League Code of Conduct

1. League Governance

1.1 Commissioner Role. Each league will have one or more Commissioners (“Commish”) responsible for administering settings, enforcing rules, resolving disputes, and preserving the competitive integrity of the league, regardless of format.

1.2 League Owners. Each team is controlled by one manager (with optional co-managers where permitted). All managers are expected to read and understand this Constitution and any league-specific addenda before the season begins.

1.3 Authority & Discretion. The Commish has final say on interpreting ambiguous situations, applying penalties, and making emergency adjustments when the platform, NFL schedule, or unforeseen events would otherwise cause league-breaking issues. Wherever possible, major decisions will be discussed in league chat and/or put to a vote.

1.4 Voting. Unless otherwise specified, league votes are decided by a simple majority of active, non-suspended managers. Some topics (e.g. buying out a manager, raising dues) may require a higher threshold, as described later in this document or in league-specific bylaws.

1.5 Platform of Record. The Sleeper app (or other specified host platform) is the primary system of record for rosters, scores, and transactions. In the rare case where the app’s behavior clearly conflicts with this Constitution, the Commish may manually correct results in a reasonable manner.

2. League Formats & Rosters

2.1 Supported Formats. BALLSVILLE / Westlex leagues may include redraft, dynasty, best ball, multi-copy, tournaments, and other custom structures. Each league’s specific format (including year-over-year carryover of players, picks, or standings) will be documented on that league’s info page or bylaws.

2.2 Roster Breakdown. Default roster size, positional requirements, and IR / Taxi / Bench spots will be defined per league. Managers must always comply with roster limits set in the app and may be required to drop players to become roster-compliant.

2.3 Position Eligibility. A player’s eligible positions are determined by the host platform. The Commish will generally not override position designations unless there is a clear platform error that materially impacts the league.

2.4 Lineup Responsibility (Where Applicable). In formats where managers set lineups (e.g. redraft, dynasty, most custom leagues), managers must make a good-faith effort to set a valid lineup every week, using available players who are active and not on bye. In best ball formats where lineups are optimized automatically, this responsibility is limited to maintaining a legal roster.

2.5 IR / Injury / Suspension. Use of IR / NFI / PUP / suspension / COVID or similar slots must follow the platform’s eligibility rules. Stashing ineligible players in these slots for roster advantage is prohibited and may be corrected by the Commish, regardless of format.

2.6 Identical Rules Across Linked Leagues. Where leagues share a common tournament or hub (e.g. BIG Game divisions), scoring and roster settings are expected to be identical unless clearly stated otherwise in advance.

3. Transactions (Where Applicable)

This section applies in leagues where trades, waivers, FAAB, or in-season pickups are enabled. In formats that disable one or more of these features (e.g. locked best ball tournaments), those items are simply not in effect.

3.1 Trades Encouraged (If Enabled). In leagues where trading is turned on, trades are a core part of the game and are encouraged. Trades may include players, draft picks, and (where enabled) FAAB or other approved assets. Real-life cash or favors outside the league are strictly prohibited.

3.2 Trade Process. The league will use either instant-processing trades or a short review period, based on settings announced before the season. The Commish reserves the right to temporarily pause trading during investigations, ownership changes, or off-season restructuring.

3.3 Collusion & Lending. Trades that involve collusion, “loaning” players with the expectation of returning them, or obvious manipulation of league outcomes may be reversed, and the managers involved may face penalties up to removal. See Section 7 (Code of Conduct) for more detail.

3.4 Waivers / FAAB (If Enabled). In leagues that use waivers or FAAB, the type of system (rolling, FAAB-based, or hybrid), processing days, and free-agency windows will be clearly posted before the season. Managers are responsible for understanding the waiver schedule in their specific league.

3.5 Drops & Locking. Dropped players may be subject to a temporary lock or waiver period as defined by league settings. Intentionally “churning” players (adding/dropping repeatedly just to block access) may be treated as misconduct, especially in formats with FAAB or limited transaction windows.

