League Rules & Regulations

Any player on the team is eligible to pitch, and there are no restrictions to the number of pitchers a manager may use in a game.

Pitchers shall be permitted to have 2 appearances in the same calendar day. If a pitcher requires a rest following 1st appearance, they cannot return in the same calendar day (see examples below).

Pitcher cannot pitch 3 consecutive days unless a pitcher’s first 2 days combined does not exceed: 

•  11U – 20 league/25 provincials

• 13U – 25 league/30 provincials

• 15U Boys/Girls – 30 league/35 provincials

• 18U – 30 league/40 provincials

• If a pitcher’s Day 1 + Day 2 exceed the figure above for their division, they require rest as defined in the pitch count chart. Pitcher’s cannot pitch 4 consecutive days.

A pitcher who has pitched on 2 consecutive days and whose total exceeds the low category maximum allowance will not be able to pitch again on the second day.

The following Baseball Canada Nationals rule WILL NOT be applied to ANY Baseball Alberta games:

• 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.

The official scorekeeper will calculate the total pitches thrown for that calendar day and determine the required rest starting the next calendar day. Athletes must not exceed the maximum pitch count total for that day.

Once a player assumes the position of pitcher, they cannot catch for the remainder of the game.

If a player pitches in the first game of the day and is eligible to pitch again in the same day, he may pitch or catch in the second game, but not both.

Pitchers will be permitted to finish the batter if the maximum pitch limit has been reached.

Required Rest shall be defined in “Days” starting at 12:01am and ending at 11:59pm of the next calendar day.

If a game continues past 12:01am, those pitches are counted as if the pitched prior to midnight. If a game is suspended, when it resumes it is defined as a different day.

A pitcher who is removed from the mound during a game shall not be permitted to return to pitch in the same game, even if the pitcher is retained in the game at another position.

BASEBALL ALBERTA SPECIFIC RULES:

The scorekeeper will inform the umpire of the pitch count when a count is nearing the end of a pitcher’s daily limits. The umpire will then notify the team manager or coach of the pitcher’s team so that an opportunity for assignment correction may be immediately affected.

The Official League Regular Season final weekend will be defined as the weekend prior to the scheduled Provincial Championship at each competition level.

No Breaking Balls shall be permitted at the 11U age category – if a coach feels that the opposing team’s pitchers are throwing breaking balls the umpire will be notified and if deemed necessary a note will be placed in the game report. The Baseball Alberta office will investigate and follow the same procedure used for pitch count violations.

• A Breaking Ball shall be defined as any pitch where the hand is pronated, supinated, turned or snapped in a fashion where the baseball rotates in a side to side, forward spinning or with unnatural action that is not consistent with the pitchers natural fastball rotation.

• In the umpire’s judgement, if a pitcher at the 11U age category throws a breaking ball, such pitch will be deemed illegal and will be called a “ball”. If as a result of the pitch, the batter reaches first base as a result of the play (such as hit or walk) and all other runners advance at least one base, the play will stand without reference to the illegal pitch. No outs may be recorded as a result of such illegal pitch.

• The umpire will warn the Manager that the pitch is illegal and permit the Manager to advise his pitcher accordingly. No visit to the mound will be charged to the team. This warning must be given regardless of whether or not there was a play that occured after the pitch. If, after the warning, the pitcher delivers another breaking ball, the Manager will be ejected. If the pitcher, or any subsequent pitcher, delivers another breaking ball, such pitcher will be ejected.

Change-Ups and off speed pitches where the baseball rotates in a similar fashion to a fastball will be permitted at all levels and should be observed by the umpire prior to an appearance during warm-up.

Pitcher Warm-Up Rule can be utilized by all divisions (only during limited substitution) – A position player that is scheduled to pitch may exit the game to warm-up and re-enter with the intent of throwing the first pitch of the next defensive inning. The substitute player will not lose eligibility unless the pitcher does not begin the inning following the warm-up period and will then be considered active. The pitcher would then lose playing eligibility in the game. The substitute player must not have previously been in the game.

VIOLATION POLICIES

Head Coaches or Team Managers will be responsible for adhering to the Pitch Count policy. If an infraction occurs, then the following will occur as a result of non-compliance. The policies will be inclusive of one calendar season.

