Strat Tournament Players Club (STPC) Rule Changes for 2018

The Concession Rule (T0.05) has been modified. It now reads: If someone is getting badly beaten, he may concede the game at any time (*).  If the conceding team’s starting pitcher was pulled from the game (via pinch hit, pinch run or if pulled from the game for a reliever), they must record (on the pitching sheet) a zero for each unused eligible reliever. Exception: this penalty is not applied if the starting pitcher was injured. Starter/Relievers do not get a zero if they are required to start within the next three games.  Intentionally walking batters to increase the run deficit is prohibited. (*) For FTF tournaments, the Tournament Director must approve the concession. For PureStrat Tournaments, you may only concede if you’re behind by N or more runs where N equals 13 minus the number of completed innings. There are no concessions in NetPlay Tournaments.

The Mercy Rule (T0.04) has been modified. It now reads: The trailing team has the option of ending the game if they trail by 10 runs or more. If the trailing team is the visiting team, at least 4½ innings must be completed. If the trailing team is the home team, at least 5 innings must be completed.  Intentionally walking batters to increase the run deficit is prohibited. Mercy conditions can come and go during the course of the game but the margin must be at least 10 runs at the time the option is invoked. If the trailing manager opted to continue the game and the margin falls below 10 runs, the Mercy Rule would no longer apply but the Concession Rule might apply.