Playing in the OBA
What does it mean to play baseball at the OBA rep level?
- Rules of play are administered by Baseball Canada, which ultimately follows Major League Baseball rules for the older players. (Real baseball rules!)
- Once a team is formed at the beginning of the winter training season, this same group of players will remain a team for the duration of the season, (winter, spring, summer).
- The regular season will include at least 24 games, with playoffs.
- OBA teams attend 3 or more rep tournaments at their age and level. There are many tournaments to choose from across Ontario, giving OBA rep teams a chance to play against a wide range of opponents at an appropriately matched level.
- There are opportunities to represent the region in season-end provincial tournaments which are held at each age group, and at the A, AA and AAA levels.
- OBA rep players are eligible to try out for provincial and national teams under Baseball Canada.
- Coaches training and certification is done through the Baseball Canada program.
Associations Related to BDBC
Ontario Baseball
OBA (Ontario Baseball Association) https://www.baseballontario.com
- The main governing body for baseball in Ontario.
OBA Affiliate Associations:
NCOBA (National Capital Ontario Baseball Association) http://ncoba.ca
- Our affiliate. Due to the limited number of teams in NCOBA, NCOBA teams play with other neighbouring affiliates to form reasonable playing loops to allow for more competitive baseball.
- In 2019 the 15U Bytown Dodgers Bantam team played in the NCOBA and EOBA leagues, while the 13U Peewee and 11U Mosquito teams played local NCOBA-only loops that included exhibition games against local teams from Baseball Quebec (ABEO). All teams participated in three tournaments during the regular season. We anticipate that Mosquito and Peewee teams playing with the Bytown Dodgers in 2020 will follow a similar game schedule, and we are exploring the possibility of playing a local loop at the Bantam level.
- With the significant number of strong teams fielded at the Peewee level in NCOBA, it was possible for the Bytown Dodgers Peewee team to play a NCOBA only loop in the 2018 season. This was supplemented with exhibition games against local teams from Baseball Quebec (ABEO), and three tournaments during the regular season. We anticipate that Mosquito and Peewee teams playing with the Bytown Dodgers in 2019 will follow a similar game schedule.
EOBA (Eastern Ontario Baseball Association) http://eoba.net
Baseball Quebec
Baseball Quebec http://www.baseballquebec.com
Baseball Quebec Affiliate Associations:
ABEO (Gatineau) http://abeobaseball.ca
Age Categories
| Category | Age group |
|---|---|
| 8U T-Ball | 8 and under |
| 9U Rookie Ball | 9 and under |
| 10U Minor Mosquito | 10 and under |
| 11U Mosquito | 11 and under |
| 12U Minor Peewee | 12 and under |
| 13U Peewee Girls | 13 and under |
| 13U Peewee | 13 and under |
| 14U Minor Bantam | 14 and under |
| 15U Bantam | 15 and under |
| 16U Bantam Girls | 16 and under |
| 16U Minor Midget | 16 and under |
| 18U Midget | 18 and under |
| 21U Junior | 21 and under |
| Women | Unlimited |
| Senior Men | 22+ |
* Players may play in an older age category.
** Girls playing in the mixed categories may play 1 year younger.
Diamond Sizes
| Series | Pitching Distance | Base Path | RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outfield Fence | |||||
| Left | Centre | Right | |||
| Regulation | 60’6” | 90’0” | 325’ | 400’ | 325’ |
| Bantam Girls | 55’0” | 82’0” | 300’ | 365’ | 300’ |
| PeeWee | 50’0” | 75’0” | 270’ | 335’ | 270’ |
| PeeWee Girls | 50’0” | 75’0” | 270’ | 335’ | 270’ |
| Mosquito | 44’0” | 65’0” | 235’ | 290’ | 235’ |
| Rookie Ball | 44’0” | 65’0” | 235’ | 290’ | 235’ |
| T-Ball | 50’0” | 60’0” | 215’ | 265’ | 215’ |
PDF: Diamond size excerpt from OBA Constitution with field diagrams. (usefull to have for field preparation/line marking etc.)
Bat Information
Official OBA bat rules: Baseball Ontario Bat Rules NOTE: BDBC plays rep level ball, so only the "REP BAT RULES" apply.
The following is our enhanced version of the rules, for official rules, see above link. If you have any questions about bats, please contact us to get clarification, BEFORE purchasing bats.
For Mosquito:
- Any certified bat (USSSA BPF 1.15, USA Baseball) is allowed. The official rules use the word "metal" but composite bats meeting the rest of the requirements are commonly used.
- Most players use 2 5/8 diameter bats.
- Wood* bats are also allowed, although very few players at this age use them due to the higher weights. Even designated wood bat tournaments often have exemptions from wood for Mosquito.
For Peewee:
- Any certified bat (USSSA BPF 1.15, USA Baseball) which is drop 10 or less is allowed. The official rules use the word "metal" but composite bats meeting meeting the rest of the requirements are commonly used.
- Most players use 2 5/8 diameter bats.
- Wood* bats are also allowed, although few players this age use them in game except in designated wood bat tournaments.
For Minor Bantam and above:
- Only wood* bats may be used.
* Wood bats include: bamboo bats and wood composite bats. Wood composite bats include wood bats with fibreglass sheathing and wood barrelled bats with composite handles.