January 2010

Written by OntFast Wednesday, 06 January 2010 19:31

Softball Ontario is proud to announce the fourth annual Get In The Game Symposium on Saturday February 27, 2010 at the Sport Alliance Building in Toronto.  The Symposium is a great opportunity for Softball Associations across Ontario to come together and work towards improving softball in Ontario.

The 2010 Symposium will feature the official launch of Softball Ontario’s new Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (S.A.F.E.) Star Program, as well as an interactive schedule featuring topics selected from a survey of past participants.

New for 2010, participants will receive a free breakfast provided by Home Run Sports – as well as lunch provided by Softball Ontario.  Travel (mileage) and accommodations will be provided by Softball Ontario for those who qualify.  Participants in the Symposium must register with Lisa Crompton at Softball Ontario by February 12, 2010.

The Get In The Game Symposium is a great opportunity for Softball Associations to learn from each other and work together to improve our game throughout the province.

Date:          Saturday February 27, 2010
Time:         9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Registration and Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM)
Location:   Sport Alliance Building
                  3 Concorde Gate
                  Toronto, ON
                  M3C 3N7

If you would like to register for the Get In The Game Symposium or you have any questions, contact Lisa Crompton via telephone at (416) 426-7150 or via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Let’s make Softball better together!

Written by OntFast Thursday, 07 January 2010 19:20

Are you a member of your local Softball Association’s Board of Directors?  Do you wish your Board had more training in areas like Marketing, Sponsorship, Fundraising and Grants?  Would you like to host a FREE Softball Ontario Certified Softball Administrator Program (CSAP) Workshop?  Softball Ontario is looking for hosts for upcoming CSAP Workshops in 2010!

CSAP Workshops are currently available for the following topics:

Marketing & Promoting Your Association
Learn how to design a marketing plan, leverage marketing tools, and create a brand identity for your Softball Association!

Generating Revenue: Sponsorship, Fundraising and Grants
Learn how to plan, organize and manage your Association’s sponsorship and fundraising initiatives, as well as information on how to secure grants for your Association!

Additional Workshops dealing with legal issues & risk management, working with your community, and much more will be available soon!

Participation in a CSAP Workshop will not only provide valuable training to your Association’s volunteers, but it will also allow you to network with volunteers from other Softball Associations, and your volunteer’s certification will count towards your Association’s rating in the new Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (S.A.F.E.) Star Program which will launch in late February 2010.

Interested Hosts will receive a FREE CSAP Workshop, which will include:

• A trained Learning Facilitator
• Up to $250 towards the Facility Cost
• Up to $100 towards the cost of Refreshments for Participants
• A CSAP Binder and Workbook for each Participant ($25 value)

A limited number of free CSAP Workshops are available; to express your interest in hosting a Certified Softball Administrator Program Workshop or you have any questions, contact Lisa Crompton via telephone at (416) 426-7150 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Written by OntFast Sunday, 10 January 2010 14:21

Evaluation Camp #1:
- When: Saturday May 22nd AND Sunday May 23rd, 2010.
- Time: 9:30am to 2:30pm on May 22nd; and 9:30am to 12:30pm on May 23rd.
- Where: Brampton, Ontario (Brampton Fairgrounds – 38 McMurchy Ave. South)
- Note: In case of inclement weather, the backup date is May 24.
- Players must attend both days.

Evaluation Camp #2:
- When: Wednesday June 2nd AND Thursday June 3rd, 2010.
- Time: 9:00am to 4:30pm on June 2nd; and 9:00am to 4:30pm on June 3rd.
- Where: Surrey, British Columbia (Softball City)

- All players must attend both days.
- Players who are flying in to the BC Camp are asked to book their flights arriving June 1st and departing June 4th. Should any of these players be invited to the final Selection Camp, Softball Canada will pay for any necessary flight changes. These players are encouraged to fly WestJet due to the flexibility of their flight change policy.

*The cost to attend an Evaluation Camp is $50.00. Each player must fill out an Evaluation Camp Registration Form and return it to Softball Canada’s Head Office by January 15th, 2010.

Registration form (Word): http://www.softball.ca/files/2010SWNTRegistrationForm.doc
Registration Form (PDF): http://www.softball.ca/files/2010SWNTRegistrationForm.pdf 
 
2010 Senior Women’s National Team Schedule
The schedule has not been finalized yet as the 2010 ISF World Championship location and dates are currently under review. The original host, Oklahoma City, is unable to host the event due to a date conflict with another event.
 
Athlete Eligibility for Final Camp Consideration
The Senior Women’s National Team coaching staff reserves the right to invite athletes to the final Selection Camp who are unable to attend an evaluation camp due to playing at University, are injured or who have other extenuating circumstances. Injured athletes would be expected to register for the camp and may be required to attend the Evaluation Camp to be interviewed by the coaching staff. These athletes are responsible to contact the Operations Manager for National Teams in advance of the camp to advise of their situation.

