- Why fastpitch softball and not baseball?
- What type of organization is the Vancouver Minor Softball Association?
- Does the VMSA have insurance?
- What ages of children can register?
- When does the season start and end?
- What is the difference between "house" and "rep"?
- How many games and practices are involved?
- Can my daughter play with her friends? How are teams made up?
- Does the VMSA take registrations from players outside the district?
- How can I volunteer to help (with coaching, managing a team, on the executive, or otherwise)?
- What if my daughter has never played softball?
- Where are the games played and practices held?
- Can my child play in the division above her age?
- What school's are represented in the association?
- What is VMSA's Refund Policy for Spring Registration?
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1. Why fastpitch softball and not baseball?
In Vancouver, Baseball = Little League. Little League (5-13yrs) is co-ed but dominated by boys. All but the most talented and determined girls generally leave baseball because, candidly, no girls. Once Little League ends, very few girls have the combination of skill and willingness to move to the male-dominated Vancouver Community (westside) and Vancouver Minor (eastside) associations, and they don't have the social connections into our association, so they often just stop playing. At university, there are no baseball opportunities for women. Girls who keep playing after Little League overwhelmingly move over to softball.
A big factor in girls participation in team sports is affiliation. VMSA is very different from Little League in that our house teams are never formed by draft, teams will often play together through their entire association with minor softball. Go to a softball and a Little League game at equivalent levels and see the difference for yourself.
The main difference in play (besides the ball size) is the pitching. Sliding and competitive play are part of fastpitch softball
2. What type of organization is the Vancouver Minor Softball Association?
The VMSA is a society incorporated pursuant to the B.C. Societies Act. It is an organization entirely run by volunteers, mainly parents of existing or past players. It is affiliated with Softball Canada and Softball BC. At present registrations are only accepted for girls teams.
3. Does the VMSA have insurance?
Yes, to a limited extent, the Association is insured through its affiliation with Softball BC. Details are available on the Softball BC website. top
4. What ages of children can register?
Registrations are accepted from players that are 5 years of age and older. Normally, children will be in Grade 1 when they first register for Learn to Play. The last year players in the Midget (the oldest category) category can register is at age 19.
5. When does the season start and end?
This depends somewhat on the level of play. Rep starts the first week of April (brrr). House regular season games generally start in mid-April, and the end of the regular season is normally in mid to late June, with Provincial Championships on the first weekend after the July 1st weekend for the "C" Division, and the second or third weekends of July, for the "B" and "A" Divisions. This represents roughly the same number of games as soccer, but over a much shorter season. top
6. What is the difference between "house" and "rep"?
Who plays rep? Those who are keen on a more competitive level of ball. There are differences in the level of competition, more and longer practices and games, expected commitment by coaches and players, longer season, and higher cost. More details are provided on the Wildcats Page. They have tryouts in September and several teams practice once a week through the winter.
How are house and rep treated differently by VMSA? Their treatment is the same except:
- The rep teams get preference for the Trafalgar diamonds for practice because they play at them for league games, are allocated two practice times of 2 hours before house (house can have two if they want, but only after all house teams have been allocated one), and have slots for makeup games on Saturdays to comply with LMSA rules.
- Umpire costs are are a bit higher, as rep teams play about 12-14 home games with 2 umpires mostly, where house teams play about 18-20 home games (so they have the equivalent of 9-10 given that both teams are VMSA teams), and fewer of their games have two umpires.
- Rep are allowed to book two weekly slots in the batting cage.
- Rep hats are a bit fancier, and most of the teams have a small locker in our rent-free space at Trafalgar for their pile of "stuff".
- House players are supplied with uniforms. Rep teams buy everything except their hat.
- House teams have their first tournament paid for by the the Association.
So in terms of the draw on Association finances, it is hard to tell if either draws more per player. Because the rep parents are over-represented in the core and key volunteers, they relatively contribute more to keeping the association running.
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7. How many games and practices are involved?The number or practices are up to the team management (coach/manager). Typically house teams will practice once a week during the season. Normally, house teams play two games per week during the season, and the schedule may be somewhat increased at playoff time. top
8. Can my daughter play with her friends? How are teams made up?
The VMSA forms house teams that emphasize continuity over time and playing with friends. With attrition over the years, teams will need to merge.
9. Does the VMSA take registrations from players outside the district?
Softball BC encourages players should play in the districts in which they reside. Our district (No. 5) includes all of the city of Vancouver, proper, as well as Richmond.
10. How can I volunteer to help (with coaching, managing a team, on the executive, or otherwise)?
Fill out the blank in the registration form with information about the area you want to volunteer in. After that, contact the volunteer coordinator. As well, team managers will offer opportunities from time to time. top
11. What if my daughter has never played softball?
It does not matter, no matter what her age. We want as many new players as possible to join in the great game of softball
12. Where are the games played and practices held?
See the Field Locations pages
13. Can my child play in the division above her age?
There is no restriction about registering up if you want to, and some do.
While it is your call, there are three reasons why this might not be a good idea particularly at the younger ages (LTP to Mite or Mite to Squirt):
Time: understand that the time commitment goes up a fair bit between divisions at the younger ages. The amount of time doing one thing can be a lot to ask of K-4 children, and can promote early burnout.
Development: There will be an appreciable gap in physical and intellectual development between divisions (and sometimes even within the division). For the less competitive child, this may not be an issue, but it can be trying for those who are both competitive and not super athletic.
Social: It is the observation of our league that one of the things that keeps girls coming back is playing with the same team (same coaches, same girls) for years. For girls, this game is very social. Because of this, the VMSA typically chooses teams that are predominantly a single birth year so they play with their classmates/friends/fellow brownies, and move up together. The way we do it does mean the girls lose a lot of games in the year after a move up, but the two year age bands is a feature of softball across Canada.
For those with greater interest, the rep program is the best outlet for those who are talented, or bored in house. top