HOT STOVE TRAVEL BASEBALL
Welcome to Firelands Hot Stove Baseball - 5-14 years old
Firelands Baseball is a highly competitive travel league that provides an opportunity to play baseball for players ages 5 – 14 years old.
Firelands Baseball is committed to offering a safe, affordable, and valuable program for your family and your player. Our goal is to provide a competitive environment that promotes skill development, confidence, respect, teamwork and good sportsmanship. But most of all, we hope to foster a lifelong love of baseball in our players.
Division is determined by age of player as of May 1st. Players can request to play up or request a team but it is not a guarantee.
- Farm - 5 & 6 years old - coach pitch, instructional
- Class I - 7 & 8 years old - coach pitch, instructional
- Class HH - 9 years old only
- Class H - 9 & 10 years old
- Class G - 11 & 12 years old
- Class F - 13 & 14 years old
Your child will need the following items to play (these items are not supplied by the league):
Cleats: 1. Classifications I, HH, H, & G. Plain or cleated rubber, half inch (maximum) molded plastic cleated shoes shall be worn by these classes. Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are not permitted. 2. Classifications F, EE, E and D. Plain, cleated rubber, or one half inch (maximum) molded plastic cleated or metal cleated shoes may be worn by these classifications. 3 Replaceable molded plastic cleats are legal for all classifications. Broken, damaged or modified cleats must be removed and/or replaced. 4. Football type cleats are not legal.
Bat: The baseball bats which meet OHSBL specifications and standards are as follows: 1. League Classification D shall use only wood or wood composite bats. Bamboo bats are legal. 2. League Classifications EE and E. Bats can be one or two piece and made of wood, aluminum or composite and shall be a maximum of -3 using length to weight ratio. Ex: Length is 34 inches, and the weight is 24 ounces. 34 inches – 24 ounces = -10 length to weight ratio which would not be a legal bat. All bats in number 2 must have the BBCOR .50 rating stamp on the bat. Players moving up or down: bats must comply with bat rules for the class of the game they are playing with. 3. League Classifications F shall use a wood or aluminum bat that is a maximum diameter of 23⁄4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and is a maximum -5 using length to weight ratio. Ex: Length is 34 inches, and the weight is 24 ounces.34 inches – 24 ounces = -10 length to weight ratio which would not be a legal bat. -4 and -5 bats do not have to have the BBCOR .50 stamp. 4. League Classifications HH-H and G shall use a wood or aluminum baseball bat that is a maximum diameter of 23⁄4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and is a maximum-10.0 using length to weight ratio. Ex: 29 inches 19 ounces = -10 length to weight ratio which is a legal bat. No composite or two-piece bats can be used in these age classifications. For I League, no drop bat restrictions. No composite, two- or three-piece bats can be used. I League see Rule Exceptions: 10.2.P. 5. Taping on all bat handles may be solid or spaced taped no higher than originally covered by the manufacturer. In space taping, width of spiral space will not be less than the tape being used with a maximum width of 1 inch. 6. All classifications - wooden bats shall be a smooth round stick not more than 23⁄4” inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. Bat shall be solid wood, wood composite or bamboo. 7. Choke-up knobs are illegal for all classifications. 8. Any bat that is altered and causes the manufacturers specification to be changed shall be considered an illegal bat and could be cause for legal action by the bat manufacturers and leagues. 9. “Axe Bats” may be used provided they meet the same restrictions for length, weight and material as all OHSBL approved bats
Baseball Glove: The catcher may wear an approved leather glove or catcher’s mitt. 1.13 The first baseman may wear an approved baseball glove or first baseman mitt. 1.14 Each fielder, other than the first baseman and the catcher, may use or wear a baseball approved leather glove. 1.15 The pitcher’s glove: 1. May not be white or gray. 2. No pitcher shall attach to the glove any foreign material of a color different from the glove that may be distracting to the batter. This is a judgment call. 3. No pitcher shall wear sweatbands on their wrists that may be distracting to the batter. This is a judgement call. 4. No pitcher shall have a batting glove of a different color showing or any foreign material of a color different from the glove that may be distracting to the batter. This is a judgement call.
Batting helmets: 1. Classes I, HH, H, & G must wear full protective helmets with double ear flaps worn while at bat and while running the bases. Chin straps must be worn and used properly while batting and while running bases. 2. Class F, E, EE & D must wear full protective helmets with double ear flaps while at bat and running the bases. It is the umpire’s responsibility to see that the batter has the proper protective head gear and to stop the game until the situation is corrected. 3. All helmets must be NOCSAE approved. 4. C-Flap protective devises may be used provided they are properly installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and pose no safety risk. 1.17 Catchers must wear a fiber or plastic type cup, chest protectors, and catcher’s helmet with extended throat guard, shin guards. Catcher’s helmet for classification I, HH, H, G, and F must have double ear flaps. 1. Catcher’s helmet for classification EE, E & D can be either a double earflap or skull type catcher’s helmet or baseball 33 approved hockey style mask/helmet. Must be NOCSAE approved. All catchers must wear a mask, which includes the throat protector or the “dangling” type throat protector, and catchers must wear a helmet during pitcher warm-up time and games. PENALTY: If the situation is not corrected after a warning, the game shall be forfeited.
Baseball Pants: Colors and length are generally picked by your child’s coaches. We would suggest starting with a couple pairs for practice purposes and then purchase game pants once your coach announces color and length.
Baseball Socks: Colors are generally picked by your child’s coaches. We would suggest starting with a couple pairs for practice purposes and then purchase game socks once your coach announces color.
Bat Bag
Chin straps are now optional but encouraged
NOTE TO PARENTS: Jewelry is not permitted and should be removed prior to each game (medical jewelry is allowed).
All Firelands Hot Stove teams are staffed by volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and team parents. The success of our league is largely dependent on the generosity and commitment of our volunteers. If you are interested in being a head coach or an assistant coach, please fill out the Coaches Application under the Coaches tab.
Games are played all through the week including weekends (game days vary based on age. Game Schedule is completed by Lorain County Hot Stove). Practice days and times are scheduled by the head coach of your child's team. Home Games are played at Douglas Field at 220 North Lake Street South Amherst. More details on the field locations can be found here.
Practice locations and dates/times are chosen by the coach at the start of the season.
Please click here for the Lorain County Hot Stove Baseball Rulebook