The CVBL is committed to sustaining quality baseball in Northern New York.  The following section is intended to address common questions regarding league operations.

General Rules and Structure
What is the CVBL?
What rules of play does the CVBL use?
What type of bat does the CVBL use?
How are CVBL teams organized?
How is the CVBL schedule organized?

Information for Prospective Players and Teams
What is the CVBL policy on player eligibility?
What is the cutoff date for joining a CVBL team, or switching between teams?
How is playoff eligibility determined?
How should a prospective player go about joining a team?
How are new teams added to the CVBL?

What is the CVBL?

The CVBL is the Champlain Valley Baseball League, a competitive adult recreational summer league centered in Northern New York.  (TOP)

What rules of play does the CVBL use?

The CVBL abides by National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules of play.  Additionally, ground rules vary according to ballpark.  (TOP)

What type of bat does the CVBL use?

While wood and composite bats are not prohibited, the CVBL is primarily an aluminum bat league.  (TOP)

How are CVBL teams organized?

The CVBL restructures itself on a seasonal basis to accommodate the best format available for its membership.  In 2009, the CVBL will contain 6 franchises:

Fourth Ward Timberjaxx
Fourth Ward Athletics
Hockey Plus/Loreman's Padres
Lyon Mountain Miners
Meron’s Expos
Plattsburgh Cardinals  (TOP)

How is the CVBL schedule organized?

Official CVBL games are played as 7-inning doubleheaders commencing at noon each Sunday from the second weekend in May.  Each team plays two doubleheaders versus each other team in the league, creating a 10-week, 20-game regular season schedule.  Teams are free to play exhibition games during the week at their discretion.  (TOP)

What is the CVBL policy on player eligibility?

The CVBL has no restrictions on player eligibility based on age, league affiliation, or any other consideration.  However, league’s quality of play dictates that players tend to be college-age and older.  Prospective players should review the eligibility requirements of any other league in which they participate to ensure CVBL participation will not affect their other obligations.  (TOP)

What is the cutoff date for joining a CVBL team, or switching between teams?

Players are free to join a CVBL team at any point in the regular season, and may also change teams at their discretion.  The latter case is highly unusual, however, and most player movement between teams occurs upon the creation of a new franchise.  Any player starting with a new team MUST ensure his team contacts league officials to amend their official roster; any participation on a team without such notification can result in forfeiture of games due to player ineligibility.  (TOP)

How is playoff eligibility determined?

A player must appear in four CVBL games with a team to become eligible for inclusion on that team’s postseason roster.  Players who do not join teams in time to accrue these appearances are not eligible for postseason play.  An exception is made for players primarily affiliated with American Legion teams during the regular season; as long as they are officially part of a CVBL roster, such players can appear in playoff games without meeting the minimum appearance requirement.  (TOP)

How should a prospective player go about joining a team?

Most CVBL rookies are recruited by their teams during the offseason.  Players new to the area during the season who wish to play are encouraged to attend games to gauge the league’s quality of play, and speak to team officials if interested.  (TOP)

How are new teams added to the CVBL?

The creation of CVBL franchises is governed by the CVBL by-laws, which can be found here.  (TOP)