Handbook

Approved November 6, 2024

• Provide students attending post-secondary educational institutions in British Columbia and Alberta the opportunity to play baseball at the college level in Western Canada.
• Provide a competitive, structured league that culminates in a Canadian College World Series championship.
• Emphasize that a student-athlete is a student first and must maintain academic achievement to play baseball.
• Emphasize that being a good athlete also means being a good citizen.

The CCBC is an independent college baseball league affiliated with institutions from the BC College Athletic Association and educational institutions from Alberta. The Board recognizes that academic achievement is critically important to student-athletes, baseball programs and their institutions. These minimum eligibility standards apply to all CCBC programs.

Definitions

Academic year

September 1–August 31.

Fall season

September 1–October 31.

Winter / championship season

January 1–May 31.

Full-time student

A student enrolled in at least nine credits.

Practice player

A player not enrolled in at least nine credit hours or deemed ineligible in the championship season.

First-year student

A student attending a post-secondary institution for the first time.

Compliance Officer

The Board-appointed individual acting for the CCBC on player eligibility and team compliance. In the officer’s absence, the Board makes determinations.

Board of Directors

President, Vice President–Operations, Vice President–Marketing, Treasurer, Secretary, Umpire in Chief and Administrative/Finance Officer.

Important dates

Declared affiliate schools

By June 7, each program must declare up to three affiliate schools from which it may draw players. Affiliate schools must be within 50 km of the team’s home field. After declaring, a program may apply to the Board by June 1 to modify the list for the subsequent year. No program may draw from more than three schools in a season or from another program’s declared schools. Players enrolled exclusively in online institutes are open to any team. Any deviation must be submitted to the Board; the Compliance Officer fields requests and the decision is final.

Eligibility

Every CCBC player must be working toward advancing their education while participating in league activities. The minimum player fee charged by each team for a full year is $2,500. A player becomes rostered after signing a letter of intent, paying player fees or participating in any sanctioned team event, and is no longer available to be recruited by another team. Players are ineligible if they turn 27 during the calendar year of the championship season.

To be considered eligible

• Each player must be enrolled full-time in at least one declared institution.
• Students must complete nine credits, or equivalent, in both the fall and winter terms of the academic year.
• First-year students must pass nine credit hours in their first fall semester and be enrolled in at least nine credit hours in the following winter term.
• Players entering a CCBC program in January must be documented and approved by the Board by December 15.

Trades, vocational and apprenticeship students

These students are eligible. Because of apprenticeship-hour requirements, some programs may qualify for multiple years of eligibility. A trades student waiting to advance to a higher training level must be enrolled in at least three credits and may remain on a wait list for no more than one year.

Eligibility window

Student-athletes are allowed five years of athletic eligibility within a six-year window. Any championship season played while attending a post-secondary institution counts as one year. There is no maximum for academic studies.

Professional players

A player must stop playing professional baseball to begin eligibility. Each year of professional baseball removes one year of CCBC eligibility. A player with professional experience must complete one academic year and meet league academic requirements before eligibility is considered. A player drafted from high school and released before July 31 may play fall ball that September. Eligibility starts when fees are paid in the first season. Players may play in the IBL or Women’s Professional League without affecting CCBC eligibility.

Redshirts and exceptions

A player not on the winter championship roster is a regular redshirt. A medical redshirt requires a doctor’s certificate. A position player may not have more than 10 plate appearances; a pitcher cannot be medically redshirted after the team has played eight conference games. Medical redshirts require Board approval. Other circumstances must be submitted to the league before the player fills a conference roster spot.

Transfer policy & tampering

A rostered player seeking a transfer must submit a written request to the current CCBC team and copy the Board. The team has seven days to reply. If granted, the student-athlete may apply to another program. If denied, the player may remain, appeal to the Board, or sit out one championship season. Sitting out means no workouts, practices or exhibition games with another CCBC program and counts against the six-year window.

• A fifth-year player must have played in the CCBC the previous year.
• Release requests must reach the current team by June 7 for the subsequent season.
• If a coach is approached by another team’s player during the season about transferring, that coach must notify the player’s current coach.

Medical redshirt designation

A player injured in the first half of the championship season who played in less than 30% of the total games and is transferring to an NCAA or NAIA school the following year may apply to the Board for a formal release.

