Frequently asked questions about softball in the Grand Valley LSA.
Q - What are the pitching and base distance measurements in each age division?
A - u10 (mite) - pitching distance is 30' and bases are set at 45' apart.
(this page mistakenly had this distance listed as 35'. Our apologies for any confusion.)
u12 (squirt) - pitching distance is 35' and bases are set at 55' apart.
u14 (novice) - pitching distance is 38' and bases are set at 60' apart.
u16 (bantam) - pitching distance is 40' and bases are set at 60' apart.
u18 (midget) - pitching distance is 43' and bases are set at 60' apart.
Full more details on field specifications, visit Softball Canada
Q - How do I keep a scorebook?
A - There are a variety of methods but for a simple primer, this PDF has a good outline (link opens PDF directly).
Q - Does Grand Valley allow call-ups (the use of a younger player to help field a team)?
A - Grand Valley does support the use of call-ups from lower age levels when a team is in need (within associations preferably, but not exclusively) to make sure games are not forfeited due to lack of players. We feel it gives the younger girls a chance to experience the next level of ball in modest amounts. We also like this experience to be spread out among various interested players within the team.
Q - Do I have to tell anyone if I use a call-up player?
A - Absolutely. We understand that sometimes its last minute but PWSA does have required paperwork related to this. Please contact PWSA for details on what paperwork is required. We also appreciate a heads up delivered by email to the opposing coach/association.
Q - If I coach a midget tier 2 team, can I call up a bantam tier 1 player?
A - Short answer is yes. Grand Valley supports the concept of a midget tier 2 team calling up a player from (preferably but not exclusively) their own associations bantam tier 1 team for the purposes of fielding a team. We do ask that with this particular situation, the coach of the
opposing team is notified out of courtesy and the correct paperwork is filed with PWSA (as with any call up).
We also (strongly) expect that the spirit of the intended call-up is respected. That it is a call-up for the purposes of fielding a team and not to add a player (specifically a pitcher) capable of controlling a game. If we get reports of call-ups specifically being brought to games that undermine the spirit of this situation, we will reconsider the issue.
Q - What is the mercy rule in Grand Valley?
A - Grand Valley follows a commonly used mercy rule.
Playing Bylaws 1b:
In all Divisions, if any team is ahead by 15 or more runs after 3 innings (2.5 if the home team is ahead), or any inning thereafter, the game will be terminated. If any team is ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of 5 innings (4.5 if home team is ahead), or any inning thereafter, the game will be terminated.
We understand that Softball Canada in November updated their ruling (now called the Run Ahead rule) to be 15 after 3, 10 after 4 and 7 after 5, but at least for 2017, Grand Valley is asking teams and umpires to stick to the one outlined above in our playing bylaws. Grand Valley league games are about playing innings and getting as much playing time as possible in an effort to give the players more chances to improve, so in that effort, we would like to use the original mercy rule.
Q - Can a player wear metal cleats?
U18 (midget) players are allowed to wear metal cleats as per Softball Canada FP Rule 3-5, found on page 152 in the 2015-2016 Softball Canada Rule Book.
Q - How does the Affiliation/Association policy of PWSA affect Grand Valley members.
A. Grand Valley teams must be affiliated or associated with PWSA in order to play. Below are the definitions.
Affiliated - If you affiliate with PWSA, you get liability and accident insurance, a vote at the AGM and entrance to provincials (with a fine if you do not attend)
Associated - You can associate with PWSA, which gets you accident insurance and that’s it, nothing else.
PWSA used to have Affiliation without Participating (accident and liability insurance, a vote but not attendance to provincials) but that does not exist any more.
Any team that Associates, and attends an Ontario tournament (or plays in Grand Valley) would still need to provide a copy of their liability insurance (through whatever third party they got it from) to the organizers (or to Grand Valley).
Q - What are the coaching certification requirements for PWSA?
A. The details of what is required for the certification of coaches at each age group can be found here.
Q. What are the fees to join Grand Valley?
A. If already registered as a Centre:
Top up $500 bond at Spring meeting
$125 per team annual fee
To register as a Centre:
Submit application form and $50 non-refundable application fee
$500 membership/performance bond is required ($50 application fee deducted =$450)
$125 per team annual fee
One vote (as the Centre). Home Centre will designate and register their voting members name and contact info to the GVLSA secretary. This member will be considered the Area Rep on the GVLSA Board of Directors.
To register as a Team:
Submit application form and $50 non-refundable application fee
$300 annual membership fee ($50 application fee deducted = $250)
No voting privileges.
