NEW RULES & REGULATIONS
2024
Baseball Alberta has implemented the following rule changes for the 2024 season after consultation with the Baseball Alberta Technical Committee and approval of recommended changes from the Baseball Alberta Board of Directors. These rules have also been added to the appropriate section of the Baseball Alberta Handbook.
UMPIRE FEES
New for the 2024 season, the Baseball Alberta Board of Directors has voted to adjust the umpire game fees for 2024 and beyond. The 11U and 13U age categories will remain the same as in previous years. The 15U fees have been increased to $60, the 18U fees have been increased to $65, and the 18U BAEL, 22U, and Senior League game fees have been increased to $75 per game.
11U PITCH COUNTS OVER 4 DAYS
Pitch Count Rules Updates: a maximum number of pitches over four days have been added for each age category as outlined below:
11U = 115 pitches *New for 2024*
13U = 120 pitches
15U = 135 pitches
18U = 150 pitches
18U 'A' RULE UPDATES
18U 'A' Mercy Rule
Mercy Rule in Effect - 10 run differential when the losing team has completed their 5th offensive inning/at bat.
18U 'A' Inning Run Limit Rule
Maximum 7 run/half inning rule. Once the 7th run of a half inning is scored the inning automatically stops no matter how many outs there are and that half inning is over.
13U 'AA' UNLIMITED SUBSTITUTION RULE
Starting in 2024, the Unlimited Substitution Rule in 13U AA (All Tiers) will be extended to include Round 1, Round 2 and now Round 3 and Provincial Championships.
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP TIE BREAK GAME REMOVAL
The following change will impact these categories at Provincial Championships:
All 'A' Levels
11U 'AA' All Tiers
13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 2+
These specific categories Provincial Championships will no longer have Tie Break Games on the schedule and instead, solely rely on the Baseball Alberta Tie Breaker Guidelines to settle ties amongst teams in the standings. All 'AAA' and 13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 1 Provincial Championships will continue to schedule Tie Break Games if needed. The Baseball Alberta Tie Break Guidelines will remain the same as previous seasons.
The Baseball Alberta Tie Breaker Guidelines will now be applied as follows:
All 'AAA' and 13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 1
Two Way Tie for First Place - Head to head record between the two teams will be used to determine 1st and 2nd place.
Two Way Tie for Second Place - Tie Break Game between the two tied teams to determine 2nd place.
Three Way Tie for First Place - The Tie Break Guidelines will be used to determine the 1st place team, the remaining two teams that are tied will play a Tie Break Game to determine 2nd place.
Three Way Tie for Second Place - The Tie Break Guidelines will be used to determine the 4th place team to eliminate them, the remaining two teams that are tied will play a Tie Break Game to determine 2nd place.
All 'A', 11U 'AA' All Tiers and 13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 2+
Two Way Tie for First Place - Head to Head record between the two teams will be used to determine 1st and 2nd place.
Two Way Tie for Second Place - Head to Head record between the two teams will be used to determine 1st and 2nd place. There will be no Tie Break Game.
Three Way Tie for First Place - The Tie Break Guidelines will be used to determine the 1st place team, the remaining two teams that are tied will have their Head to Head record between the two teams used to determine 2nd place. There will be no Tie Break Game.
Three Way Tie for Second Place - The Tie Break Guidelines will be used to determine the 2nd place team. There will be no Tie Break Game.
GAME TIME LIMIT CHANGES
Starting in 2024 Game Time Limits will be as followed:
All 'A' age categories (League Play & Provincial Championships)
2 hours and 15 minutes
13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 2+ (League Play & Provincial Championships)
2 hours and 15 minutes
13U, 15U & 18U 'AA' Tier 1 (League Play & Provincial Championships)
All Rounds of League Play - 2 hours and 15 minutes
Provincial Championships - No Game Time Limit
Senior, 22U, BAEL and 'AAA'
No Game Time Limit
PACE OF PLAY RULES
Enforcement of 90 Seconds Between Innings during Baseball Alberta Elite League and 18U 'AAA' League games ONLY:
The between innings clock will be set at ninety (90) seconds. The umpire will keep time with a stopwatch. The clock will be in effect for the entire game, including any extra innings. It will be activated once the last out of the inning has been recorded. The pitcher must complete and may not exceed 8 warm up pitches within the time. The catcher will be instructed to throw to second base with 30 seconds left on the clock. The batter must be entering the batter's box as time expires or when instructed by the Home Plate Umpire. The umpire will use discretion when the catcher or pitcher is a runner or batter/hitter when the half inning ends.
