Baseball format built on fairness, inclusion

New rules prioritize full participation, continuous play, and a fun-first experience for all skill levels

Jesse Bremner has been named the team captain of the Muskies for the SportsKlub Baseball 2026 Season.

SportsKlub is officially bringing its community-first approach to the diamond.

With the launch of the 2026 Baseball season, SportsKlub has introduced a new set of rules designed to maximize participation, keep players engaged, and remove many of the traditional barriers that can limit recreational play. The result is a format that looks different from traditional baseball, but one that is intentionally built to keep everyone involved from start to finish.

At the centre of the new format is a simple concept. Every player hits, every inning, every game. Each team bats its full lineup, with no outs recorded for scoring purposes. Instead of innings ending on outs, a half-inning is completed once every player in the lineup has had a turn at the plate. The total number of runs scored during that cycle becomes the team’s score for the inning.

It creates a continuous style of play where rallies build, momentum carries, and no one is left standing on the sidelines. Each team will bat through its lineup at least three times per game, with the potential for a fourth rotation if time allows beyond the 45-minute mark. The final batter in each lineup must attempt to advance home, ensuring every cycle reaches a natural conclusion.

To balance competitiveness with fairness, SportsKlub has also introduced a run cap system tied directly to roster sizes. In each half-inning, teams may only score up to the number of players in the opposing lineup. For example, if one team has 14 players and the other has 10, both teams are capped at 10 runs for that inning. The rule ensures games remain competitive, even when roster sizes vary week to week. Gameplay rules are designed to keep things simple, safe, and moving.

There is no sliding, no stealing, and no leading off. Runners must cross a line behind home plate to score rather than touching the plate itself, reducing congestion in high-traffic areas. If a batter hits any part of the pitching screen, the play is immediately ruled an out.

Teams will pitch to their own players, and each batter receives three pitches. If the ball is not put in play within those three attempts, the batter is out.

Courtesy runners are unlimited, but with one condition. A different player must be used each time, encouraging teams to stay engaged and rotate participation across the roster.

Roster structure is another key part of the system. Team captains are required to submit a batting order at the start of the season, and those lineups remain locked throughout the regular season. Adjustments are only permitted ahead of the postseason, maintaining consistency and fairness across the schedule.

To further distribute opportunities, batting orders rotate forward one position each game. A player who bats first in one game will bat second in the next, then third, continuing through the lineup before cycling back to the top. If a player is absent, their spot is simply skipped, with no penalty applied to the team. Spare players are permitted, but must bat at the bottom of the lineup and only apply for that specific game.

Equipment and facility guidelines follow standard safety expectations. Bats must be 220–240 stamp approved, cleats are optional, and metal cleats are not permitted.

All games will also adhere to City of Orillia bylaws, which prohibit smoking and alcohol consumption at the diamond.

The overall goal is clear. SportsKlub Baseball is not about outs, errors, or rigid structure. It is about keeping players moving, keeping everyone involved, and creating an environment where the focus stays on fun, connection, and shared experience.

The game still keeps score. But the design ensures that everyone contributes to it.

Full Team Rosters and captains:

Muskies

Jimmy Evans

Eddy Tibbo

Christine Tibbo

Braelyn Neubrand

Iain Bass

Emily Watson-Bass

Justin Gary

Robert Vella

Paul Laforet

JJ Healy

Jared MacDonald

Lee Cumming

Kyler Sept

Jesse Bremner (C)

Jamie Ball

Ricardo Santiago

Mets

Tamara Evans

Steve Hamilton

Josh Goodings

Liam MacDougall

Faith Bartley

Kimberly Phoenix

Antoine Gagnon

Jason McKendry

Brittney Low

Tim Hillson (C)

Rob McMinn

Emily Barnett

Lindsay Torrance

Steve DePiero

Katherine Leach

Mark Young

Angels

Peyton Nie

Griffin Knicely

Paige Hawker

Wyatt Predum

Kauner Lehtonen

Devin Coombs

Dylan Petroff

Jessie Brown

Owen McCool

Wesley O’Leary

Michelle Miller Stafford

Oswell James (C)

Jay Fallis

David Pearson

Jeff Carey

Adam Hillyard

Rockies

Mitchell Hurtubise (C)

Brayden Stillwell

Austin Dyck

Percy Thomas

Shawn Thomas

Tucker McSwain

Jan Veitch

Jessie Eyers

Paige Favel

Kylee Nixon

Tyler Nixon

Cass Jackson

Waylon Clay

Mike Black

Jason Coldwell

Sebastian Oliveira