Before trading gets started in 1961, I want to make sure everyone fully understands the upcoming changes for the 1961 season, and the 1962 season that follows.  There is quite a bit here, so please bear with me…..if I miss anything, please ask me directly and do not respond to the entire league:
 
Week to week play and all of our new usage rules will go into effect beginning with the 1961 Season .  Just like we did in 1972.

We are not expanding in 1961 so we will be 4 teams under real life.  So there is no need for contacting any teams.  We WILL be expanding by two teams in 1962.  The rules for that draft are below at the end of the email as a reminder, so you will likely need to begin prepare for that.
1961 was a very odd season.  The AL played 162 Games and NL 154 Games (as it had not expanded).  Since we will still be at 14 teams, WE will likely play a modified 161 game season, with League Opponents playing each other  14 times each, and Interleague opponents 11 times each (subject to change this if need be depending on schedule difficulty). 

Usage will be set at 110% of Batters faced and 110% of PA’s to compensate the National League players for games not played.

Divisions are being re-shuffled for 1961 as we have done in other leagues to create more regional rivalries.  There will ALSO be (1) Wild Card Team in each league as well beginning in 1961, and a 7 Game LCS in each league with the division winner getting home field advantage.  Here are the divisions:


AL
Robbers (Turnbull)
Six (Lanke)
Lakers (Lauer)
Argonauts (Brunner)
Ahabs (Williams)
Tarheels (Lehman)
Lightning (See)
Expansion Team A (starting in 1962)
 
NL
Jakes (Baxter)
Frigates (Plunkitt)
Black Cats (Ryan)
Tigers (Ungashick)
Bears (DeZarlo)
Patriots (Rahn)
Saints (Applegate)
Expansion Team B (starting in 1962)
 
I haven’t decided yet if we will split this up into (4) divisions yet in 1962.  My initial thought is to wait to do this until 1969 Expansion (4 more teams), which will likely be the case.
 

We are working on the actual schedule for 1961 for weekly play still, so I am not yet attaching the actual database yet (please remember to purchase the new Deluxe 1961 season from DMB Black Friday if you do not yet own it), but it is completed other than the schedule and uncarded players.  Including players with over 400 PA who have had positions removed.

While I am not sending out the database, I am attaching the rosters.  Remember, IT DOES NOT include uncarded players if you have any yet.  I’ll get to it soon.

You WILL be able to protect 27 players heading into the Rule 5, and will have a Maximum of 36 Carded players that you can keep at any given time.

Trading and Free Agent pickups will now be allowed in season.  We will have a lot more free agent players being 4 teams under.

There have already been (2) Park Changes.  First, Terry Baxter is shifting from Connie Mack Stadium to the friendlier Confines of (AL) Wrigley Field – The one from the TV Show HR Derby.  Second, Mike See is vacating the Cavernous Forbes Field, to move into the new Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis.  This Leaves (4) Stadiums available to teams (Forbes, Connie Mack, Griffith Stadium, Comiskey Park)
Trading is now OPEN.