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Rule Changes for 2023

Benchwarmer Baseball Rules Index

As the season and then off season progresses, check here for the latest changes to rules

Last update: March 26, 2023

Here are the last rule changes in 2022

Listing of all rules changes

4.0 Rosters

4.4 Prospects

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Added 2/28/2023

The transaction cost to move a player to the Prospects Roster will increase from 250 to 500.

5.0 Lineups

5.2 Pitchers

5.2.4 Rotation

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Added 3/26/2023

 

The language was cleaned up a bit, but there is a major change.

 

Previously, if a scheduled starting pitcher did not qualify for the start, the spot starters were checked and if none of the spot starters could be used, the primary rotation was checked to see if a pitcher could move up and pitch early.

 

In the 2023 change, we'll go in this order:

  1. The scheduled starter in the rotation
  2. Check if other pitchers in the rotation can move up and pitch early
  3. Check the 3 spot starters, in order

 

There have been some opinions that the spot starters can be gamed to allow for teams to work in a game in which the results are already known or skip a bad game. And, in the postseason, you're more likely to want one of your 5 primary starters to pitch before a spot starter.

 

5.3 2-Way Players - Pitchers/Hitters

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Added 3/26/2023

Beginning with the 2023 season, 2-way players on the roster can be placed in both a hitting and pitching role.  Essentially this is to allow teams to take advantage of Shohei Ohtani in both roles.

Full implementation is not yet in place - more details to come.

8.0 Finances

8.6 Maximum Cash Balances

8.6.5 Exceptions for Current Orphan Teams

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Added 3/26/2023

This codifies what has been practiced for many years. Teams currently in orphan status will not be held to the maximum cash balance.

10.0 Minor Leagues

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Noted 3/26/2023

BWB intends to reinstitute the minor league competition in the 2023 season. Players on BWB minors and prospects rosters will accumulate stats from their play in Minor League Baseball. Scoring is done via a 5x5 Rotisserie format.

14.0 Schedule and Deadlines

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Added 3/26/2023

 

For many years, the Week Zero transaction deadline was on MLB Opening Day (for several years, this has been on a Thursday) and the Week One lineup deadline was around the first Wednesday after Opening Day.  This was generally around MLB game #5 or #6, which is when the batters' stats begin to be used. However, relief pitcher stats begin to be used on MLB game #1, so several games are already known at the deadline - and this continues throughout the remainder of the season. There was concern that some team owners could manipulate BWB game results by knowing relief pitcher stats in advance.

 

Starting in 2023, we're setting the Week One deadline to the Sunday after Opening Day. At that point, less is known about the relief pitcher stats and it will remain consistent through the season. As a result, the Week Zero deadline moves as well - to the Sunday before MLB Opening Day.

 

16.0 Multi-year Contracts

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Added 2/28/2023

There is no change in the process of signing players to multi-year contracts or the rate of salary increase per year (33%), but, last changed in 2015, the minimum salary levels will increase for years 1-2 of the contract.  There is no change for years 3-5.  The minimum salary levels are listed below:

Player signed for: Cost: Old Minimum Salary New Minimum Salary Old Contract Total (minimum) New Contract Total (minimum)
2024 2023 Salary $500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $1,000,000
2025 2024 + 33% $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $3,000,000
2026 2025 + 33% $3,250,000 $3,250,000 $5,500,000 $6,250,000
2027 2026 + 33% $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,250,000
2028 2027 + 33% $6,000,000 $6,000,000 $15,500,000 $16,250,000

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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