Softball Ontario seeks regional pitching instructors for the 2011 CanPitch program season

Softball Ontario is now accepting applications for the position of Regional Pitching Instructor (Fast Pitch) for Softball Canada's new CANpitch Program. CANpitch is Softball Canada's national pitching program created to provide a nationally standardized curriculum based on Softball Canada's Long-Term Player Development framework to introduce and develop the skill of windmill pitching to children.

Currently Softball Ontario has nine (9) Regional Pitching Instructors who had the opportunity to deliver the CANpitch Program during the 2010 Pilot Season and have expressed interest in returning as RPI's for the 2011 Season. Softball Ontario aims to add more qualified instructors to our team!

The Regional Pitching Instructor (RPI) is responsible to Softball Ontario. The primary role of Softball Ontario's RPI is to be the pitching expert in their host location within Ontario. RPIs will receive instruction and support from Softball Ontario's four (4) Master Pitching Instructors (MPIs) through mentoring and professional development opportunities. Instructors will deliver the CANpitch Program throughout Ontario.

The ideal candidate should have the following qualities:
- Demonstrate a commitment to pitching instruction
- Have strong communication skills
- Have strong leadership ability
- Be a positive role model
- Experience in pitching a requirement; coaching experience an asset

The Regional Pitching Instructor's Duties and Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- To be accountable and responsible to Softball Ontario
- To commit to and deliver at least one (1) six-week training program to players/parents and coaches throughout the year (as assigned by the Softball Ontario office)
- Mentor local pitchers and coaches in your region in Ontario - Must be pre-approved by Softball Ontario's Pitching Committee
- Attend all training sessions, workshops and participate in conference calls hosted by Softball Ontario, when necessary
- Provide Softball Ontario feedback about the CANpitch Program regarding format, content, and delivery

Each Instructor will be compensated for their delivery of the CANpitch Program at a reasonable hourly rate. Expenses such as meals, mileage and accommodations, if necessary (as per Softball Ontario policy), may also be covered at the regular 6-week training sessions that you will deliver. The items are to be further discussed by the Softball Ontario Pitching Committee in January.

Those who are interested in becoming a Softball Ontario Regional Pitching Instructor please send a letter of interest along with a letter outlining your fast-pitch pitching experience to Carly Laxton, Program Coordinator, at claxton@softballontario.ca or fax (416) 426-7368 by January 3, 2011. (Applications received after business hours (8:30am - 4:30pm) on or after January 3, 2011 will not be accepted for the 2011 season.)

In the coming weeks Softball Ontario will collect and evaluate all applications and invite those individuals we feel would best fit the program based on experience and location- which is essential in order to reach out to participants across Ontario. All candidates MUST be able to attend the Greater Toronto Area FULL two-day training/evaluation weekend on January 15 and 16, 2011. (The training/evaluation weekend must be attended in its entirety.) This two-day weekend will allow out Pitching Committee Members to further evaluate skills and theory to help determine if you will be a good fit for the delivery of the CANpitch Program. Attending this two-day training is the first step to become a CANpitch Regional Pitching Instructor.

For more information about Softball Canada's CANpitch Program please visit the Softball Ontario website: www.softballontario.ca under "CANpitch" or contact Carly Laxton, Program Coordinator, at claxton@softballontario.ca or call (416) 426-7150.