The ATHL
Established in 2001, the ATHL is a 24-team career fictional simulation baseball league utilizing the Out of the Park Developments computer software. We feature a custom owner incentive program, stadium creation and modification, and online drafts and playoff simulations. The ATHL is one of the longer running OOTP simulation leagues on the web and has enjoyed a strong and dedicated owner base year over year. If you are interested in securing a team or being added to the wait list, please email the Commissioner.
Simulations are Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday weekly with lineups due by 8:30 PM ET. Each sim is typically a minimum of 7 game-days, with extended sims periodically. Playoff sims include all playoff rounds.
The Owners
Owners are expected to participate and are encouraged to submit news stories, previews, etc on their team to be posted on the site. A point system is available as a bonus for owner involvement (see below for details). While not required, Yahoo Instant Messenger accounts are encouraged as drafts and playoff simulations are often conducted online.
Owners are expected to submit periodic (if not regular) lineup/roster updates. Owners are also expected to respond to league-wide emails from the Commissioner or Stadium Review Board. As a courtesy, owners are requested to respond to emails from other owners (i.e. trade requests, etc.) in a timely fashion. Owners are given an opportunity to participate in most league-wide rule changes and participation in these polls is in the owner's best interest.
League Offices
The ATHL has one Commissioner and a league president for each of the two major leagues (Colonial and Federal League). The Commissioner is responsible for overall league management and web site maintenance. All simulations are run by the Commissioner. League presidents are owners who control a team in the opposite league (i.e. Federal League president owns a Colonial League team) and assist with trade review, general ownership participation, and forum administration.
Trades
Owners may trade players, cash or draft picks for the upcoming and following year's draft year. For example, after the 2018 draft, an owner could trade picks for the 2019 and 2020 draft. Future consideration trades (i.e. player to be named later) are not allowed.
Stadium Review Board
A peer review team was created to assist in the management of stadium creation and modification. Details can be found here.
Owner Incentives
Owners can accumulate points based on the criteria below. These points can be redeemed to improve an owner's franchise. Points carry over from season to season.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Lineup Submission | 1 |
| Team News Article | 2 |
| League News Article | 4 |
News and Team Articles may be submitted only once per calendar week. Other points may be awarded at Commissioner's discretion. All awarded points are to be posted publicly on the web site. Points may not be redeemed during the playoffs. Changes to team cash or Fan Interest can be processed at any time during the regular season. All other modifications must be completed prior to Opening Day.
Points may be redeemed for the following:
| Reward | Points |
|---|---|
| Add 1,000 seats (max of 65,000) | 10 |
| Add $200,000 cash | 10 |
| Increase Fan Interest 1 pt | 10 |
| Add $450,000 cash | 20 |
| Player Potential Increase by 35 points (To a maximum of 175) |
25 |
| Increase Market Size 1 value (To a maximum of Big) |
40 |
| Increase Fan Loyalty 1 value (To a maximum of Very Good) |
40 |
| Increase Fan Interest 5 points | 45 |
| Add $2,000,000 to TV deal | 60 |
When increasing a player's potential, only 2 increases may be given to the same player. Increases CANNOT be applied to the same rating. Additional Seating, Market Size and Fan Loyalty changes can be applied to NEW stadium construction only with approval of the Stadium Review Board.