Metro Old Timers Softball League

 2021 Season Updates

The league is pleased to officially release the attached schedule for the 2021 MOTSBL “covid” baseball season. MOTSBL have rented the Bell East baseball diamond from 6 to 11 pm. The lights automatically shut off at 11 pm.

A few important notes for the players.

1. The first game starts at 6:45. My recommendation is  for the first game, the players arrive 30 minutes before the start of the game to allow for an infield practice. The infield practice, if used, should be the visiting team time up at 6:25 and have an infield practice for 10 minutes; then allow the home team to have their infield practice at 6:35 (as they will stay out in the field to start the game).
2. No infield/outfield warm up baseball throwing before the start of the game after the second inning. Important to keep the games on schedule.
3. The second game has a drop dead time of 8:25. The last inning should be 8:15. Important to identify the clock to be used prior to the game. There is plenty of time to complete the first game as you are given 1.30 minutes. The clock/time should not be an issue per se.
4. The second game starts at 8:35. Pre game warm up time depends on the vacant time before the second game. It will be up to the teams to figure out their  on field practice time allocation.
5. Important for the players to run on/off the field to ensure the games are completed on schedule. I know this is a bone of contention especially with the umps who want to ensure the games are completed on a reason time schedule.
6. I will be sending out the rules of play under covid. Important that all the players comply with the rules. I am not sure where the umps will position themselves to make calls (either behind the plate or behind the pitcher).
7. On September 15, BatterUP will not play on that day because of Yom Kippur. Some players may not be observing Yom Kippur so there will be some make up players to field that game.
8. On August 20/21. We will be playing games at Carp Fair ground. I still need to finalize the contract and those dates so more  information will be provided later. Important for the players to keep those dates available.  There are still discussions about a league BBQ following the Saturday games. More to be announced as we are not sure about covid restrictions.
9. Please note the requirements and protocol for rain out dates. Important to ensure people watch the weather patterns as if it is rain/lightening in the east end of Ottawa does not necessary mean it is raining in the west end. Games cancel under a rainout will not be made up, but future games will be scored as doubleheaders.  City of ottawa will give credit for games that are rained out. Best to have someone who lives near the park to help make that call. Please note the time required to cancel the games (5 pm) so that we are not invoiced for the ump(s).
10. Because of the number of games in this 2021 baseball schedule, teams will have monies returned to the players/team. This rebate will be calculated over the next few weeks and monies returned.
11. All teams are to supply baseball bases and a pitching mound. Home teams are to provide the baseball bags and pitching mound.  While the conventional wisdom has been for the home team from the first game to leave the pitching mound in place and just take the pitching mound from the home team for the second game, best for the teams to put their names on the bases and pitching mound. If I recall, we lost one from the last year played.