Feb 5, 2000
Here are the notes from the first league meeting of 2000. There really aren't any major
rule changes this year. The biggest change is that there will be 10 teams in the league
and the divisional championships will be best 2-3 games.
Still using wood bats this year
Using same balls as last year, although we may switch from MSBL labeled balls to some collegiate label.
We may leave the MSBL and join another league (Roy Hobbs possibly), it all depends on what we can do for insurance.
Umpiring costs will be going up this year from 50 to possibly 60 bucks per game. Paul will talk to Tom Hastings to see if we can get two umps to each game on a more consistent basis.
All teams must pay 600 to the league by March 15.
We are adding two teams to the league. Team 1 is the Red Sox and they are already paid up. The other team is unknown, if it is an American League team then the Brewers will switch to the National League.
The schedule will remain at 17 games. Each team will play the other 4 teams in their division 3 times (4 double headers and 4 single games) and play the 5 teams in the other division once. This means we still play on 13 different weekends.
We will start one weekend earlier and play on Mother's Day this year so the playoffs will begin in early to mid August.
Only 4 teams from each division will make the playoffs, the 5th place teams will play each other for a consolation game. The second round of the playoffs will be best 2-3. Same goes for the Championship series.
Playoff eligibility:
You must play in 9 games to be eligible
Each team will be allowed 2 extra playoff spots for players who played in at least 4 games but these extra players can't pitch in the playoffs
Jim Callaghan and Rich Schwarz will work out collection of the game day rosters and keep track of playoff eligibility.
Use of composite bats was voted down, you can't use composite bats during a game
There are no new rules around courtesy runners, it was discussed to not let them steal bases but that was voted down.
During the last two rounds of the playoffs, the best 2-3 series, the first weekend is a double header.
Batting only 9 or 10 players was briefly discussed and voted down.
Jan 10, 2000
Welcome to the 2000 preseason Cubs gossip center. All is
well here at Cubs central, no Y2K crashes to report! The first league meeting
of the year will be taking place on January 23. All are invited but
only coaches can cast votes. Sure to be on the agenda are wooden bats,
number of batters in lineup, and drafting of new players in the league.
We hope to have the first annual Cubs Super Bowl party this year! As
details are worked out they will be posted here. We hope to start
working out in the cages in early February.