5 games Championship Series is started. The first 2 games are at one site, followed by the remaining 3 games at the other team; home-field advantage is given to the winning division in the All-Star Game. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the second Tuesday in July. Tryouts/Draft: A two day tryout camp is held in early May, with a draft of attending players; the draft’s order is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings. The length of the draft is five rounds, or until every team passes. Draft picks may be traded. Individual teams may also hold tryout camps. Awards: Morgan Burkhart Award (Player), Brian Tollberg Award (Pitcher), Jason Simontacchi Award (Rookie), Roger Hanners Award (Manager), Fran Riordan Citizenship Award (Citizenship), Playoff MVP, Post-Season All-Star Team (POS, DH, SP, RP), Organization of the Year, Executive of the Year, Groundskeeper of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Umpire of the Year, Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Writer of the Year (One per Division), Newspaper of the Year (One per Division) Salaries: The minimum salary is $600 per month and the maximum salary is $1200 per month. Salaries range from around $800 to $3000 per month, and are paid only during the three-month season. Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of around $60000 for the entire season. Teams: East Division Chillicothe Paints Chillicothe, OH V.A. Memorial Stadium (4000) Traverse City Beach Bums Traverse City, MI Wuerfel Park (3518) Florence Freedom Florence, KY Champion Window Field (4500) Kalamazoo Kings Kalamazoo, MI Homer Stryker Field (4806) Washington Wild Things Washington, PA Falconi Field (3200) West Division Gateway Grizzlies Sauget, IL GMC Stadium (5500) Evansville Otters Evansville, IN Bosse Field (5181) River City Rascals O'Fallon, MO T.R. Hughes Ballpark (4989) Rockford RiverHawks Rockford, IL TBA (4000) Windy City ThunderBolts Crestwood, IL Hawkinson Ford Field (3400) League: Golden Baseball League (GBL) Teams: 6 Structure: One Division Roster Restrictions: There isa roster limit of 23 players, with an additional 2 players allowed on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 23 players, a maximum of 4 may be veterans and minimum of 6 must be rookies. The remaining players will be “experienced players.” A rookie must have less than 150 at bats or 25 innings or more pitched in a National Association or independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. A veteran is a player that is 28 years old or older, as of opening day. An experienced player is any player that is under the age of 28 and has any professional (National Association or independent league) experience. Each team is allowed two coaches and a trainer in addition to the manager. Player/coaches are allowed and do not count against veteran limit but are included in roster limit. The roster limit during the pre-season is 29 players under contract without regard to classification. The 24-player roster must be met before the start of the regular season. Disabled List: No more than two players can be on a team's DL at any time. DL is seven day minimum and 15 day maximum. Players may be activated anytime after 7 days through day 15. DL placement may be retroactive to last day player appeared in a game. Players on DL do not count against monthly Salary Cap. Waiver Wire: Any player to be released must first clear the 2 Day waiver process. If multiple teams are interested in a player, team with the worst record on that date receives priority. Replacement players may be added as soon as a player is placed on waivers. Players on Waivers do not have their salary count against monthly Salary Cap. Roster Move Cap: Each team may make 16 roster moves at their discretion during the year to improve their team. A Move is not counted against a team's Cap for the following reasons: Retirements, Season-ending injuries, Acquisition of a Player by Major League Baseball or a foreign professional league. Regular Season: An 80 game season, beginning on the first Thursday in June and lasting until the end of August. Most series are 3 games long. Each team plays 16 games versus each opponent (8-8). The first 40 games are the first-half; the second 40 games are the second-half. No designated hitter rule. Postseason: The post-season begins 2 days after the end of the regular season. The best teams in each half from both divisions play a 5-game series against each other in the Championship Series. The first 2 games are at the first-half team, then an off day, followed by the remaining 3 games at the second-half team. All-Star Game: The 3-day long All-Star festivities begin on the third Monday in July. Tryouts/Draft: A two-day tryout camp is held in mid-December, with a draft of attending players on the second day after scrimmages; the draft’s order is in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings. Draft picks may be traded. Awards: Player of the Month, Pitcher of the Month, Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year Salaries: Salaries range from around $700 to $3000 per month with an average of $1150, and are paid only during the season (May-September). Also, these contracts are not guaranteed. The league has a salary cap of $27,600 per month. Teams: Chico Outlaws Chico, CA Nettleton Stadium (4200) Fullerton Flyers Fullerton, CA Goodwin Field (3500) Long Beach Armada Long Beach, CA Blair Field (3238) San Diego Surf Dawgs San Diego, CA Tony Gwynn Stadium (3000) Yuma Scorpions Yuma, AZ Desert Sun Stadium (10500) Reno Silver Sox Reno, NV Peccole Park (3000) League: United League Baseball (UL) Teams: 6 Structure: One division Roster Restrictions: ? Unknown ? Regular Season: The league plays a 90 game regular season, with each team playing 18 games versus each opponent (9, home; 9, away). Series are three games in length. Postseason: The league uses a two round playoff system. The first round is best-of-three and begins on the Friday after the end of the regular season. The second round is best-of-five and begins the day after the first round ends. All-Star Game: There is an all-star game held on the second Wednesday in July. The day prior to and after the game are off-days. Tryouts: A three-day tryout camp is held in early April. Individual teams may also hold tryout camps. Tryouts are open to all players 18 years and older who have finished their college eligibility or have been released from professional contracts. Awards: ? Unknown ? Salaries: There is no salary cap. Teams: