With the 2026 Canadian Baseball League’s (Formerly the Intercounty Baseball League) season beginning on May 18th, now is a good time to look back on the rule changes made and how it has affected teams’ offseasons.
One of the Major changes made to help more closely identify to independent leagues In the United States is the increased salary caps for teams.
The increase from teams covering living, travel, and food expenses has now changed to a salary cap of $30,000 per month and a maximum of $4,000 per month for individual players. This change has led to a massive increase in international signings of former professional athletes as well as players coming from other independent leagues in the states “I noticed it right away, higher quality … Situations where they’re looking to not so much step down but step up,” says Barnstormers General Manager and Pitching Coach Harry Muir.
The CBL had also made an agreement with the OCAA and the OUA to allow Canadian College and University athletes to compete without affecting their school eligibility “Guys can still go still school if they have eligibility and play professional baseball in Canada.”
Overall, the changes made in November are already starting to have a massive impact on the league as they hope to continue their way into a more highly regarded and professional league.
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