The official schedule will be posted on the SJMBA web site (www.baseballstjohns.ca). Any change will be posted as soon as it is made. Please refer to the web site prior to every game.
In the event of rain, an announcement concerning the scheduled games for that evening will be posted to the website by 3 pm. After 3 pm. It will be an umpire/coaches decision at the field as to whether the game will be played.
LIGHTNING POLICY: If any umpire assigned to a game observes lightning in the vicinity of the field, the game will be put in a delayed status until the lightning passes If the weather persists, the umpires will consult with coaches to determine if the game shall be cancelled.
Players are to notify your coach if you are unable to make a scheduled house league game.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for a pre-game warm up.
Please follow umpires and coaches instructions while on the field to ensure safety at all times.
Tournament schedule and rules will be posted and sent out prior to each event. These dates are listed on the Calendar of Events (under documents).
Field Dimensions
The distance between the bases shall be 50 feet.
Rules of Play
All games shall be played in accordance with regular baseball rules as contained in the Official Rules of Baseball published by Baseball Canada except where modified by the rules detailed in this document.
Each scheduled session will have a practice and a game component of varying lengths. Generally after warm up there will be a 20 minute practice session (the focus of which changes daily or weekly) followed by a short game.
Duration of Game
All sessions will last an hour and fifteen minutes regardless of game length
Uniforms/Equipment
Players should wear full uniform, which includes grey or white baseball pants.
Catchers must wear a protective cup; we advise all players to wear one.
Metal cleats are not allowed in House League play.
All batters must wear helmets when on-deck and at bat.
HELMETS - All players shall wear double earflap helmets while at bat, in the on- deck circle and on the base-paths in all age categories. Baseball Canada recognizes NOCSAE as their standard for Baseball Helmets. For hygiene reasons, SJMBA recommends that players wear their own batting helmets.
BATS (SJMBA supplies bats) - Personal bats (aluminum and wood) are allowed; bats must have a maximum 2- 3/4 barrel.
GLOVES - Players must have their own gloves
SAFETY BASE will be used at 1st base. The safety base is designed to prevent collisions and other contact incidents at first base. ON DEFENSE - The first baseman and other defensive players are allowed only to touch the white portion of the safety base during play. ON OFFENSE - the runner may touch only the orange portion of the base during close plays. If there is no play to be made at first base, such as on a hit that will result in a double, the batter-runner may touch the white half of the base while making his turn toward second. Batted balls that hit the white portion of the base are fair, while balls that hit the orange half are foul.
At Bat
All players are in the batting lineup at all times. At the conclusion of a game, the coach will note the last out. The next game will start with the next hitter in the lineup. The Coach will only change the batting lineup if the game ends with the last batter in the order making the last out in the previous game. If a player is absent, their name is simply deleted from his/her spot in the batting order.
When a player arrives during the game, they are inserted in the last spot on the batting order. When a player leaves during the game, they are removed from the batting order. No automatic out is counted.
If a player cannot complete their turn at bat, the following batter will replace them with the same count. The replaced player can be reinserted in the game.
If a player cannot complete their presence on bases, they are replaced with the last recorded out. The replaced player can be reinserted in the game.
After 3 overhand strikes, the umpire will move in and pitch 3 underhand strikes. After this a tee will be used.
An inning will be complete after 3 outs are made or 3 runs are scored.
When the home team is winning, the bottom of the final inning, will only be played through mutual agreement between both coaches and only if time permits.
Bunting is not permitted.
There is no Infield Fly Rule in 9U
The ball will be tossed overhand by the umpire or a coach.
Players must return to the bench when an out is recorded.
One base on an overthrow. One overthrow is allowed per play to encourage players to try to make the play. For example, if the ball is overthrown to 1st base, the runner can advance at his own risk to 2nd. If the ball is overthrown on the same play to 2nd, the runner remains on 2nd.
Throwing the ball back to the pitcher will end the play. If this occurs when a runner is less than half-way to a base, the runner must return to the prior base.
DEAD BALL LINE: The dead ball line is an imaginary line that extends from the tip of the plate 15 feet down the first base line and runs in an arc from there to a spot 15 feet from the tip of the plate down the third base line. A fair hit ball is a legally batted ball that goes over the dead ball line. A dead ball is a legally batted ball that does not go over the dead ball line. If a defensive play is made before a batted ball reaches the dead ball line, it is the home plate umpire’s decision whether the hit ball is dead or alive.
Base Running
There is no base stealing permitted in 9U.
Runners can only advance one base per overthrow.
Lead offs are only permitted once the ball has crossed the plate. One overthrow is allowed per play to encourage players to try to make the play. For example, if the ball is overthrown to 1st base, the runner can advance at his own risk to 2nd. If the ball is overthrown on the same play to 2nd, the runner remains on
Collision Avoidance Rule - If a base runner is running to home plate and is halfway or closer to home plate, a force out situation is now created. The umpire, having possession of the ball, may touch home plate and the runner will be called "out" by the umpire.
Contact Rule: Runners are instructed to avoid making contact with a fielder at all bases. A player who maliciously runs into another player is to be declared out. Contact shall be considered malicious if the contact is the result of intentional excessive force and/or there is intent to injure.
Runners may tag and advance on a fly ball that is caught at their own risk.
All players should slide on a close play at the plate.
Pitching
The ball will be tossed overhand or underhand by the umpire or coach
Defensive
9 defensive players are permitted on the field. The nineth player must be a fourth outfielder.
Players shall run on and off the field. We urge each coach to instill this in his/her players. It benefits everyone.
Coaches must rotate their players throughout the defensive line-up to ensure fair play. Note: If a coach feels that a player may suffer physically or psychologically by playing a certain position (specifically pitcher or 1st base) then he/she will discuss this with the player’s parents/guardians before making this decision.
Coaches will ensure that no player sits out more than 2 defensive innings per game whenever possible.
All players must maintain normal baseball positions. Shifts will be allowed.
Throwing the ball back to the pitcher will end the play. If this occurs when a runner is less than half-way to a base, the runner must return to the prior base
Tournaments
There will be a championship tournament for the 9U Major and Minor Divisions
All teams will complete in both tournaments.
Call-ups will be permitted in the playoffs to avoid game defaults only. Coaches are encouraged to contact the baseball office as soon as possible if they feel a default may occur.
Fair Play Rules apply in the Playoffs. The batting order procedure and positional playing time will be the same as the regular season.
Scores of each game will be reported to the baseball office by e-mailing info@sjmba.ca after each game (for tournaments only)
Additional Tournament and Playoff rules will be sent out with each tournament schedule.
