Release Information (Inter County Baseball Association)

How do I know what my home local is?

·    The Inter County Boundary map shows all the centres that are included within the ICBA boundaries as per the OBA Constitution. The major locals (Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Stratford, Waterloo and Woodstock) use the city limits as set by their local government to establish their boundaries outside of the OBA boundaries.

·    For all centres within the boundary of Inter County and don't have a local association are assigned one of the 7 major locals to establish their home association with respect to playing rep baseball.  The home centre is calculated using Google maps and as the crow flies and not road mileage.  In cases of split custody, the location of the player's school as of September prior to the playing season will determine the location of the home local.  The ICBA Secretary/Registrar is able to confirm your home association if someone is not sure.

What if I don’t live within ICBA boundaries? Who is my home local then?

·    All centres west, northwest, and north of Hwy #7 are part of Western Ontario Baseball Association (WOBA).

·    All centres south of Hwy #53 are part of Southern Counties Baseball Association (SCBA).

·    All centres east of Hwy #24 are Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) or Hamilton District Baseball Association (HDBA).

·    Players located outside of the Inter County boundaries must have a local and affiliate release before they are able to move into the Inter County.  If they have both, they will then be allowed into the ICBA local that is closest to their current residence as the crow flies.  If they wish to play for a team located elsewhere within the Inter County then they must contact the ICBA Secretary/Registrar to obtain the necessary pass-through releases required.

What do I need to do if I want to play for a different local?

·    If you are currently with a Local Association within ICBA and you wish to play for another local within ICBA you must first ask for a release from your current home association.  (IE: Cambridge MBA). If your home association is another centre (ie: your home address is another centre other than the centre you are currently playing with) you must go back to your home association and request a new release.

·    After a release has been granted from your Local, a release is required from each association whose city centre is closer to the player's home address than the desired local, measured how the crow flies using Google Maps.

·    Please note: Player/Parents are responsible for obtaining a release from their home association. Pass through releases from each local that is closer to his/her home address until reaching the desired new association will be obtained by the ICBA Registrar.

What do I need to play for a team in another affiliate?

·    If the player wishes to play outside of the Inter County Baseball Association (ICBA) then the affiliate will grant the player an out-of-affiliate release letter upon receipt of a release from their home association.  No pass-through releases will be required.

The team I wish to play on is an Interlock partner, does that change anything?

·    Under the current Interlock rules, players will be allowed to sign with an Interlock partner and play within the ICBA provided they meet the following criteria.  The player must have tried out or been released by their home association, they may request an out-of-affiliate release. The ICBA Secretary/Registrar, once they have the local release, will request pass-through releases from all other local associations within ICBA.  If all approvals are received from the 7 ICBA locals, the affiliate release will be issued, allowing the opportunity to sign with an Interlock partner for the next playing season.

I’m coming from a centre outside of ICBA.  What do I need to do?

·    Players located outside of the Inter County boundaries must have a local and affiliate release before they are able to move into the Inter County.  If they have those two items, they will then be allowed into the ICBA local that is closest to their current residence, as the crow flies.  If they wish to play for a team located elsewhere within the Inter County then they must contact the ICBA registrar to obtain the necessary pass-through releases.

If I have moved, do I need to change locals?

·    If you move from your current home association to another association (ie. were residing in Cambridge but have moved to Guelph) you may remain with your current association without a release.  If at any time you leave your current association’s rep program, then your new home association falls in line with your new address.

How long does it take to get a pass-through release?

·    Once a copy of the release from your current home association/affiliate is received, the ICBA Secretary/Registrar will begin the pass-through request process.  All locals have 48 hours to respond to the pass-through request.  Locals have the right to deny a pass-through if they wish to have the player try out for one of their teams.

I’ve requested a release but don’t have it yet.  Can I still tryout or practice with a new team?

·    Players may not try out, practice, or be a part of any event organized by a local that does not currently hold their playing rights, with the exception of ICBA All-star teams.  Failure to abide by these rules may subject the player, or local association to suspensions and/or fines.

My local has denied my release request.  Now what?

·    Players that are denied a release from their home association have the right to appeal that decision to the Inter County Baseball Association (ICBA).  This appeal must be in writing to [email protected] along with a copy of the release denial and reasons cited by the local association.  The ICBA will then hold a hearing with both the player/parent(s) and local association and then render a decision.  If the player/parent(s) and/or local association is not in line with the ICBA ruling they may further appeal the decision to the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA).  This appeal must be sent to the OBA office along with all written material surrounding the appeal.  OBA has 30 days to hold a hearing and make its decision, which is final and binding.

I’m wanting to play for an EBLO team.  Do I need a release?

·    No release is required to try out or play if the player is signed with the team prior to the deadline as set annually by the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA).  After the deadline, regular release rules apply.

I’m wanting to play for a PBLO team.  Do I need a release?

·    Under a current agreement between the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) and the PBLO league, players do not require a release to play for a PBLO franchise.  Please note: This information is specific to the 2024 playing season and may be subject to change.

I’m wanting to play for an alternative program (CPBL, Fergie Jenkins, etc.). Do I need a release?

·       No releases are required for these programs at this time.