4. Drafts & Player Acquisition

4.1 Startup & Seasonal Drafts. Each league’s startup draft and any seasonal drafts (redraft, best ball, etc.) will have a published structure (snake, auction, 3rd-round reversal, slow draft, etc.) and timer length. Draft orders and tie-breakers will be announced before the draft begins.

4.2 Rookie & Supplemental Drafts (If Used). Dynasty or keeper leagues may include rookie or supplemental drafts. Orders may be based on standings, potential points / Max PF, toilet bowl results, or other systems as defined in that league’s bylaws.

4.3 Draft Day Trades. Where the platform allows, draft picks may be traded, subject to any limits on how many years ahead can be traded and any requirement that future dues are prepaid before moving future picks.

4.4 Extenuating Circumstances. If the NFL postpones or cancels games, or the host platform fails to handle the draft or player pool correctly, the Commish may pause drafts, adjust timers, or manually assign fair outcomes in a way that preserves competitive balance for that league’s format.

5. Scoring & Results

5.1 Scoring Settings. Each league’s exact scoring settings (PPR, bonuses, first downs, return yards, best ball optimization, etc.) will be posted in the host platform and/or on that league’s info page. Those settings are considered part of this Constitution for that league.

5.2 Stat Corrections. Official NFL stat changes applied by the platform within its correction window will stand, even if they alter prior matchup outcomes. Once the platform’s correction window is closed, results are final unless there is a clear technical error.

5.3 Manual Adjustments. In the event of partial games, cancellations, or platform outages, the Commish may manually adjust scores using a transparent method (e.g. seasonal average points per game) applied consistently to all affected managers in that league.

6. Postseason & Tiebreakers

6.1 Playoff Structure. Each league will define how many teams make the playoffs, which weeks are used, whether it’s head-to-head, total points, best ball, or tournament style, and whether there are consolation brackets or toilet bowls. This structure must be set before Week 1 and should not change mid-season except for extreme NFL scheduling changes.

6.2 Seeding. Typical ordering will be by record, then points for, then additional tie-breakers such as head-to-head record or points against. The exact order of tiebreakers will be posted on the league info page or bylaws.

6.3 Prizes & Side Pots. Cash payouts and side games (e.g. weekly high score, median win bonuses, survivor pools, multi-league tournaments) must be clearly documented before the season. All prize structures are subject to the financial rules in Section 9.

7. Code of Conduct & Fair Play

7.1 Fantasy Is Just a Game. The BALLSVILLE game is meant to be fun, safe, and fair. You are here as a player first. Everyone is expected to compete hard while still treating other managers like real people on the other side of the screen.

7.2 Trash Talk vs. Toxicity. Owners are free to joke and talk trash. However, there is a very clear line between funny and toxic. Harassment, bullying, stalking, or deliberately trying to make other managers uncomfortable is not allowed in any league chat, hub, or DM related to our game.

7.3 Zero-Tolerance Topics. The following are not tolerated in team names, avatars, chats, DMs, or posted images:

• Racism or hate speech based on race or ethnicity
• Sexism or gender-based harassment
• Attacks on sexuality, gender identity, or expression (homophobia, transphobia, etc.)
• Body shaming or mocking someone’s appearance or health
• Targeted harassment, doxxing, or real-world threats
• Any other demeaning behavior that the Commish reasonably finds repulsive or unsafe

7.4 Politics & Off-Topic Fighting. Political debates and other high-conflict topics are strongly discouraged in league spaces. If conversations become divisive or derail the league environment, the Commish may delete messages, redirect the conversation, or mute participants.

7.5 Community Hubs & Self-Promotion. Many managers run their own leagues. You may share other leagues or opportunities in the appropriate channels (e.g. “actively drafting” or designated hub spaces) when those exist. Spamming links, poaching managers from active BALLSVILLE leagues, or derailing chats with promotions is not allowed.

7.6 Collusion, Tanking, & Sabotage. Any attempt by one or more managers to manipulate outcomes in a way that does not reflect an honest attempt to improve their own team (gifting players, “loaning” studs, coordinated tanking, or sabotage of leagues or hubs) is prohibited. Penalties may include trade reversal, loss of picks, expulsion from current and future leagues, and reporting to the host platform.

