DIVISION OVERVIEW

For the 2026 season, Richmond City Baseball Association (RCBA) is pleased to offer 26U Junior Men’s Baseball.

The Junior Men’s Division is open to players who are a minimum of 18 years old and a maximum of 25 years old, as of December 31, 2025.

RCBA has fielded 26U teams periodically in past seasons, including a current team that has competed over the last two years.

Level of Play
While the Junior Men’s Division is technically classified as recreational, the level of competition is high. Rosters typically include a mix of:

• Former BC Minor players from 18U AA through College Prep
• Current Canadian and U.S. college players
• Former Premier Baseball League (PBL) players

Due to this competitive environment, the division is not recommended for players who have not previously played competitive baseball at or above the 18U AA summer level.

Season Structure

The season is structured to accommodate college schedules:

• Season start: First week of May
• Provincials: Mid-August
• Game days: Sundays and Wednesday evenings
• Practices: Generally no scheduled practices. May be optional pre season sessions

To account for work, school, and travel schedules common at this age, team rosters will consist of:

• Minimum: 14 players
• Maximum: 24 players

Larger rosters help ensure teams can field full lineups throughout the season given work schedules and other commitments. League rules allow teams to bat the entire roster and/or substitute players as needed.

Game Rules & Equipment

• Minimum players to start a game: 8
  o Teams may play with 8 players; the 9th batting position is recorded as an
  automatic out
  o Fewer than 8 players results in a forfeit
• Game length: 9 innings
• Time limit: No new inning after 2 hours and 40 minutes
• Bats: Wood or wood-composite only (no metal bats)
• Run limit:
  o Six-run maximum per inning
  o Final inning is open
• Mercy rule (subject to BC Minor regulations):
  o 12 runs after 5 innings
  o 10 runs after 7 innings

Administration & Coaching

• No boundaries or player releases are required for the Junior Men’s Division.
• Teams are generally self-managed, often by a player/coach.
• Each team must also designate an adult Team Manager aged 26 or older, who is responsible for team conduct both on and off the field.
  o Note: A player who is 25 on January 1 and turns 26 during the season is eligible.
• A coach or manager over the age of 25 must be present at every game.
  o If the assigned manager cannot attend, a temporary manager (age 25+) must be
  identified on the lineup card, along with a contact number.

Playing Time

While recreational in designation, the competitive background of players means playing time is determined at the discretion of the coach/manager and may vary based on performance, availability, and game circumstances.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Last season’s RCBA 26U team—comprised primarily of players from outside
Richmond—finished second at Regional Provincials.

Based on early feedback from last year’s 18U players, there may be sufficient interest to field
two RCBA 26U teams in 2026. This will be determined based on registration numbers.

Formal registration will open later in the spring. In the meantime, players interested in
participating are encouraged to email:

26u@richmondcitybaseball.ca