Actually, there are rules regarding usage... a player is ONLY supposed to be available until they've hit 115% of their usage. Meaning, that the pitcher in question should only have been able to pitch, at most, 2-3 innings. The game engine isn't catching these players.

What's worse is that a reliever is NOT supposed to be able to be used as a starter unless he had started in the majors and faced at least 10 batters. In this case, the player in question did NOT start a game, and even if he had, he only pitched 1 inning surrendering only a walk (4 batters). Clearly he should NOT have been able to start.

And isn't that a bit cynical to suggest that only members with a lot of money invested have a say in the league? I would think that PB would prefer to make the game work for everyone so that they can increase their user base rather than cater to a few people. I, myself, only have one $$$ team. Mr Simpson has more $$$ invested than I do, although I'm not sure if he has more than the person who first raised this problem with the commissioner.

Despite all of this, the fact remains that the player in question was USED outside the SPIRIT of competition and fairness. What fun is it playing in a league where people try to use statistcial annomalies to their advantage?

Just in case people need to refresh their memory on what the rules should be in regard to pitching usage.

From the manual:

Pitchers: All pitchers are limited to 115% of the innings they pitched in the corresponding season. The limit is imposed in a gradual manner. Pitchers who had 50 or more innings in a 162 game corresponding season are unlimited in their use for the first 20% of the season (50% or 25 games in Launch Leagues) . They are limited to 150% of their innings pitched after the first 20% of the season but that percentage gradually goes down to 115% by the end of the season.

Relievers starting and Starters relieving:

Relievers who started: A reliever who started during the corresponding MLB season can be used as a starter without reduction of effectiveness (only if he starts the game with either 10 BFA or fully rested). He will be given extra BFA by the GAME at the beginning of his start, which will be taken away at the end of the game. His RECOVERY rate will be increased by 75% if his last appearance was a start.

Relievers who did not start: A reliever who did not start during the corresponding season can be used as a starter, but will be severely degraded by the GAME. This practice should only be tried in an emergency situation because in addition to the degradation of his skills, it is a severe drain on the reliever's innings.

Starters used as relievers: There is no degradation of skills and in fact starters make very good long relievers. A starter has to have at least 30 BFA to be READY, so starters can't be relied on to make consecutive relief appearances very often.