Softball Ontario seeks applicants for CANpitch program

Toronto, ON - Softball Ontario's CANpitch Committee has a great opportunity for those of you with a passion for pitching and the desire to help young pitchers develop their skills.  The CANpitch Committee is currently recruiting Regional Pitching Instructors within our program.

The primary role of the Regional Pitching Instructor is to be the pitching expert in their region in Ontario and to be responsible for delivery of the six-week training session for both players and coaches. The Regional Pitching Instructor will also support and mentor pitching coaches within their region in Ontario. They shall play a key role in assisting Softball Ontario with the delivery and implementation of the CANpitch program.  Softball Ontario currently has twenty-four (24) Regional Pitching Instructors, and is looking to expand our reach even further and ensure that CANpitch Clinics will be available in all regions of Ontario.

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

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must complete a Softball Ontario Volunteer Application form
• Must sign a Confidential Agreement
• Must have a Vulnerable Sector Screening complete and receive approval from Softball Ontario’s Screening Task Force

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commit to a minimum of two (2) years to the program
• Deliver at least one 6-week training session to participants at the grassroots level (ages 6-12)
• Submit a Police Records Check to Softball Ontario prior to working with participants
• Attend a bi-annual training session hosted by Softball Ontario
• Communicate on a regular basis with MPI and Softball Ontario about CANpitch
• Provide feedback about the Program in regards to format, content and delivery
• Provide recommendations for revisions to Softball Canada through Softball Ontario and the MPIs
• Assist Softball Ontario and MPIs in writing an annual report for Softball Canada providing data about the program and summarizing the feedback from participants, parents and coaches regarding CANpitch
• Promote CANpitch to local softball associations in their area

Experience in pitching a requirement; coaching experience is an asset.

Each Regional Pitching Instructor will be compensated for their time at a reasonable hourly rate. Expenses such as meals, mileage and accommodations, if necessary, will also be covered at both the Regional Pitching Instructor training sessions and regular 6-week training session that they will be delivering.

Those who are interested in becoming a Softball Ontario Regional Pitching Instructor please send in a letter of interest along with a letter outlining your pitching experience tossutton@softballontario.ca  or fax (416) 426-7368 by November 28, 2014 by 4:30 pm.

Regional Pitching Instructor Training is tentatively scheduled for January 10, 2015

TVCogeco fastball broadcasts

TVCogeco has posted some of Game 4 of the playoff series between Micksburg and Kanata that was on cable television up the valley.

Some excellent production values and commentary by Jamie Bramburger and Jerry McIntyre. Check it out here.

Call for applications - U10@Play House League Competition Review Task Force

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Softball Ontario is now accepting applications for five (5) volunteer positions on the U10@Play House League Competition Review Task Force. 

As a part of Softball Ontario’s Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Implementation Plan, Softball Ontario created an LTPD Competition Review Task force to explore formats and minor rules for U10 Competitions.

Reporting to the Softball Ontario Board of Directors, the U10@Play House League Competition Review Task Force members will develop and implement an LTPD aligned pilot(s) for House League Tournaments in Ontario. Members will be expected to attend all meetings (approximately three (3) in person and (3) conference calls per year). Knowledge of Long Term Player Development, especially the 'Learn to Train' stage, and current house league softball experience is considered an asset.
 
Responsibilities:

• Attend all in Person Meetings and Conference Calls
• Develop a plan to align Softball’s U10 competitions for House League with LTPD principles
• Work with applicable organizations to pilot LTPD aligned U10 House League Tournaments
• Develop resources for educating house leagues on LTPD
• Complete tasks as assigned by the U10@Play House League Competition Review Task Force Chair

How to Apply
All interested candidates are asked to apply in writing, expressing your interest in a cover letter along with a detailed resume outlining your experience qualifications for this position. Applications should be received by the Softball Ontario office no later than November 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm.  

Email your resume to Steph Sutton at ssutton@softballontario.ca or by fax (416) 426-7368 for consideration.

Softball Performance Centres are now accepting Registrations for U14, U16 and U18 Softball Players!‏

As part of Softball’s Long Term Player Development, Softball Ontario (PWSA, OASA and ORSA) will continue to offer the Softball Performance Centre Program in 2014/2015 offering continuous all-inclusive training to U14, U16 and U18 (new category) female and male softball players at three (3) Softball Performance Centres across Ontario.

What is a Softball Performance Centre?

Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres will provide a clear training pathway to the sport's high performance system of skill development as delivered by:

• Team Ontario Coaching Staff (Male and Female)
• Selected Developmental Team Ontario Pool Coaching Staff
• Strength and Conditioning Experts
• Nutritionists
• Sport Psychologists
• Video Analysis- Dartfish Specialists
• CANpitch Regional Pitching Instructors

What is new at the Softball Performance Centre?

• More hands on time with Softball Performance Centre Staff- Head Coaches and Developmental Coach/athlete ratio 8-1
• Increase your exposure time to the Coaching Staff of Team Ontario which can only increase your recommendation for Team Ontario invites
• Potentially receive an invite to a special Team Ontario Softball Performance Centre Camp (Female and Male)
• New Sport Science Experts include: Athletic Therapists, Performance Recovery Experts
• New to the Softball Performance Centre Staff: High Performance Athletes (Female/Male) from Team Canada/Team Ontario

What are the dates of the Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres?