Alexandria Aces Alexandria, LA Bringhurst Field (3200) Amarillo Dillas Amarillo, TX Potter County Memorial Stadium (7500) Edinburg Coyotes Edinburg, TX Edinburg Baseball Stadium (5500) Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings Harlingen, TX Harlingen Field (4500) Laredo Broncos Laredo, TX Veteran's Field (3200) San Angelo Colts San Angelo, TX Foster Field (4044) Limited Service Player Classification System Year of Service: A year of service for a league player is 75 official at bats or more in a National Association or independent league or leagues, or 30 innings or more pitched in a National Association or Independent league or leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. For Independent League seasons (except Atlantic League), the first two years of service equals one National Association year. For Rookie affiliated leagues, the first two years of service equals one National Association year. For foreign players, the classification and salary level will be determined by the league office. Classes Rookie: A player with less than one year of service. LS-1: A player with less than two years of service. LS-2: A player with less than three years of service. LS-3: A player with less than four years of service. LS-4: A player with less than five years of service. LS-5: A player with less than six years of service. A LS-5 is one of the four LS-4s that has become a veteran by spending 2 years in the league. A player may spend only one year as an LS-5 and the age rule does not apply. Veteran: A player with six or more years of service. If a player has five or more years of service but has not reached the age of 26 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-4. If he has not reached the age of 24 by September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-3. __________________ Last edited by JPBBDB; 04-19-2006 at 01:54 PM. Reason: update

01-20-2006, 12:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
RMc Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 462 Thanked 14x in 9 posts	You might want to check out my "Spanning the globe..." thread, where I'm trying to thrash out power ratings for national baseball teams...clumsily, at best.

01-22-2006, 09:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
struggles_mightily Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195 Thanked 10x in 6 posts	Thought I'd chip in. League: Australian Claxton Shield (ACS?) Teams: 6 Structure: 1 six-team division. Roster Restrictions: There is a roster limit of twenty-one players. All players represent their home state, the state in which they were born. Unsure about any other restrictions, but there are none to my knowledge. Regular season: A five-game schedule, with each team playing each other team once. Games between the 21st and 25th of January, with three games being played on each day (i.e. each team plays each day). Games are at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 7:30pm with the exception of the opening day's first game, which begins at 2:00pm. Postseason: After a rest day on the 26th of January (Australia Day, a national holiday) the semi-finals are played on the 27th. The first semi-final matches the second and third-placed teams, and begins at 3:00pm. The second starts at 7:30pm and pits the regular season winners against the fourth-placed team. The winners of these two games meet in the final on the next day, which is played at 7:30pm. The winner of the game is crowned Claxton Shield champion. All-Star Game: None. Tryouts / draft: The selection process for state teams begins around October, at the beginning of summer. There are numerous training camps, exhibition games and trials held during this period. No need for a draft, as players can only play for their 'home' team. Awards: There are no awards selected for the Claxton Shield alone, but the BADAs (Baseball Australia Diamond Awards) are awarded on the rest day, Australia Day (26th Jan). Some relevant categories would be Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. No specific pitching / hitting award, and no Rookie equivalent (YPotY is based on age, under 21s may receive the award). Performances for state and club teams throughout the previous year are considered, not just the Claxton. This may have to be modified for OOTP, though. Salaries: Unsure. With the tournament being only 7 games long, I imagine fees would be very small, though I have no concrete data. Teams: Australian Provincials Narrabundah, ACT New South Wales Patriots Sydney, NSW Queensland Rams Brisbane, QNS South Australia Adelaide, SA Victoria Aces Melbourne, VIC Western Australia Heelers Perth, WA Note: I am unsure about what 'Australian Provincial' means. It makes no direct reference to a state or territory as do the other six teams. My best guess is that it combines all the other territories (ACT, Northern Territory, Jarvis Bay, Tasmania, outlying islands) into one team. This is supported by the team's logo, which is an image of Australia as a whole. This seems to make sense, but I'm not certain. Venues: Venues for the tournament are not 'home / visitor', various venues are used interchangably. The premier venue is Blacktown Olympic Park - two regular season games are held there each day (the two later games), as well as both semi-finals and the final. Here is the info for the venues: Blacktown Olympic Park Sydney, NSW. 1200 capacity (all seated) Left Field: 321ft, Right Field 321ft, Centre Field 400ft. 8ft fences on all sides. Open ballpark, grass surface. Note: Blacktown Olympic Park is actually a complex holding three fields of identical sizes. It may be better to split them down into 'BOP I, BOP II' etc, so that the earlier and later games can be played at different venues. All other venues hold one regular season game. Narrabundah Baseball Complex Narrabundah, ACT. Open ballpark, unsure surface. Note: NBC is a complex housing three diamonds, the first of which is the one used for the Claxton, the other two are for lesser events, and feature portable fences so as to be ready for various standards of baseball. Fred Finch Park Berkeley, NSW. Open ballpark, grass surface. Gilchrist Oval Campbelltown, NSW. Open ballpark, grass surface. Baulkham Hills Baulkham Hills, NSW. Open ballpark, grass surface. Aquatic Reserve Manly, VIC. Open ballpark, grass surface. Dimensions and capacities for most second-tier grounds difficult to get. If anyone can fill the blanks there, I'd appreciate it. I have full roster information and logos, as well, which could come in handy.

