RECOGNITION OF ALTERNATIVE BASEBALL PROGRAMS
FOR 2024 PLAYING SEASON
In order to allow for players to determine where they wish to participate in 2024, Baseball Ontario is announcing today its recognition of alternative programs for the 2024 playing season.
PLAYERS
Under P1.12 a), players are not eligible to register with the OBA for the 2024 playing season if they have registered with a non-recognized baseball program operating in Ontario for any part of the 2024 playing season. Players who are registered with an OBA team for the 2024 playing season who register with a non-recognized program shall be subject to suspension.
The following organizations are recognized for purposes of this rule:
- PBLO franchises in good standing with the PBLO and complying with the agreement between Baseball Ontario and the PBLO (Kingston Jr. Ponies, London Badgers, Mid-West Ontario Bearcats, Ontario Yankees, Oshawa Legionnaires, Ottawa Nepean Canadians, Sarnia Brigade, Sudbury Voyageurs, Tecumseh Thunder).
- Ontario Senior Baseball Association
- All Senior Men’s House League Programs
- Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
- Any organization which submits an application under, and complies with, the Baseball Ontario Recognition Policy. As organizations apply and are recognized, the will be added to this list.
- For the 2023 season, the following organizations are recognized (as of April 19, 2023):
| Field House Pirates |
| Great Lake Canadians |
| Ontario Blue Jays |
Ontario Nationals |
| Ontario Royals |
| Team Ontario Astros |
| Terriers Baseball |
| Titans Baseball Club |
| Toronto Mets |
| Windsor Selects |
Application for Recognition
Other than at Senior, players who are involved with a recognized alternative baseball program may ONLY sign with (i) the OBA Local Association in which they live OR (ii) the OBA Local Association with which they last rostered. (Note: In the case of (ii), if the player was not rostered with that Local Association in 2022, a release will be required from the OBA Local Association in which they live.) If the Local Association(s) referenced in (i) and (ii) decide NOT to sign the player, the player may NOT sign with any other OBA team during the current playing season.
TEAMS
Under RP1.12 b), for OBA teams (i.e., where the entire OBA team is playing as a team in an alternative program), if the OBA team has the approval of its Affiliated Association, it may play in any of the following alternative baseball programs:
- PBLO
- AABC
- Can-Am Senior League (Windsor area)
- NABF
- Little League
- USSSA
- St. Clair Shores MABL
An OBA team may also play against any organization listed above which has been recognized under the Baseball Ontario Recognition Policy.
OBA teams wishing to play in one of those alternative baseball programs must follow all rules applicable to OBA teams, including rostering and release requirements, and must comply with their obligations to their Affiliated Association and Baseball Ontario.
OBA teams are subject to suspension for playing against any non-recognized baseball program.
REQUESTS
Affiliated Associations or Local Associations wishing for Baseball Ontario to recognize any other alternative baseball program may request the Rep Council to consider their request. Any such request must be made in writing, and in the case of a Local Association have the approval of the team's Affiliated Association, and provide reasons why Baseball Ontario should recognize the alternative baseball program. Baseball Ontario's Rep Council reserves the right to approve or reject any such request.
Non-Baseball Ontario programs may apply for recognition in accordance with the Baseball Ontario Recognition Policy.
Anyone having any questions regarding these provisions may contact Justin Snively-Topping, Rep Commissioner, at justin.snively@baseballontario.com
BASEBALL ONTARIO
STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO PLAYING IN
INTERCOUNTY MAJOR LEAGUE
In order to provide a consistent and equal playing field for OBA teams across the province, Baseball Ontario is announcing pursuant to P1-12 of its Constitution the following with respect to players playing in the Intercounty Major League in 2023.
1. Players playing in the Intercounty Major League are not eligible to sign with Senior teams within the OBA. In other words, players can only play with one senior-aged team in Ontario.
2. Junior-aged players playing for the OBA junior team in the same municipality that operates an Intercounty Major League franchise may play as call-up with that particular Intercounty Major League team, but no other. For example, players playing on the Kitchener Junior team may play as call-ups with the Kitchener Intercounty team only. Where there is no Junior team in the municipality of the Intercounty team, then the Intercounty team may, with the consent of the Junior team, designate in writing to OBA one Junior team for call-ups. Only one Junior team may have its players be used as call-ups with an Intercounty team per Intercounty franchise. Junior teams whose players are to be used as call-ups for an Intercounty team must notify OBA of such arrangement prior to any players being used as call-ups.
3. If a Junior aged players playing for the OBA junior team in the same municipality that operates an Intercounty Major League franchise plays as a call-up with the Intercounty Major League team then that player is ineligible to play as a call-up with the OBA senior team in that municipality. For example, players playing on the Burlington Junior team may play as call-ups with the Burlington Intercounty team OR the Burlington Senior team but not both.
4. Junior players in municipalities that do not have an Intercounty Major League franchise are not eligible to play as call-ups in the Intercounty Major League, except as specifically permitted in paragraph 2.
5. Players who play in the Intercounty Major League in violation of these rules will be deemed to be illegal players for OBA purposes.
Anyone having any questions regarding these provisions may contact Justin Snively-Topping, Rep Commissioner, at justin.snively@baseballontario.com