7.7 Multi-Accounting & Ban Evasion. Using multiple Sleeper accounts to evade bans, join the same contest under different aliases, or otherwise game the system may lead to removal from all BALLSVILLE-related leagues and hubs. Prior attempts to sabotage the game have resulted in permanent bans across multiple accounts.

7.8 Reporting Issues. If you feel harassed, see hateful content, or notice behavior that could damage the league, contact a Commish or manager directly with screenshots. Public “call-out” campaigns are discouraged; the goal is to quietly fix the problem and protect everyone involved.

7.9 Hubs Are Optional. Divisional hubs, Discord servers, and the “Main Hub” are optional community spaces for active and reliable players. No one is required to join, and not every manager will be invited to every hub. Removal from hubs may be part of the response to conduct issues.

8. Replacing Managers

8.1 Grounds for Removal. Managers may be removed for repeated inactivity, confirmed collusion, non-payment of dues, or behavior that seriously damages the league experience. Removal is considered a last resort, but the Commish is empowered to act when needed to protect the league.

8.2 Process. When possible, the Commish will warn the manager privately first. If issues persist, the Commish may call for a vote of the remaining managers. A simple majority or specified super-majority (e.g. 2/3) may be required depending on the severity of the situation and the league’s bylaws.

8.3 Replacement Managers. When a team becomes orphaned, the Commish will seek a replacement manager who understands the format and is able to commit for the appropriate term (especially in dynasty). Entry terms, discounts, or rebuild clauses may be offered and will be clearly communicated to both the league and incoming manager.

8.4 Forfeiture of Dues. Managers removed for cause or who abandon their team may forfeit part or all of their dues, which may be added to league prizes or rolled into the next season at the Commish’s discretion and/or league vote, consistent with posted bylaws.

9. League Finances

9.1 Dues & Payment. Each league will publish its buy-in amount (if any), payment deadline, and payment platform (e.g. LeagueSafe, potless/for-fun, tournament credit). All managers in a paid league must be paid in full by the posted deadline, or their spot may be offered to a replacement.

9.2 Payouts. Payout structures (1st, 2nd, 3rd, side pots, tournament bonuses, etc.) will be published before the season and should not change mid-year except by majority vote in response to extreme circumstances.

9.3 Fines & Credits. Late-payment penalties, forfeited dues, or disciplinary fines may be added to the prize pool, rolled over to a future season, or used for league enhancements (e.g. trophies, graphics), as decided by the Commish and/or league vote and stated transparently.

9.4 Transparency. Where a third-party platform like LeagueSafe is used, all managers will have visibility into the funds and payout approvals, in accordance with that platform’s rules.

9.5 Mid-Season Refunds & Abandonment. If a manager in a paid league requests or receives a mid-season refund and abandons their team, the BALLSVILLE game may:

• Absorb that entry into the overall prize structure, and/or
• Take control of the orphaned roster to protect the integrity of the league, and/or
• Reroll or restructure the league or division, if multiple exits make the format unfair.

Exact handling will be communicated clearly for each contest, but the guiding principle is always protecting the competitive balance and the players who stayed committed.

10. Amendments & Disputes

10.1 Off-Season Changes. Any manager may propose rule changes in the off-season. This does not guarantee a vote. Unless otherwise specified, a simple majority vote is required to amend this Constitution or a league’s addendum, with changes taking effect the following season. In general, proposals should improve competitive balance, fairness, or the overall league experience.

10.2 In-Season Changes. In-season rule changes are strongly discouraged and will only be made to address league-breaking issues (e.g. major NFL schedule changes, platform bugs, or clear loopholes). The Commish may implement temporary fixes with clear communication and, when time allows, league feedback.

10.3 Dispute Resolution. Disputes should first be raised privately with the Commish. If needed, a poll may be held among non-involved managers. The goal is always to preserve fairness, fun, and the long-term health of the league or tournament.

10.4 Final Word. Where this Constitution is silent, ambiguous, or conflicts with platform behavior, the Commish may make a final ruling. Participating in the league constitutes agreement to abide by these decisions in good faith.