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League Rules 12U to 9U

GENERAL RULES OHIO PROSPECTS LEAGUE 12U THRU 9U

General Rules Ohio Prospects League 12U thru 9U:

Teams will follow OHSAA rules unless otherwise noted:

1A) The Ohio Prospects League will have age groups from 9u to 12u.  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 Form. League teams can not have tryouts until their league season is "Officially" over.

2) Teams playing in the 9u to 12u Ohio Prospects League are permitted to play in another league. However, all Ohio Prospects League games must take precedent.

3)Each team will design their own schedule. Ohio Prospects League games take priority over all non-OPL games.

4)There are two mandatory coaches meetings (fall and spring). Failure of attending will result in a $50 fine.

5)A point system will determine the league champion. A team will receive two points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. 

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 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 9u-12u games will be played with an 15 run mercy rule after 3 innings, with a 12 run mercy rule after 4 innings and 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings. 

7c) 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) The latest scheduled start time for a 9u-12u age division game is 6:15 pm and a doubleheader is 4 pm with the exception is if a field has lights and the lights will be in use.

8b)  All Ohio Prospects League 9u-12u games 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.

--9u games are 6 inning games.  All other age divisions are 7 inning games.

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,  the following are the tiebreakers:  1) most wins head to head ( if all 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 ( if all teams played each other)  5) average run differential vs. all league teams  6) coin toss

11) Team rosters will have a maximum of 20 players and minimum of 11 in the 9u-12u divisions. Failure to meet the minimum amount of players before your first game will result in a $50.00 fine plus an additional $100.00 forfeit fee due the league. The official Ohio Prospects League roster for each team is listed on the website.  A player can only be on one roster within the OPL.

-- 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:

12u -- 6th grade 11u--5th grade 10u--4th grade 9u-- 3rd 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 a player(s) from 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 may call up a player(s) from a lower age level in the OPL up to a higher age level once, then brought back down one time.  That player can no longer be brought back up. 

11C) Any player borrowed or brought up from a roster from another team must have permission from the head coach, business manager, or head of the organization in an email or text submitted to the league.

-- Any player 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 an opposing coach can file a protest.

12)  The roster on the website is the official league roster for each team.  A player must appear on the roster in order to play in an OPL league game.  Coaches and/or parents need to complete a 9u-12u Player Information Form for each player on the team.  The roster is formed through the completed Player Information Form.

Player Information forms must be done electronically through the OPL website.  If a player information form 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 Player Information form is submitted for a player, that player is committed to that team for the 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 20th. After June 20th, no player released from league teams can be picked up by another team in the Ohio Prospects League.

13) Each team must carry with them birth certificates of each player along with insurance papers.

14)The last day to add a player to a 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. After June 20th, no player released from league teams can be picked up by another team in our league.

16)A complete schedule, with Ohio Prospects League games highlighted is due at the spring meeting. Failure to turn in a schedule will result in a $10 fine per day. A complete schedule with all league games highlighted must be turned in. Unscheduled league games will result in forfeit(s). The schedule is on the website 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.  This includes cancelling because of tournaments, etc.

17)No league games will be scheduled by phone!!! All games will be scheduled at the Spring coaches 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 the spring meeting date.  Failure to turn in before the first game will result in a forfeit.

19b) Each team must complete the Concussion Compliance/Lindsays Law Form that states each team is in compliance with the Ohio Return to Play Law regarding concussions and Linsdays Law.

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 $70 per game per umpire. Two umpires are to be scheduled for 11u and 13u.  9u and 10u will use only one umpire.  If only one umpire completes the full game, he will receive $106. ($53 per 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 or roster bat. If a team bats 10, the additional hitter is treated as position in the lineup. 

--Teams may start games with 8 players;  players arriving late may be added as the 9th, 10th, etc. batter in the lineup.  If a team is short of players, there will be a 10 minute grace period declared by the umpire at start time before a game is ruled a forfeit.

--Teams may roster bat.  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 (exception for injury.)

23b)  Teams are allowed to use courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher only.  If a team is not roster batting, it must be someone not in the lineup.  If a team is roster batting, it must 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 with amendments on enforcement:

Pitchers shall adhere to the following pitch/rest limitations for 9u-12u Age Groups:

  • Daily Maximum--9u-10u 75 pitches, 11u-12u 85 pitches

  • 1 Days Rest:  1 day rest 21-35 pitches

  • 2 days rest  36-60 pitches

  • 3 days rest  60+ pitches

 

--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 in a day 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.

--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 (playoffs--league must be notified by midnight of the same day.)  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) All teams from 9u to 12u will be registered Five Tool Youth Baseball.  

27) The Ohio Prospects League has a great relationship with PONY baseball.   If any age group wishes to put together an OPL all star team, the league will pay for their entry/registration fees.

28)The winning team of a league contest will report the score and pitches for winning and losing team. You may text 440-725-9293, 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 Rawlings RNF 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.  

30A)OPL BAT RULES—The OPL for 9u-12u allows for use of USSSA stamped bats (bpf 1.15, max barrel 2 ¾).  Players may use  USA bats or wood bats, but will not be required to do so.

30B)  Metal spikes are not allowed at the 9u-12u age levels.

30C)  Field length is 50’70’ at the 11u and 12u age level.  Field Length is 46’ 65’ for 9u-10u.

30D) At the 9u to 12u age level, there will be one balk warning per pitcher.  

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.

35A) 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.

36) The league fees for the 2024 season are the following:  

11u-12u Entry fee $265 (includes Five Tool Youth Baseball Registration),   Forfeit Fee (refundable) $110.  Baseballs $44 per doz (min order 3 doz) .

9u-10u Entry Fee $185 --Introductory price (includes 5 Tool Baseball Registration)  Forfeit Fee (refundable) $100.  Baseballs $44 per doz (min 3 doz order)

***OPL champions are determined by the playoff winner on Championship Day at Victory Park.  The champions and runners up get individual awards. 

 37) 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.

--Any fees including league fees, tournament fees, forfeit fees or baseball money must be paid when due. 

--Teams must be fully paid by the February scheduling meeting or they will not be allowed to schedule games.  The entry fee, OPL Tournament fee, and baseballs are not refundable after the scheduling meeting.  In addition, the registration fee for 5 Tool Baseball and any 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 go into the PONY/BRONCO Travel fund.