01-22-2006, 03:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hageneezz Major Leagues Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Hague,Netherlands Posts: 394	Here some info on the Dutch League: League name: Hoofdklasse (Premier League) Location: The Netherlands Teams: 8 Structure: 1 division of 8 teams Roster Restrictions: I could not find anything on restrictions at the official Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association. Regular Season: Every team plays a 42 game schedule,and meets each other team 6 times. The regular season starts on Saturday 4/15/2006. Almost all games start at 14:00,other times are 19:30 and 19:45 Postseason: After the regular season,the number one team will play the number four team and the number three team will play the number two team,in a best of five series. The two winners will play in the Championship,(the Holland Series) in a best of five series. Promotion/Relegation: The number 8 in the Hoofdklasse plays in a best of five series against the champions of the Eerste Klasse (2nd League) for a place in the Hoofdklasse. All Star Game: None Awards: Best Batter,Best Pitcher,Homerun King,Most Valuable Player,Guus van der Heijden Memorial Trophy (Best under 23 international),Roel de Mon Award(Best Rookie pitcher),Ron Fraser Award(Best rookie player),Coach of the Year. Salaries: Unsure,but i cannot imagine them being very big. Teams: A note on the names:most teams use the name of their sponsor in ther clubname,like Instant Holland Almere 90(Instant Holland is sponsor) ADO (from The Hague) Amsterdam Pirates (Amsterdam) Corendon Kinheim (Haarlem) DOOR Neptunus (Rotterdam) Instant Holland Almere 90 (Almere) Konica Minolta Pioniers (Hoofddorp) Mr. Cocker HCAW (Bussum) Sparta/Feyenoord (Rotterdam) Teamnames without sponsor: ADO Amsterdam Pirates HC Kinheim SC Neptunus BSC Almere 90 SV Hoofddorp Pioniers HCAW Sparta-Feyenoord Venues: ADO (Leen Volkerijk Stadion) Amsterdam Pirates (Sportpark Ookmeer) Corendon Kinheim (Gemeentelijk Sportpark) DOOR Neptunus (Neptunus Familie Stadion) Instant Holland Almere 90 (Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark) Konica Minolta Pioniers (Sportpark Toolenburg) Mr. Cocker HCAW (Sportvallei) Sparta/Feyenoord (Sportpark Beverwaard)

01-22-2006, 04:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
struggles_mightily Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195 Thanked 10x in 6 posts	China this time. China Baseball League (CBL) Teams: 6 (not 4 as the OP stated, the league is expanding to 6 in 2006). Structure: One six-team division. Player restrictions: 20-player roster limit. Only three foreign players allowed on the roster, two on the field at any one time (although doubt this could be recreated in OOTP). Regular Season: Thirty-game schedule, with each team playing each other team six times - one home and one road series of three games. The season runs from April 1st to June 26th. The scheduling takes the format of three three game series running concurrently, followed by four rest days. For example, Guangdong might play a three game series in Beijing from the 1st to the 3rd, then the teams rest from the 4th-7th, and then Gunagdong might host Sichuan. Postseason: The top two teams play off in a five game series. The first two games are on July the 2nd and 3rd, and are hosted by the second-placed team. The final three games take place between the 8th and 10th, at the venue of the winning team. All-Star Game: There is an all-star game of sorts, which sees the previous year's champions take on a team which combines the best players from all other teams. The game takes place on May 8th, at the league's halfway point. The break as a whole lasts from the 2nd of May to the 26th. Tryouts / Draft: I am unsure about this. Searches suggest there have been drafts in the past, for example at the league's initiation and when lower-league talent was subsumed by the CBL. For this reason, I would suggest there is a draft, but I'm not sure. Awards: There is an MVP and a Finals MVP. I'm sure there are more, but these are all I know of. Salaries: Players generally make between $600 and $1000 per month. Teams: Beijing Tigers Guangdong Leopards Hope Stars Note: The Hope Stars are a team of under-21s from around