TEAMS WILL FOLLOW OHSAA RULES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:
1A) The Ohio Prospects League will have age groups from 13u to 18u. At the discretion of the league board, age groups will be split into Major, Minor, and Community Plus divisions. Also at the board's discretion, there will be an OPL East, OPL South, and OPL West division. The OPL Board will decide how many teams to accept into each division..
1B) League Entrance: Teams must apply to enter the league to which a majority of Board Members must agree to accept the team into the league. All teams must reapply to enter the Ohio Prospects League for the following season. Team applications can be found on the League Forms Page located in the Main Menu on our website.
1C) The league will only post team tryout information on the OPL website for teams that have submitted a Team Application/Team Registration Form. League teams can not have tryouts until their league season is "Officially" over.
3)Each team will design their own schedule. Ohio Prospects League games take priority over all Independent (non-league) games. The only exceptions to this rule are the prepaid out of town tournaments.
4)All coaches must attend the annual coaches scheduling meeting. At this meeting, all games will be scheduled. If you do not attend, teams will still schedule games against your team.
5)A point system will determine the league standings. A team will receive two points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss.
5a) The league champion is determined by the playoffs at the end of the season.
6)Forfeits will not be tolerated. If a game is forfeited, the forfeiting team loses their forfeit fee. You must send another forfeit fee into the league before your next game or risk being removed from the league.
7a) Until the first pitch of the game, field maintenance determines whether the game will be cancelled. If there is no field maintenance, the home team will determine the playability of the field. The opposing coach, the league office, and the umpires must be notified on all cancellations. If there are any disputes, the Ohio Prospects League holds the option to determine the playability of the field and may rule a forfeit by the home team if the field is ruled playable.
7b)All Ohio Prospects League 13u-18u games will be played with a 12 run mercy rule after 4 innings and 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings.
7c) No metal cleats are allowed on turf fields. List and exceptions listed on website. Penalty: ejection from game.
7d) Any bill the league obtains for cleanup/damage of a field will be forwarded to the team at fault. If the bill is not settled, that team will receive penalties that may result in removal from the league.
8a) For the 14U Division ONLY starting times for games in (April & May MUST have a scheduled start time of 6:00 PM (unless you are playing on a field with lights) for games scheduled from June thru July, ALL 13/14U Division games latest scheduled start time is 6:15 PM unless you are playing on a field that has lights. A doubleheader on a unlighted field must start by 4:00 PM.
For the 18/16/15U Division games they MUST be scheduled to start by 6:15 PM unless you are playing on a field that has lights A doubleheader on a unlighted field must start by 3:30 PM.
8b) All Ohio Prospects League 13u to 18u games are 7 inning games, and are played with a 2:15 minute time limit. No inning may start 2:15 min after the first pitch or if a game is called because of darkness/rain (whichever occurs sooner.) A game may begin after the scheduled start time if both coaches agree. Once the game begins, then revert back to rule 8b.
8c) Any game called due to weather, darkness, or any other reason after 3 1/2 innings if home team is winning or if the game is tied, or 4 innings if the visitors are winning is over, with the team ahead winning the game. If the game is tied, each team will receive a tie in the standings.
-games that do not reach the 3 1/2 inning mark will start from the point at which the game was called at a later date. Exception--unless the team that is trailing wishes to count the game as completed.
9)If a game is halted in the middle of an inning after 4 innings of play, the game will revert back to the last whole inning played unless the home team has tied or taken the lead in the bottom half of the inning. If the home team has tied the score, the game ends in a tie. If the home team has taken the lead, the home team wins.
10a)If a tie occurs in the standings, here are the tiebreakers: 1) most wins head to head if all tied teams played each other 2) average least runs allowed vs tied teams if all teams played each other 3) average least runs allowed for all league games 4) average run differential vs. tied teams 5) average run differential vs. all league teams 6) coin toss
11) Team rosters will have a maximum of 20 players and a recommended minimum of 12 players in the 18U thru 15u divisions and a maximum of 20 players and a recommended minimum of 11 players in the 14U-13U divisions. A team that cancels or forfeits a game for non-weather reasons that is under the recommended minimum will be fined $120. The official Ohio Prospects League roster for each team is listed on the website. A player/parent must sign an OPL contract and be added to the roster before he is allowed to play an Ohio Prospects League game. A player can only be on one roster within the OPL.
11)-- Eligibility is based of age cutoff of May 1st of the current season. The best way to check age level is the player's age on April 30th of the current season.
The only exception-- a player of the same grade level can play at that age. Here is a list of eligible grade levels:
16u--10th Grade 15u--9th Grade 14u--8th Grade 13u--7th Grade
However a player eligible by grade level cannot be two years older than the age level.
11A) If a team will have 9 or less players for a game, they are permitted to borrow player(s) from a team in another division to give them 10 active players for that game. Player must be age eligible.
