GMs,
Thanks to the perseverance of Rick (BHows), we have an opportunity to participate in a low key, low maintenance, drama free league. The original plan was to continue having two divisions, East Coast and West Coast, with ten teams in each division. Rick was hoping to have many of the same GMs from the original Wild Card Baseball league continue their participation, but in putting together this endeavor, it has become apparent that we need to do something creative to insure we have a 2017 season.
Wild Card Baseball II will still have two divisions, East Coast and West Coast. It will still have a 30 player MLB roster and a 20 player MiLB roster. There will be a few clarifications, but WCBII is utilizing the same rules as in the past. The main difference is that we will be contracting the league to 16 teams. We have a mixture of GMs. Some of the "originals" from WCB who have chosen to be in WCBII, and they will be joined by some GMs from MLB Quick Pitch, Bush, and FGM. This collection of GMs promises to be very beneficial because we have a great cross-section of dedicated people.
In order to make things interesting, we will have a two round Contraction Draft. Each of our 16 GMs will be able to select two MLB or MiLB players from the rosters of the contracted teams. It will be a 12 hour clock and GMs who miss their picks will be able to makeup their picks as the draft is in progress--and there will be a 48 hour grace period for makeup picks after the draft is completed. The only stipulation is that you must have cap room for your chosen players.
Following the Contraction Draft, there will be a three round Rookie Draft from the pool of rookies drafted into MLB in 2016. It will also run on a 12 hour clock, but auto picks of the best available player will be made for those who failed to pick within the 12 hour limit.
In both drafts, the clock shall run continuously.
The draft order is going to be based on last year's standings. The final draft order will be set by tomorrow, January 18th. There will be a PM sent out on January 18th and the Contraction Draft will begin on Friday, January 20th at 12:00 noon ET--with GMs having the option to post their picks earlier beginning with the team with the #1 pick.
You will be able to find everything you need for both drafts in the Draft Board area of the Wild Card Baseball II ProFSL Board--Contraction Draft Lists, Baseball America's Top 500 for the Rookie Draft, the Draft Order, and the Draft Thread for each draft.
After both drafts are completed, we will have a free agency period to fill the remaining spots on our rosters.
We thank everyone for helping Wild Card Baseball to continue and look forward to a fun filled season.
