Hamilton Oldtimers Baseball Organization

1. Participants must be 33 years or older in the year of competition. Valid proof of age is a Driver’s License with a photo.

2. Single games will be 9 innings unless mutually agreed otherwise by the team reps. No new inning is to start after 2 hours and 45 minutes from the scheduled starting time.  Doubleheader games will be 6 innings, with no new inning to start after 1 hour and 45 minutes.

3. Pitching should be shared equally among a minimum of 3 pitchers per game. No pitcher will pitch more than 9 consecutive outs per game (6 consecutive outs in a doubleheader game). No player will enter a game as a pitcher more than once, unless mutually agreed upon by both teams.

4.  A five run mercy rule applies per inning.  The inning ends when the fifth run crosses the plate with one exception:  if the last batter hits a home run out of the park, then all runs will count.  The mercy rule does not apply to the last inning or extra innings.

5.  Professional rules of baseball apply to stealing bases.  A runner may not attempt to steal a base when his team is up by 3 or more runs, except in the last inning of the game (9th or declared).

6.  Balks are only to be called if a runner is put out by an illegal move.  A pitcher who fakes a throw to third base, and then turns to attempt a pick-off at first, will be charged with a balk, as per our rules. 

7.  Body contact on the base paths is discouraged. Collisions between a base runner and a fielder may, at the umpire's discretion, result in ejection from the game when no effort is made by a player to avoid the collision.  A safety bag will be used at first base.  All players must participate in a base running explanation and demonstration of the rule for the use of the bag.  All players planning to play first base must participate in defensive explanation and demonstration of the rule for the use of the bag.

8.  All players present shall be included in the batting order.  Unlimited substitutions are permitted on defense.

9.  Designated batters with running problems will be declared prior to the start of a game. Under the designated batter rule, if a batted ball touches the outfield grass (ie not caught or otherwise fielded), the batter will be awarded first base, (i.e. cannot be thrown out at first).  A hit ball that would otherwise result in an extra base, will be considered a single and the runner cannot advance on the play as a result of any defensive misplay.

10.  In an effort to speed up the game, when 2 outs or 5 runs have been registered, the catcher may be removed as a base runner and replaced with a substitute runner, who shall be the last out, unless that runner is the pitcher per rule 12.  The substitute runner for the catcher is treated as a normal runner and is allowed to attempt to steel.

11.  In order to warm up, a new pitcher entering the game in the next inning may be replaced with a courtesy runner, who shall be the last out unless that runner is the catcher in rule 10.

12.  A courtesy runner may be requested for injury, health reasons, or rule 9 only, and shall be the last out, unless that runner is the catcher or pitcher from rules 10 or 11.  In this instance, the courtesy runner shall be the second last out.  A courtesy runner may not advance unless forced, a batted ball, wild pitch, or passed ball.  A courtesy runner is also allowed to advance if any play is made on any runner.  For all other situations, if a courtesy runner attempts to advance, the defensive team shall reserve the right to let the play stand or have the runner return to their previous base.  The pitch shall stand as called against the batter.

13.  A player shall play in full uniform:  baseball pants, sweater and hat.  The uniform is to be worn properly (sweater tucked in and hat bill facing forward), even when called to play for another team, or the player shall not be permitted to play in the game. 

14.  Proper protective equipment is essential. Helmets must be worn at the plate, on the bases, by catchers, by base umpires, and coaches at first and third base. Helmets with two earflaps are recommended.  Batters choosing to wear helmets with one flap, must have the flap on the side facing the pitcher.

15.  If there are not enough players on one team for a given game, players may be assigned by the league convenor (or designate), or borrowed from another team, or called up from the reserve list in order to play a game.  A team must field A MINIMUM OF 7 OF ITS OWN PLAYERS, or the game is forfeited.  In the spirit of the league, if both team representatives agree to play with less than 7, then all the player stats for the game will be recorded, but the non-forfeiting team shall be given the win.

16.  For playoff games, only players on the team roster can be used with the exception of eligible players from the Registered Reserved Players’ list.

17.  Intentional walks are illegal.

18.  Players must inform their team rep of days when they are NOT available to play, so that substitutions may be called should the team be short players.

19.  No steel spikes are allowed when batting or fielding with the exception of the pitcher per rule 20.

20.  Players are allowed to wear steel spikes when pitching only.  They shall remove them when fielding or batting.

21.  All other rules are covered in Baseball Canada’s Official Rules of Baseball.