Past Rule Changes

Hot Stove Rules Changes for 2025 season:

• Jewelry will now be permitted in all leagues
• Balks will be enforced in HH league
• Steals of home will be allowed in HH league
• No steal of home if play is made on another runner
• Lead off and steals will be allowed in H league

OHSBL RULE CHANGES for 2024

The following are new rules and rule modifications for 2024:

1. Class H base distance was changed to 65 feet. See Rule 1.1.A and Rule 1.1.C (in “blue” book.) 

2. Courtesy Runner (CR) for the catcher was amended to allow player that will be the catcher the next inning is permitted to have a CR. See Rule 3.7.

3. Bench Restriction has been added as a penalty for misconduct. See Rule 4.6.E in the blue book and Rule 4.8.

4. An international tie breaker has been added. See Rule 4.10.B.1.

5. The time limit for Class EE, E and D were added to match Classes G and F (no new inning after 2 hours 15 minutes.) See Rule 4.10.E.2.

6. The protest fee has been increased to $200. See Rule 4.19 and Rule 11.12.E in the blue book.

7. Class I coach pitch rules have been changed to allow players to receive 5 pitches at most but are able to foul off the 5th and consecutive pitches. See Rule 10.3.C.1.

8. Class I coach pitch rules have been changed to a “three strikes and you’re out” rule. See Rule 10.3.C.2.

9. Rule10.2.R was removed; protests are now permitted in Class I.

10. Class I daily pitch limits have been updated to reflect days of rest required. Note that in Class I, pitchers may pitch either their daily pitch limit or 2 innings, whichever comes first. See Rule 8.10 and Rule 10.3.F.

11. This Rule Book (“the white book”) has been condensed to include the most common rules. Full text of all rules, policies and tournament rules can be found in the 2024-2025 OFFICAL RULES AND POLICIES booklet and is located under “Forms” on www.ohsbl.com. Managers are urged to become familiar with the full rules, policies and tournament rules that govern Ohio Hot Stove Baseball. 

OHSBL RULE CHANGES

The following are new rules for 2023:

The following are new rules and rule modifications for 2023:

1. Rule 1.10.3 was clarified to reflect that all -3 bats must have the BBCOR .050 stamp, while -4 and -5 bats do not require the BBCOR .050 stamp.

 2. Previous Rule 1.16.1 was eliminated. Chin straps are no longer required at any age. NOTE: Local charter rules apply in “non-sanctioned” classes, like T-ball.

 3. Rule 3.03.A.2 was amended to state that all substitutes must be entered by the top of the 3rd inning.

 4. Rule 3.23 was added to allow the use of training aids (nets, tees, practice balls, etc.) at tournament sites, at the discretion of the site director.

 5. Rule 4.7 ejection penalties were changed; Classes I through H carry a 4 game suspension, Classes G through D carry a 2 game suspension, both in addition to the ejected game.

 6. Rule 4.10.5 was amended to include Class G in the 15 run mercy rule. The unplayed bottom of the 4th inning does not carry a substitution penalty as well.

 7. Rule 4.10.7 added time limits for each Class for regular season games. No new inning after 2 hours of play for Classes I, HH and H; 2 hours 15 minutes for Classes G, F.

 8. Rule 6.8.A was amended to allow defensive manager to issue an intentional base on balls at any time prior to, or during, the player’s at bat, without throwing a pitch.

 9. Rule 7.13.C was added to state the ball is considered to be dead from the catcher to the pitcher on a throwback after a pitch not put in play and the existing criteria for logical conclusion of the play has been met.

 10. Rule 8.10 was changed. Innings pitched for Classes I through E was removed. Replaced with pitch counts and mandatory rest.

 11. Rule 10.3.B was clarified to define where the player in the pitcher position must stand.

 12. Administrative policies and procedures as well as tournament rules have been moved to a new document, ADMINISTRATIVE AND TOURNAMENT RULES AND POLICIES” and is located under “Forms” on www.ohsbl.com.

 All managers and coaches are urged to know this rule book. Managers are the only individuals in direct contact with the players, and are completely responsible for their behavior and knowledge of the rules. Managers must inform players of the rules; therefore, the manager must be totally responsible for informing and policing the players to maintain compliance with the Ohio Hot Stove Baseball Rules.

OHSBL RULE CHANGES

The following are new rules for 2022:

1. Balks have been removed for Class HH. See Rule 8.5.N.

2. The coin toss at all regional tournament games has been removed. The team with the lower seed may now choose to be the home or away team. In Classes with only one state bracket, the seeds will carry through the State Semi-finals and State Finals. In Classes with more than one state bracket, a coin toss will be used to determine home and away for State Semi-finals and State Finals.

3. Administrative policies and procedures as well as tournament rules have been moved to a new document, ADMINISTRATIVE AND TOURNAMENT RULES AND POLICIES” and is located under “Forms” on www.ohsbl.com

The following rule changes were voted on by all Charters at the October 13, 2019 Annual Meeting:

1. Continuous Batting Order - Allow all teams to use a continuous batting order if they choose to do so. Would have to declare at ground rules. If a player is injured during the game they would become an out when it is their turn at bat. This would be for all Hot Stove Classes HH-D. Class I would still be mandated to use the existing rule. The EH would still be an option as well. All players present at the game would have to be used in the batting order. If a player arrives late, they would have to be added to the bottom of the lineup. This would give teams that choose to use it, the ability to get more players in the game. This rule would be used in both regular season and tournament play. Substitution rules must still be met by class while using a continuous batting order. Player matching would not be permitted for teams opting to use a continuous batting order. This rule change has passed.

