Alberta West Central Baseball Association 

2018 League Rules (Revised 2025) 

 

1.  Rules to follow Baseball Alberta except as follows: 

2.  In order to be eligible for playoffs at the end of a season, a player must have played a minimum of three (3) games during that season. 

3.  Players 5o+ may use an aluminum bat that conforms to the following specs: Max of -3 difference between weight and length . If the bat cannot be determined/proved to meet this -3 requirement, the bat cannot be used.  Each team is responsible for monitoring this on their teams. It boils down to a safety issue so please respect the rule. 

4.  Teams are allowed unlimited substitutions during a game, except that any pitcher removed from the pitching position may not return to the pitching position in the same inning he was removed. 

5.  League play will consist of games against the other league teams.  The number of games will be determined by the Executive Committee. 

6.  A team needs a minimum of 8 players to start a game.  A 15-minute grace period will be given to allow a team to field 8 players.  If unable to field 8 players after the grace period, the game will be called by the umpires.  If the team plays with 8 players, the batting order cycles as normal with no penalty being assessed. If additional players show up after game has commenced, they will be slotted in at bottom of batting order and the game will continue. However, teams may decide on case-by-case basis when/if a "point of no return" exists for the respective game, meaning whereby players who show up "too late" would not be allowed to be inserted into the lineup. In instances of teams having 12 or fewer players, every player must bat. If a team has more than 12 players present, unlimited substitutions may occur as usual. However, 12 players must be in the batting order. 

*NEW 2025 With all games starting at 7pm now, there is no longer a “grace period” to wait for players. If you do not have a minimum of 8 players present at 7pm start time (or special weekend start time), you must forfeit. 

7.  Games are to be 7 innings or 3.5 complete innings in the event of darkness or rain out.  Incomplete darkness or rainout games shall be rescheduled by the affected teams prior to their next game against each other. Every effort must be made to schedule a make-up game. 

8.  Games are to start at/before the scheduled time - 645pm.  Home team is responsible to have the bases set out and the diamond ready. Home teams will occupy the dugout on the first base side of every field, unless mutually agreed upon prior to game time or where previous agreements exist. 

*NEW 2025 all games start at 7pm on weekdays 

9.  In the event of a tie after 7 complete innings, extra innings shall be played, if the umpires agree that there is sufficient light to continue. In all extra innings, the last out of the previous inning automatically starts said inning at 2nd base.  In the event of darkness or rain out, the game shall stand as a tie. 

10.  Mercy Rule is in effect for all games. If one team is ahead by a minimum of 10 runs after 4.5 complete innings, the umpire shall call the game completed. This means the away team MUST be given at least 5 offensive opportunities for a mercy to be in effect. Home team always has the chance to bat if up 10 runs in the top half of the inning. 7th or last called inning is always an open inning. 

11.  Home plate and base umps are to be provided by the Association.  The home team is to pay the home plate umpire and the visiting team is to pay the base umpire.  All umpires are to be paid prior to the game commencing a flat rate of $65. Umpires are to be paid if they are present, regardless if game is cancelled, unless otherwise agreed upon. If one umpire shows up and teams agree to play, said umpire will be given 1.5 times his regular rate. An additional, single $50 payment will be made to the umpires for games held in Westlock. This money is to be split between the umpires as they see fit. games held in bon accord umpires will get a single $25 travel allowance. 

*NEW 2025 Game Fee: $80 per umpire per game. 

Travel Fees (per game, not per umpire): Westlock: $50 

Bon Accord & Fort Saskatchewan: $20 

 Umpires receive $5 per extra inning during playoffs. 

(Applies only if traveling 20+ km. If only one umpire travels, they receive the full travel fee. If both travel, they may split or carpool.) 

Late cancellations (after the umpire has arrived) will require payment of half the game fee to each umpire. If the game begins and is then canceled mid-game, umpires receive the full game fee. 

If a game is canceled for reasons such as team/player unavailability (e.g., NHL playoffs), the full game fee is still owed and must be paid to the umpires via e-transfer. 

12.  Game balls are to be provided by the home team.  These shall consist of 2 new balls and one good condition or “like new” ball.  Game ball must be "Rawlings ROML". 

*NEW 2025 home team must provide 3 new balls and 2 like new game balls. 

13.  All batters and base runners must wear a helmet with at least one earflap facing the pitcher. 

14.  Footwear shall be metal, vinyl or rubber cleats or running shoes. 

15.  Scores and standings will be updated on the website as they are sent into the league secretary, (via email or text message). 

*NEW 2025 Team managers are responsible for inputting scores after games on the teamlinkt app. Does not have to be the home team or winning team, whichever manager chooses to do it first 

16.  New team colors are to be approved by the Association. 

17.  Any player ejected by an umpire will serve an automatic suspension of the next league game. If a 2nd ejection occurs, the automatic suspension will be for the next three league games. If a 3rd ejection occurs, the player shall be suspended for the remainder of the season and league playoffs. 

*NEW 2025 there is no automatic next game suspension, or pre-determined penalties for ejections. All ejections will be reported to the league president by the umpires and the league president will determine if any action is required. 

18.  League playoffs are to commence after the completion of league play.  If there is a tie in the standings, it shall be broken by the following criteria: 

i)  Total run differential (RF - RA) as per the league website when applicable. If said teams have the same run differential then;  

ii) Total runs scored in the head to head games of the tied teams. 

19.  Championship Trophy to be presented by the league president at the year end function, and returned to the league at the spring executive meeting. 

20.  A courtesy runner is the last out of the previous inning. The league allows the use of a courtesy runner in the following situations: 

i)  For any players identified by the managers at the start of the game; 

ii) In the event of an injury; 

iii)  If there are 2 outs and the catcher is on base. 

*NEW 2025 The catcher is exempt from any pinch-running duties, and moves to the last out prior to the catcher. 

21.  The catcher, while playing defense, must wear a protective helmet, face mask, chest protector and shin guards. 

22.  All games postponed for any reason other than weather should be rescheduled between the teams at least one week prior to the effected game.  If a game is cancelled by a team anytime before the first pitch, said team is solely responsible to alert the umpires, their opponents and to book a make-up game that works for both teams. (please alert umpires of cancelled game before 4pm on gameday) 

*NEW 2025 must alert umpires before 5pm 

23.  Playoff structure shall be determined on total points. 

*ADDITIONAL NEW RULES 2025 

All games begin at 7:00 PM (unless otherwise noted—e.g., some 3:00 PM weekend games). No new inning will start more than 2.5 hours after scheduled start time. 

Playoff Rules: 

Playoffs have no time limit. One extra inning without a runner on second. If still tied, continue extra innings with last out on second base until a winner is determined.

24. Smoke Policy 

Games will only be canceled for smoke if the Air Quality Index is 9 or 10. 
Please refer only to Environment Canada’s website for official AQI levels: 
? Environment Canada – AQI 

25. Underage players: You are allowed (3) 25+ year olds on your team, but they are not allowed to pitch. If you want an under 30 player to pitch, you must speak to the other team manager prior to the game. The other team has the right to say no, or put out some sort of parameter such as an inning cap.