Ontario Fastpitch News

Written by OntFast Sunday, 07 February 2010 14:11

Softball Canada and the Officiating Development Committee are very pleased to launch a new tool to help umpires prepare for the 2010 season - Softball Canada UmpSchool!

Softball Canada umpires can now take advantage of an effective new tool as they study the rules for the upcoming season, and prepare for 2010 certification examination.

Softball Canada has recently partnered with RuleBox Software, a company that develops test preparation tools and online training. The result is a new initiative called Softball Canada UmpSchool, and it can be used to increase your knowledge of officiating and improve your score on the Softball Canada annual examination.

When you subscribe to Softball Canada UmpSchool, you can select brief study quizzes that cover specific Softball Canada rules, or elect to take complete 50, 65, 75, 90, or 100-question practice examinations. You'll receive immediate feedback on your answers, as well as rule references so you can check on the correct ruling.

This effective new training tool is available to Softball Canada umpires for a subscription fee of only $8 USD. A subscription allows you unlimited access for the entire season!

Subscribe now, so you don't forget: http://www.ruleboxsoftware.com/softballcanada.aspx

Written by OntFast Sunday, 07 February 2010 14:08

Please note that the registration period for the Senior Women's National Team Evaluation Camps has ended. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, Softball Canada cannot logistically handle any more players at the camps.

Players who were unable to register can send information about their playing status for review by the coaching staff and possible future scouting. Particulars include:
1. Full Name
2. Date of birth
3. Current Team
4. Home Address
5. Email address
6. Phone Number
Please forward this information to Harvey Stevenson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For more information, please contact:
Harvey Stevenson
Operations Manager - National Teams
Softball Canada
212-223 Colonnade Road
Ottawa ON K2E 7K3
Ph.:1-613-523-3386 x. 3110
Fax:1-613-523-5761
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Written by OntFast Sunday, 07 February 2010 14:05

Here is the February 2010 edition of Around the Horn - Softball Canada's monthly newsletter has been released.

Click here to view Around the Horn: http://www.softball.ca/files/ATHFebruary2010.pdf

Written by OntFast Monday, 01 February 2010 18:37

The PWSA Scholarship Foundation is an important part of our association. Scholarships are normally based on the amount of interest we receive each year from the funds we have in the scholarship account. Each year we attempt to provide three scholarships of approximately $1,000.00 each to deserving players who submit applications before August 15th of the current year. Please visit www.ontariopwsa.com to download the application.
 
The P.W.S.A is very thankful to have received donations from PWSA member teams and associations; business and private donations; in‐memoriam; and the Residence and Conference Centres. These donations to our scholarship program make it possible for our P.W.S.A athletes to continue with their education. We appreciate your continued support!
 
ARE YOU A PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT? IF SO WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!
 
For 24 years now we have been awarding scholarships and we are interested to know how and what our recipients are now doing. If you are a past recipient can you please email us and let us know what you are now doing and possibly how our scholarship may have made a difference in your life’s path. Please contact Jennifer Chadwick, Scholarship Chairperson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Written by OntFast Sunday, 31 January 2010 15:54

The Softball Ontario Fast Pitch Umpire Committee is pleased to announce a great opportunity for young female umpires.  Open to young women aged 15 – 18 years of age, an innovative “GIRLZ RULE” umpire clinic is being offered on Saturday, March 27th in Toronto at the Sport Alliance Building (the home of Softball Ontario).  Attendance is limited to thirty-five participants, so apply today to participate in this great clinic.

Softball Ontario is extremely pleased to offer this clinic at NO CHARGE to each of the thirty-five successful applicants due in part to a Sport4Toronto funding initiative as well as the injection of funding from the Softball Ontario program.  The clinic will be instructed by three of the country’s finest elite female umpires – Noreen Atkinson, a Softball Canada Level V from Georgetown, who participated in the 2007 Junior Women’s World Championship in the Netherlands. Daryl Way, also a Softball Canada Level V from Brampton - a fixture at supervising Canadian Championships and Lesley Pipher, a Softball Canada Level IV who participated in the 2008 Senior Women’s Canadian Championships as an umpire and the 2009 Senior Women’s Canadian Championships as a participant.

Written by OntFast Tuesday, 26 January 2010 19:37

The 17th Annual Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch Tournament (Women's Division) has been cancelled for 2010 due to a change in the International Softball Federation dates for the Xll Women's World Championships.

'It is with great regret and after much deliberation due to the changes made by the International Softball Federation schedule that I have decided not to proceed with the 2010 Canada Cup and have informed Softball Canada and the Canada Cup Host Committee of this decision,' stated Chairman, Glen Todd.

'We reviewed all of our options and in the end concluded that we had no choice but to cancel the Women's tournament. We are exploring the possibilities of staging the Canada Cup once again in 2011.'

