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League Structure

Leagues: Major Sim Baseball consists of two leagues, the Eastern League and the Western League.

Divisions: Each league is divided into two divisions, the Northern and Southern Divisions.

Teams: There are a total of 20 teams, with 10 teams in each league.


Season Format

Games: Each team plays a full schedule of 162 games, facing their division rivals 23 times each and inter-division opponents 14 times each.

All-Star Game: The inaugural All-Star Game will be held in Chicago, with each team represented to ensure full league participation. The event will also feature a Home Run Derby as part of the festivities.

Playoffs: The top team from each division will compete in the League Championship Sim for the league pennant. The Eastern League Pennant winner will then face the Western League Pennant winner in the final championship series, known as the World Sim.

Home Field Advantage: The first World Sim will be hosted by the Western League to balance with the inaugural All-Star Game, which will be hosted by the Eastern League in Chicago. This approach mirrors MLB’s unintended pattern, which began in 1933 with the inaugural All-Star Game. Home field advantage will alternate annually thereafter.


Draft Format

Inaugural Draft: Teams will build their rosters through an inaugural draft, selecting from a pool of real players from the 1972 season.

Order: The draft order has been determined by random lot, but the details will be revealed as each pick is announced.


Team Information

Locations: The teams are spread across major cities in the United States, representing different regions.

Stadiums: Each team has a MLB home stadium, which will be a key venue for their home games.

Stadium Placement: Cities with existing MLB stadiums were assigned to those venues. For cities without one, stadiums were assigned arbitrarily.

Stadium Renaming and Weather Adjustment: Ballparks have been renamed to align with their respective teams, with some retaining their original locations. Weather conditions have been adjusted to match the climate of each city.


Gameplay

Historical Accuracy: The league strives to maintain historical accuracy with real player statistics and team performance, replicating the context of the 1972 season as closely as possible.

Recalculation and Development: Player ratings will be recalculated every three years using historical data, ensuring performance aligns with real-world stats.
Additionally, the OOTP Development Engine will add a layer of unpredictability, creating a more dynamic experience.

Designated Hitter (DH) Rule: The DH will be implemented in both leagues following the historical timeline. In 1972, however, there will be no DH in either league.


Expansion Plans

Future Growth: The league is designed as a 50-year experiment, with eventual expansion to 28 teams.

Additional Teams: In 1993, four teams will be added, one to each division, and in 2002, four more teams will join, following the same pattern.


Colors and Branding

League Colors:The Eastern League is represented by blue, and the Western League by red.