from 1947 through 1956, each bbwaa voter had their own rules for decide who was a rookie. in 1957, the bbwaa first defined the term as someone with fewer than 75 at bats or 45 innings pitched in any major league season before the current season. this guideline was later changed to 90 at bats, 45 innings pitched, or 45 days on a major league roster before september 1 of the last year. the current rule is 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster of a major league club (except for time in military service or on the disabled list) before september 1 was first used in 1971. since 1980, each voter names three rookies: a first-place choice is given five points, a second-place choice three points, and a third-place choice one point. the award goes to the player who receives the most total points. edinson volquez received three second-place votes in 2008 even though he was not a rookie under the award's definition.