11B) If a team has more than 10 players, they can call a player(s) from a lower age level in the OPL up to a higher level once, then brought back down one time. That player can no longer be brought up.
11C) Any player that is borrowed or brought up from a roster from another team must have permission from the head coach, team manager or head of organization in an email or text submitted to the league.
--Any player borrowed or called up must be reported to the league offices (name and uniform number) and to the opposing team or that player(s) is ineligible.
11D) A maximum of four players per team may be rostered on a team outside of the Ohio Prospects League.
11E) All coaches must be listed on your team page on the website. In order for a coach to file a protest, that coach must be listed on their team page on the website. Only a coach can file a protest.
12) Each parent or 18 yr old player must fill out a player contract electronically. Player contracts go into effect when fully completed, signed and received by a league official in the proper amount of time.
-- It is expected that each 18U thru 13U team has at least 8 players send in a player contract by December 31st. The Ohio Prospects League Board reserves the right to review any team that has not met this criteria as to their ability to field a team and based upon the review, the league reserves the right to remove a team.
--Player contracts must be done electronically through the OPL website. If a player contract is not submitted to the league before that player participates in an Ohio Prospects League game, it will result in a forfeit.
12b) Once a parent or 18 yr old player signs an Ohio Prospects League contract for a team for a given season, he is committed to that team for that season.(Players can not play on multiple teams in the league) Players can be released by the head coach of that team by submitting by email to the Ohio Prospects League offices. If a player is released, he may be picked up by another team in the Ohio Prospects League until June 30th. After June 30th, no player released from league teams can be picked up by another team in the Ohio Prospects League. (Exception) For 13u and 14u June 20th is the last day to add a player.
13) Each team must carry with them birth certificates of each player along with insurance papers.
14a)The last day to add a player to an 18U-16U-15U league roster is June 30th of any given season except for injury. After June 30th, If a player incurs a season ending injury, that team can pick up a player to replace the injured player. However, the league must receive a doctor's note with the doctor's name and business phone number. Any player picked up after June 30th is ineligible for the NABF Tournament. After June 30th, no player released from league teams can be picked up by another team in our league. The last day to add a player to a 14U-13U league roster is June 20th of any given season except for injury. After June 20th, If a player incurs a season ending injury, that team can pick up a player to replace the injured player. However, the league must receive a doctor's note with the doctor's name and business phone number.
15a) All members of the Ohio Prospects League must practice a positive code of ethics and sportsmanship. Once a player verbally agrees to participate for one team, all other teams shall honor that player's decision.
15b) Any member of an Ohio Prospects League team or organization may not recruit players under contract for the current season. Once the OPL season is over, player contracts are void.
15c) The Ohio Prospects League season is officially over on July 18th for 15u-18u. No league games may be played after that date. Player contracts become void at midnight on that date.
16)A complete OPL league schedule is due at the scheduling meeting. Failure to turn in a schedule will result in a $10 fine per day. A complete schedule with all league games scheduled must be turned in. Unscheduled league games will result in forfeit(s). In addition, once the season begins, the home team is obligated to provide a field for their home date. If they cannot and the game cannot be rescheduled, the home team will receive a forfeit.
The schedule on the website is official. You cannot postpone or cancel a game unless both teams agree (except for weather conditions) or a forfeit will be granted. If there is no forfeit taken...
16b) A forfeit will be granted if a game is cancelled for non-weather reasons, and the team that was cancelled cannot schedule a make up game within 72 hours of cancellation. The game does not have to be played in 72 hours, only added to the schedule. Both teams must be open on the reschedule date and a field must also be scheduled.
16c) If a game is cancelled for non-weather reasons in the last week of the season, it is an automatic forfeit for the team that cancelled the game. This includes cancelling because of tournaments, etc. In addition, same day cancellations also result in an automatic forfeit for the team cancelling the game.
17)No league games will be scheduled by phone!!! All games will be scheduled at the scheduling meeting. If two opponents schedule more than the required number of league games against each other, the earliest time(s) and date the teams play will count as the league game.
18)All umpire fees will be divided evenly among participating teams. Each team must supply two new Ohio Prospects League baseballs.
--The team that books and/or rents the field is the home team (including doubleheaders.) Any fee for a playing facility will be paid by the team renting that facility for the game. The home team is responsible for scheduling umpires and communicating any rainout/cancellation to umpires and visiting team.
19a)Each team must purchase their own insurance. Insurance companies are listed on the Ohio Prospects League website. The Ohio Prospects League must be named as additional insured. A copy of this must be turned into the league at least one day before their first game or the game will be forfeited.
19b) Each team must complete the Concussion Compliance Form that states each team is in compliance with the Ohio Return to Play Law regarding concussions.