A - u10 (mite) - pitching distance is 30' and bases are set at 45' apart.
(this page mistakenly had this distance listed as 35'. Our apologies for any confusion.)
u12 (squirt) - pitching distance is 35' and bases are set at 55' apart.
u14 (novice) - pitching distance is 38' and bases are set at 60' apart.
u16 (bantam) - pitching distance is 40' and bases are set at 60' apart.
u18 (midget) - pitching distance is 43' and bases are set at 60' apart.
Full more details on field specifications, visit Softball Canada
Q - How do I keep a scorebook?
A - There are a variety of methods but for a simple primer, this PDF has a good outline (link opens PDF directly).
Q - Does Grand Valley allow call-ups (the use of a younger player to help field a team)?
A - Grand Valley does support the use of call-ups from lower age levels when a team is in need (within associations preferably, but not exclusively) to make sure games are not forfeited due to lack of players. We feel it gives the younger girls a chance to experience the next level of ball in modest amounts. We also like this experience to be spread out among various interested players within the team.
Q - Do I have to tell anyone if I use a call-up player?
A - Absolutely. We understand that sometimes its last minute but PWSA does have required paperwork related to this. Please contact PWSA for details on what paperwork is required. We also appreciate a heads up delivered by email to the opposing coach/association.
Q - If I coach a midget tier 2 team, can I call up a bantam tier 1 player?
A - Short answer is yes. Grand Valley supports the concept of a midget tier 2 team calling up a player from (preferably but not exclusively) their own associations bantam tier 1 team for the purposes of fielding a team. We do ask that with this particular situation, the coach of the
opposing team is notified out of courtesy and the correct paperwork is filed with PWSA (as with any call up).
We also (strongly) expect that the spirit of the intended call-up is respected. That it is a call-up for the purposes of fielding a team and not to add a player (specifically a pitcher) capable of controlling a game. If we get reports of call-ups specifically being brought to games that undermine the spirit of this situation, we will reconsider the issue.
Q - What is the mercy rule in Grand Valley?
A - Grand Valley follows a commonly used mercy rule.
Playing Bylaws 1b:
In all Divisions, if any team is ahead by 15 or more runs after 3 innings (2.5 if the home team is ahead), or any inning thereafter, the game will be terminated. If any team is ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of 5 innings (4.5 if home team is ahead), or any inning thereafter, the game will be terminated.
We understand that Softball Canada in November updated their ruling (now called the Run Ahead rule) to be 15 after 3, 10 after 4 and 7 after 5, but at least for 2017, Grand Valley is asking teams and umpires to stick to the one outlined above in our playing bylaws. Grand Valley league games are about playing innings and getting as much playing time as possible in an effort to give the players more chances to improve, so in that effort, we would like to use the original mercy rule.
Q - Can a player wear metal cleats?
U18 (midget) players are allowed to wear metal cleats as per Softball Canada FP Rule 3-5, found on page 152 in the 2015-2016 Softball Canada Rule Book.
Q - How does the Affiliation/Association policy of PWSA affect Grand Valley members.
A. Grand Valley teams must be affiliated or associated with PWSA in order to play. Below are the definitions.
Affiliated - If you affiliate with PWSA, you get liability and accident insurance, a vote at the AGM and entrance to provincials (with a fine if you do not attend)
Associated - You can associate with PWSA, which gets you accident insurance and that’s it, nothing else.
PWSA used to have Affiliation without Participating (accident and liability insurance, a vote but not attendance to provincials) but that does not exist any more.
Any team that Associates, and attends an Ontario tournament (or plays in Grand Valley) would still need to provide a copy of their liability insurance (through whatever third party they got it from) to the organizers (or to Grand Valley).
Q - What are the coaching certification requirements for PWSA?
A. The details of what is required for the certification of coaches at each age group can be found here.
Q. What are the fees to join Grand Valley?
A. If already registered as a Centre:
Top up $500 bond at Spring meeting
$125 per team annual fee
To register as a Centre:
Submit application form and $50 non-refundable application fee
$500 membership/performance bond is required ($50 application fee deducted =$450)
$125 per team annual fee
One vote (as the Centre). Home Centre will designate and register their voting members name and contact info to the GVLSA secretary. This member will be considered the Area Rep on the GVLSA Board of Directors.
To register as a Team:
Submit application form and $50 non-refundable application fee
$300 annual membership fee ($50 application fee deducted = $250)
No voting privileges.