For more information, please contact:

Harvey Stevenson
Softball Canada: Operations Manager - National Teams
212-223 Colonnade Road, Ottawa ON K2E 7K3
Fax: 1-613-523-5761
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Written by OntFast Sunday, 10 January 2010 14:36

Unique locale will host top women's international softball event

Whitehorse, Yukon, will host the International Softball Federation XIII Women’s World Championship in 2012, it was announced today.  ISF President Don Porter said that a solid bid from the host and a successful track record made it the right choice for the marquee fast pitch event.

“Whitehorse will do a terrific job hosting our women’s world championship in 2012,” the ISF president said.  “They proved as much when they organized our junior men’s world championship in 2008.  Plus the community’s support for softball and their proven ability as a site for large sporting and cultural events assures us that our teams, the fans, and the media will all have a good experience that summer.”

The unique location brings with it over 20 hours of daylight, which allows for softball games – on unlit fields – well into the evening hours.  The playing facilities in Whitehorse have multiple fields, which will allow the organizers to meet what is generally a ten-day, 60-plus games schedule.

“Softball Yukon and Softball Canada are pleased to again be able to host the world,” said George Arcand, Executive Director of Softball Yukon and the Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2012 World Championship.  “After hosting a successful and exciting junior men's world championship in 2008, we are honored to host the 2012 women's world championship in Whitehorse.  We look forward to working with the ISF to make this an unforgettable experience for our local community, fans from all over the world, and all participating teams.”

The event in Whitehorse will come just two years after the XII Women’s World Championship, which happens this June 23-July 2 in Venezuela.  As such, it fulfills the implementation of a two-year rotation for ISF world championships instead of every four years.  That change was adopted at the ISF Congress this past October.  Next year will be the final year of only one world championship (junior women’s, December 6-17, 2011, in Cape Town, South Africa).  2012 will also include the ISF IX Jr. Men’s World Championship (19-and-under) in Parana, Argentina.

The women’s world championship in Whitehorse in 2012 is expected to take place in July of that year, with exact dates currently being finalized.

Written by OntFast Sunday, 10 January 2010 14:39

Softball Canada, the national sport governing body for Fast Pitch, Slo-Pitch and Orthodox softball is seeking a dynamic individual to manage our Coaching program, to develop/implement initiatives in the school system and assist in the creation and operation of new programming.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Be responsible for the revision/editing of existing Coaching resources and creation of new resources to support volunteer coaches
• Evaluate and review Softball’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and complete the transition to the new NCCP
• Work with the Manager – Long Term Player Development on the creation of new coaching related programming and then be responsible for delivery of that programming (Pitching and Curriculum/Practice Guides)
• Investigate new avenues for the delivery of coaching education and identify new revenue streams
• Initiate development of an integrated softball in schools program
• Work closely with Provincial/Territorial partners to support the delivery of the National Coach Certification program (NCCP)
• Liaise with the Coaching Association of Canada and Sport Canada on related issues
• Develop a mentoring program for Master and Regional Pitching Instructors, Regional coaches and identify/assist potential future National Team coaches
• Organize additional professional development opportunities for coaches

The successful candidate will ideally possess:

• A post secondary degree in sport administration or coaching or equivalent area of study
• Knowledge of the Canadian sport system
• Coaching Experience and knowledge of technical aspects of softball
• Fully certified Level 3 in the old NCCP or Competition – Development in the new NCCP (or progressing towards that designation) or equivalent training/experience
• Proven administrative skills managing a variety of projects
• Familiarity with Long-Term Player Development principles and the ability to develop related programming
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office 2007)
• Outstanding communication skills (written and verbal) and excellent technical (softball) writing skills
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for this position
• Experience working with volunteers and boards

This position is based in the Softball Canada office in Ottawa. Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications by mail or email, with cover letter and salary expectations by February 1, 2010 to:
Hugh Mitchener
Chief Executive Officer
Softball Canada
Suite 212 - 223 Colonnade Road
Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7K3
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Written by OntFast Sunday, 10 January 2010 14:44

The Grand Valley Ladies Softball Association is having their annual spring excutive and coaches meeting on Thursday, February 25th at 7.00pm at the Al McCormick Arena (Community Room) on Parkside Drive in Waterloo.

Anyone who wants to apply for entry into the league or has any other busness with the league that isn't a member should do so within 30 days.

Contact the GVLSA throught the website at www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=gvlsa

Written by OntFast Wednesday, 13 January 2010 18:58

Durham College will again be host to the 2010 Provincial Women’s Softball Association Skills Camp.