The Softball Ontario Performance Centres will offer continuous training on four (4) weekends:
November 29-30, 2014- 1^st weekend – Napanee Only
December 6-7- 2014, 1^st  weekend- St. Thomas and GTA
January 31-February 1, 2015- 2^nd  weekend * all locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee
February 28-March 1, 2015- 3^th weekend* all locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee
March7-8 2015 – 4^th weekend ** all locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee

Where are the locations of Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres?

St Thomas, ON – Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

GTA, ON- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

Napanee, ON- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre

How much does it cost to attend a Softball Ontario's Softball Performance Centre?

$275.00 plus HST for all 4 weekends (2days each weekend)

Who can attend the Softball Performance Centre?

• U14 female and male softball players
• U16 female and male softball players
• U18 female and male softball players

How does the Softball Ontario Softball Performance Centres work?

Each Softball Performance Centre will welcome softball players to have an assessment of their current softball performance skills and overall fitness testing scores according to Team Canada’s Softball National standards.  This provides an opportunity for  softball players to learn new fundamentals skills, refine their current skill set (hitting, throwing, catching, and fielding).  Also, Softball Performance Athletes will be introduced to all the technical, tactical, mental and physical/fitness components of the game over 4 weekends.

What are softball players provided while at the Softball Performance Centre?

• A Player Evaluation identifying their strengths and areas of their game which requires improvement based on the benchmarks for an athlete at their given age (U14, U16 or U18)
• Softball Performance Centre T-shirt
• U14 or U16  or U18 Players Guide
• Dartfish Video
• Snacks will be provided both days (Saturday and Sunday)

If you have any questions about Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres, please contact Steph Sutton via email ssutton@softballontario.ca or by phone 416-426-7150.

Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres are supported by the Ontario Government.

Venezuela wins the ISF Pan Am Championship

Venezuela defeated Argentina 2-0 to win the International Softball Federation Pan Am Championship in Parana, Argentina.

Canada finished third and the USA finished fourth.

For more on Canada's games, visit softball.ca.

2014/2015 Softball Performance Centre Staff Announced

from Softball Ontario

Softball Ontario is pleased to announce its Softball Performance Centre Personnel for the following softball communities across Ontario- St. Thomas, Greater Toronto Area and Napanee.

The Softball Performance Centre Program will provide continuous and holistic training to Train2Train stage (U14 and U16) and Train2Compete (U18) players and coaches by preparing these identified softball players to meet the minimum fitness and skill training standards for the next level of Softball development and competition- Team Ontario and Team Canada.

The Softball Performance Centre Program will be offered on the following weekends at the above listed locations:

November 29-30, 2014 * Napanee Only
December 6-7, 2014 * St. Thomas and GTA
January 31, 2015- February 1, 2015- All locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee
February 28- March 1, 2015 All locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee
March 7-8, 2015 All locations:  St. Thomas, GTA and Napanee

Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centre Program will provide a clear training pathway to Softball’s high performance system of skill development and competition that will delivered by:

St. Thomas’s Softball Performance Centre Staff includes:  

Head Coach                              Doug Charlton
Dartfish Specialist                    Pippa Edwards
Developmental Coach              Rod Drouillard
Developmental Coach              Ken Lauzon
Developmental Coach              Todd Winkworth
Developmental Coach              Trevor Bell
CANpitch-MPI                           Mindy Wilson
Strength and Conditioning       Tim Brown
Sport Psychologist                  Nicole Forrester
Nutritionist                               Kevin Iwasa-Madge
Athletic Therapist                     Sarah Ystma

GTA’s Softball Performance Centre Staff: 

Head Coach                              Roger Davis
Dartfish Specialist                    Jessica Mancini
Developmental Coach              Johanna Malisani
Developmental Coach              Norm Lehoux
Developmental Coach              Jocelyn Volpe
Developmental Coach              TBA
CANpitch-RPI                           Fred Follings
Strength and Conditioning       Dave Scott-McDowell
Sport Psychologist                  Katie Robinson
Nutritionist                               Kevin Iwasa-Madge
Athletic Therapist                     Jennifer Bell

Napanee’s Softball Performance Centre Staff:  

Head Coach                             Scott Searle
Dartfish Specialist                   Scott Tuttle
Developmental Coach              Shawn Trudeau
Developmental Coach              Brent Mills
Developmental Coach              Kevin Bradbeer
Developmental Coach              Dave Hoffman
CANpitch-RPI                           Erin Mills
Strength and Conditioning      Jenny Allen
Sport Psychologist                  Paige Mattie
Nutritionist                               Alfredo Amigone
Athletic Therapist                    Vanessa Villis

Please join Softball Ontario in congratulating the Softball Performance Centre Staff on their appointments and stay tuned for further details on the 2014/2015 Softball Performance Centre Program.

Canada to play host Argentina for spot in Gold Medal game at ISF Pan Am Championship

Team Canada lost the undefeated game 1-0 on Friday night to Venezuela at the International Softball Federation Pan Am Championship in Parana, Argentina. The only run for the Venezuelans was on a passed ball in the top of the seventh. Sean Cleary pitched very well for Canada, and Paul Koert threw an inning of relief. Ramon Jones closed the door in the bottom of the seventh for Venezuela.

The loss means that Canada plays the host Argentina at 5:30 pm on Saturday night. Argentina beat the USA on Friday to advance to the semi-final. The winner of that game will face the Venezuelans at 8 pm for the gold medal.