NEW RULES & REGULATIONS

RULE UPDATES

SURPASSING THRESHOLDS WITHOUT DAYS OF REST REQUIREMENT EXPANSION

This rule will apply to the AAA League regular season and Provincial Championships for all AAA age groups in 2025.

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.

13U AA / 15U AA PARTICIPATION RULE IN AA TIER 1 PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Participation Rule - 13U AA/15U AA Tier 1 Provincial Championships

Teams will have the option to play with or without the AA Participation Rule for the AA Tier 1 Provincial Championship round robin and playoff games. A team will be required to declare their selection at the home plate meeting prior to each game. 

Participation Rule - 13U AA Tier 2+ Provincial Championship

All players listed on the official lineup card play a defensive position for 3 of their team’s defensive outs and receive 1 plate appearance.

Participation Rule - 15U AA Tier 2+ Provincial Championship

All players listed on the official lineup card play a defensive position for 3 of their team’s defensive outs and receive 1 plate appearance.

In the event a player is ejected or injured and no substitute is available, the last player substituted for may re-enter the game, and thus, there will be no forfeit (unless the injury/ejection leaves the team with only 8 players remaining).

GAME TIME LIMIT REMOVAL FOR PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF GAMES IN 'A' AND 'AA'

Provincial Championship Round Robin Games in all ‘A’ age categories and all ‘AA’ Tier 2+ age categories - No new inning to start after 2 hours and 15 minutes of play, unless the game is tied. The start of the game begins when the first pitch is thrown. 

Provincial Championship Tie Break/Semi-Final/Championship games in all ‘A’ age categories and all ‘AA’ age categories - there will be no game time limit

11U INFIELD FLY RULE

Infield Fly: The Infield Fly Rule applies to 11U categories

11U RUNNER ADVANCEMENT WHILE UP 7 OR MORE RUNS ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION

When a team has a lead of seven or more runs, the runner(s) of this team can reach the following base only when the ball is hit or if forced to advance. If the runner advances in error, they are returned to the original base and the ball is dead. A baserunner(s) is able to advance should the defense attempt to make a defensive play to retire a base runner. A throwback from the catcher to the pitcher after a pitch does not constitute a defensive play to retire a base runner. 

PITCH COUNTS FOR INTENTIONAL WALKS CLARIFICATION

Only pitches thrown will be included in pitch count totals. Automatic balls during an intentional walk do not count towards pitch count totals. For example, if with a 2-0 count, a team signals to the umpire that a batter will receive an intentional walk, only the two pitches thrown will be counted for pitch count. 

OPERATIONAL CHANGES

A LEAGUE SCHEDULE CHANGE (BAPL)

Each season, Baseball Alberta receives a large amount of feedback from 'A' League teams and Provincial Championship hosts about the lack of time between the final game of the regular season and the first day of 'A' Provincial Championship. Starting in 2025, Baseball Alberta has added a weekend in between the last play weekend of the regular season and the Provincial Championship weekend for teams and hosts to prepare and find accommodations.

Regular Season Weekend #1 - June 28-29, 2025

Regular Season Weekend #2 - July 5-6, 2025

A Provincial Championships - July 18-20, 2025

AA TEAM MOVEMENT AFTER EACH ROUND OF PLAY (BAPL)

To assist AA teams that may have been misregistered into a Division, Baseball Alberta has updated the Handbook to allow for movement of teams after the first round of play (month of May) in 11U AA/13U AA/15U AA. Previously, Baseball Alberta would wait until the end of the second round to move teams for the tiered third round. Baseball Alberta will now be able to better work with teams/Associations for additional team movement after each round. 

* Please note: If a team is registered into Division 1 at any AA age category, they may not play on the Tier 1-3 Provincial Championship weekend if they are moved out of Division 1 because of a lack of competitiveness. Likewise, any Division 2 team that plays well can be moved out of the Tier 4+ Provincial Championship weekend and into the Tier 1-3 Provincial Championship weekend.

AAA BLACKOUT DATE CHANGES (BAPL)

With the increasing size of the AAA Leagues across the province and crunch on field availability in what is a short 11 week AAA season, Baseball Alberta has changed the way blackouts will be handled for teams. 

Baseball Alberta has identified the following weekends as blackout weekends based on previous season blackouts by teams in each AAA League and will not schedule games on these weekends:

13U AAA = June 14/15 & June 28-29

15U AAA = May 17/18 & June 28-29

18U AAA = May 17/18 & June 28-29

BAEL = May 17/18 & June 28-29

Should a team require an additional blackout weekend during the regular season, teams making the request will be required to coordinate with the opponent that a re-schedule will occur and re-schedule the games with Baseball Alberta once agreed to by both teams. A deadline for additional blackout dates will be made and communicated to teams at the time of schedule release. This deadline will occur prior to the start of the regular season.

AAA REGISTRATION INFORMATION (BAPL)

Team entry into Baseball Alberta's 'AAA' Leagues is subject to the 'AAA' Eligibility Checklist which can be obtained by contacting Baseball Alberta. Teams would be required to meet minimum standards to be considered for 'AAA' League entry and teams will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the League Manager. Baseball Alberta reserves the right to accept or reject league entries based on league structure, competitiveness, association development and capacity.

Additional AAA Team Entry Into Same Age Category

Only one team can be entered for the 'AAA' Division in each age category by an individual Member Association. Applications to enter more than one team for the 'AAA' Division at an age category will be reviewed and subject to the approval of Baseball Alberta. Baseball Alberta will consider proposals for additional 'AAA' teams, including specific consideration of the following factors:

• Population base / registered player base of the community and Association, respectively, from which the teams are being formed.

• % of transferring players at the age category at a maximum of 20% in the age category.

• Competitiveness of teams at the age category in previous season(s) – winning %, Provincial Championship results, RF/RA, etc.

• Overall impact on baseball more broadly in Alberta.

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. 

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

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. 

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

• 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

• 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*