What makes Canadiens eligible for draft...

[TOBTTReds]

and other countries not? How come we can draft a Canadien (no association with the US) but we can not draft a Dominican or a Japanesse player? I understand Puerto Rico (US Property), but not Canada.

If someone has an answer, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Bobcat J]

It is set by rule. Just an arbitrary decision by the powers that be.

Rules 3 and 4 of the Professional Major League Baseball Rule Book set out the conditions a player must meet to be eligible for the draft.

According to the rules, a draft-eligible player must be a resident of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or other territory of the United States. The only way a foreign player becomes eligible for the draft is to obtain U.S. citizenship, enroll in a U.S. high school or college, or establish a legal residency in the United States on the date of his contract or within one year prior to that date.

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-763486_ITM

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

and other countries not? How come we can draft a Canadien (no association with the US) but we can not draft a Dominican or a Japanesse player? I understand Puerto Rico (US Property), but not Canada.

If someone has an answer, it would be greatly appreciated.

The Rule 4 draft is also known as the amateur draft. The system was established in 1965 as a way to organize the selection of baseball talent from a vast national pool. It takes place every June and lasts 50 rounds, with a sandwich round comprised of compensatory picks for losing free agents between the first and second rounds. The order of picks per round is determined by the won-loss record of the major league club. In 2005, it became irrespective of league for the first time (this does not, of course, include the possibility of lost draft picks for free agent compensation, which can bump teams out of certain rounds). Unlike the NBA and NFL drafts, the MLB draft moves at a fairly fast pace, with picks being made within minutes or even seconds of each other.

Players are eligible for the Rule 4 draft if they meet the following criteria:

* They have never signed a major or minor league contract before
* They are a resident of the U.S., Canada, or any U.S. territory
* They have graduated from high school and have not attended college or junior college
* They have attended college but are either juniors, seniors, or age 21

Teams who draft players retain their rights until a week before the draft of the following year. If the player has not signed by then and still retains eligibility, they may reenter the draft, but cannot be selected by the same club without their consent. Any draft-eligible player who is not drafted becomes a free agent and is allowed to sign with the team of their choosing. No players at all may be signed in the week prior to the draft.

[TOBTTReds]

Thanks guys.

[Chip R]

I thought it was because of thwir innate politeness.

[Red Leader]

I thought MLB reached an agreement that they would allow Canadian players in the Rule 4 draft if Canada allowed us to steal all of their hockey teams.

Huh. Learn something everyday.

[OesterPoster]

Originally Posted by Red Leader

I thought MLB reached an agreement that they would allow Canadian players in the Rule 4 draft if Canada allowed us to steal all of their hockey teams.

Huh. Learn something everyday.

At least Lord Stanley's Cup will be staying south of the border for the 15th straight year, eh?