Ottawa Jewish Men’s
Softball League

Do you have to be Jewish to join the JMSL?

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NO! All races and creeds are welcome, however it is a "men's ball league". 

The only religion practiced is a love of baseball/softball!

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Who should get a team together and join the league?

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The league is for guys who love to play ball in a competitive, fun, way, and don't want to be in a co-ed/slow-pitch beer league, windmill/fast-pitch, lob-ball or three-pitch league.

If you're done with playing NCBL, or you're bored standing around watching guys strike out in your fast-pitch league, but still want a "real" baseball-type of game, this is the league for you. 

 

How is this league different than other softball leagues in town?

 

Games are played according to the OJMSL Constitution and the rules of Softball Canada as applied by the Eastern Ontario Umpire Association. They are basically like a regular baseball game but played with a softball, on a softball diamond. Live pitching with balls and strikes called by a professional umpire, tagging-up, no limit on HRs (all diamonds have a home-run fence) per inning, etc. 

 

There is no Rover, there is sliding on bases and at the plate, and runners can attempt stolen bases. It's a competitive ball league, and guys take it pretty seriously - but having fun is the main goal, and there is great camaraderie between all teams.

 

Games are 7 innings or cut off due to time (no inning can start after 8:30 for the early game or 10:30 for the late game). 

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There is also a "mercy rule" for regular season games, where the game ends if one team leads by more than 9 runs after 4.5/5 innings, depending on who is the Home team.

 

How much does it cost to join the league?

 

It's about $3300 per team, per season. That amounts to about  $250 per player on a team of 13 (which is a good number to shoot in terms of roster size). 

This includes:

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- 18 regular season games, and up to 8 playoff games (rainouts are also covered)

- 2 professional umpires per game

- Diamond rental 

- All taxes

- Insurance 

 

When and where do you play?

Games take place on Sunday and Wednesday nights, at either 6:45 PM or 8:45 PM.

We play at Hampton Park, which has two diamonds, both with home run fences.

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When does the season start/end?

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Depending on when City of Ottawa ball diamonds open, and the number of rainouts, the season generally runs from mid-May until late-July/early-August (depending on length of playoffs).

 

What is the pitching style?

 

The pitching style is "orthodox" or "modified". 

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This is an underhanded motion where the pitching can bring his arm back to up to shoulder height only, and then deliver to the plate. "Windmill", "Whip" or "Semi-Whip" pitching is not allowed. 

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The ability of a team's pitcher is a big determinant of a team's success in this league.

 

Uniforms?

 

Yes! Uniforms are mandatory for all teams. Shorts are NOT allowed.

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Matching jerseys and proper baseball/softball pants, and plastic cleats (no metal) are all required. 

 

Also, all pitchers are required to wear a facemask at all times on the mound. 

 

Are there any age restrictions?

 

All players must be 18 or over. Most teams comprise players range from late 20's to mid 40s, with one team in the league comprised of older guys - mean age 46 (don't worry, they can still bring it!)

 

How many teams in the league?

 

Last year the league was down to four teams, having lost two teams to the Barrhaven league after the 2016 season. 

Ideally we would have at least 6 teams again going forward. So come join us!

 

Anything else I should know?

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• A team must field a minimum of 8 players for a game to commence. The opposing team will lend the team that's short a defender to play in the field, but the missing batter counts as an automatic out on offesne. Less than 8 players results in a forfeit loss for the team that's short. 

• All players present must be in the batting line-up (everybody hits) and must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings. 

• Baserunners cannot lead off. They have to stay on base until the ball is out of the pitcher's hand, at which point they are free to try and steal a base. Runners who are caught by the umpire leaving early are called out and the pitch is a dead ball.

• A two-out catcher rule is used - this means if the hitting team's catcher is on base and the second out is made, he is replaced on base 

• "Phantom tags" (where a defender tries to fake out a baserunner by pretending he is about to receive a throw and make a tag) are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate ejection from the game. 

• Batters cannot step out of the batter's box between pitchers, unless there is a foul ball. Similarly, pitchers can't wander off the mound between pitches. We keep the game moving.

• Pitchers get 5 warm-up pitches to start the game, and 3 before each-half inning. 

• Illegal pitches (whip, or windmill, as called by the plate umpire) result in a dead ball. 

 

How do I join? 

 

Please contact Brian McGregor at bmac1971@gmail.com with any questions.