• 1st Infraction – A written warning will be issued to Head Coach or Team Manager

• 2nd Infraction – A 1 game suspension will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager

• 3rd Infraction – A 3 game suspension will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager

• 4th Infraction – A minimum 5 game suspension and “Prohibited Indefinitely Status” will be issued to the Head Coach or Team Manager

The violation of any pitching rules may result in forfeiture of game in which the violation occurred. When the use of a pitcher who is ineligible or about to become ineligible is evident, scorekeepers or other officials MUST notify the team manager or coach of the offending team so that an opportunity for assignment correction may be immediately affected.Baseball Alberta will have the option to increase suspension time based on the violation and the coach must be reinstated with written approval from Baseball Alberta. A subsequent fine may also be incurred along with follow up re-certification.Pitch Count Hearing Policy – At any point in the process a suspended or fined manager or coach may request a hearing involving Baseball Alberta; a $100.00 cost will be incurredAppeal Policy – At any point in the process a suspended or fined manager or coach may appeal a decision. A $200.00 cost will be incurred if the decision is upheld.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP PITCH COUNT VIOLATION PROCEDURE:

Scorekeepers and coaches must identify any potential infraction before that infraction occurs. No protest will be heard after the fact. Any infraction that is identified after it occurs will result in the removal of the player from the pitching position and no protest or forfeiture will occur. Posting/Updating of Pitch Count totals (Poster Boards) should be displayed at all diamonds being used during Provincial Championship tournament.

PROTESTS:

A decision based on an umpire’s judgment shall offer no basis for protest. The Home and Visiting Team must each assign two Protest Committee members to decide on protests in Provincial League games. In order for a protest to be lodged, the protesting team must notify the umpire of the request to protest the decision/call before the next pitch, play, or attempted play. If the umpire agrees the protest is legal, the protesting team must provide $100 in cash to the Official Scorekeeper to officially launch the protest. The Protest Committee (4 members) will then be summoned and will hear the protest. The Committee will remove themselves from the area of play to discuss the protest and make a decision (through a majority vote) utilizing the rules of play for Baseball Canada/Baseball Alberta.If the Committee cannot reach a majority vote on the protest, the Official Scorekeeper will then put all 4 names and their vote on separate pieces of paper and place in a hat, drawing out 3 names. The majority of the votes will then be decided by those 3 names drawn and will be accepted as the Protest Committee decision. If the protest is upheld (protesting team wins the protest), the protesting team will be given their $100 cash back and the game will resume from the point of stoppage with the new decision taking effect. If the protest is not upheld (protesting team loses the protest), the $100 will be sent into Baseball Alberta with a copy of the protest report and the game will resume from the point of the stoppage. The Protest Committee must then ensure that the Protest Report is completed and left with the Official Scorekeeper (to be sent in by the Hosting Coordinator with the Game Summary Report to Baseball Alberta). Protest Committee members should be objective individuals with good knowledge of the game of baseball.

PROTEST - PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:

• The host site shall appoint at least two members to the Protest Committee. The Tournament Director and two members shall deal with all protests and disputes arising in a playoff and their ruling shall be final and binding.

• The Umpire and the Tournament Director in attendance shall be notified, at the time of alleged infraction, that a protest is being lodged.

• A decision based on an umpire’s judgment shall offer no basis for protest.

• In reaching its decision on any legitimate protest, the Protest Committee shall meet immediately with the game umpires and the team managers involved in the dispute, with the game remaining in a state of suspension until a decision is made.

• No protest shall be considered by this committee unless the prescribed fee of $100 has been paid in cash. This fee shall be returned if the protest is upheld.

• Any member of the Board of Directors involved in a protest shall be disqualified from voting on the protest.

18U A, AA & AAA Pitch Counts

League Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-30 (Rest Required: NONE)
• 31-44 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)
• 45-64 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)
• 65-79 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)
• 80-100 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)
• 100 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 150

Provincial Championship Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-40 (Rest Required: NONE)

• 41-55 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)

• 56-70 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)

• 71-85 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)

• 86-105 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)

• 105 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 150

15U A, AA & AAA Pitch Counts

League Play Pitch Counts:

Provincial Championship Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-35 (Rest Required: NONE)

• 36-50 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)

• 51-65 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)

• 66-80 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)

• 81-95 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)

• 95 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 135

13U A, AA & AAA Pitch Counts

Provincial Championship Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-30 (Rest Required: NONE)

• 31-45 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)

• 46-60 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)

• 61-75 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)

• 76-85 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)

• 85 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 120

11U A & AA Pitch Counts

League Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-20 (Rest Required: NONE)

• 21-30 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)

• 31-44 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)

• 45-54 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)

• 55-70 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)

• 70 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 105

Provincial Championship Play Pitch Counts:

• 1-25 (Rest Required: NONE)

• 26-40 (Rest Required: 1 DAY)

• 41-55 (Rest Required: 2 DAYS)

• 56-65 (Rest Required: 3 DAYS)

• 66-75 (Rest Required: 4 DAYS)

• 75 (MAXIMUM)

Maximum number of pitches over 4 days: 105