U11 (formerly U10 Mites); Ages 10 to 11 years old
 

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U11 is for players born in 2011 & 2012 (10 to 11 years old). No experience is required to play. The U11 or Mites Age Group Coordinator is John Brodie (mites@vmsa.ca). Teams are formed based on friend requests and school/ geographic area in mid to late March. The Learn-To-Play Timbits softball program Timbits Softball (i.e. lesson plans) are still used but there is a stronger focus on game-play at this age division.  

Schedule:

• Three (3) sessions per week: 2 games (Tuesday evening & Saturday midday) + 1 practice
• Games:  max. of 90 minutes; warm-up before the game to be determined by the team’s coach (typically players arrive 15-30 minutes before the start of the game); no rain makeup
• Weekly practice is approx. 60-90 min. The day, time, and location are dependent on coach and field availability
• Parks: Trafalgar Park (Diamonds T1 & T2) and McBride Park (Diamonds East & West)

Coaching:
The U11 coaching program is based on What is Timbits Softball? Program and Softball BC requirements (Softball BC : Website by RAMP InterActive).  Detailed practice plans for U11 can be found in the Timbits Softball program manual.  Coaching requires no previous coaching experience or knowledge of softball, and minimal preparation because of highly structured supporting materials.  Preparation for practice days can be done in as little as 10 minutes. The program is geared to what the kids can do and enjoy at a given age.
 

Team:

• Players per team: 11 to 12. Teams are assembled primarily based on friend requests and school.
• Team officials: one head coach, up to 2 assistant coaches and one team manager for communications.  All team officials must register with VMSA, there is no cost to register. A criminal record check (CRC) will be completed for all team officials. An email will be sent out at the beginning of the season for registration and details regarding the CRR. Note: A maximum of four team officials will be eligible for the VMSA volunteer credit to be emailed out at the end of the season. If there are more than 4 team officials, the team must discuss who gets the credit. 

Equipment:

• Required: Glove, batting helmet with strap (preferably with cage or mouthguard), infield mask, and running shoes. Catchers should wear a groin protector or ‘Jill’. Note: VMSA will provide each team with one infield mask for the pitcher.

• Optional: Softball/baseball cleats, ball bag, & Jill for non-catchers

Game Format:
U11 follows the Minor Softball Rules outline by Softball Canada  Minor Softball Rules.  In addition to these, Softball BC has implemented a standardized set of rules for U11 for the 2022 season (to be included in the Softball BC Handbook).  Rules are standard Softball BC Mites rules except as noted (or emphasized) below:

• Base Path Distance – 45’ 
• Pitching Distance – 35’ 
• Ball – 11” indoor ball/softcore ball 
• Helmet – all batters will wear a batting helmet with cage (or mouthguard) with strap done up while batting and on base
• Infield face mask – mandatory for all pitchers to wear an infield mask
• Game Duration – no new innings after 90 min 
• Run Limit Per Inning – max. of 4 runs per half inning 
• Last half of season – 3 strikes, batter out. 4 balls, batter walks 
• Stealing – allowed 
• Sliding – allowed 
• VMSA Recommendations:
• rotate player positions every inning;
• base race at the end of the game;
• must end within time period when another game follows;
• home team sets up the field 30 min prior;
• make the call to cancel a game due to rain 90 min in advance of game start (coaches to communicate and agree to game cancellation)