Rules & Regulations

2025 Rules and Regulations – Orlando Baseball Association (OBA)

As of February 22, 2025

Preamble -

The Orlando Baseball Association (OBA) provides adults 21 years of age and over an opportunity to play competitive, recreational baseball. League age is determined by rule #13 below.

The President, in conjunction with the association’s officers and team managers, may suspend or expel from the league any player for breach of OBA league rules and regulations without refund of any league fees.

Payment of league fees does not constitute or guarantee a predefined amount of playing time or games. Playing time is subject to MANAGER'S DISCRETION. Games played is contingent on field availability, field conditions based on weather, and other events / acts of nature that may prevent scheduled games from being played.

Terms Definition –

The OBA Executive Board presently consist of a President, Vice President, Divisional Commissioners, Umpire Crew Chief, Trustee and Communication Representative.

The OBA Board of Directors consist of the Excutive Board and all team managers – Each manager is automatically assigned to the Board of Directors. The team manager or a team representative must be present at all Board of Director’s meetings should the manager be unable to attend. This is a voting position on the Board.

Director of Player Personnel – This position is responsible for recruiting new players into the league, assigning players to teams and the creation of new teams as deemed necessary as the league grows. This position reports directly to the League President and is a non-voting position on the Board.

Vice President of Field Operations – This position is responsible to the League President and will assist in enforcing/monitoring all rules and regulations, to include team conduct. This position reports directly to the League President and is a non-voting position on the Board.

Rules –

#1 – UNIFORMS: All teams will have full baseball uniforms defined as jerseys of the same color and style complete with non-repeating numbers, baseball pants, and same color hats. Jersey may be of any style and must have at least a 6-inch number on the back of the jersey. Numbering must be of a permanent type of identification. Jeans, shorts, and other non-baseball attire, will not be permitted, unless worn by the entire team as part of their “standard” uniform.

The OBA President and the Board of Directors will have final judgment on what does or does not constitute proper baseball attire. If a team is found to be non-compliant, a written warning will be given and the team will have a two game period to become compliant.

#1A --"NEW RULE" (8/11/2023) UMPIRES MAY HAVE A CLOCK ON FOR BATTERS, PITCHERS AND MOUND VISITS.

#2 -- HELMETS: All batters and runners must have helmets that meets or exceeds NOCSAE standards with a minimum of one earflap, which faces the pitcher – there will be no exceptions to this rule. Full earflap helmets are encouraged for at bats, as well as base runners. Catchers must wear a helmet/skullcap or full head protective facemask while catching a game and warming up pitcher between innings. The same rules apply at all tournaments.

#3 – ALCOHOL: There will be NO BEER OR ALCOHOLIC beverages of any type permitted at the site of any league games which includes parking areas. If this situation arises and the player and/or player’s guess notified refuses to adhere, the player and/or player’s guess subject to expulsion and the team subject to forfeiture of the game in progress or just completed.

#3A -- 🚭 NO SMOKING OF ANY KIND ALLOWED ON ANY FIELD OR PARK BY OBA MEMBERS WHICH INCLUDES OBA MEMBERS GUESS.

#4 – FORFEITS: Two (2) forfeits by any team during a single season, (Spring or Fall), could result in immediate expulsion from the league, with no money refunded to the team or players. The Board of Directors will evaluate circumstances of game forfeitures prior to rendering a decision on suspension or expulsion. (A $25.00 penalty could be enforced to the team who forfeits at the discretion of the board of Directors)

#5 – BATS: The OBA is a wood bat league only. Wood bats are defined as both all naturally occurring wood (ash, maple, bamboo, etc), composite or laminated wood and “metal-wood” bats in which the handle is aluminum while the hitting surface is wood.

#6 – "NO METAL CLEATS"

are permitted for regular season and for all tournament play.

#7 – PLAYERS: For league integrity, it is important for teams to field at least eight (8) players for an official game. Guidelines to use if a team is going to be short of players for a game are as follows:

A). If the opposing team can field nine (9) or more players, the opposing manager may provide a substitute player upon request of the manager. Substitute players may not pitch or catch at any time unless agreed upon by both managers. Only active players from the OBA will be allowed to participate as substitute players due to league insurance purposes.

