November 2009

Golden Hawks - Year in Review

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Written by OntFast Monday, 02 November 2009 18:55

The 2009 season for the Laurier Women's Fastpitch Club can only be considered one of success.

The Lady Hawks Fastpitch Club were pleased to have a turnout of around 30 girls to this years tryouts. The season started off in dramatic fashion with some epic games including a comeback win (trailing 8-3 in the 7th inning) vs the Windsor Lancers, another comeback win in the bottom of the 7th vs Varsity Blues of Toronto and two close knit victories vs University of Guelph. Laurier would then travel to the Nations Capital for two games against recent rivals of Ottawa U and came away with two 6-5 victories followed by two more wins vs Carlton Ravens. On Oct 3-4 weekend, Laurier Fastpitch would hold Minor Ball Day and Laurier Student Day vs York Lions and Queens Gaels to promote the team and the National Championships they would host the following weekend. Some great crowds were in attendance to witness Laurier only play 1 inning vs York (rain delay) but then defeat the Gaels on Sunday. The Lady Hawks had a perfect 12-0 record heading into the National Championships being hosted in KW the following weekend.
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2010 Softball Coaches & Players Clinic, Buffalo NY

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Written by OntFast Monday, 02 November 2009 18:58

When: January 15 & 16, 2010 (Coaches Clinic) January 17, 2010 (Players Clinic)

Where: Ramada Amherst Hotel
2402 North Forest Road
Amherst, NY 14226

Staff: Brandon Marcello, Director of Human Performance for USA Softball
Peter Looney, Pitching Coach, University of Connecticut
Wally King, Assistant Coach Syracuse University
Sean Cotter, Head Coach UMASS Lowell
Emily Friedman, Assistant Coach Fordham University

Cost - Coaches Clinic: $90.00 - Pre-Registration BEFORE December 27, 2009
$100.00 AFTER December 27, 2009

Pre-Registration for Group (5 or more) Special...$80 each
Coaches Registration to Players Clinic is included in Coaches clinic Fee

Cost - Players Clinic:
Before December 27, 2009: One Session $40, Two Sessions $70, Three Sessions $100
After December 27, 2009: One Session $55, Two Sessions $90, Three Sessions $125
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PWSA AGM Amendments

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Written by OntFast Monday, 02 November 2009 19:20

The 2009 PWSA Annual General Meeting will be held on November 21st at the Holiday Inn (Trafalgar Road) in Oakville starting at 10:00 AM.

All interested managers and coaches are invited to attend.  One vote per team.  Must be a registered member of the PWSA in order to carry this vote.

The following are proposed amendments for the 2010 season.

Page
Rule
Proposed by
Title/Current Wording
Proposed Wording
Rationale

30

R1.01

Rules Committee

- moved by Mary Murphy

- seconded by Debbie Malisani

Divisions:

last paragraph)

The Association may offer House League Select Team Tournaments in the minor categories.

Change:  The Association will offer House League Select Team Tournaments in the minor categories.

It is now a fact and no longer a ‘pilot project’.

32

R1.06

Rules Committee

- moved by Lois Thompson

- seconded by Pat Sparling

 Coaches and Managers:(a) At a Provincial Tournament, participating teams without a properly Certified Coach on the bench, will be fined $100.00 per game.

Add:  EXCEPTION: Should a properly certified coach be ejected from a game and is the only properly certified coach registered with that team, the $100.00 fine will be not levied.  IF ejected from the entire tournament, the $100.00 fine per game will be levied until the team has a properly certified coach on the bench.

  

39

R4.07

Moved by Johanna Malisani – Oakville Midget Tier II 
- seconded by David Haick

 Ball Size, Pitching Distance, Base Distance:

Midget:   Ball Size – 12”

Pitching – 43’

Bases – 60’

Change:  

Midget:  Ball Size – 12”

Pitching – 40’

Bases – 60’

This will make it the same pitching distance as Softball Canada.  It places our teams at a distinct disadvantage at the Canadians and Easterns.

39

R4.07

 Rules Committee

- moved by Joanne Mauthe
- seconded by Lois Thompson

 Ball Size, Pitching Distance, Base Distance:

Exception:  Tournaments that lead to Nationals or Eastern Canadians where Softball Canada approved ball will be used.

 Change: 

Exception:  Tournaments that lead to Canadians or Eastern Canadians where Softball Canada approved ball will be used.

 This is housekeeping.  Softball Canada no longer calls them Nationals – this should be done wherever this word is used in our book or correspondence.

39

R4.08

Moved by Hal Whitcomb –

Mississauga North Midget Tier II
- seconded by Dustin Whitcomb

 Protective Gear

Helmets are compulsory for all players……….

Add at end of first paragraph:
Approved protective cages on batting helmets and approved face masks for pitchers be mandatory in 2010 for Mite and Squirt.  In 2012, these items would be mandatory in Novice as well.

  

42

R8.02

Rules Committee
- moved by Pat Sparling -seconded by Debbie Malisani

Acts of Suspension: 

Teams, coaches, managers or players may be suspended for …….

Add:  (m)

The consumption of alcoholic beverages on or near diamond facilities – EXCEPTION – licensed area.

Notice of Motion from 2008

49

R12.04

 Rules Committee
- moved by Marianne Allen
- seconded by Debbie DeMoel

Teams withdrawing from their commitment to attend the Canadians they have qualified for shall be fined any penalties levied by Softball Canada against the Association for said default.