20)All home games--league or non-league, must be scheduled through an approved umpire association. Teams must notify the league officials at the spring meeting which umpire association is being used. The Ohio Prospects League only allows high school certified umpires. It is each team’s responsibility to send in your home schedule to the approved umpire association that has been reported to the league.
21)Umpire fees are to be paid before the first pitch of a game. Umpire associations that are not contacted about cancellations and schedule changes will be owed the forfeit fee by the home team. If a game is cancelled at the field by the home team before the first pitch and umpires are present, they will be owed $12 apiece from the home team. If a game fails to complete three innings of play, each umpire will receive $30. It is mandatory that two umpires are scheduled for each game. If only one umpire is present, teams may begin play.
21A) Umpire fees are as follows: 18u umpire fees are $80 per umpire, 16u/15u/14u $75 per umpire, 13u umpire fees are $70. If one umpire completes the game, they receive a fee and a half split between both teams ($120 for 18u, $114 for 15/14u, $106 for 13u.) For non-east divisions only--If the home team uses an umpire that is higher than the agreed upon league rate above, then the home team will responsible for the difference for the away team.
22) The umpire is the league official for each game. Any disputes will be handled through a written report from the umpires of that game. There will be no protests of OHSAA rules. All disagreements will be finalized on the field- with the final decision being made by the field umpires for that given game. Any league rule protests need to be communicated to the umpire at the point of infraction, then filed with the league. Exception—for roster protests only, a team has 24 hours from the completion of the game to file a protest for violation of the roster rule.
23 )OHSAA High School Baseball rules will be followed including NFHS - NOCSAE approved equipment. In addition, teams may use an additional hitter and a designated hitter. The additional hitter is treated as position in the lineup.
--Teams may start games with 8 players (no automatic out), but must complete with at least 8 players . If a team falls below 8 players it is a forfeit. Players arriving late may be added as the 9th & 10th batter in the lineup. If a team starts with 9 or 10 players and loses a player, that will be an automatic out in the lineup. (except for injury.) If a team is short of players, there will be a 15 minute grace period declared by the umpire at the start time before a game is ruled a forfeit.
--Roster batting is not allowed for 16u-18u. At 13u-15u, teams have the option to roster bat (or bat 10, 9, or 8 as specified above). Late arriving players would be added to the end of the lineup. If you choose not to roster bat, you cannot switch once the game begins. If a player comes out of the game, a substitute must go into that spot in the batting order or it will be an automatic out. (except for an injured player)
23b) Courtesy runners are allowed for pitcher and catcher only. It must be a player not in the lineup. Exception--for 13u-15u, if a team is roster batting, it would be the player who made the last out.
24) All tobacco products are banned from the field of play. Possession of tobacco will result in ejection from the game.
25) The Ohio Prospects League will follow the OHSAA Pitching Guidelines for Ohio Prospects League games with amendments on enforcement:
Pitchers shall adhere to the following pitch/rest limitations:
--A pitcher may finish the current batter if the daily pitch limit is reached during that at bat.
--A pitcher is allowed to pitch in the second game of a doubleheader as long as daily max is not reached.
--All pitches thrown in a suspended game shall count toward the daily pitch limit and the total number of pitches thrown.
--Each team must keep a record of all pitches thrown by each of their players in each game and make this available to the league. (can do so through Gamechanger)
--An opponent must file a protest to the umpire in regards to the pitching rules at the point of infraction for the daily limit. For the days rest, teams have 18 hours from the completion of the game to file a protest.(in playoffs--league must be notified by midnight.) Any player pitching after the limit is reached or during a period in which rest is required is considered to be pitching as an ineligible player. (Penalty: Forfeit)
26) OPL teams will have the opportunities to participate in the NABF and PONY tournaments. All teams from 13u and 14u will be registered with Five Tool Baseball.
27) Playing in the COLT/PONY/PALOMINO Regional/Zone Tournament also commits your team to play in the COLT/PONY World Series if your team qualifies. Forfeiting games in the PONY/COLT/PALOMINO will result in a suspension and possible fine from the PONY league offices. Any team that advances in the COLT/PONY/PALOMINO Tournaments may receive a travel allowance as determined by the Ohio Prospects League board.
28)The winning team of a league contest will report the score and pitch count for both teams. You may text, or email the score to ohioprospectsleague@gmail.com League standings will be kept by the league director receiving scores on a daily basis. Failure to send in a score that evening or if a late game the next morning by 10 AM will result in a $10 fine. Check the league website for standings and schedules. www.ohioprospectsleague.org
29)Teams should email the league with any tournament championships and any top four finishes. They will be posted on the league website.
30)Equipment: Teams are required to purchase 3 dozen OPL league baseballs that will be used as game balls in Ohio Prospects League Contests. All equipment (including bats, helmets, and catcher’s equipment) must be high school (NOCSAE) > National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment certified.