B). A rostered player arriving after the start of the game must take their place in the line-up and in a defensive position with the substitute player reverting to their original status as soon as the arriving player reaches game readiness. Game readiness is defined as properly attired (jersey, hats, shoes, etc.) and properly warmed-up (to prevent injuries).

In the event that late arriving players for a team reach 10, rule “A” above can be invoked.

C). More than two instances of excessive player shortage will be reviewed by the Director of Player Personnel, The President and The Board of Directors in an attempt to provide additional players to the failing team.

#8 – COURTESY RUNNER/SHARED LINE-UP POSTIONS:

Prior to game, the managers must declare whether his team will play using Rule 8(a) or Rule 8(b) above.

a) Courtesy Runner - Only ONE players per team may have a courtesy runner. A courtesy runner is defined as a runner substituted for a player who has an injury or medical condition that prevents them from running the bases but does not prevent them from participating as a batter. A courtesy runner must be a non-designated player who made the last batted out and is not the catcher, pitcher, or a player who would receive a courtesy runner. Teams must use a courtesy runner for the pitcher & catcher with two outs (speed-up rule), but may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher & catcher at any time without affecting the ONE player limit.

b) Shared line-up Position:

Offensive substitution: If manager elected to do so, the team may uses the Shared Lineup position to enter more than one player in any offensive batting order position.

i) Offensive substitution is unlimited, provided said player stays in the same spot in the lineup once he is placed there (i.e., a batter and a runner for that batter may occupy the same position in the offensive lineup; the manager must declare who is batting at that lineup position if there is a change. Neither player may appear in any other offensive lineup slot.) A manager may use an unlimited number of players in any lineup slot, but those players cannot be used elsewhere offensively.

ii) A shared position in the offensive lineup may be initiated at any time, at manager’s discretion.

iii) Managers must notify umpires and opposing managers/scorekeeper when players in shared-lineup positions are being switched the first time in the game. (Penalty for failure to report: Handle same as batting out of order)

iv) NO COURTESY RUNNERS when using shared lineup position.

v) If player (A) reaches 1st base or any other base and you use Share lineup position for that batter for the first time the shared player (B) must bat up the next time the lineup slot comes up. After this is done once, player (A) or (B) can switch at any time.

#8A -- 38+ & 48+ COURTESY RUNNERS: Catchers and pitchers are the same as above. 2 courtesy runners can be use in addition to pitchers and catchers. Must be identified before the start of game and it the last batted out who is the courtesy runner.

#9 – TEAM LINEUPS: Each manager will have their own prerogative to bat as many players as they so desires in their initial line-up, with a minimum of ten (10) if available (see rule #7 above). If the manager wants to add players at the bottom of the line-up, they may do so at any time. If a player is pinch hit for, the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter, but may stay in the game defensively. Active batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added to the batting order during the game (in accordance with rule #10 below). If a team is short of the mandatory nine (9) man lineup and only has eight (8) roster players, the ninth (9) spot would be an AUTOMATIC OUT.

#10 – LINEUP MODIFICATIONS: If the affected team’s roster is reduced to seven (7) players, a substitute player must be assigned, according to the procedures described in rule #7 above, and shall bat in the affected batter’s position. In the event that a team is batting all of their players prior to the request for a substitute player, the opposing manager can designate any of their players in the batting order. All batters will move up without penalty. If no substitute players are available or if the request for a substitute player reduces a team below nine (9) players, the managers must agree on the continuation of the game with eight (8) players. If the managers cannot agree, the affected team shall forfeit the game pending appeal to the Board of Directors.

A). In a case when a player has to leave the game early for any reason, other than an ejection, there is no penalty when their batting turn arrives. The manager of the team affected must notify the opposing manger of the change at the time of the player’s departure. All players shall move up in the batting order without penalty or a player who has not previously been in the batting order can be assigned that batting position in the batting order per the pinch batter rule.

B). If an ejection occurs, and there are no players available to fill the batting order position, the batting position will be recorded as an AUTOMATIC OUT for the batting team.

#11 – DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS: All players may be substituted for defensively at any time without affecting the player’s offensive status in the line-up. If the starting pitcher is removed from the game, the starting pitcher may return to the pitching position only once during the course of the remainder of the game whether they leave the playing surface or not. Only the starting pitcher may return to the pitching position; no subsequent pitchers may assume the pitching position once they are removed.