This year’s camp will be held on the long weekend, May 21st – 23rd.

The camp is open to squirt and novice players (girls born 1996 – 1999) who are registered with the PWSA, and offers the opportunity for training with top-level instructors. The instructors confirmed for the 2010 Skills Camp include former Olympic and National team members. Plans are being made to add other top softball instructors and it is anticipated that the 2010 coaching staff will be one of the best ever.

Players will receive approximately 14 hours of on-field instruction for batting, bunting, fielding, throwing, base running, pitching, and catching. In addition, the comprehensive camp will provide sessions on proper nutrition, fitness, sportsmanship, team spirit and self-esteem. But it’s not “all work, no play”, each evening, attendees participate in fun organized activities and events.

Price for the camp is just $235 and includes all meals, accommodation in Durham College residence, a souvenir t-shirt and all taxes. Participants can expect to return with improved fastpitch skills, a strong passion for the sport and many new friends in the softball community.

Please note that there are limited spots available.

For an application to attend the PWSA “Train with an Olympian” Skills camp, please go to http://www.ontariopwsa.com/content/view/53/56/ and click on PWSA Skills Camp Application - 2010.

For more information on the Skills Camp, please contact Valerie Barker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Written by OntFast Wednesday, 13 January 2010 19:08

Softball Ontario understands that Softball Associations invest a lot of time, effort and money into promoting spring registration dates. Associations commonly use public events, web sites, schools, newspapers, newsletters, signs and more to publicize opportunities to sign up to play Softball. Softball Ontario wants to help! For the 2010 softball season, your Association can have Registration Dates promoted on Softball Ontario’s web site!

Contact Softball Ontario with the details of your Softball Association’s Registration Dates and they will be added to our Registration Calendar. Promoting your Softball Association’s Registration Dates on Softball Ontario’s web site is a wonderful opportunity for you to increase the exposure of your Registrations!

Each posting should include the following information:

• Date
• Softball Association
• When (date, time)
• Where (location name & address)
• Description (link to registration form, address to mail form, information about early-bird registration rates, contact person, web site, email address, etc)

More great ways to promote and advertise your Softball Association will be discussed at Softball Ontario’s upcoming Get In The Game Symposium, scheduled to take place on February 27, 2010 in Toronto, ON. The registration deadline for the Symposium is February 12, 2010, so send in your registration form today!

To have your event listed on Softball Ontario’s web site, or to register for the upcoming Get In The Game Symposium, contact Lisa Crompton 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, 17 January 2010 13:27

Shannon Galea - Oshawa Native and 4th year McMaster University Student (Enviro-Science)- and member of the 2009 OIWFA (Ontario Intercollegiate Women's Fastpitch Associaton) Championship team -  McMaster University - and member of the 2009 Gold Medal Softball Canada Junior Women's Fastpitch Championship team - the Cambridge Juniors - is listed as a nominee for the Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year Award.
 
Galea was nominated for Fastpitch Softball. This is, as far as I can recall, a first for a Fastpitch player in the Golden Horseshoe area.
 
30 athletes representing 30 different sports were nominated.
 
The nomination committee has whittled the list down to 3 finalists.
- Marathoner - Reid Coolsaet
- Football player - Danny Brannagan
- Hockey player - Ryan Ellis
 
The Award winner will be announced at the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Sports Celebrity Dinner on February 25, 2010 at the Hamilton Convention Centre.
 
Congratulations go out to Shannon.
 
Doug Parry

Written by OntFast Sunday, 17 January 2010 13:32

"ELEVATE YOUR GAME" Softball Conference, was held at EXTRA BASES Softball & Baseball Training Academy on January 9th-10th.


The Event was a huge success, with top notch US College Coach's teaching skills to both coaches and players.

The instruction was led by Nebraska Head Coach; Lori Sippel (former Team Canada Player & Coach), Sheena Lawrick (Team Canada Player/US College Coach), Nikki Beal (former Jr. Team Canada Player/Coach), Jenn Graham (US College Player), Wayne Foreman (Team Ontario Coach). Also, local coaches that helped out included; Jenny McCarthy (Georgia State/Brantford Bobcats) and Holly Harris (Campbell Univ./Whitby Eagles).

This is the first time in a long time that such an event was held in the greater Toronto area. A total of 30 Coaches and 60 Players took part in the weekend event, which were all able to take home a positive and enriching experience.

Extra Bases has made a commitment to help develop and promote girls Softball in Ontario.  The philosophy is simple; improve coaching and develop players, create a positive environment which will make the game fun!! In turn, this attitude will catch fire, and girls will stay in the game longer!!

This clinic was the first of many more to come.  Visit www.extrabases.ca for all upcoming events.