Calgary North Baseball League House Rules 2024
League overview - The Calgary North Baseball League was founded on the principle of fair play, and to keep older youth involved in the game. All decisions should be made with this principle in mind. If it’s not in the best interest of the game, or the players involved, don’t do it. Every team qualifies for the playoffs.
Participation Rule: All players who are present for a game and in uniform (unless injured and unable to play or suspended for that game by the league or team) must be listed on the batting order/line-up card -- any coach who sits a player to gain a competitive advantage will be subject to discipline. A player must play 2 consecutive defensive innings.
Games:
Start times will be 6:30 on weekday evenings, and anytime between 9am and 9pm on weekends. The regular season schedule starts on April 28th and concludes on June 10th. Playoffs will follow the regular season. Format will depend on regular season results.
Teams must have 8 players to start a game. Failure to field 8 players will result in a forfeit. We still encourage teams to loan each other players and play an exhibition game. No “automatic out” will be recorded if only 8 players. The absent players batting spot will be skipped.
A courtesy runner for the catcher may be used when there are 2 outs in the inning, and the catcher is on base (this is designed to help speed up the game).
No new inning will start past 2:15, unless previously approved by both coaches at the plate meeting prior to the game. On days where multiple games take place at the same diamond, this will not be an option. The 2:15 minute rule will govern. In the event a game is late stating, the 2:15 rule will begin from the time of the first pitch. Not the scheduled start time.
All games will be a scheduled 7 innings game. They will become complete at 5 innings (or 4.5 innings if the home team leads) in the event of inclement weather or darkness.
The mercy rule will apply at the end of 5 innings, or any complete inning thereafter, where one team leads by 10 runs or more.
There is a maximum of 7 runs allowed per team, per inning. No open inning in the last inning. Therefore, if a team trails by more than 7 runs after 6 complete, the game will officially be over, given that they cannot score more than 7 runs in the final inning.
Pitch Counts - No rest is required for 1-30 pitches. One day of rest for 31-44. Two days of rest for 45-64. Three days of rest for 65-79. Four days of rest for 80-100. Pitchers will be permitted to complete the current batter when reaching each threshold, with the exception of the 100 pitch maximum daily limit. That will be a “hard stop” cap. A 101st pitch is not permitted.
Substitutions - Player can leave a game, then re-enter, provided they occupy the same spot in the batting lineup when they return.
Overage players - we’ve attempted to limit teams to a maximum of 2 overage players. In some cases, where necessary, that number may increase to 3. There are no limits on their participation.
Pitching/Catching same game - A player can catch, then pitch, but cannot pitch, then catch, regardless of the number of pitches thrown.
Doubleheaders/Pitching - If a pitcher throws 30 or less pitches in the first game of a DH, they are eligible to pitch in the second game, but to a maximum of 70 pitches. (Daily max of 100)
Diamonds:
Please ensure equipment is returned to the box, and locked, following every game and practice.
Home team is responsible for pre-game diamond preparation and putting away/locking up all equipment after the game. Visiting team is responsible for a quick rake following situations (other than New Brighton) where another game follows.
No diamond prep is required at New Brighton. Diamond status for that Athletic Park can be checked online at Check the status of a field (calgary.ca).
Please make the sure the dugout areas are cleaner when you leave than when you arrived.
Umpires:
Umpire fees are $60 per umpire, per game. The CNBL will book and provide umpires for each of the games in U18 and U22 where one of the CNBL teams is home team.
Two umpires should be booked for each game. With current shortages, that may not always be possible.
Additional milage charges of $30 per umpire, per game, will apply to games in Davisburg and please have cash onsite to pay the umpires.
Player callups - If you’re short players, U22 teams may call up players from U18 CNBL teams. (CNBL teams only due to insurance stipulations) U18 teams are to use their rosters only.
Results:
Home team is official scorer and pitch count tracker, however it is encouraged that both teams track both elements, and compare results between innings, and at the conclusion of the game. The CNBL may ask for a pitch count confirmation at any time.
Winning teams are to email Sherri Tarr at sltarr@telus.net, or text her at 403-815-7850 within 24 hours of the completion of the game.
Schedules and Standings will be available for viewing at www.calgarynorthbaseball.ca
Equipment:
Game balls should be Rawlings ROML, or Rawlings ROMC. Each CNBL team was provided with 18 game balls. Please use two new balls per game (home team to supply), and the rest from your used stock of ROML balls.
The CNBL is a wood/wood composite only bat league. No aluminum or metal composite bats are permitted. Maximum length is 36”. (‘A’ is generally 34” max) Maximum diameter is 2 5/8th “. The BBCOR label does not generally appear on wood/wood composite bats.
Other notes:
You and your players should have received an invitation to Ramp Teams.