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Set the tone. This is the time to distribute your organizational budget. Divvy up the funds to meet your franchise's goals for this season and beyond. Although there are some restrictions, you have a great deal of decision making awaiting you.

Bring 'em back. This is the time you can bring back coaches from the previous season without having to deal with other franchises getting in the way. Not all coaches will want to return for another season, but for those that do, be wise in your decisions because these are the guys that shape your franchise's future.

Keep your stars. This is your last opportunity to re-sign your departing free-agents before they they hit the open market. It's also time to avoid arbitration and lock up your young players to long-term contracts before the arbitration hearings begin.

Avoid the big payday. For all players not under contract and with between 3 and 5 years of big league experience, this is the time when they'll be trying to cash in. It's your job to come up with reasonable counter offers.

Get the fans excited. Plug your team's holes with players from the free-agent market. It's a supply-and-demand world, though, so be prepared to go head-to-head with other league owners.

Choose your leaders. This is the time to complete the coaching staff that will mold your franchise with mentors that best fit your strategy at each level. But like the free-agent market, you'll be one of many franchises vying for the services of the better coaches.

Take a flyer! This is the time to grab some surplus talent from another franchise. Any player with 4 or more years of pro experience not on a team's 40-man roster is ripe for the picking. If selected, though, it'll cost you $50K plus their salary and, most importantly, the player must remain on your big league club for the remainder of the season. And don't forget, you must protect your players, too! Rosters are frozen on this day, so be sure to handle your 40-man roster before this date.

Prepare your team. This is your player's first glimpse at live game action in the Hardball Dynasty season. The spring training season lasts six-days and covers 18 games. Don't forget to set your lineups, pitching staffs and player settings from the Manager's Office. Plus, be sure to go to the Spring Training Squads page in the Manager's Office to bring up your top prospects and best gauge their progress to the big leagues.

Let the games begin. This is the time for the real thing. All levels begin play with the exception of the Rookie League which begins shortly after the Amateur Draft. Be ready for injuries, suspensions, trades, waiver claims, etc. It all starts happening now!

Are you ready for the future? The Amateur Draft takes place seven days after this date. At this point, your scouting departments (or lack thereof) have compiled a list of the players available for the draft. It's now your turn to review players and make some crucial choices on your draft strategy.

Build a dynasty. Whether you are winning now or not, the Amateur Draft will have a great impact on your franchise's success for years to come. The 25-round draft will run at this time. Once the draft has ended, it's your job to begin signing your prospects and get them on the field.

Find your diamonds in the rough. This is the first day of the season that your international scouts may begin to contact you concerning players they have found. You'll receive some correspondence anytime a scout finds a player you may be interested it. It's then up to you to sign him up!

Deals are done. This is the last chance to make a deal without having to pass players on the 40-man roster through waivers. There's usually a flurry of deals made around this time as playoff bound teams prepare for the stretch drive.

Call 'em up. Big league rosters expand to 40 players. This is the time of year you can help your club reach the playoffs with an extra bat or arm or catch a glimpse of the future with some up-and-comers. Don't forget -- in order for a player to be eligible for the playoffs, he must be on the 40-man roster prior to this deadline.

Win it all! Or, have you gone fishing? Four rounds of playoffs are held at each level, but prizes only apply to Big League winners. Good luck on the ring(s)!