Rules
The Official Rules of Baseball and Baseball Ontario Rules will apply except for the following:
Jr. Rookie Ball
Playoffs
Jr Rookie, Rookie Ball, Mosquito, PeeWee and Bantam
- Batting & Fielding
- All players present to be in the batting line-up and on the field for at least 3 innings. Rule is not violated due to an abbreviated game. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of the game. Coaches are encouraged to rotate fielding positions and batting order.
- The on-deck batter should be in the circle where they can see the batter’s numbers
- Teams with insufficient number of players may borrow players from an opposing team. Players may not be borrowed during the playoffs.
- Home team sits on the 3rd base bench / dugout.
- Scoring
- In all games the home team keeps the official score. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to check the score.
- The home team is responsible to report the final score to the convenor on the evening of the game.
- Equipment
- Helmets are to be worm as per manufacturer’s intent by the batter, on-deck batter, catcher, and all runners.
- Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask.
- Rookie Ball players in the pitching positions are to wear helmets with masks.
- Athletic cups to be worn. Steel spikes may are not permitted to be worn.
- Only shatterproof glasses should be worn on the field.
- Coaches and Players
- Managers, coaches, and umpires are responsible for and shall promote good conduct and sportsmanship.
- All Players and Coaches must be attired in the full uniform issued. Coaches are responsible for their players’ compliance
- No tobacco or electronics (cell phones, tablets, etc.) allowed on the field.
- A runner who charges a defensive player attempting to tag, will be called out and potentially ejected from the game, per the umpire’s judgement.
- A player or coach who swears or uses abusive language or who throws a helmet or bat will be EJECTED from the game
- All Ejections result in a one (1) game suspension, to be served the following complete game. All ejections are subject to review by the convenor, umpire-in-chief and the president or their designates, to determine if further suspensions are warranted.
- Players may be called up from a league below but are considered pool players and do not belong to any one team and are not permitted to pitch.
- Curfew & Weather
- All weekday games will start at 6pm, unless otherwise noted on the schedule (umpires to conduct ground rules 5 minutes prior to start of game)
- Regular Season: No new inning after 7pm (Jr Rookie Ball), 8pm (Rookie Ball & Mosquito), 8:30pm (Peewee and older) unless played on a lighted field; 11pm stop on lighted field.
- If Lightning is seen or Thunder is heard by the umpire, the game is over.
- Regular season games will be cancelled by the convenor. They must inform the umpire-in-chief and coaches. Coaches are encouraged to reschedule.
Jr. Rookie Ball
- Two (2) innings consist of a complete game.
- All players bat each inning. Outs will be enforced
- Last Batter to throw home, all runners, including the batter-runner, to try to advance to home on hit
- Batters will get 3 swings then the Tee will be used
- Time called and no runners advanced once the ball enters the infield
- Coaches are allowed on field (do not interfere with play)
- Only one umpire on field
- Complete game consists of Six (6) innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead, if called by the umpire.
- Ten (10) players in field. Defensive coaches allowed on field.
- Each inning will play until 10 batters or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
- Drop 3rd Strike – Batter is automatically out.
- Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball crosses the plate. Penalty – One warning per team and all runners return to their last base. Any subsequent runners will be called out.
- Runner may NOT advance when the ball is in the possession of the catcher and being returned to the pitcher.
- Runners may not steal home / score on a passed ball or wild pitch.
- Complete game consists of the following
- Mosquito - Six (6) innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead, if called by the umpire.
- PeeWee & Bantam - Seven (7) innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead, if called by the umpire.
- Mercy Rule - Max 5 runs in any half-inning.
- Pitcher
- A pitcher may pitch a max of three (3) innings (Mosquito) or four (4) innings (PeeWee & Bantam) per game. This may be exceeded by three (3) innings in an extra innings game.
- A pitcher is considered to have pitched a complete inning if they throw one (1) pitch to a batter in that inning.
- A pitcher must be removed from the pitching position if they hit two (2) batters in any inning. They may return to pitch in a subsequent inning, however, if they hit another batter, they cannot pitch again in that game.
- No overage Bantam player is permitted to pitch.
- Pitcher’s Mound & Bases Distances
Division | PITCHER’S MOUND | Bases |
ROOKIE BALL & MOSQUITO | 44 FEET | 65 FEET |
PEEWEE | 50 FEET | 75 FEET |
BANTAM | 54 FEET | 80 FEET |
Playoffs
Jr Rookie, Rookie Ball, Mosquito, PeeWee and Bantam
- Round Robin Format to determine two (2) teams to participate in “Day of Champions”.
- All games to be played to completion. If halted by darkness or weather, the game will be continued from where it was halted.
- Only the convenor or designate may postpone a game.
- A team with fewer than 9 players (10 in Rookie Ball) may borrow players from the league below.
- A Forfeit will be declared if a team has insufficient players 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time.
- If teams are tied following the round robin, the following will be followed.
- If two (2) teams are tied – a one (1) game “Head to Head” competition shall determine which team advances.
- If three (3) teams are tied for 1st place – a random lottery will be held to determine one team to advance. The remaining two teams will place per a.
- If three (3) teams are tied for 2nd place – if a. above does not determine a finalist then a random lottery will be held to choose one team to get a bye while the other two play a five-inning game. The winner of that game will then play the team with the bye in a five-inning game to determine the finalist.
- In all other situations, the convenor and president shall decide the method of resolutions using the general principles state herein.
- If a manager wishes to enter a protest, they must notify the umpire of their intention at the time of the infraction. The score sheet with the proper date and umpire(s)’s signature(s) along with a written report of the reasons for the protest must be presented to the league convenor the same day as the game. The convenor, the umpire-in-chief, the president or their designates shall meet to rule on the protest. Note: Judgement calls cannot be protested.