League Talk: A sample set of mail instructions for an APBA league series

l have been asked in the past about how APBA leagues work in general and in specific, how exactly do managers send instructions to each other when they don’t play face-to-face. 

Since I wasn’t able to get together face-to-face with fellow manager Todd Ventresca (left) this month, I wrote up a set of instructions for him to play our games.  Not too long ago, I posted the general setup for mail league instructions but I thought I would share my exact instructions for Todd with everyone to give those not familiar with the concept an idea of how it is done. 

A little background

This series is between the Todd’s Three Rivers Gamblers and my Twin City Thunderchickens of the Illowa APBA League.  Like all interdivision series in our league, it is a six-game series with a three-man pitching rotation.

Not that it matters too much for this purpose but the Gamblers are currently in fifth place with a 20-19 record while the Thunderchickens are languishing in ninth place with a 16-23 record.

Below is what I sent Todd via email to help him play our six-game series.  He’ll play them solo with the help of these instructions.  Note: generally, Todd and I would each play our home games.  Since I’m on vacation for a good part of this month, I’m asking him to play all six (thanks, Todd!).

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Lineup:

1. Kipnis 2B
2. Reyes SS
3. Zimmerman 3B
4. Pujols 1B
5. Colvin RF
6. Maxwell CF
7. Gomes LF
8. Soto C

Pitching Rotation:

1. Bailey
2. Hellickson
3. Niese
4. Diamond
5. Harrison
6. Strasburg

Bullpen:

All starters aren’t going to pitch all their starts this season so they can go a little long. Papelbon is the closer. Use Ross as setup man (7th or later and tied or ahead by three). Perez and Crow are middle relief. If starter gets injured or ejected early on, you can use Kelly but try not to do this more than once.

Miscellaneous instructions:

Use Hinske, Descalso and Buck as pinch hitters. If game is on the line and runners are on base, you can use Markakis once or twice (I’m trying to rest him this series).

If you think of it, bring in Tabata for defense for Gomes if we’re ahead by a couple runs after 7 innings (especially if Gomes just batted).

Use Descalso or Strasburg to pinch run if it’s a key run in the 8th or 9th inning. Otherwise, use standard base coaching strategy if a slow runner has a chance to be out.

Otherwise, use your usual best judgment.

Thanks and have fun!

PS get a win for Strasburg. He’s 1-5 this year. :-)

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Final Comments

As I intimated in the instructions, I’m resting Nick Markakis who is a regular in my outfield.  Since our league implements player usage limits and Markakis missed more than a few games, this is a good opportunity to “put him on the DL”. 

Also, even though we have a three-man rotation, I have a sizable pitching staff so I’m using six different pitchers. 

There are a few other options that could be mentioned in the instructions such as:

• when to hit and run or bunt
• when to pinch run
• more specific instructions on when to pinch hit
• others?

If you are in a league and have had to do a “mail series”, feel free to add to this or critique it.  If you must critique my lineup, I suppose I’m open to suggestions; my 16-23 record could use improving