the country. They are based in Beijing. Sichuan Dragons Shanghai Eagles Tianjin Lions Venues: Beijing Tigers - Beijing Fentai Stadium Hope Stars - Beijing Fentai Stadium Guangdong Leopards - Guangdong Tianhi Stadium (2000 capacity) Shanghai Eagles - Shanghai Sports Stadium (1000 capacity) Sichuan Dragons - Chengdu Jinniu Stadium (1400 capacity) Tianjin Lions - Tianjin Dodgers Stadium Note: Despite the groundshare between the Hope Stars and Tigers, they are regularly playing at home at the same time, but one later in the day than the other. It's quite rare in the CBL that two games are being played at the same time. Sadly, ballpark info is pretty scant. I'd guess that the Fengtai has one of the biggest capacities (2-3k at a guess) because Beijing is obviously the biggest market, and the team are the NYY of the CBL. Tianjin would perhaps be an average sort of size (1-2k). Any more concrete info on this is, of course, welcome.

01-22-2006, 07:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
JPBBDB Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	Cuban League Stadiums Source Code: Stadium (Teams) LF CF RF Capacity Estadio Capitán San Luis (Pinar del Río) 325 400 325 15000 Estadio Cristóbal Labra (Isla de la Juventud) 320 390 310 5000 Estadio Victoria de Girón (Matanzas) 325 400 325 35000 Estadio Nelson Fernández (La Habana) 325 410 325 8000 Estadio José Antonio Huelga (Sancti Spíritus) 325 400 325 15000 Estadio Cinco de Septiembre (Cienfuegos) 325 400 325 35000 Estadio Augusto César Sandino (Villa Clara) 325 400 325 20000 Estadio José Ramón Cepero (Ciego de Ávila) 325 400 325 13000 Estadio Julio Antonio Mella (Las Tunas) 325 370 325 13000 Estadio Cándido González (Camagüey) 346 405 346 15000 Estadio Guillermón Moncada (Santiago de Cuba) 330 405 330 20000 Estadio Calixto García Íñiguez (Holguín) 325 400 325 30000 Estadio Nguyen Van Troi (Guantánamo) 320 400 320 14000 Estadio Mártires de Barbados (Granma) 325 405 325 10000 Estadio Latinoamericano (Metropolitanos, Industriales) 325 400 325 55000 Names with Translations Camaguey Ceramists - Los Alfareros de Camaguey Ciego de Avila Tigers - Los Tigres de Ciego de Avila Cienfuegos Shrimp - Los Camaroneros de Cienfuegos Granma Sorrels - Los Alazanes de Gramma Guantanamo Indians - Los Indios de Guantanamo Havana Cowboys - Los Vaqueros de la Habana Industriales Lions - Los Leones de Industriales Holguin Hounds - Los Sabuesos de Holguin Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers - Los Toronjeros de la Isla de La Juventud Las Tunas Magicians - Los Magos de las Tunas Mantazas Crocodiles - Los Cocodrilos de Matanza Metropolitan Warriors - Los Guerreros Metropolitanos Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers - Los Vegueros de Pinar del Rio Sancti Spiritus Roosters - Los Gallos de Santi Spiritus Santiago de Cuba Wasps - Las Avispas de Santiago de Cuba Villa Clara Orange Growers - Los Naranjas de Villa Clara __________________

01-22-2006, 09:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
Le Grande Orange Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Scheduleslovakia Posts: 9,840 Thanked 1,010x in 586 posts	A few corrections about the Cuban National League, at least according to the information I have which is correct up through the 2004-05 season. The league is divided into two zones of eight teams each, the Occidental and Oriental Zones. Each zone is divided into two groups of four teams; Group A and B are in the Occidental Zone, and Groups C and D are in the Oriental Zone. (Zones are essentially the same thing as conferences and groups are essentially the same thing as divisions.) The playoffs in each zone consist of the first place finisher of each group plus two wildcard teams, for a total of four playoff qualifiers in each zone. The group winners are seeded #1-#2 and the wildcard teams are seeded #3-#4. The first round pits #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. The winners of the first round meet to determine the zone champion, and then the champions of each zone then meet for the league title. __________________ . "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our abilities and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win." . Last edited by Le Grande Orange; 01-23-2006 at 01:38 AM.