#12 – FEES/MISC ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: Dates for submission of final rosters, all league forms, and all designated league fees will be set each season by the President and the Board of Directors. All items must be provided to the President and is the responsibility of the team manager. Failure to submit any one of these items will be grounds to prevent a team and / or individual player(s) from participating in the OBA League until all items have been provided to and approved by the President. Once the season has started, there will be absolutely no changes to a team’s roster without the receipt of all league forms and all designated league payments AND in accordance with rule #18 below. The President will verify the accuracy of the rosters, league forms, and the receipt of all league payments and will report via e-mail or phone call the compliance of all teams to the league managers prior to the beginning of the season.

A). League fees are based on a per team basis. Projected cost per player is based on a 15-player roster. Regardless of how many players actually end up on the roster, the team is still responsible for all league fees.

B). For there is no reduced fee for players entering the league after the official season has begun.

C). The revenues generated by the excess players will be used by the President and Board of Directors for, but is not limited to: the upgrade or purchase of league equipment, field facilities, equipment, family events, tournament sponsorship, and other activities sponsored by the league.

#13 – AGE ELGIBILITY: The age limit for the league is based on the calendar year and not the actual age of the players. Should a player achieve the minimal age of 21, 25, 38 and 48 at any time during the calendar year, they are to be deemed eligible for play in the OBA League’s respected divisions.

#14 – GAME START TIMES: All games must start at the scheduled time, unless prior arrangements to re-schedule have been agreed upon by both managers. All teams and umpire(s) are expected to be ready to play at the scheduled time. In the event of a rescheduled game, the President, or their designate, will contact the umpiring agency to insure that the rescheduled game has umpire(s). 99.9% of games at BoomBah Sports Complex will be played even under rainy conditions except when lightning is in area and that decision is made by the complex.

A). All games shall be nine (9) innings in duration, with no inning starting after 2 hours 45 minutes from the scheduled or actual start of play whichever comes first. Tied games that have either completed the nine (9) innings or have reached the 2 hour 40 minutes limit may not be continue and are deemed a tie. In a (7) inning game the time 2 hours and 30 minutes from the actual start time.

B). The Run rule: 12 runs after 7, finish the inning but reduce time to 2hrs and 30 minutes so games don't get behind. Use discretion.

#15 – DECOYS/FAKE TAGS: Decoys or fake tags at any base are strictly prohibited. Decoys or fake tags can and have produced unnecessary injuries. If an infielder, in the judgment of the umpire(s), performs a decoy, all runners will be allowed to move up one base. Should the same infielder perform a second decoy, the player will be removed from the game and suspended for one additional game, subject to appeal. Should an injury occur due to the decoy, the player accused of the decoy may be subject to additional disciplinary action including the costs associate with any medical bills obtained by the injured player and possible ejection from the league without refunding of league fees.

A). There are many interpretations of the “hidden ball” play depending on the level of the competition. In Major League Baseball (MLB), under RULE 6.02 (a)(9), a balk occurs if the pitcher is standing on or astride (straddle) of the pitching rubber without the ball. As play after a foul ball, hit batsman, or time out, must not resume until the pitcher is on the pitcher's mound, the infielder cannot use these time to obtain the ball. Since the OBA abides by the MLB rules for items not specifically covered herein, the OBA will adhere to the MLB rules for this ruling and allow the pitcher to be anywhere on the pitching mound, not astride the pitching plate, during this play.

#16 – PROTEST: All protests must be lodged with the league President or divisional commissioner within 24 hours of the completion of the game. A written protest with details of the incident in question may be required from each manager within 48 hours of the protest being presented to the league President. The OBA Board of Directors shall decide all protests. A $50 protest fee will be enforced. If protest is won, protest fees will be refunded.

A). It is the duty of the managers to report any and all player ejections within 24 hours. Any player ejected out of a game must serve an immediate one game suspension the following game.

B). If a disciplinary meeting is convened, the President and the Director of Player Personnel will meet with the managers and player(s) to rule on what, if any, action should be taken. The findings of the disciplinary meeting will be final. No appeal will be granted. FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!! A player who initiates a fight will immediately be banned from all OBA venues and will forfeit any and all fees paid to the OBA.

