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East York Baseball Association House U15/U18 Rules

(Updated: April 2026)

Spirit

The guiding philosophy of the U15–U18 division is to continue developing each player’s knowledge and skills in the game. At this level, both the pitching distance and base paths increase from 13U, and players continue to compete with live pitching from their peers. While win-loss records and league standings are maintained, individual statistics such as batting averages and fielding stats are not tracked.

End-of-season semi-final playoffs will determine which teams advance to the consolation game and which compete in the championship final, both of which are played on Closing Day. All teams will participate on both Opening Day and Closing Day. Coaches and parents are expected to promote a positive, instructional approach with their own team and to refrain from negative comments about opposing teams.

The primary objective is for players to have fun while building on the fundamentals learned in 13U and continuing to develop pitching skills if they choose. The league is not intended to place players under intense competitive pressure. Instead, it focuses on refining fundamentals while emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play. Enjoyment of the game should always remain the top priority.

Game Composition

U15–U18 games feature live pitching by players. Games do not have a fixed number of innings. No new inning may begin after 10:30 p.m., with a 10:45 p.m. hard curfew.

Tied games are permitted, except during playoffs, semi-finals, and finals. If a game is called due to rain or lightning, a minimum of three (3) completed innings is required for the game to be considered official.

Expectations

Players develop at different rates, and for some, this may be their first experience not only with baseball but with any organized team sport. This is completely normal.

By the time players reach the U18 level, most will be able to:

Catch and throw the ball with proficiency, accuracy, and over longer distances
Field both ground balls and fly balls, and understand what play to make once the ball is fielded
Hit consistently
Run the bases with skill and awareness
Play all positions, including pitcher if they choose
Set up defensively based on runners, outs, the batter, and the count
Understand where to be and what to do when the play is not directly involving them

Rain Policy

The City of Toronto determines when fields are open or closed and whether games can be played. We will make every effort to update the website and Twitter account in a timely manner. Each team is also encouraged to have a team manager or communicator who can share updates with players and families.

If you have not received communication from the league or your team’s coach, and there are no updates on the website or Twitter, you should assume the game is on. Please note that weather conditions can vary across the city—rain in one area does not necessarily mean it is raining at the park.

Equipment

Uniforms: Uniforms shall consist of a league cap, team jersey, baseball pants and socks. A player must be in full uniform to play. Any sweatshirts or turtlenecks must be worn under the player's jersey. No jackets will be permitted while a player is batting, running or playing in the field. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.

Balls: A 80cc baseball will be used for all games. This is the official Baseball Canada approved baseball, specifically designed for competitive youth play at this age group and standard ball used for sanctioned games across Canada.

Bats: Both wood and metal bats with safety grips are legal but metal is preferred as they do not splinter or break.

Batting Helmets: Players are required to each have their own personal helmet. Chin-straps must be worn at all times. A helmet must be worn for all base runners (3), a batter (1), and an on-deck batter (1).

Gloves: Any type of baseball glove may be used.

Shoes: Shoes with metal cleats and sandals are prohibited. Non-metal cleats are permitted, however are not required. Running shoes are acceptable. The use of soccer shoes is discouraged as they are designed for use on grass and most of the running in baseball will be done on sand, clay or gravel infields. Players wearing prohibited footwear will not be allowed to play until such footwear is changed to be acceptable. This is a safety issue.

Athletic Support and Cup: An athletic support and cup are mandatory for all players.

Field Dimensions:
Pitching rubber is 55 feet from the plate; bases are 82 feet apart (unless playing on Diamond #1 where the bases will be 90 feet apart). U15 - U18 games will follow a U11 or U13 game on diamond #2. The umpires from those games should move the bases, but if they do not, the coaches from both teams are expected to lift the existing bases and replace the plugs. Re-lining the field is at the coach’s discretion.