Playing rules

1. Championship-season rosters must be submitted by March 10. Previous-semester grades and winter enrolment receipts should be available.
2. There is no championship-season roster limit. Canadian College World Series rosters are limited to 32 players, with one injury replacement. Others may travel and dress but may not play. The roster is final on the Tuesday after the regular season.
3. Games are nine innings, although a seven-inning game may be used when travel is an issue. The mercy rule is 10 runs after 6½ or seven innings in a nine-inning game, or 4½ or five innings in a seven-inning game.
4. Doubleheaders consist of two nine-inning games; seven-inning games may be used to assist travel.
5. Official Rules of the American League of Baseball Clubs apply to league, exhibition and tournament games between CCBC teams. The NAIA/NCAA slide rule applies at all times.
6. The official ball is the Pro Nine PRO designated by the Board, effective January 2024.
7. Ejections are governed by the current CCBC discipline policy.
8. If the home team takes on-field or cage batting practice, the visitor must receive the same opportunity unless declined. Thirty minutes must follow the home practice for the visitor, beginning 70 minutes before game time. Infield is home team first, 10 minutes each, followed by about 15 minutes for field preparation. If the home team has no on-field practice, it may designate the same for the visitor. Off-site practice does not apply. Visitors declining batting practice should give advance notice.
9. All scheduled games must be played. A team refusing to complete its schedule is assessed $500 per game and is ineligible for the following year’s postseason. The teams should resolve rescheduling and keep the Board informed. A travelling team does not have to return solely for postponed games; games should be attached to another trip when possible. Weather may prevent late-season makeups. The 32-game schedule begins on the third weekend in March. Once ratified, changes require League President approval. Venue or date changes require Board approval, and additional travel caused by a change is compensated by the original team as determined by the Board.
10. Ties are broken first by head-to-head record for two teams, or record among tied teams for three or more. If still tied, compare records against other teams in standings order until broken, then run differential, then most hits between the tied teams.
11. A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time and is recommended with two outs. The runner must be an available substitute and may be credited with a run, stolen base or caught stealing.
12. In regular-season extra innings, each half-inning begins with a runner on second: the player immediately preceding the leadoff hitter in the batting order, or the player preceding the pitcher if applicable. Removed players cannot return. For scheduled seven-inning games, the eighth is an extra inning.
13. During the regular season, a starting player other than the pitcher or designated hitter may leave and re-enter once in the same batting position. Starting pitchers and designated hitters who later change positions cannot re-enter. Defensive substitutions may be made only while the team is on defence.
14. Teams have two minutes to change sides; the next inning begins when time expires.
15. Major League Baseball pitch-clock rules apply.

Canadian College World Series

1. The CCBC Championship Weekend is called the Canadian College World Series.
2. The Board determines when the bid process opens.
3. League standings determine seeding; the Board sets the format annually.
4. The host may include a banquet. All teams must attend the awards banquet and presentation.
5. Teams must stay at the host hotel when requested.
6. The CCBC covers 10 dozen baseballs, officiating costs, gold and silver medals, and all-conference certificates.
7. The host provides travel support in accordance with its championship bid.

CCBC awards

All-conference awards are presented at the championships. Coaches nominate deserving players by noon on the last Monday in April following that weekend’s league games. Players are placed on conference teams by position from the nomination list. A committee reviews player and team statistics; coaches must flag nominees requiring defensive-stat review.

Pointstreak game scoring software

1. All CCBC teams use Pointstreak.
2. Each team provides a contact name and email to Nick DeKoning. Access is shared with no more than two additional people. Every team must have a scorekeeper before the season; coaches should not score. A student with computer and baseball knowledge or a community member is recommended.
3. Live computer scoring provides immediate information to Pointstreak, parents, players, media and coaches.
4. Home and visiting scorekeepers work beside each other and resolve discrepancies immediately.
5. Teams verify schedules, update game times and dates, maintain rosters and player profiles, add player headshots and add a team photo.
6. The scoring program is sent after information is entered correctly.
7. One or two online workshops are arranged with a Pointstreak representative; the first is in early March.
8. Pointstreak provides 24/7 support.
9. Questions may be directed to the conference.
10. A $100 per-game assessment applies when scores and data are not entered by the end of game day.
11. The home team enters data for both teams. Home and visitor scorekeepers work together live to avoid discrepancies.