A called ball will be awarded to the hitter by the umpire should a hitter be ready and in the batter's box with the pitcher being deemed unready on the mound for play to begin as time expires.
A called strike will be awarded to the pitcher by the umpire should a pitcher be ready and on the mound with the hitter being deemed unready and not in the batter's box as time expires.
Courtesy Runner for Catcher and/or Pitcher during Baseball Alberta Elite League and 18U 'AAA' League games ONLY:
A courtesy runner will be permitted to replace the catcher and/or pitcher on any base provided that there are two outs in the inning. The catcher and pitcher will be defined as the players who finished the previous defensive inning in those positions.
A courtesy runner must be a player from the bench who has not yet entered the official lineup for their team.
If a team no longer has any players on the bench who are eligible, they will not be permitted a courtesy runner.
A player may be a courtesy runner multiple times in the same game, provided they have not entered the official lineup in any offensive (pinch hitter/pinch runner) or defensive position.
EXCEEDING PITCH COUNT THRESHOLDS IN 'AAA'
This rule will apply to the BAEL/18U 'AAA' regular season and Provincial Championships, 13U 'AAA' Provincial Championships and 15U 'AAA' Provincial Championships only.
When a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches allowed for a threshold (See Pitch Count Table), they can complete the earlier of the (i) the end of the at-bat or (ii) the end of the inning, without penalty on days of rest, as long as he/she does not pitch to another batter. The number of pitches corresponding to the threshold reached will be indicated on the pitching log. The coach or manager needs to acknowledge this to the umpire at the moment prior to the next pitch. The umpire will notify the scorekeeper of the threshold.
YELLING AND/OR SWEARING AT AN UMPIRE RULE EXPANSION TO 15U/18U CATEGORIES
Any umpire report which is submitted for 11U, 13U, or 15U games which include any mention of confrontation between a coach and an umpire and includes mention of a coach yelling or swearing at an umpire will result in automatic one game suspension of the coach. Any additional similar incidents involving the same coach could result in longer suspensions.
Any umpire report which is submitted for 18U games which include any mention of verbal abuse, which could include swearing, are subject to a minimum one game suspension of the coach. Any additional similar incidents involving the same coach could result in longer suspensions.
STANDARDIZED SUSPENSIONS FOR EJECTIONS AT PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Baseball Alberta is committed to ensuring that the experience at Provincial Championships is a positive one for players, coaches, officials and volunteers. The Baseball Alberta Technical Committee has been tasked with introducing Standardized Suspensions for Ejections at Provincial Championships that will work in unison with the upcoming Baseball Alberta Code of Conduct being produced. Baseball Alberta will update this section of the Handbook with the official information as soon as it is approved by the Baseball Alberta Board of Governors.
AFFILIATE PLAYER REGULATIONS
Each ‘AAA’ team may draw affiliates from their own Association’s ‘A’/’AA’/’AAA’ base (including lower age categories) or from ‘A’/’AA’ and/or lower age categories within a 75 km radius.
2023
15U Bat Rule:
In 2023, players in 15U A and 15U AA are now permitted to use a drop five (-5) USSSA/USA non-wood bat with a maximum diameter of 2-3⁄4” during league play and Provincial Championships.
13U AA Run Limit:
Starting in 2023, for 13U Tiers 4+ (Division 2 teams), the Maximum 7 Run/Half Inning Rule will now apply to Round 1 (May), Round 2 (June), and Round 3 (July). There are no changes from the 2022 Maximum 7 Run/Half Inning Rule for 13U Tier 1-3 (Division 1 Teams), and all tiers of 13U Provincial Championships will maintain open innings.