01-23-2006, 05:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
struggles_mightily Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195 Thanked 10x in 6 posts	Thanks for the corrections LGO, I edited in your explanation of the playoffs structure, as it was far better than mine. Here's a useful, well-maintained thread about the Cuban League, from a Cuban baseball fan. It helped my research quite a bit and is updated with league leaders and standings etc, which could be useful when it comes to rate players. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=36389 I tried starting the Dominican Summer Leagues, but found it pretty difficult. Their website has an English version, but bits are missing here and there. The winter league should be quite a bit easier, and I'll start that soon.

01-23-2006, 07:44 AM	#16 (permalink)
struggles_mightily Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195 Thanked 10x in 6 posts	Here we go. Dominican Winter League (DWL) Teams: 6 Structure: One six-team division. Roster Restrictions: Don't seem to be any, team pages just make long lists of players, with no obvious restrictions. Regular Season: Fifty game schedule, each team plays each other ten times. It begins on the nineteenth of October and ends on the 22nd of December. Postseason: The top four advance to a further round robin of eighteen games (6 against each other, two three game series). The top two from this round robin go to a nine-game championship series. A difficult format to recreate on OOTP, that one. Allstar Game: There is an allstar game (and break) which comes forty games into the season. The break begins on the 10th of December, with the game itself on the 12th. The game actually matches the Dominican Winter League all-stars against the best players from the Puerto Rican Winter League. Again, not very OOTP-friendly, unless we consider these two sub-leagues of a general Winter League. There is also a Home Run derby, with three players from each team taking part (this is on the same day as the game). The ASG has an MVP. Tryouts / Draft: Each year there is a rookie draft. As there is no free agency, plenty of players remain on the same team for life. So all DR MLB players have an assigned Winter League team if they should choose to come over and play, as this is decided in their youth. If they come back to DR after a long break, they still play with the team they were originally assigned to (excepting if they are traded or released of course) Note: Many MLB players from the DR do not play the whole Winter League season even if they do play. They often play only from mid-November onwards. Awards: MVP, Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Pitcher of the Year. All awards have official (league-awarded) versions, and 'Dominican First', highly-regarded but unofficial, awards which can only be awarded to DR-born players. Salaries: INFORMATION REQUIRED Teams: Cibao Eagles Santiago, DR Cibao Giants San Francisco de Macoris, DR Eastern Bulls La Romana, DR Eastern Stars San Pedro de Macoris, DR Escogido Lions Santo Domingo, DR Licey Tigers Santo Domingo, DR Venues: Cibao Eagles - Estadio Cibao (Capacity - 18,000, Dimensions - 335ft to left and right, 385 to centre) Cibao Giants - Estadio Julian Javier (Capacity - 12,000) Eastern Bulls - Estadio Francisco Michelli (Capacity - 12,000) Eastern Stars - Estadio Tetelo Vargas (Capacity - 11,000, Dimensions - 330 to left and right, 385 to centre) Escogido Lions and Licey Tigers - Estadio Quisqueya (Capacity 15,000- 335 to left and right, 411 to centre) All open ballparks, natural grass. So, info on salaries would be great, as would the dimensions for the Michelli and the Javier. Roster restrictions are also uncertain, I have a vague feeling their may be a foreign player limit. It's also a little hard to believe that they have no general limit whatsoever.