1. Conference-call meetings are held at least twice each year, with more scheduled as needed.
2. Calls are held on the second Monday of February and June at 6:00 p.m. Pacific.
3. The player eligibility form is signed by the Athletic Director by January 31 and sent to the Secretary/Treasurer by March 10, with a copy in the team’s Google Drive folder.
4. The league assessment is due February 1 each season.
5. BC teams give Baseball BC dates and duration for out-of-province trips. Travel insurance is $3 per day for players and coaches.
6. MLB has ruled the CCBC a four-year program.
7. Teams are encouraged to order baseballs through the League Office.
8. All teams confirm that coach and player codes of conduct are in place.
9. Teams may use players from other schools in their area, subject to the handbook’s affiliate-school rules.
10. Teams are encouraged to use the host hotel when playing in Langley and may request the BCPBL rate.
11. New-program applications include a $15,000 performance bond, refunded at $5,000 per year, and a $3,500 league fee. Applications received at the May championship meeting are for participation beginning with the following year’s fall program. Each team reviews the application. The source handbook specifies a cheque of $18,500 at application.

Requirements to be considered a future CCBC program:

1. Notice of intent by April 15 in the year before start-up, with a non-refundable $500 application fee, $15,000 performance bond and $3,000 franchise fee. Bond and franchise fee are refundable if the application is not approved.
2. A substantive application and business plan by April 30 of the preceding year.
3. Full ownership or director details, the business model and the baseball or sports background of involved individuals.
4. Financial disclosure showing the means and long-term commitment to operate.
5. A minimum five-year stadium-use commitment, including landlord verification, facility photos and/or tour within 90 days, government verification of the operating structure, and facilities meeting league requirements such as scoreboard, dressing rooms, concessions and Wi-Fi; lights are preferred.
6. Operators and staff must show local institutional and baseball-community involvement. The operating structure, directors, shareholders and ownership percentages must be disclosed. The CCBC may require a credit check and bank reference for any principal with majority control.
7. The source of franchise fees and payments must be clear, with 50% of the franchise fee paid by the application date and an approved schedule for the balance. Default voids the application and forfeits payments. A viable lease is required before the vote.
8. A pro forma budget must show realistic revenue, expense, player-fee, sponsorship and fundraising projections.
9. The franchise fee is refundable if the Board declines the application, but the $500 due-diligence fee is not. The Board decides by July 31 of the preceding year. Once approved, the franchise fee is non-refundable. The $15,000 bond is refunded in three $5,000 payments after each of the first three seasons.
10. Franchise inquiries go to the League President and expansion committee of two or three league representatives; applicants cannot sit on the committee.
11. The Board requires at least three character-reference letters for the principals.
12. The CCBC conducts a search for actions or claims against principals and requires disclosure plus a sworn statement regarding material claims.
13. Applications require support letters from local business, tourism, community/economic development, government and other committed parties.
14. An owner involved in another franchise needs consent from that franchise’s majority owner and/or governor. A person may represent only one franchise at a time, declared in writing before notice of intent.

Principle I — Coaches

General conduct

1. Foster goodwill and a positive image of collegiate baseball, teams and self, on and off the field, with honour and professionalism.
2. Be considerate and respectful in public spaces.
3. Comments or behaviour infringing human rights are prohibited.
4. Avoid conduct that embarrasses the sport, harms the athlete/fan experience or tarnishes the team, community or league.

Responsibility to players

1. Put players’ academic, emotional, physical and moral well-being above pressure to win.
2. Do not circumvent rules, gain unfair advantage or teach unsportsmanlike conduct.
3. Model winning without boasting and losing without bitterness.
4. Discourage illegal or performance-enhancing drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
5. Know and follow eligibility rules.
6. Do not permit unsportsmanlike remarks, taunting, boasting or fighting.
7. Discourage profanity, obscenity and vulgar language.
8. Promote education over professional stardom.
9. Do not interfere with players’ academic success.
10. Recognize and address harmful personal practices, misuse of power, and physical or mental abuse.
11. Act immediately on egregious on- or off-field behaviour to protect the team, institution, conference and sport.