--Metal cleats are allowed unless playing on a turf field that prohibits metal cleats.
30A )OPL AGE DIVISION DIFFERENCES:
--BASEBALLS: 15u-18u must use Rawlings H3 High School baseball.. 13u-14u uses Rawlings RNF and R100 Baseballs.
--BATS: 15u-18u uses bats stamped BBCOR -3 Bat. 14u American Division uses stamped -3 BBCOR Bats. 14u National Division may use -5 USSSA bpf 1.15 stamped bats. 13u bats must be stamped USSSA bpf 1.15 with a max of -8.
PLEASE NOTE: Wood Bats and BBCOR are allowed at all age levels. USA bats are allowed at 13u and 14u.
--FIELD: 14u- 18u uses regulation high school 60’ 90’. 13u uses 54’80’ field.
--ROSTER BAT: Only 13u-15u may roster bat. All other age groups may bat an additional hitter (max of 10 in lineup)
31) A high school lineup card must be used for all Ohio Prospects League games. Uniform number, name, and position must be listed on the lineup card. A copy of the lineup card must be given to the umpire. Teams are requested to list all substitutes and their numbers on the lineup card. However the official roster is listed on the Ohio Prospects League website. All lineup changes must be reported to the umpire.
32) All personnel on field or in dugout must be listed on the website. No coaches or players are allowed on the field or in the dugout if they are not listed on the website. All coaches on the website must be compliant with the Ohio Return to Play (concussion) law, Lindsay's Law, and Safe Sport Act.
32A) All personnel on field or in dugout must wear a team uniformed shirt. Failure to do so will result in ejection from the field of play. The coaches must wear a uniformed shirt or jacket and pants or shorts that are team colors. It is recommended that coaches shirts and jackets have a readable uniform number. If a coach is ejected that does not have a uniform number that is readable by the umpire, the head coach of that team in addition to the coach that was ejected will be suspended for one game. Each team is allowed one scorekeeper in that dugout that need not have a numbered jersey.
32B) Players on league rosters can not have the same jersey numbers, players on league rosters on our website must show a jersey number to play in league games, the league prohibits teams from sharing jersey numbers for their league roster. If a league game is played in violation of this rule, a penalty will be enforced by the league.
32C) Coaches and Players are permitted to have the same jersey numbers on a league roster on our website.
33)Any player or assistant coach ejected from a league game must serve a one league game suspension. If the same player/assistant coach is ejected in a second league game, he must serve a three league game suspension. A third ejection by that same player/assistant coach will result in suspension for the season. That player/coach will not be permitted at any league games. A head coach ejected from a second league game will serve a one league game suspension. third ejection will result in a two league game suspension. fourth ejection will result in suspension for the season.
--Any coach approaching an umpire in the parking lot is subject to a two game suspension upon investigation of the incident for a verbal altercation. Any physical altercation may result in removal for the season.
34) Any player initiating a fight shall receive a minimum three game suspension. Any team personnel, including coaches, who leave their positions and participate in a fight shall be ejected and suspended for the team’s next three league games. A second offense will result in suspension for the season. Exceptions to rule: if a player involved in a fight while remaining at their position on the field is judged to be acting in self-defense. If a player or coach leaves their position and makes contact with their own players/teammates in an attempt to prevent a fight.
35) Any conduct detrimental to the league will subject your team or individual participants (players/coaches) of the team to probation, suspension or possible dismissal from the league.
36) Failure to adhere to any rule will result in forfeit, team/individual probation and/or possible dismissal from the league--a penalty determined by the league.
37) The league fees for the 2024 season are the following:
For the 13u-18/17u divisions-$315 league fee (Non Refundable). For 13u-14u age divisions, we register your team with 5 Tool Baseball. For 14u-18u, we are registered NABF.
Rawlings R100 H3 $58 per doz (min order 2 doz) (16u-18u)
Rawlings RNF Baseballs are $44 per doz (min order 3 doz) (9u-15u)
-$120 forfeit fee* 15u/18u age Division
-$110 forfeit fee* for 13u-14u age division
***Top league team in each age division will receive entry into the Ohio Prospects League for a reduced price of $100.
38) The league fee, forfeit fee and baseball money is due at the winter coaches meeting or upon acceptance if team applies after the winter meeting.
--Teams will not be allowed to schedule unless they are full paid by the winter scheduling meeting.
--Any fees including league fees, tournament fees, forfeit fees or baseball money must be paid when due. Entry fee and baseballs are not refundable after the scheduling meeting. The cost of registering 13u & 14u teams with 5 Tool Baseball and insurance purchased from 5 Tool Baseball is not refundable at any time.
*Forfeit fees are refundable to non-returning teams in September. Teams must notify the Ohio Prospects League via email by September 30th that they are not returning to claim forfeit fees. Unclaimed forfeit fees will go into the PONY travel account.