01-23-2006, 12:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
datrain021 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 55	He said the summer league (R), not the winter league

01-23-2006, 01:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
struggles_mightily Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 195 Thanked 10x in 6 posts	Right, here's what I could find out about Germany. It's probably been the hardest so far, so there are a few blanks. Most importantly, information about the draft (if any) and salaries would be excellent. There are a few ballpark-related holes to fill as well. German 1. Bundesliga (G1B) Teams: 16 Structure: 16 teams are divided into two divisions, a North and South. Promotion / Relegation: The bottom team in the South plays off with the winner of 2.Bundesliga South, and the same for the North. If the 2.Bundesliga team wins, they are promoted, and the losers relegated. This is a a three-game playoff. Roster Restrictions: It seems teams have twenty-man rosters, unsure of any others. Regular Season: 28 game schedule, each team plays each other four times, with no interdivisional matches. The games are in series of two, one home and one on the road against each other team. The season starts on the first of April and runs until the fifth of August. Postseason: The top four teams from each division qualify for the playoffs. The format is as follows, where S= South, N=North and the number is the finishing position of the team in the regular season: Quarter Finals: Series 1: N1 vs. S4 Series 2: N2 vs. S3 Series 3: N3 vs. S2 Series 4: N4 vs. S1 Semi Finals: Series 1 Winner vs. Series 3 Winner Series 2 Winner vs. Series 4 Winner Final All series are five games long. All Star Game: South Allstars play the North Allstars. Unsure of the date. Tryouts / Draft: INFORMATION REQUIRED Awards: There are awards for the best hitter, best pitcher and MVP in both divisions. However, these are unofficial, but are awarded by reliable sources (www.baseball-softball.de). Salaries: INFORMATION REQUIRED Teams: North Bennigsen Beavers Bennigsen Bonn Capitals Bonn Cologne Cardinals Cologne Lokstedt Stealers Lokstedt Neunkirchen Nightmares Neunkirchen Paderborn Untouchables Paderborn Solingen Alligators Solingen Wuppertal Stingrays Wuppertal South Furth Pirates Furth Gauting Indians Gauting Heidenheim Heidekopfe (Heathheads) Heidenheim Mainz Athletics Mainz Mannheim Tornados Mannheim Regensburg Legionare (Legionaires) Regensburg Saarlouis Hornets Saarlouis Tubingen Hawks Tubingen Venues: Bennigsen Beavers - Note: Hoping to build a new park, after their last was levelled. Not sure. Bonn Capitals - Rheinaue Stadion Cologne Cardinals - Müngersdorfer Stadion Lokstedt Stealers - Hamburger Baseball Park (Capacity - 1,000, Dimensions - 320ft to left and right, 390 to centre) Neunkirchen Nightmares - Nightmares Ballpark Paderborn Untouchables - Ahorn Ballpark (Capacity - 1,200, Dimensions - 315ft to left and right, 375 to centre) Solingen Alligators - Baseballpark Weyersberg (Capacity - 250 seated, Dimensions - 320ft to right and left, 375 to centre) Wuppertal Stingrays Furth Pirates - Pirates Field (Capacity - 500) Gauting Indians - Wurmtal Baseball Park (Capacity - 200, Dimensions - 325 to left, 320 to right, 390 to centre) Heidenheim Heidekopfe (Heathheads) - New Heidekopfe Ballpark (Capacity - 2000, Dimensions - 320ft to left and right, 375 to centre) Mainz Athletics - Sandflora Stadion (Capacity - 1,400 incl. 1000 seated, Dimensions - ?) Mannheim Tornados - Roberto Clemente Field Regensburg Legionare (Legionaires) - Armin Wolf Arena (Capacity 3100, incl. 1100 seated, Dimensions - 365ft to right and left, 394 to centre). Saarlouis Hornets - Neuer Platz (Capacity - ?, Dimensions - 325 to left, 350 to right, 375 to centre). Tubingen Hawks - Franzosensportplatz Note: The smallest capacities include only seated fans, so would probably be somewhat higher if standing fans were factored in. Another Note: In Germany, games are often only seven-innings it seems. However, to my knowledge, this can't be recreated on OOTP. So, the capacity of Saarlouis' ground, the dimensions for Mainz and Furth, and any info on Bennigsen, Cologne, Neunkirchen, Wuppertal, Mannheim and Tubingen would be great. Also note that I haven't bothered with any umlauts here.

01-23-2006, 07:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
JPBBDB Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	Leagues Info - Japan League: Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Teams: 12 Structure: Two divisions; Central League and the Pacific League Roster Restrictions: There are four rosters for each club. The organizational roster of all players under contract is limited to 70 players; the roster includes bullpen catchers and batting practice pitchers. The first team (ichi-gun) has a limit of 40 players. These are the players who may be called-up to play in a NPB game. Players may only be added or removed from the first team roster on a few specified dates throughout the season or in order to make room for a new player joining the organization. The first team bench is made up of 28 players; these are the players that are allowed to play in a NPB game. This squad can be changed daily (i.e. yesterday's starting pitcher is taken off so another pitcher may be added). All other players not of the first team bench can only play in farm league (ni-gun) games. Players who are sent to the second team cannot be re-activated for ten days. The final roster of 25 players from the 28-man first team bench roster may play in a given game. There is no disabled list, waivers, minor league options, etc. Foreigners: A team may have any number of foreign players on its organizational roster, but there is a four-player limit on the game-day bench roster (25-man). Of these four there at least one position