Responsibility to officials

1. Respect and support umpires, scorers, public-address announcers and game personnel; criticism to players or the public is unethical.
2. Do not permit team members to insult officials or incite players or spectators against them.

Responsibility to fans

1. Educate home fans to be respectful and courteous while supporting their team.
2. Within reason, take responsibility for team fans and do not arouse the crowd through personal conduct.

Principle II — Players

1. Recognize the privilege and responsibility of playing collegiate baseball in the CCBC.
2. Act as an ambassador for baseball, amateur athletics, community, team and family.
3. Conduct yourself with honour and professionalism on and off the field.
4. Foster goodwill and a positive image of collegiate baseball and your team.
5. Be considerate and respectful in public.
6. Human-rights infringements are prohibited.
7. Chirping and bench jockeying are not tolerated.
8. Disorderly conduct that harms people, property or league reputation has serious consequences.
9. Respect umpires, scorers, announcers, fans, field and concession workers, staff and everyone involved in baseball.

Principle III — League personnel

1. Foster goodwill and a positive image of collegiate baseball, teams and self, on and off the field, with honour and professionalism.
2. Be considerate and respectful in public spaces, including ballparks and parking lots.
3. Comments or behaviour infringing human rights are prohibited.
4. Avoid behaviour that embarrasses the sport or tarnishes the team, community or league.

Leadership & appointments

• The CCBC identifies, trains and assigns umpires through the Supervisor of Umpires for regular and postseason games.
• Each year the CCBC compiles a list of officials capable of college-level work. Officials serve as independent contractors.
• Annual appointment considers performance, health and conduct. One year’s appointment does not guarantee another. The Supervisor and league office determine status; officials not appointed may reapply without prejudice.

Availability & assignments

• Umpires keep availability current in ArbiterSports.
• The leadership team assigns at least two umpires per game and designates a crew chief.
• An unavailable umpire must email the provincial assignor. Failure to appear without notice may affect future assignments.

Fees, mileage & accommodation

• The CCBC sets fees; direct-deposit details go to the League Office. Fees apply preseason, regular season and postseason.
• Starting in 2019, the fee is $95 per game. Mileage is $0.40/km door to door.
• Carpooling may be required. Only the driver receives mileage; riders receive $5 per 100 km.
• An umpire travelling more than 150 km one way for a game at 6:00 p.m. or later receives a host-paid motel room. Two qualifying umpires share a room. The crew chief coordinates in advance.
• Required overnight travel includes a $40 daily per diem in addition to mileage, ferry or rider fees.

Cancellations, illness & facilities

• No compensation when notified before leaving home. If cancellation occurs en route, mileage only is paid. If officials arrive, they receive half a game fee plus mileage.
• If an official cannot continue due to injury or illness, the assignor secures a replacement.
• Home teams provide a secure, private dressing area. Only assigned officials, league representatives and the official scorer are permitted. The crew chief enforces access and reports violations. Socializing with coaches or players in the room may be grounds for dismissal.

Crew-chief duties

• Officials arrive 60 minutes before game time; the crew chief coordinates travel and confirms arrival with the home coach.
• The crew chief conducts the pregame meeting, reviews assignments and points of emphasis, and gets the crew to home plate at least five minutes before game time.
• The crew chief handles protests and weather, enforces Baseball Canada mechanics and submits reports within 24 hours.
• Reports include teams, venue, officials, expenses and noteworthy incidents.

Rules, public comments & dress

• Officials must know Baseball Canada rules and CCBC modifications. The crew chief resolves on-field interpretations. Coaches may sit in dead-ball territory outside the dugout when ground rules allow.
• Officials should mitigate conflict and reduce ejections. Ejection reports follow Appendix A.
• Officials do not speak with unauthorized people or spectators and refer postgame media questions to the league office. Crowd issues go to the host General Manager and Supervisor.
• On-field uniform: Baseball Canada black or powder-blue shirt, black jacket, heather or charcoal-grey pants, and black, white or red undershirt. At minimum, officials arrive in a collared shirt and dress shorts. Team-branded clothing is prohibited.
• Lateness or a missed game is a serious breach reviewed by the Supervisor and League President. Policy violations may lead to discipline under the Code of Conduct Manual.

