Starting Pitchers Ultimate League Options

All Ultimate leagues must select the frequency that left-handed starting pitchers (LHP) can be used by each team. Having some level of restriction on LHP usage is generally preferred. A team could load up on LHP in an attempt to cause other teams to use up LHP starts for their hitters more quickly; the result is those teams having to bench their starters for backups, or to have no starter for one or more positions in the daily lineup. Few managers enjoy playing in such an environment.

For Keeper and Reserved Ultimate leagues, the first person who enrolled in the league is designated the “League Commissioner” and can change the settings. Once the 10th manager enrolls, the league options are locked. These leagues should begin their voting on league options as soon as possible before enrollments often to avoid a delay in completing league enrollment and setting a draft date.

The LHP options are:

• No Restrictions: a team can use as many LHP as desired
  • not recommended
• Cannot start three lefties in a row
  • a team can use a 6-man rotation with 4 LHP (L-R-L-L-R-L)
• Cannot start two lefties in a row
  • a team can use a 6-man rotation with 3 LHP (L-R-L-R-L-R)
• One lefty starter permitted every three games
  • a team can use a 6-man rotation with 2 LHP (L-R-R-L-R-R)
• Two lefty starters permitted every 5 games
  • this option effectively makes carrying more than 2 LHP difficult, but gives flexibility on when those 2 LHP can be used (L-R-L-R-R)

Note: The rotation examples above are meant to exhibit how LHP could be used by a team, but teams can use as few as 4 SP or as many as wanted in a rotation.

Next Available Ultimate leagues default to the "Cannot start two lefties in a row" LHP option. With league approval, an email can be sent to commissioner@baseballmanager.com to request that the option be changed before the start of the season.

Keeper Leagues do not have to re-vote on league options from one season to the next, as long as the BBM league remains intact. If the league elects to change one or more options, the manager of the first team to originally enroll can make the changes.