Below is the typical schedule for the first week of a World scheduleDates: Saturday, 5/8/2010 AM - Saturday, 5/8/2010 PM2Budget DistributionSet 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.
Dates: Sunday, 5/9/2010 AM - Monday, 5/10/2010 PM2Rehire CoachesBring '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.
Dates: Sunday, 5/9/2010 AM - Sunday, 5/9/2010 PM2Avoid Free-Agency/ArbitrationKeep 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.
Dates: Monday, 5/10/2010 AM - Monday, 5/10/2010 PM2Arbitration HearingsAvoid 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.
Dates: Tuesday, 5/11/2010 AM - Friday, 5/14/2010 PM2Sign Free-AgentsGet 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.
Dates: Tuesday, 5/11/2010 PM - Friday, 5/14/2010 PMHire CoachesChoose 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.
Dates: Saturday, 5/15/2010 AM - Saturday, 5/15/2010 PM2Rule 5 DraftTake 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.