FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Doubleday Baseball League is excited to announce the return of a 5th round to the DBL Amateur Draft, starting with the draft following the 1995 season. This adjustment is aimed at increasing the number of players entering the league, strengthening organizational depth, and reducing the need for manually created players in the offseason.
The expanded draft structure will apply to the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons. At the conclusion of the 1997 draft, league leadership and owners will revisit the policy to determine whether to continue with five rounds beyond the 1998 season or revert to the current four-round format.
Key Details of the 5th Round Implementation
- 📅 Effective Drafts: 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons.
- 🔄 Review Period: The need for 5th round drafts beyond 1998 will be evaluated after the 1997 draft.
- 🔄 Trading: 5th round picks will be tradable starting immediately after the conclusion of the 1995 draft.
- 💵 Contract Terms: All players selected in the 5th round will receive the same contract structure as 4th round picks to maintain consistency:
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $25,000 |
| Year 2 | $27,500 |
| Year 3 | $30,000 |
| Year 4 | $32,500 |
| Year 5 | $35,000 |
This proposal was introduced to league owners last year as a way to streamline offseason roster building and enhance farm system depth. After thoughtful consideration and owner feedback, the measure was approved for implementation.
“Expanding the draft ensures a stronger talent pipeline across the DBL,” said DBL Commissioner. “It gives every team more opportunities to build from within while keeping the process simple and consistent.”