1) NCAA "March Madness" Style. 64 teams chosen and placed into four regions
2) Each region is ranked 1 through 16
3) Rankings are based opinion as to who would win the most games over an entire season. It's somewhat subjective, but what I look for in a great team is dominance and balance (i.e. - great hitting and pitching)
4) Automatic bids must be given to any franchise that has either won a World Series or had at least one season of .550 baseball
5) A franchise is unique if it moves to a new geography. The Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers are separate franchises. The California and Anaheim Angels are NOT. A listing of "automatic bid" franchises appears below.
6) Only teams from the 20th century major leagues are considered
7) Dynasty rule: Only one team is eligible from a particular dynasty (you can't pick the 1975 Reds and the 1976 Reds). The rule for determining whether two teams are in the same dynasty is whether at least half of the key players (starting lineup and pitchers) are the same.
8) Teams from the same franchise can not be placed in the same region unless at least four teams from a franchise has been picked.
9) If two teams from a franchise do appear in the same region, they must be ranked so that they would not play each other until the regional finals
Franchises entitled to automatic bids:
Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, California/Anaheim Angels,
Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals,
Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, New York Giants, New York Yankees,
New York Mets, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres,
San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Senators