Ejection and game reports

• Saturday ejection reports are completed that night; Sunday and weekday reports are due by noon the following day.
• Every ejection requires a write-up. Failure to report may lead to discipline.
• Incident reports also cover postgame criticism or threats and spectator conduct endangering participants.

Incident classification

Writing an incident report

Record the date, ballpark, inning, score and teams; what led to the incident; its location; the exact words or conduct that merited ejection; facts and observations only; the reaction afterward; and whether the person left or caused further problems.

Inclement weather

• If officials are told before leaving home that games are cancelled, no game fee or mileage applies.
• If notified while en route, full mileage only applies.
• If officials reach the field before receiving lineups and the game is cancelled, each receives $20 and the driver receives mileage.
• If officials arrive and no teams, or only one team, are present, full game fees and travel apply.
• After lineups are received, the full game fee applies even if the contest is shortened.
• Rescheduled games carry a full game fee and mileage.
• Officials wait one hour for a delayed start without extra penalty. Beyond one hour, they may stay or be replaced; anyone staying commits to work and receives at least one game fee.

The supplied handbook includes revised umpire discipline, ejection and conduct sections dated March 20, 2026. These replace and simplify earlier discipline language. The official CCBC Discipline Matrix prevails if handbook wording conflicts with it.

Governance & definitions

The Discipline Committee consists of the Compliance Officer as chair, one additional league executive member, the Umpire Supervisor and one Umpire Advisor. “Participant” includes players, coaches, team personnel, umpires, evaluators, supervisors, instructors and league officials. Electronic abuse is treated as umpire abuse. Attempted physical contact is treated as physical abuse; threats are treated as verbal abuse. The EMC is the Executive Management Committee responsible for establishing appeal panels.

• All ejections are reviewed; serious incidents may bring immediate suspension pending review.
• Reports from coaches, players and officials may be considered. Additional discipline may exceed matrix minimums, and prior conduct may be reviewed.
• Appeals go in writing by email to the League President within 24 hours of the Compliance Officer’s decision. A $1,000 fee is charged to the team bond, returned only if successful. Sanctions remain in force during appeal. Judgment calls cannot be appealed.

Reporting, conduct & suspensions

• Officials contact the Umpire Supervisor after the final game of the day; Game 1 incidents in a doubleheader are reported by call or text as time permits. Weekend reports are expedited; otherwise reports are due within 24 hours.
• The head coach or one on-field coach may approach an official. Other coaches or players arguing a call may be warned, then ejected.
• An intentional pitch at a batter brings immediate ejection. Head-coach consequences follow the Matrix and warning circumstances.
• Bench-clearing team fines within three years are $500, then $1,000, then $2,000. Individual suspensions may also apply.
• Suspensions under four games reset after the season; four games or more carry forward, subject to EMC adjustment.
• Suspended or ejected people may not be in uniform, must remain at least 100 metres from the dugout, bullpen and team, and may have no team involvement for one hour before or after a game. Indirect coaching can lead to warning and ejection. Non-compliance may cause forfeiture.

Umpire conduct process

Minor infractions are handled informally by the responsible authority. The person is told the concern, may respond and receives prompt documentation in the official dossier. Possible sanctions include verbal or written reprimand, apology, partial-event suspension or another appropriate sanction.

Major infractions may lead to a hearing involving the alleged offender, supervisors, a CCBC representative and witnesses. The process gathers facts and allows an explanation or defence. Some serious abuse may be addressed immediately. Sanctions may include reprimand, apology, event or activity suspension, expulsion, or another suitable penalty. Severity, repetition, responsibility, remorse, maturity, experience and rehabilitation prospects may be considered.

Discipline matrix

Appendix A — Ejections & game reporting

Guidelines and incident classifications are presented in the Ejections & Weather section above. The handbook’s report-writing guidance requires prompt, factual, complete reports for every ejection and serious incident.

Appendix B — Inclement weather

Cancellation, travel, arrival and delayed-start compensation rules are presented in the Ejections & Weather section above.

CCBC by-laws

The supplied handbook index references CCBC By-Laws, but no by-law text appears in the supplied PDF.

Forms

The source handbook states that all forms are maintained in the conference’s Google Drive. Consult the original PDF for the referenced folder address.