Regular Baseball Rules Apply, Except For The Following:

The minimum number of players required to play a game is eight (8). If this number cannot be fielded at game time, the game will be forfeited. In such a situation, it is recommended that the other team lend some of their players to the opposing team. If this is not possible, parents, coaches or siblings may be used. The game is ultimately for the kids. Let them play.
Forfeits: If a team forfeits, the forfeit will be recorded as a 5-0 win for the non-forfeiting team. If both teams forfeit, it will be recorded as a 0-0. Games will be recorded as having 1 defensive inning.
The maximum number of players allowed to take up defensive positions is 9 unless both teams have 10 or more players. In this situation, a 10th players may be added to the outfield as a “rover”. Both coaches must agree to this prior to the game. At no point can one team field 10 players while the other teams fields 9 or less unless both coaches agree to this.
If a player has to leave the game because of injury, sickness or ejection his/her spot will be simply skipped for the remainder of the game without penalty. If the player leaving the games allows the roster to fall below the numbers required to start a game, the game will be defaulted. Rather than terminate the game, the other team should “loan” the team a player so that that the game can be completed. At no time can an ejected player be re-inserted into the game.
The umpire will ensure that the game starts on time. Games are to start at 8:45. There is a 15-minute grace period, after which, if the game cannot start, a default will declared.
After the first inning, a returning pitcher is allowed 5 (five) warm up throws.
If a new pitcher comes into the game he or she is allowed six warm up throws.
A pitcher may only pitch 2 innings per game, and these innings must be consecutive. Pitching any part of an inning constitutes 1 inning. In seasons where overage (U18) players are allowed to play, an overage (U18) pitcher may only pitch one inning.
A catcher may only catch a maximum of 3 innings per game; they do not have to be consecutive. Catching any part of an inning constitutes 1 inning.
In addition to Rules 8 & 9, no player may PITCH OR CATCH MORE THAN A COMBINED 3 INNINGS PER GAME / PER DAY and the pitching innings must be consecutive. This rule is meant for safety and to ensure that kids do not end up with serious elbow injuries as a result of too many throws and multiple warming and cooling sessions.

Example 1 - Pitch 2 innings or Catch 3 innings in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
Example 2 - Pitch 1 inning and catch 2 innings in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
Example 3 – Pitch 2 innings and catch 1 inning in Game 1 = No longer available to pitch or catch in Game 2
Example 4 – Pitch 1 inning and catch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to catch 1 inning in Game 2, not able to pitch as it has to be consecutive.
Example 5 - Pitch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to catch 2 innings in Game 2, not able to pitch as it has to be consecutive.
Example 6 – Catch 2 innings in Game 1 = Able to pitch or catch 1 inning in Game 2
Example 7 - Catch 1 inning in Game 1 = Able to pitch 2 or catch 2 innings, or 1 and 1 in Game 2
Example 8 - No pitching or catching in Game 1 = Able to Pitch 2 or Catch 3 innings, or pitch 1 and catch 2, or less in Game 2.
Any pitcher who hits a batter with a pitched ball twice during the same game will be removed from the mound. The player may still play in the field but may not be placed in the pitcher position for the remainder of the game.
All players must bat in turn for the entire game. (One batting order).
The playing positions and number of innings shall be as follows:

All players must play at least two (2) infield positions and at least one (1) outfield position within the first 5 innings of the game. Which positions each player plays is at the discretion of the coach, but remember it is house league and all players deserve a chance to play every position.
No player will sit out two innings in a row.
No players will sit twice before all other players on the team have sat once.
In any one inning you may not score more than five runs except the last inning where there is no limit on runs scored. The umpire will announce last inning. If time runs out during the last inning, the game will revert to the last completed inning where there was a winning team.
Base stealing will be as baseball rules.
If you know ahead of time that you will be short players, you may call up an approved player from next lower division. This player should possess enough ability that he/she will not get hurt or slow the game down. All players called up from a lower division will be played under the same rules and regulations as the regular players.
If player(s) are brought up for a game from lower division, they must be played under the same rules and regulations as the coach’s regular players. If it turns out that the coach already has a full team of regular players, the above statement still holds true.
Players and coaches of both teams must be in the dugout five minutes prior to the start of the game. The umpire will advise the time. The home team will occupy the dugout on the 3rd base side of the field. It is the coach’s responsibility to know who whether they are the home team or the visitor.
Rosters for both teams should be exchanged 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. The home team’s score sheet will be considered the official sheet. It is the visiting team’s responsibility to verify the score prior to the score sheet being handed in to the umpires. It is the responsibility of both teams to submit the score.
If a batted ball touches a player on another diamond or a spectator, the ball is ruled dead. The umpire will then judge what base the batter is entitled to reach.
If there are two out with the catcher on base, a runner may be substituted for the catcher. The runner will be the previous out.
Collisions at the plate are to be avoided at all times. It is the responsibility of the base runners to avoid collisions. If a collision occurs at home plate without the base runner attempting a slide, the runner will be called out. It is up to the umpire to determine whether a slide was attempted. If there is no play at a base, the defensive player must allow the base runner(s) the base path.
All players on both teams not participating in actual play must remain in the dugouts with the following exceptions:

Relief pitchers and catchers may warm up behind their own screen. Catchers MUST wear a catching mask even in warm-up. This is mandatory for Players and Coaches.
The batter on deck may take his or her proper position.
Player has asked permission from the coach to leave dugout.
There is no food allowed in the dugouts. Drinks (water and sport drinks) are allowed. All food must be consumed off the field of play. It is expected that the teams, at the conclusion of the games will clean up all garbage. The coaching staff will enforce this.
Umpires will be in total control of the game and will have the final say on any interpretation of the rules. No Player, coach or spectator will put pressure on the umpire to influence any judgement call.
Abuse, verbal or physical of umpires by players or coaches will not be tolerated. The umpires will remove said violator(s) from the game. Violators may be subject to further disciplinary action.
Parents or spectators will not be allowed to verbally or physically abuse any player, coach or umpire. The convenor and/or the VP of House League will intervene.
The scorekeeper will inform the umpire when five runs have scored to end an inning (except the inning declared as ‘last inning’ by the umpire). The final play must be completed and the ball in the pitcher’s hand before the scorekeeper announces that five runs have scored.
If the "no new inning" time is reached in the top half of the inning, then the inning will be declared an open inning. If the "no new inning" time is reached in the bottom of the inning, then the inning will not be an open inning.
Any hit ball that rolls over the path near the playground in left field will be declared a ground rule double. If it rolls over the path in centre field it will be declared a ground rule triple. Any ball that clears this path will be declared a home run. The umpire will have the ultimate decision on how many bases can be awarded.
All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets with straps attached (this includes the on-deck batter). If a player, while in play removes the batting helmet or undoes the strap the umpire will call the player who was in the wrong out. Any player that is coaching first or third base must wear a batting helmet. Straps are not required for this.

SELECT PLAYERS - PITCHING
Coaches of the select teams will provide the House League coaches with the pitch counts for any players that have pitched in the prior 3 days. House League coaches will adhere to the arm care rules for pitchers who have pitched within this time period.

Select coaches may request that select players do not pitch in a Thursday House League game if they are participating in a tournament in the upcoming weekend.

All coaches are asked to respect the arm care rules for the safety of the players.

PLAYOFFS - To be updated annually depending on if division is split or not.

Format for 2 divsions of 4 teams:
Playoffs will be held in a round robin format. The 4 teams in each division will play all other teams once in their division. The top 2 teams after the round robin will play in the Championship game on Closing Day. The teams finishing 3rd & 4th will play in Consolation games on Closing Day.

Format for 1 divsions of 8 teams:
Playoffs will be held in a round robin format. The 8 teams will be divided into 2 pools - Pool A (1,4,5,8) & Pool B (2,3,6,7) - where the teams in each pool all play each other once. After the round robin the semi finals will take place on Closing Day with the 1st place team from Pool A will play the 2nd place team from Pool B and the 1st place team from Pool B will play the 2nd place team from Pool A. The winners of each semi-final will play in the Championship game also on Closing Day. Teams finishing 3rd & 4th in each Pool will play in Consolation games on Closing Day.

Official Score:
The score sheet of the home team will be considered the official score. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to validate the score prior to the score sheet being handed in.

Tie Games:
If the game cannot be decided in extra innings (curfew has been reached, or darkness makes playing dangerous), the game will revert back to the last completed inning where the score was not tied.

Tie Breaker:
In the event of a tie within the division, the following tie- breaking formulas will be used:
i) The winner of the head to head game between the two (2) teams will advance.
ii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
iii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in all games.
iv) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
v) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in all games.
vi) Coin Toss.
In all other circumstances (3 or more), the following will be utilized:
i) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
ii) Team with the smallest runs against ratio (Runs allowed divided by the number of defensive innings played) in all games.
iii) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in games among tied teams.
iv) Team with the highest runs for ratio (Runs scored divided by the number of offensive innings played) in all games.
v) Coin Toss.

15U / 18U Rules