13U Umpire Assigning:
Beginning in the 2023 season, associations are required to assign their own local umpires at the 13UA and 13UAA levels, as well as at the Community League, 11UA, and 11UAA levels, as was previously done.
ROMC Baseballs:
Rawlings offers a baseball, the ROMC baseball, comparable to the ROML baseball, approved for use in Baseball Alberta league play and Provincial Championships. The ROMC baseball is available from Rawlings at a different price point than the ROML baseball. While it is not as water-resistant and has a slightly lower-grade cover, it serves as a viable option if difficulties arise in sourcing the ROML. For information on ordering baseballs this season, please contact your local sporting goods dealer.
2023 Fines Update:
Associations will be subject to a $500 fine per infraction for the following reasons:
Entering a team into a Baseball Alberta league after the team entry deadline. Teams are not permitted to enter a league more than a week after the team entry deadline for any reason.
Changing blackout dates or availability on team entry forms after the team entry deadline. Changes will not be accepted after the final schedule is released.
Withdrawing a team entry from the league after the team entry deadline at any point until the end of the season. This includes teams withdrawing from the Provincial Championships without indicating non-participation before the Team Entry Deadline.
Failing to show up for a scheduled game without prior notification at least 48 hours in advance OR without a valid reason.
When an infraction occurs, the Association President will be notified and sent an email outlining the details of the infraction along with the amount fined. All fines must be paid to the Baseball Alberta office by cheque, credit card, or e-transfer within 30 days of notification.
2022
If an Association would like to enter a second 18U AAA team, the maximum imports allowed is seven total between the two teams, with a maximum of four of those seven allowed on the second team.
If a player's home Association does not provide AAA or AA, that player still requires a transfer but is not counted as an import.
If a player has been registered with an Association in the 2021 Baseball Alberta season and either of the 2019 or 2020 Baseball Alberta season(s) at the AA or AAA level, that Association now becomes the home Association for that player and they would no longer be considered an import. That player will always have the option to return to play in their closes Baseball Alberta Association if they so choose.
If you do not make either of your home Association's 18U AAA teams, you are not eligible to play AAA in that season.
Associations may carry a maximum of four (4) - 19 year old non-collegiate players in any one 18U category (A, AA, AAA)
For 18U AAA the maximum roster size is now 18 players
2021
13U Curveball Rule: 13U Pitchers are now permitted to throw curveballs in League Play.
Winning teams are now required to enter scores on RAMP within 48 hours of game completion. A team who fails to enter their game score on RAMP within 48 hours of game completion will receive a warning for a first violation. Any further violations may result in supplementary discipline, which may include team fines and/or forfeiture of the game.
Baseball Canada's Contact Rule has been updated in 2020: 6.01(i)(j) - CONTACT RULE - All penalties and enforcement guidelines regarding collisions at home plate and slides at base apply as outlined in Rules 6.01 (i) and Rules 6.01 (j) of the Official Rules of Baseball. In addition, any offensive or defensive player who, in umpire's judgement, makes malicious contact with another player shall be ejected. Contact shall be considered malicious if, in the umpire's judgement, it is the result of intentional excessive force or there is an intent to injure. Official Rules of Baseball 6.01 (i) and 6.01 (j) would come into force for Post-Provincial Play only
Pitch Count Rules Updates: a maximum number of pitches over four days have been added for each age category as outlined below: *PLEASE NOTE - this rule has been updated for the 2024 Baseball Alberta season*
11U = 105 pitches
13U = 120 pitches
15U = 135 pitches
18U = 150 pitches
For the 2020 Nationals, Baseball Canada has added the following rule for pitch counts: When a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches allowed for a threshold, he/she can complete the earlier of the (i) the end of the at-bat or (ii) the end of the inning, without penalty on days of rest, as long as he/she does not pitch to another batter. For this to apply, the coach or manager needs to acknowledge this to the umpire at the moment the threshold is reached and prior to the next pitch. The Umpire would then notify the scorekeeper. In this situation, the number of pitches corresponding to the threshold reached will be indicated on the pitching log. This rule WILL NOT be applied to Baseball Alberta games. *PLEASE NOTE - this rule has been updated for the 2024 Baseball Alberta season*