Playing the Games

Playing the Games

The ABA does not use the BBW features of scheduling and statistics keeping.  Thus, all ABA games are to be played as Unscheduled Games.  This will result in a box score file (.BXS) being generated for each game which must be sent to the commissioner for inclusion in the ABA database.  Ballpark effects are not to be used. 

Eligible Players for a Game

A total of 26 players are eligible for each series (27 players can be made eligible if the series is 7 games or longer).  Once the series begins, the eligible roster may not be changed.  All 26 (or 27) players are eligible to be used in the first game of the series.  For subsequent games, players may become ineligible in any of the following ways:

• If a player is injured during a game, he misses the remainder of that game only -- injuries do not carry over to the next game. Ignore the number of games to be missed specified in the play result.
• If a pitcher starts a game, he is not eligible to pitch in any of the next 3 games of the series
• If a pitcher appears in relief in a game, he is not eligible to start either of the next 2 games of the series (he may continue to appear in relief subject to the rest requirements below)
• A relief pitcher who appears in 3 innings in a game (a reliever is considered to have appeared in an inning as soon as he faces one batter in that inning) is ineligible to pitch in the next game of the series
• A relief pitcher who appears in 4 innings in a game is ineligible to pitch in the next two games of the series
• A relief pitcher who appears in 5 or more innings in a game is ineligible to pitch in the next three games of the series

Player Usage During a Game

• Players may only play at a position at which they are rated.  If a team runs out of players at a position, an unrated player may be inserted at that position if it is logical to assume he could play that position (perhaps having played it in the past).  A manager should not pinch-hit or pinch-run for a player if no other player is available to assume that player's position.
• The Hit & Run play may only be used if the batter has a Hit & Run rating of 2 or higher
• No pitcher may pitch more than 12 innings in a single game
• Pitchers may not be used as pinch-hitters.  If a team runs out of pinch-hitters, a starting pitcher may be used as a pinch-hitter.