Wheatbelt Baseball League

WHEATBELT BASEBALL LEAGUE

All coaches/managers:

It is the home team’s responsibility to phone and schedule umpires for each game. Always have two umpires present at the games. The home team is responsible for providing the plate umpire with the game reporting sheet and self-addressed, stamped envelope after the game. The home team is responsible for using the Game Changer application on a tablet or smart phone so that all scores and games summaries can be accessed on the Wheatbelt website that same day enabling all sports media and fans to have access to this information that same night. This way all sports broadcasts the following morning will be current and accurate. It is the responsibility of the teams to make sure that someone within their organization has been designated as an official scorer with this software program that is used on their cell phone or a tablet.

Also, if you have not already done so, send the $900 league fees to:
Wheatbelt Baseball League
Box 772
Grimshaw, Alberta
T0H 1W0

Any team that is late with their dues will forfeit $250 of their performance bond. Make cheques payable to Wheatbelt Baseball League.

All umpires that have Level I Baseball Canada certification or higher will receive $60.00 per game for plate or base umpiring. Uncertified umpires will receive $30.00 per game for plate or base umpiring.

Any umpire having to travel outside of his own town to get to a game will be paid mileage by the home team at the rates handed out at the spring meeting this year (it is also on the website).

The ruling executive is Dave Allan, League Commissioner and Al Peterson, Umpire in Chief. Please don’t hesitate to contact Dave or Al regarding any league concerns.

Rules, rules, rules . . .

The official rules of baseball published by Baseball Canada will apply. Players must slide into all bases, including home plate, if there is a play at that base. Deliberate contact with a defensive player will result in ejection of the base runner immediately at the request of the umpire. We have also decided to ignore the ruling on stepping out of the batter’s box.

All games are 7 innings. If the game is tied after seven innings, play the game out until there is a winner, daylight permitting. If still tied and light levels do not allow play to continue, the game is recorded as a tie.

10-run rule applies to the 5th inning onward. If after 5 complete innings, one team leads another by 10 runs or more, then the game is officially completed. If this condition occurs after 6 complete innings, the game is officially completed.

Tobacco products are allowed in the dugouts only, and that is at the team’s discretion. Anyone using tobacco products on the field will be ejected from the game immediately at the request of the umpire.

All games are to start within 15 minutes of game time. The umpire’s decision is final.

A $500 performance bond will again be in place for the season, with the 1st penalty being $250 and the 2nd penalty also being $250. If a team wishes to stay in the league, they must repost the full $500 bond within 48 hours of their 2nd game cancellation. Any game not played on the scheduled day is considered a forfeit by the team not making the game. Teams must be notified by 4:00 p.m. that day for an evening game or by 10:00 p.m. Friday in the case of Saturday games in order that the performance bond is not used. The only exception to a forfeit is that of weather related cancellations. Teams still need to be contacted by 4:00 p.m. for a rainout or unplayable conditions because of rain. Rainout games will be played the next day if field conditions are playable.

The home team provides a minimum of three new balls at the umpire-coaches meeting at the beginning of the game.

All teams must wear 2-flap helmets for both batting and base running. Umpires will enforce this rule.

Line up cards are being used this year again. They are being included with the spring package that each team receives. They are to be filled out before the game and submitted to the home plate umpire, the opposing team, and the scorekeeper before the start of the game. The umpire must include the line up cards with the game sheet when he sends it in the mail to the league office.

All teams are to wear complete and matching uniforms while on the field. Any player not in uniform will be written up on the back side of the game sheet. Again, this rule will be at the discretion of the umpires.

Teams should be aware of the balk pitch rule. If a pitcher makes a motion towards 3rd base, they must make the throw to 3rd base. If they do not, it is a balk pitch. A pitcher can still motion towards 2nd base without penalty. Catchers must give a player a sliding path at the plate. Players must slide if there is a play at the plate. Wooden bats must again be used this year. Teams should be aware of the player re-entry rules.

The regular season this year consists of 8 games spread out over 4 weeks. Top four teams make the playoff round with 1st playing the wildcard winner and 2nd playing 3rd for the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be a best of 5 series and the league championship will be a best of 5 series.

Remember the spirit of the game when you're out there and let the umpires call the game. Fan support in the league has been growing steadily and we, as a league, don’t need any negative image developing through the media or the spectators as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct on the field. If there are any ruling problems or disputes, please contact the commissioner.

Best of luck to all teams this season. If you have any concerns about the operation of the league, the reporting of game scores, league promotion, etc., please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours truly,

Dave Allan, Commissioner