Before I address the other issues that have arisen I'd like to make a couple of things clear.
First, regarding the dropping of 10-15 players per year:
After spending 6 seasons in USKL/HCKL type leagues, I've found the same players tend to be successful in each of the leagues I'm involved in. Without getting into any of the myriad reasons why this might be so, I decided in this league that we would have to release at least 25% of our team each year. This, in my opinion, will increase parity. I want everyone to have a chance to go from the bottom to the championship every year.
Second, regarding my decision to only allow players with cards in the initial draft:
Qk is right in that my initial rules were to allow anyone with MLB experience to be a part of the initial draft. Then I understood just how much of a problem this would be on the som draft site. Look at how smoothly this draft has gone - now imagine trying to do this either on the thread, or in a combination of website/thread picking. It would be a problem that I have neither the time nor desire to confront. So my decision was easy.
Third, the perception that some teams will "tank it" this first season in order to secure a high draft slot in the prospect and free agent drafts:
I fully intend to compete for the championship this first season. The decision to stock up on prospects for next year is a choice some have embraced. To that I say - "Good Luck." I've been stocking up on prospects for 6 plus seasons in the other USKL/HCKL leagues I'm in and haven't won yet. Perhaps I'm just a lousy manager - who knows the reason. But I won't prevent others from adopting any strategy they choose to make. "Tanking" games won't be tolerated - but I have no doubt that all players here will make their best use of the players they have to win games. I am certain there will be different levels of talent on each team, but that is to be expected in a league like this.
I will address the other issues/suggestions sometime later today.