Two expansion opportunities available the fast-paced WBL

[jeffblake]

Expansion Opportunity

The World Baseball League (a fictional league) is currently accepting applications to start one of two expansion franchises from scratch. We just began the 12th season of our file. We use Stats+, and we use Slack as our communication tool. We began the league in July of 2022 IRL.

The league moves very fast. We sim five days a week (M,T,W,F,Su), 7 days at a time. During the offseason, we sim 7 days a week. A typical season lasts just over two months. The regular season export rate for the past 6 seasons has been over 95%. League rules state all GMs must export at least 50% during the season or be removed from the league, but really, anything less than 85% export rate by a GM is frowned upon. Candidates to create a new expansion franchise will be expected to export at a very high rate and to be very active on Slack, our communication tool. We are extremely competitive but also extremely friendly.

We currently have 18 teams, after expanding by two teams four seasons ago. 15 of the 16 non-expansion GMs have been a part of the league for at least 10 seasons. We are a very stable league and we greatly value that stability.

GMs earn points for exporting, participating in our regular podcasts, posting press releases, creating articles about the league, and other things. These points can then be used in the offseason to purchase name changes of minor league players, bid to host the All-Star Game, add seats to their stadium, or to increase fan interest.

EXPANSION:
We will accept applications to take over the expansion franchise over the next two to three weeks. League members will then vote on which applicants will become the new GMs. They will immediately join our slack community to get to know everyone, and will have access to the file as a non-GM to familiarize themself with the league.

On the first day of the offseason (around mid-September of 2024), the two new franchises will be created. The new GMs will pick the location and team name of their major league team and each of their four minor league affiliates, and be given a league average budget, loyalty and fan interest. (Fitting with the World theme, teams being placed in unusual locations globally are appreciated but not required).

They will participate in free agency, and then the Rule V draft. After the Rule V draft, we will have the expansion draft. Each existing team will protect 24 players, with players having less than 3 years service time auto-protected.

The two expansion teams will then receive the first two picks in each round of the following amateur draft, as well as the last 2 picks of each round in the draft from rounds 8 to 11 (and 4 extra picks each in the final 12th round) to help fill out their minor league systems.

Currently OOTP 24 (will transition to OOTP 25 at the same time as this round of expansion)
Regular league Podcast
Trophy for the league champ
Ratings: 20-80 scale
POT/OVR: 20-80 scale
DH: Both leagues
Scouts/coaches: ON
Contract extensions: 7 year max, contract extensions allowed after 3 years of ML service time.
Draft pick trading is allowed, and draftees are immediately able to be traded.
Lottery for the top 4 picks (or picks 3-6 in expansion seasons)

Email me at Jeff@JeffBlakePhoto.com if you are interested.

[jeffblake]

We've gotten applications from six good candidates so far for our two open expansion spots.

We'll be making our decision in the next week or so. If you'd like to apply, please email me at Jeff@JeffBlakePhoto.com.

Please tell us about yourself, your experience with online OOTP, why you think you’d be a good fit for our league, and if you would be able to meet the high export requirements. Thanks!

[BigBen]

Reading your last posts & you`ve always six good candidates on your list since 2023 ...

[jeffblake]

Yep, 3 of them joined our league over the last year and several others are no longer available.