Change: 

Teams withdrawing from their signed commitment to attend the Canadians they have qualified for shall be fined $1,000.00.  Failure to sign a commitment form shall automatically disqualify said teams from the Canadians.

Notice of Motion from 2008

A team who qualifies then withdraws creates a multiple number of problems, most involving financial overtones is games needed to find a replacement.  The ‘commitment to attend’ form signed prior to the competition for the Ontario Title makes the co-ordinator aware that they will or will not attend so the result can be scheduled to ensure our commitment to Softball Canada is made.


   

Ancaster Blizzard Florida Trip March 2010

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Written by OntFast Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:57

Ancaster Blizzard Midgets are going to Cocoa Florida for March Break. Team will play 14 to 18 games mostly against NJCAA teams or possibly NAIA.

If you are a quality player who is looking at the Junior College route because Div 1 NCAA is a little out of reach, this should be of interest. There have been quite a number of girls who have been picked up by quality schools. A number of them have moved onto play at four year schools after JC. I know one who went to a good Div 2 NCAA school after one year at JC. Everybody got decent scholarship money. Regardless of what you hear full rides are few and far between. The Junior College coaches move fast. I have had girls play them in March and report in August for Softball.

The cost for 9 days, flight, accomodation, meals, softball, transportation down there and other goodies is $1175. Dates of trip are Mar 10 to Mar 19. There are a few spots available. Spots are being locked down now so if interested don't wait. We are especially looking for pitching as two of our pitchers are already away at College and unavailable.

This is our sixth trip down and it is a great experience for the cost.

If interested e-mail Rick at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (905) 541-7057

ancaster blizzard cocoa09
   

Women's National Team Athlete Information Sessions

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Written by OntFast Sunday, 29 November 2009 13:01

The Women’s National Team Program will be offering two Athlete Information Sessions in December. 

The first session will be held on Sunday December 20th at the Executive Airport Plaza hotel 7311 Westminister Hwy in Richmond, BC from 5:00pm -6:30pm.

The second Athlete Information Session will be held Tuesday December 22nd at the Holiday Inn Select at 970 Dixon Rd – across from Pearson International Airport from 9:30am – 11:00am.

The goal of these sessions are to provide athletes planning to attend the 2010 Evaluations camps with an opportunity to meet with the Coaching Staff, learn about the Women’s National Team program and ask questions they may have related to the program.  A presentation will be delivered on 2010 program plans; including Athlete Assistance Program funding,  winter Strength and Conditioning and Technical Skills training expectations, Fitness Testing requirements that will take place at camps, and the time commitment required to participate on women’s national team in 2010. Both sessions will be delivered by Women’s program head coach Mark Smith and supported by members of the coaching staff.

If you are interested in playing for Team Canada this is a worthwhile session to attend.  Come learn  about the Women’s program and the tremendous experience being a member of Team Canada can provide.  Please confirm your attendance by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it saying; I will be attending the AIS.  If you haven’t submitted your registration for the 2010 Evaluation Camps you may do so at the session. Please bring your completed registration form with cheque or money order to the session.

Coach Smith and his staff look forward to seeing you in December!
   

It's Time To Recognize Your Coach

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Written by OntFast Sunday, 29 November 2009 13:05

Softball Ontario is pleased to share information about the Ontario Coaching Excellence Awards.  It is time again to recognize the outstanding achievements and significant contributions your softball coaches have made in their association and to their players/athletes.  The selection of recipients is based on their unique contribution to softball through continuous development.  The awards do not reflect on accomplishments of a coach in any one-year; rather these awards are designed to recognize the contributions a softball coach has made over a period of years.

“It’s an honour beyond believe to be selected by a great group of people, to be a part of this is incredible.”  Jos Nederveen- recipient of 2009 Coach Excellence award, School Sport Category.

Once again this year, there are four (4) categories of awards which refer to the type of athletes the coach is primarily responsible for.  In each category both male and female coaches will be recognized.  The categories are as follows:

• Recreational/Grass Roots Category
• Development Category
• School Sport Category (selected by Ontario Federation Secondary School Athletic Association)
• High Performance Category

The awards will be presented at an evening reception at the Ontario Coaches Conference on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Best Western Hotel, across from University of Guelph where the conference is taking place.

Nominations can be made online at www.coachesontario.ca or hard copy forms can be obtained from the Coaches of Ontario office at the Sport Alliance Building, suite 108.  To be eligible for an Ontario Coaching Excellence award, a coach must coach amateur athletes, and have a minimum of three (3) years of coaching experience in Ontario.  The nominated coach must also consent to the nomination.

All complete nomination forms, and any support documents (i.e. letters of reference, new articles, etc.) much be received by Friday, December 18, 2009 at 4:00 pm.  All emailed nominations will be confirmed.  If you do not receive a confirmation, please re-send or contact Keeley MacLean at (416) 426-7139.

Please send completed nomination forms to:

Keeley MacLean
Coaches Association of Ontario
3 Concorde Gate, Suite 108
Toronto, ON M3C 3N7
Fax:  416-426-7331
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


   

Mississauga Midget Tier 1 Spring Classic Tournament

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Written by OntFast Monday, 30 November 2009 18:56


Dates: May 14th-16th, 2010
Midget Tier 1
Format: 8 Teams, 4 game guarantee weather permitting. 1st place through 6th place 5 game minimum.
Entry Fee: $475.00
For entry form or info email Kathy Latini at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Call for any further info 905-858-4016