The Canada Cup was to be held July 3 to 11 in Surrey, BC with many international teams then heading to the World Championships the following week. The 2010 ISF Xll Women's World Championships will now be held in Caracas, Venezuela June 23 to July 2. It has recently been announced by the International Softball Federation and Softball Canada that the ISF Xlll Women's World Championships will be held in July of 2012 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Dates are still to be determined.

Further information and updates will be posted on www.canadacup.com including information on the 2010 Futures and Showcase Divisions.

Written by OntFast Monday, 25 January 2010 17:52

The PWSA will be organizing a pilot project for the squirt division in 2010. The PWSA will be hosting qualifying tournaments on the July 30- August 1st weekend. The qualifier sites will be posted on the PWSA website when they are confirmed.

All squirt teams will be asked to submit their league and Ontario tournament results by June 15th to Todd Bannister, the divisional coordinator. A form will be provided to the team manager in their affiliation package. The information that is submitted will be used to help the PWSA balance the talent amongst the qualifying tournaments to help ensure competitive balance.

All squirt teams will be advancing to the PWSA Grand Championships on August 13-15th. The host association will be announced on the PWSA website as soon as it is confirmed. Based upon the final team placement at the qualifiers, teams will be entered into either the Division A, B or C, Grand Championship tournament. On the qualifier tournament draw sheet, that teams will receive in June, there will be information as to how many teams will advance to either the Division A, B or C championship tournaments.

The PWSA is excited to host this pilot project. The goal of the pilot project is to extend the playing season by having all teams advance to a provincial championship tournament that is best suited for their team’s competitive level.

If you have any questions or wish more information please contact Todd Bannister at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Written by OntFast Monday, 25 January 2010 17:47

CANpitch is Softball Canada’s national pitching program created to provide a nationally standardize curriculum based on Softball Canada’s Long-Term Player Development framework to introduce and develop the skill of windmill pitching to children. The primary objective of the program is to provide a vehicle to enhance the development of pitching skills and knowledge for both players and coaches across Canada especially at the grassroots level, (where players and coaches have little to no experience in pitching).

The CANpitch Program is all about the quality of instruction for all of our participants. Focused on teaching the pitchers the fundamentals at a more personal level, each participant will have more one on one time per hour session than at their local associations open pitching clinics. The ratio of participant to instructor is 6 to1, which will allow for more assistance and focus with each participant. All of the CANpitch instructors are nationally trained through Softball Canada, which ensures a nationally branded program for all participants involved. For six weeks, participants will learn all the proper fundamentals to help increase the overall quality of their pitching skills from Instructors who have been trained to ensure the best.

Written by OntFast Sunday, 24 January 2010 15:46

Unionville Minor Softball Association is hosting a Certified Softball Administrator Program (CSAP) Workshop, titled “Generating Revenue: Sponsorship, Fundraising & Grants” on Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Typically, Softball Associations are funded by registration fees; however fees alone may not support your current offerings to your community and sustain future growth.  Regardless of your Association’s funding needs, acquiring funds from external sources is always challenging.  In the CSAP Generating Revenue Workshop, you will build your knowledge and skills in how to secure funds in three important areas: Sponsorship, Fundraising & Grants.  The CSAP Generating Revenue Workshop is an entry-level program designed for Softball Associations interested in learning about planning, organizing and managing their revenue generation initiatives.

Details of the CSAP Generating Revenue Workshop are as follows:

Date:       Saturday, January 30, 2010
Host:        Unionville Minor Softball Association
Time:       9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost:        $10.00 per Participant (Discounted Rate!)

Lunch will be included for all participants at no extra charge.  Space is very limited for this clinic, with a maximum of 20 participants able to attend.  Each participant will receive a free CSAP Binder, worth $25.00.  The CSAP Binder is designed to be a resource for participants, with room to add additional information and workbooks with each Workshop you attend.

To register, contact Pam Branoff at Unionville Minor Softball Association by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you would like to find out more information about the Certified Softball Administrator Program (CSAP), the upcoming Generating Revenue Workshop, or if you have any questions please contact Lisa Crompton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 416-426-7150.

Written by OntFast Sunday, 24 January 2010 15:44

Over the past several months, Softball Canada's Officiating Development Committee has concentrated its efforts on the biennial Blue Convention, which will take place from April 1-4, 2010 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Umpires from across Canada and the United States travel to this event every time it is held, as it provides an excellent lineup of workshops and opportunities for socializing and networking among the "Blue Crew".

The organizing committee of the 2010 Blue Convention has put it a lot of time and effort to make this the best event possible. The workshops will be moderated by quality presenters, with a variety of topics covering skill and personal development, team work, communication, stress management, case plays, game situations, technical rules, and mechanics. Other key workshops include a female perspective on umpiring, a presentation on Softball Ontario's "Respect my Game" initiative, and "Officiating in the age of Google".