I get called fairly often by GMs looking for subs. Partly because there aren't many old guys who want to sub as a catcher. Partly because I generally say yes when asked to sub. But mostly because the five or six guys who the GMs called before they called me said no. Maybe we should offer those first 5 or 6 players some motivation to play as a sub. We can't change the rules mid-season and I am not proposing that. However, I am planting this idea for the offseason conversation.
For every game that a player plays as a sub, he be credited a half game towards his playoff eligibility within that division.
Why do I bring this up now? I was added to the roster of the 62+ Americans after the start of the season. By season end, I will have played six games for the Americans: one short of playoff eligibility. I have subbed for the 62+ Yankees three times. (I have also subbed for the 55+ Yankees and the 45+ Black Bears) Today I was asked to sub for another 62+ team and I see that the Pirates need players. If I sub again, I will have played in at least 10 games in the division - 3 games above the eligibility standard. Yet, by rule, I will not be eligible for the playoffs.
I will say out loud that I would be more willing to help the teams that need a sub if it would count towards my playoff eligibility.
As an ex-manager, I am no longer able to vote on division-wide matters, but I agree with Don.
Someone who extends himself to play for one, two or more teams should get credit for that. Once his total game number hits the playoff eligible number, now, seven, then he's should be allowed in the postseason.
I'd also suggest his service allows him to choose which team he would join in the playoffs.
Finally, I'd recommend that Don - and any other subs who are eligible be allowed to play this year.
It's a good idea, so why wait on it? The 62 board or the league board could do an online vote.
As for Don's subbing, praise for his play will be found in the Americans' writeup here.
Don brings up a good point. I agree that a sub should get some type of recognition for helping a team avoid a possible forfeit, and a 1/2 game eligibility credit does not seem unreasonable. The sub should also commit to one team, as Don has done with the Americans. And what are we talking about in this particular situation? One game, so that he becomes playoff eligible. In the past, Ive had some players show up to the field ready to play, and the game is rained out, or a youth team is using the field, and the player does not receive game credit. There wasnt an opportunity for that player to regain that lost game. With two weeks left in the regular season, I would ask that the 62+ managers, the CDMSBL Board, and its President to make this proposal a reality.
I dont see the value of allowing a player who cannot make it to 50% of their own teams games eligible for the playoffs. We have loose enough restrictions as it is (allowing players credit for a game played even if they dont actually play in the game). This opens the door for teams to bring in players from other leagues and get credit for games played so they can qualify for playoffs; probably not an issue for the older divisions but that can drastically affect the younger divisions.
I dont think this should be a league-wide rule. Attendance rules are what they are and if a division commissioner and GM wants to allow for dispensation then that should be a division-specific decision. I wouldnt want to see the Board mandate something like a further loosing of the rules and creating loopholes to allow for loss of integrity.|
Leave the rules as they are and let the GMs and commissioners decide if they want to relax the rules and invite opportunities for GMs to capitalize on loopholes.
Rob - I am having trouble wrapping my head around the scenario you are concerned with.
First, you are suggesting that a GM would devise a scheme that would make players from other leagues eligible for the CDMSBL playoffs. In order for a player to sub in our league, he has to be registered in our league. If a player is registered in our league, presumably he is also on a roster. That kind of addresses your concern that a GM would use this rule change to bring in some playoff ringer from another league.
Second, I proposed that a sub be credited with a 1/2 game towards playoff eligibility. With that level of credit, a player in the 33+ division would have to sub in 22 games in order to gain playoff eligibility. And it would require one dastardly GM to conspire with several of his cronies to pull off such a trick. I think your concerns are unfounded.
I proposed a rule change based on an actual circumstance. I appreciate the people who have supported my idea. The opposition you raised is based on a manipulation of the new rule that is not just highly unlikely but mathematically practically impossible.
On a side note - you don't seem to have much trust for the GMs in our league.
We have had issues in the very recent past of GMs holding roster spots with players from the Twilight league and elsewhere only to try and jam in as many games in the CDMSBL as they can in order to get playoff eligibility. My level of trust has nothing to do with actual events that have happened.
I did qualify my stance on the proposal by saying: I dont think this should be a league-wide rule. Attendance rules are what they are and if a division commissioner and GM wants to allow for dispensation then that should be a division-specific decision.
Because I dont believe the scenario of players from other leagues qualifying for CDMSBL playoffs would be problematic for the older divisions (45s, 55s, 62s) the fact is, it has happened in the younger divisions (33s for certain, 18s I am unsure but it certainly would make more sense).
Playoff eligibility should be left to each divisions commissioner. The league-wide rules should be limited in scope and expanded upon by each division as they see fit.
-- Edited by The_Hurricane on Wednesday 9th of August 2023 09:47:10 AM