player, and one pitcher. Also, only three may be on the field at one time, if one is the pitcher. A player is considered to play the position that he enters the game in (i.e. a pitcher that enters the game as a shortstop is a position player). June 30th is the deadline for signing foreign players. Non-Japanese born players may be considered Japanese by: Become a naturalized Japanese citizen; Live in Japan for five or more years, and attend three or more years of a Japanese junior high school, high school, or vocational/community college; Live in Japan for four or more years, and attend a Japanese 4-year college for four continuous years; Live in Japan for five or more years, and play for an industrial league team for three or more of years; Attain NPB free agency eligibility; Live in Japan for four years and join a team via the draft. Spring Training: The exhibition season in the NPB, or open-sen, takes place during February and March. All of the teams train in the southern part of the Japanese archipelago, although the Yakult Swallows used to train in Arizona. The teams move north as the weather improves. Regular Season: 136 game season in the PL, and a 146 game season in the CL. There are 20 (PL)/22 (CL) games against each team in the league. There is also interleague play. All of the inter-league games are played in a single slate, in 2005 it was from May 6 to June 16. Each team will play six games (6G-3H/3A) versus each inter-league opponent, for a total of 36 games. The CL season begins on the last Saturday in March if the date is the 27th or later, if it is not then the season begins on the first Saturday in April. The PL begins a week earlier. There are usually no games on Mondays. Each team usually plays at least a half dozen “home games” at a stadium other than their primary stadium. The season usually ends by mid-October. Extra-inning games are limited to 12 innings, after which a draw is announced. Weekday games are held at 6:00 PM, weekend games are usually at 2:00 PM, unless in Tokyo where they are at 6:00 PM. Postseason: The Nippon Series is a best-of-seven game series between the winners of the Pacific League and Central League pennants. It begins on the first Saturday after the end of the PL Playoffs. The first two games are played at the stadium of the team with holds the home field advantage. After a Monday travel day, the next three games are played at the other team’s stadium. The final two games are played at the first stadium. The home field advantage is rotated on a yearly basis. In 2005, the Pacific League had home-field advantage (Games 1, 2, 6, 7). A typical Nippon Series schedule is SAT-SUN-OFF-TUE-WED-THU-OFF-SAT-SUN. Pacific League Playoffs: The Pacific League uses a two-stage playoff system. Placing is based on winning percentage. The top three teams advance to the playoffs, with the first place team receiving a first stage bye. The second and third place teams play a best-of-three series and the second place team's stadium. The winner then plays a best-of-five game series versus the first place team, with all games being played at the first-place team's stadium. If the first stage winner was more than 5 games-behind the first place team at the end of the regular season, it starts with an automatic loss. The 2005 Pacific League Playoffs first stage will begin on October 8th, and the second stage will begin on October 12th. All-Star Game: The All-Star Game Series is a set of two, sometimes three, games at different stadiums in July. It is usually held on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in July, with Thursday as rainout date. Fans vote for a player at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, three outfielders, a staring pitcher, a relief pitcher, a closer, and, in the Pacific League, a designated hitter. The managers, who faced in last year's Nippon Series, then choose the players to fill out the 30-man rosters. A common setup would be 14 pitchers, 3 catchers, 7 infielders, and 6 outfielders. The rosters are finalized by the beginning of July. Also, different players may play each game. It is usually held on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in July. There is one game at a stadium of each league; games may also be held at a "neutral site". Tryouts: Clubs may hold tryouts. Draft: A two stage draft of high school players in early October; university/industrial league players in mid-November (after the Nippon Series). There are more complex rules regarding skipping rounds, free selections, etc. - it changed this year (2006) so I have not gotten around to writing about it, they are also unable to be implemented in the game. More Info, NPB (Japanese) Awards: There are the annual “Best Nine Awards,” which are given to the best player at each position for each league as voted on by experts. There are Gold Gloves, the MVP and the Rookie of the Year Award. The Sawamura Award, is given to the best starting pitcher. However both the Sawamura Award and the Rookie of the Year Award may not be given out, if no player is worthy. Salaries: The top earners are usually foreigners, who make millions USD. The top salary is around 7-oku yen for foreigners, and a half-billion for Japanese players. The minimum yearly salary for a player is 440-man yen. In 2004, the average player salary was about 3800-man yen. However, the Central League average was 4300-man yen, while the Pacific League had an average of 3300-man yen. The highest salary in NPB history was about 7-oku yen. Nearly 60% of players earn under 2000-man yen, and 10% of players earned over 1-oku yen. Contracts: Player contracts are generally no more than three years long; most players are resigned or released each year. Foreign players usually have among the highest salaries; however they are expected to contribute immediately. After a poor season it is common for a