2. Change 60% Rule - Change the rule that states a double rostered player must play in 60% of played games to at least 50%. The existing rule excludes players that play in over half a team’s games, but often times calculates to 57-58%. The spirit of the rule is to eliminate stacking up a team for tournaments but often a player that played a majority of games cannot play because of the math. This would still ensure the player participates in a majority of the team’s played games and is eligible for tournament play. This rule change has passed.

In addition, the following items will be discussed at the meeting:

Constitutional Change

1. Elimination of the need to appeal a red light if verification of offenses can satisfy the board that previous appeal(s) has addressed the matter(s) driving the red light status. If an applicant receives a red light and successfully appeals to be allowed to coach, then that successful appeal will follow that applicant every year, provided the red light is given for the same offense(s). Applicant would still be required to email the Executive Secretary to be allowed to coach. Any new offenses would require a complete appeal process. This constitutional change has passed.

ATTENTION! AHSBL RULE CHANGE NOTIFICATION

The language in the AHSBL League Rules has been altered to eliminate the restriction that prohibited batting practice prior to league games. The new regulations take effect immediately. The new language reads:

Pre-game batting practice is permitted at game sites sponsored by Alliance Hot Stove Baseball during the regular season. Batting practice is limited to inside playing field ONLY and respectfully during the team's warm-up period on designated field for game being played. NO HARD OR SOFT BASEBALLS ALLOWED. Only a plastic type whiffle ball or weighted ball with limited flights are permitted. Approved batting helmets must be worn by ALL players during batting practice. Batting tees, portable soft toss nets and hitting sticks are permitted ONLY during pre-game batting practice. These items must be removed and NOT USED DURING THE GAME. 

NO HITTING IS PERMITTED INTO CHAIN LINKED FENCES, BACKSTOPS OR SOCCER NETS AT ANY ALLIANCE PARK.

2020 OHSBL RULE CHANGES

The following rule changes were voted on by all Charters at the October 13, 2019 Annual Meeting:

1. Continuous Batting Order - Allow all teams to use a continuous batting order if they choose to do so. Would have to declare at ground rules. If a player is injured during the game they would become an out when it is their turn at bat. This would be for all Hot Stove Classes HH-D. Class I would still be mandated to use the existing rule. The EH would still be an option as well. All players present at the game would have to be used in the batting order. If a player arrives late, they would have to be added to the bottom of the lineup. This would give teams that choose to use it, the ability to get more players in the game. This rule would be used in both regular season and tournament play. Substitution rules must still be met by class while using a continuous batting order. Player matching would not be permitted for teams opting to use a continuous batting order. This rule change has passed.

2. Change 60% Rule - Change the rule that states a double rostered player must play in 60% of played games to at least 50%. The existing rule excludes players that play in over half a team’s games, but often times calculates to 57-58%. The spirit of the rule is to eliminate stacking up a team for tournaments but often a player that played a majority of games cannot play because of the math. This would still ensure the player participates in a majority of the team’s played games and is eligible for tournament play. This rule change has passed.

In addition, the following items will be discussed at the meeting:

Constitutional Change

1. Elimination of the need to appeal a red light if verification of offenses can satisfy the board that previous appeal(s) has addressed the matter(s) driving the red light status. If an applicant receives a red light and successfully appeals to be allowed to coach, then that successful appeal will follow that applicant every year, provided the red light is given for the same offense(s). Applicant would still be required to email the Executive Secretary to be allowed to coach. Any new offenses would require a complete appeal process. This constitutional change has passed.

2019 OHSBL Rule Changes and Edits

The following rule changes will take effect for the 2019 season:

1. Change Rule X1.D2 to remove EE, E and F (page 10 of 2018 Rule Book) to read ALL CLASSES, with an edit to the existing verbiage to give clarity. Charters will have the ability to monitor through language changes. This will allow teams in the same community, in all classes, to bring up younger player or players during regular season games to play if they cannot field 9 players. Players on an older Class roster could also play in a younger class if they are age eligible.

2. Institute a 15 run mercy rule after 4 innings for Classes F, EE, E and D. The 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings will remain in place.

The following rule book edits will take effect for the 2019 season:

1. Allow wood composite and bamboo bats for all classes

2. Modify Rile 1.10.4 to read “Taping on aluminum or wood bats may be solid or space taped…” In addition, the requirement for wood bats to be space taped will be removed.

3. Add Axe bats as legal for play as long as they meet all other Hot Stove bat requirements for length, weight and material.

4. Place a note under equipment section to allow the use of any safety equipment to include facemasks on defense. Also, C-flap attachments for batting helmets will be legal as long as they are properly installed and pose no safety risk due to improper installation.

2018 OHSBL Rule Changes:

The following rule changes have been approved by Ohio Hot Stove and will be in effect from the 2018 season forward:

1. The age cutoff date has been moved from June 1 to May 1.
2. The ages for Class EE will now be for 15 and 16 year olds, Class E will now be for 17 and 18 year olds. 19 year olds have been removed from Class E.
3. Class D, a wooden bat adult league for 18 year olds and over, has been added for regular season and tournament play for 2018.
4. Class H has been changed to 6 inning games (instead of 7 inning games.)

These are the only rule changes made for 2018. There were no other changes made (such as bats, etc.) When in doubt, refer to the rule book!