#17 – RAIN OUT or SUSPENDED GAMES: Any regular season games rained out should be rescheduled by the opposing league officials in accordance with rule #14 above. Final league standings will be decided by won-lost-ties (points scale) records first, followed by head to head competition, followed-by total runs allowed. Final standings will be determined by the information entered into the league’s web site. If there is a conflict between data entered, those conflicts should be brought to the attention of the President who will resolve the dispute.

(a) Postseason Games: All playoff games must be played to completion to be official. If rain, field lights or any other field conditions makes the game unplayable after start the game picks up from that point at a scheduled future date.

17A) Any suspended game that has progressed far enough to become a regulation game, but which has not been completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the regular season shall become a called game, as follows:

17B) If one team is ahead, the team that is ahead shall be declared the winner (unless the game is called while an inning is in progress and before the inning is completed, and the visiting team has scored one or more runs to take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead, in which case the score upon the completion of the last full inning shall stand for purposes of this rule or

17C) If the score is tied, the game shall be declared a “tie game” (unless the game is called while an inning is in progress and before the inning is completed, and the visiting team has scored one or more runs to tie the game, and the home team has not retied the game, in which case the score upon the completion of the last full inning shall stand for purposes of this rule.

17D) Any postponed game, suspended game (that has not progressed far enough to become a regulation game), or tie game that has not been rescheduled and completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season must be played (or continued, in the case of a suspended or tie game) to a completed regulation game, if the League President determines that not playing such game might affect eligibility for the post-season and/or home-field advantage for any Wild Card or Division Series game.

#18 – PLAYER MOVEMENT/WAIVERS: No player may switch teams without the consent of the managers involved, the Director of Player Personnel, and/or the OBA President.

A. If a player wishes to be released from his current team and continue play in the OBA, he will be optioned to the last place team. If the last place team does not require his presence, he will be optioned to the next team up in the standings. This will continue until he is picked up by a team.

B. In the event a player wishes to leave their existing team and form a new team, they may do so with the consent of OBA Board of Directors. No other player(s) can be taken from an existing team without the consent of that team’s manager, the Director of Player Personnel, and / or the OBA President.

#20 – PLAYER ELGIBILITY: Determination of eligibility of players and manager to participate in the OBA will be at the discretion of the league’s Board of Directors and the President. Players or managers that have been removed from any recreational league for disciplinary action can be banned from the OBA by the President at any time upon written notification of the disciplinary action. Appeals of this and any disciplinary action to the Board of Directors and President will be allowed and scheduled by the President. Players will not be allowed to participate in any league game until the appeal has been heard and a ruling has been given.

A) Playoffs Eligibility: All rosters will be closed after-

21+ division 5th game

25+ division 5th game

38+ division 5th game

48+ division 5th game

To be eligible to participate in the playoffs a player must have played

21+ division 4 games minimum

25+ division 2 games minimum

38+ division 4 games minimum

48+ division 4 games minimum

# 21 – APPLICABLE RULES: Games will be played with all other applicable rules defined by major league baseball rules and regulation for play, for example, three (3) strikes constitutes an out, and three (3) outs will constitute a half inning of play.

#22 – CONTACT/COLLISIONS: All players must attempt to avoid collision, intentional or accidental, with a fielder. An intentional collision, as ruled by the umpire(s), will constitute an automatic out. If ruled flagrant by the umpire, this action will result in theoffending player’s expulsion from the game and possible suspension from the league. In general, players must slide directly at all bases where there is an apparent play or veer out of the way of the defensive player. “Take out” slides are not permitted in the OBA league for safety reasons. Managers need to instruct all players prior to the beginning of all seasons on the proper etiquette for the OBA league.

A). The most dangerous situation is a slide at home plate. Colliding with or running over a catcher at the plate is an automatic out and if deemed malicious, the runner is automatically ejected and suspended pending appeal to the Board of Directors.

B). The only exception is on a thrown ball that is chased up the line by the catcher in which the runner cannot avoid contact with the catcher. In this case, the runner is not ejected and no suspension is enacted. The contact issue will be at the sole discretion of the umpire(s) at the time of the incident.

# 23 – Batting and Pitching Stats must be send to the league within 48 hours of your last game, "MUST BE A CLEAR PHOTO COPY OR GAME CHANGER" so they can be input into the website.