Hamilton Oldtimers Baseball Organization

League News:

Edit: Players have now been added to rosters on the website, and the first 5 weeks of the schedule have been released, with more to come next week. If there are any errors, be it player placement, spelling etc, let your team rep know and they can let me know. Thanks all!

Due to lower than anticipated full-time registrations, the difficult but necessary decision was made to operate with 5 teams this season. The goal is to be back to 6 next year. This means a bye for 1 team each week, however, the team on bye will serve as subs for the remaining teams. Please help your team reps with attendance so they can let the league know when subs are needed. The league will manage sub distribution. Players on bye are always welcome. For those not subbing, there may be opportunities to serve as base umps, scorekeepers or comic relief between the benches.

We have permits for the July & September long weekends (not August). We are currently discussing how to manage those dates. Whether they are regular season games or, if attendance is expected to be poor, we may coordinate pick-up games or something fun. The league's goal is to provide as much baseball as possible.

If your team rep has not contacted you, we're hoping to have the teams and first few games uploaded later tonight or early tomorrow. Thanks for your patience; a lot has to come together between the second Spring Training Sunday & Opening Day.  If you're scheduled to play this Sunday and your team rep doesn't contact you, please just show up and we'll get you to the right spot. 

Always double check the site but, as of now, the Royals are on bye week 1 - we don't expect that to change.

Please arrive no later than 8:30am week 1, earlier is preferred. HOBO President Dave St Martin will address the group, and you'll need to get your jersey & hat, put bags in and get warmed up.

IMPORTANT: THE LINC IS CLOSED THIS WEEKEND. PLAN YOUR TRAVEL ACCORDINGLY. 

Reminder of some house rules:

Equipment: You are responsible to supply your own:

• Wood bat (no composite or aluminum bats)
• Batting helmet (with at least 1 flap).  Helmets may also be fitted with an approved jaw guard.
• Rubber cleats, baseball pants & glove - metal cleats may be worn by pitchers while they are pitching
• 1 set of catcher's gear is avaialble for each team. Welcome to bring your own
• You will be given a hat (to keep) and a jersey for the seaon. Jerseys are returned at the end of year

Ground Rules:

• No new inning can start after 12 PM (diamonds 4, 5 & 6). We have the permits on these diamonds until 12:30
• Be kind to umpires and each other. Umpires will make mistakes, as we all do, and we need to treat them fairly.
• Base umpires are provided by the hitting team as the default.  With team rep agreement alternate arrangements are allowed.
• Players who abuse the umpires or other players are subject to discipline.
• Collisions are to be avoided on all bases.  Runners will be called out at the discretion of the umpires for intentional collisions.  Play hard, but let's all go home without injury!
• Both teams to share the same bench to encourage socialization. On D4 use the 3rd base dugout, on D5 use the 1st base. Let the friendly banter fly between games!
• Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 3 continuous innings (9 outs). To go beyond this during extenuating circumstances, both team reps must discuss and agree beforehand. (ideally at the start of the game)
• 5 runs maximum per inning. Last inning is open, be sure to declare it if time is tight, though we always ask that reason prevail between team reps
• No stealing for any team while up by 3 or more runs, however, you may run on a passed ball or wild pitch.
• Pinch runners are available for batters once they have reached base, due to health or injury reasons.  The pinch runner should be the last out (or agreeable to the opposing team) and not simply the fastest runner available.
• Pinch runners are not eligible to steal, however, they may advance at their peril, on a passed ball or wild pitch.  These pinch runners are at risk of being thrown out if they are careless with their lead off.
• Runners for catchers and two outs are considered a normal runner and may advance anytime at their peril.

• If I've missed anything, we'll get it updated asap, but the rule of thumb is that we work together to find a reasonable solution

Thanks all, we look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, please contact us or your team rep.