FAQ - Recreational Programs

Recreational Programs

What is the difference between “Recreational” and “House” Baseball?

KBA uses the term “Recreational” and “House” interchangeably in many contexts, and offers these programs under both the Ontario Baseball Association and Little League Canada charters.

What is Rally Cap?

Rally Cap is the Ontario Baseball Association’s initiation program for organized baseball. Rally Cap is a recreational program intended to introduce the baseball fundamentals and support long term athletic development in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. KBA offers Rally Cap programs for players aged 5-9. The Rally Cap program is only offered in spring (May to June). All Rally Cap programs are co-ed.

In the 6U Rally Cap program (ages 5 and 6), small teams of 6 to 8 players meet once a week on Saturdays to participate in a collaborative practice with other teams. These practice sessions are led by coaches, but a high level of parent participation is encouraged. Generally practice sessions include rotating players through a set of skill sessions designed to engage young players, followed by a short game. Game play is loosely based on a T-ball format, where more traditional rules are slowly introduced as the program progresses.

In the 8U Rally Cap program (ages 7 to 9, see note below), teams of 10 to 12 players meet twice a week for a modified development session which includes 50% practice and 50% gameplay. Players are given the option to participate either on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday when registering. Teams are formed via a sortout process, held in April, to ensure players are given an appropriate level of instruction. All gameplay is coach pitch, where rules are modified to ensure everyone has fun while reinforcing the skills learned in the practice that day.

(Note: players turning 9 before August 31 would register for Little League Minor, not 8U Rally Cap)

What is the difference between a “House” Program and an “Interlock” Program?

In House Programs, KBA teams play only against other KBA teams. The game schedule and rules under which games are played are determined by KBA to match the needs of our membership.

In Interlock Programs, KBA teams play against teams from other associations in Little League Ontario Districts 2, 6, and 8 which cover the Greater Ottawa Area, Ottawa Valley, and Prescott-Russell. Interlock play is hosted by District 2, who publishes the game schedule and playing rules for each age category.

Whether or not KBA is able to offer a House Program depends on how many players are registered. If registration supports a minimum number of teams to promote healthy competition, KBA will operate the age category as a House Program. Otherwise, KBA will form teams and submit them for play in Interlock.

What House and Interlock Programs are offered by KBA?

KBA offers House and Interlock Programs for players aged 9 to 16 in our spring (May to June) and summer (July to August) seasons.

Typically, KBA has enough players registered to offer the following House Programs:

Minor (9-10) and Major (11-12) in the spring, and
Rookie (6-8) in the summer.

Our registration numbers are typically lower for older players in spring and at all age categories in summer, so KBA offers the following Interlock Programs:

Junior (13-14) and Senior (15-16) in spring, and
Minor (9-10), Major (11-12), Junior (13-14), and Senior (15-16) in summer.

When and where do House and Interlock Teams play?

House and Interlock teams typically play 2 games per week, scheduled Monday to Thursday, and practice once per week on the weekend. Older age categories (Junior and Senior) may have games scheduled on the occasional weekend.

All House games and practices are held on Kanata area diamonds. Interlock games may be played anywhere in the Greater Ottawa area (Carleton Place to Orleans).

How are House and Interlock teams formed?

House and Interlock teams are formed by sortout.

Sortouts are typically held in mid-April for the spring season. When time permits, sortouts are held for the summer season in June, but at KBA’s discretion, summer teams may be created using spring sortout results and coach feedback.

Does KBA offer a T-Ball Program?

Yes. KBA’s 6U Rally Cap is a T-Ball program.

What is Girls Baseball?

Girls Baseball is the newest baseball program, created to increase participation and enjoyment for girls, and players who identify as girls, in the Ottawa region. The program operates as a collaboration with local Little League Canada and Baseball Quebec associations in our region.

KBA offers Girls Baseball teams for the following age categories:

Rookie (7-8),
Minor (9-10),
Major (11-12), and
Junior (13-14).

When and where do the Girls Baseball teams play?

The Girls Baseball season runs over three months, from May to July. All teams practice 2 times per week and play games against other associations on Sunday afternoons. Practices are held at Kanata area diamonds. Games will be played in the Greater Ottawa area, but may require occasional travel into Western Quebec.

At the Rookie age category, our Girls Baseball teams combine practices with the 8U Rally Cap program. This program offers an excellent player development experience and provides the flexibility for parents to choose either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday field times.

At the Minor, Major, and Junior age category, practices are held twice a week between Monday and Thursday on a fixed schedule. The practice schedule is decided in April based on availability of the players and coaching staff.

What are the costs to consider for Recreational Programs?

Your registration fee covers all costs to play in the Recreational Program. Uniforms (ballcap and jersey or t-shirt) are provided by KBA, as is all team equipment including approved bats and catcher’s gear. Players are expected to have their own batting helmet and baseball glove which can generally be used for multiple years.

What are the travel requirements for Recreational Programs?

Travel is limited to the Greater Ottawa Area and Western Quebec for all Recreational Baseball Programs.

House Programs play only within the KBA territory, and typically do not need to leave Kanata for practices or games. Most Interlock Programs involve associations across the Ottawa area from Carleton Place to Orleans.

In older age categories and Girls Baseball, where there are fewer teams in our region, travel may extend to the Greater Ottawa Region or to Western Quebec (Gatineau, Aylmer, Chelsea).

What are the differences between Recreational Programs offered in the spring and summer?

In Ottawa, spring has always been the most popular baseball season, largely due to our precious, short summers and the influence that Little League Canada has had on the region.

In spring, KBA prefers to run House Programs whenever possible. House Programs provide the KBA the flexibility to modify programs to improve player development. Typically teams in spring programs take advantage of more practice opportunities owing to better weekend availability of their players.

In summer, KBA prefers to run Interlock Programs whenever possible. Interlock Programs provide our members an opportunity to demonstrate the hard work put in during spring against competition across the Ottawa region.

Does KBA offer OBA “House” programming?

No. At this time, KBA continues to offer House Programs, for ages 9 and above, only under the Little League Canada charter.

While the KBA holds charters with both the Ontario Baseball Association and Little League Canada, KBA decides which charter to operate each individual program under in an effort to maintain a balance between what is best for the membership and baseball in our region.

Does KBA offer different tiers for Recreational Programs?

Yes. When the number of registered players and the range of player skill supports tiered divisions, House Programs are split into two tiered divisions: Nationals and Canadians.

Interlock Programs hosted by Little League Ontario District 2 are similarly tiered. KBA submits teams into either the Nationals or Canadians divisions based on the strength of the team as determined by the sortout process.

Are players in Recreational Programs eligible for the Little League World Series?

Any player who participates in 8 regular season games in a recognized Little League program before June 30th (or District playdowns, whichever is first) is eligible to participate in Little League International Tournaments. Technically, the Little League World Series is for the Major age category (11-12), but national tournament play is possible at Minor (9-10), Junior (13-14), and Senior (15-16).

Our All-Star teams represent KBA in tournament play at the Minor and Major age categories. For Junior and Senior age categories, teams are selected through invitation based on spring sort out results and coach feedback. In all cases, players must be registered in a spring Recreational Program to be eligible.