player to take a pay cut; in the case of foreign players, to be released. Free Agency: Japanese players qualify for free agency after 9 years of service, at 145 days per year of service, at any level. A NPB club that signs a NPB free agent must give the player's former team 120% of his previous year’s salary. Posting System: The posting system was created to allow NPB clubs to receive compensation for players who go to the Major Leagues. A player may be posted from November 1st to March 1st. For a player to be posted, both the team and player must agree on the posting. After this agreement is reached, Major League teams have four days bid for the right to negotiate a contract with the player. Farm Teams (Minor League): Each of the twelve teams has one farm team, or ni-gun. These teams play in the Eastern and Western Leagues. The farm teams are located near the parent team due to the NPB’s roster rules. Most teams share their first team’s names followed by ni-gun name, however to avoid confusion the teams are also referred to by the city in which they play. However, there are three teams that have sold the naming rights to their farm team. Continental Qualifiers: The Nippon Series winner plays in the year’s Asia Series. Teams: Central League Chunichi Dragons Founded in 1936; 6 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series Play at Nagoya Dome (Nagoya, Aichi) Owned by Chunichi, a newspaper Hanshin Tigers Founded in 1936; 5 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series Play at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya, Hyogo) Owned by Hanshin Electric Railway, a railroad Hiroshima Toyo Carp Founded in 1950; 6 League Titles; 3 Nippon Series Play at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium (Hiroshima, Hiroshima) Owned by Toyo, a tire manufacturer, and the city of Hiroshima Tokyo Yakult Swallows Founded in 1950; 6 League Titles; 5 Nippon Series Play at Meiji-Jingu Stadium (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) Owned by Yakult, a yogurt and drinks company Yokohama BayStars Founded in 1950; 2 League Titles; 2 Nippon Series Play at Yokohama Stadium (Yokohama, Kanagawa) Owned by the Tokyo Broadcasting System, a media conglomerate Yomiuri Giants Founded in 1936; 30 League Titles, 20 Nippon Series Play at the Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo) Owned by Yomiuri, a media conglomerate Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines Founded in 1950; 5 League Titles; 3 Nippon Series Play at Chiba Marine Stadium (Chiba, Chiba) Owned by Lotte, a food conglomerate Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Founded in 1938; 15 League Titles; 4 Nippon Series Play at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome (Fukuoka, Fukuoka) Owned by Softbank, an internet company Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Founded in 1946; 2 League Titles; 1 Nippon Series Play at the Sapporo Dome (Sapporo, Hokkaido) Owned by Nippon Ham, a meat products company Orix Buffaloes Founded in 1936 (BW)/1950 (BUF); 11/4 League Titles; 3/0 Nippon Series Play at Skymark Stadium (Kobe), and the Osaka Dome (Osaka) Owned by Orix, a financial services company Seibu Lions Founded in 1950; 20 League Titles; 12 Nippon Series Play at the Seibu Dome (Tokorozawa, Saitama) Owned by Seibu , a railroad and real estate company Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Founded in 2005; 0 League Titles; 0 Nippon Series Play at Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (Sendai, Miyagi) Owned by Rakuten, a internet retailer Nippon Professional Baseball – Farm Leagues Teams: 12 League Structure: Two divisions; the Eastern League and the Western League Roster Restrictions: Each team is affiliated with an NPB team. All players not on that team’s 28-man first team bench roster may play in a league game. Regular Season: There is a 96 game season in the EL, and an 88 game season in the WL. The WL has 21 to 22 games versus each league opponent, while the EL has 15 to 16 games versus each league opponent. There is limited inter-league play (6 games in 2006). The both leagues begin their seasons on the last Saturday in March. There are usually no games on Mondays. Extra-inning games are limited to 12 innings, after which a draw is announced. Games are usually held at 2:00 PM. Playoffs: The “Farm Championship” is a single game between the winners of the Eastern League and Western League pennants. It is on the second Saturday in October. The game is play at a “neutral” stadium. The Eastern League is the home team in odd-numbered years, the Western League in even-numbered years. Continental Qualifiers: None All-Star Game: The Junior All-Star Game is usually held on the third Tuesday in July. An MVP is awarded. Awards: There are no awards given. Teams: Eastern League Chiba Lotte Marines (Marines) Lotte Urawa Kyujo - Saitama, Saitama Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Fighters) Fighters Stadium - Kamagaya, Chiba Seibu Lions (Lions) Seibu Dai-2 Kyujo - Tokorozawa, Saitama Shonan Searex (BayStars) Yokosuka Stadium - Yokosuka, Kanagawa Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Golden Eagles) Yamagata-ken Yakyujo - Higashi-Murayama, Yamagata Yakult Swallows (Swallows) Yakult Toda Kyujo - Toda, Saitama Yomiuri Giants (Giants) Yomiuri Giants Kyujo - Kawasaki, Kanagawa Western League Chunichi Dragons (Dragons) Nagoya Kyujo - Nagoya, Aichi Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Hawks) Gannosu Kyujo - Fukuoka, Fukuoka Hanshin Tigers (Tigers) Hanshin Naruohama Kyujo - Nishinomiya, Hyogo Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Carp) Yuu Rensyujo - Kua, Yamaguchi Surpass Kobe (Buffaloes) Ajisai Stadium Kobe - Kobe, Hyogo __________________ Last edited by JPBBDB; 02-13-2006 at 08:45 PM. Reason: Added farm leagues

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