2024 Schedule Update

• MONDAY U5 (previously T-ball) (2019 - 2020) $100 - Season starts May 13/24 until July 29/24 (we do not play on holidays -  May 20 and July 1)
• ​THURSDAY U5 (previously T-ball) (2019 - 2020) $100 Season starts May 16/24 until July 18/24

U5 is a beginner division for players born in 2019 & 2020.

Softball Ontario is encouraging softball associations across Ontario to adopt the Tim Horton’s Learn to Play Program developed by Softball Canada and provincial softball associations throughout the country.   Learn to Play, along with Tball, is a great way to make the beginner levels of softball more fun and active for all participants.
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What is the Learn to Play Program?

The Tim Horton’s Learn To Play Program is a revolutionary way of introducing the sport of softball to children.  Activities that foster the involvement of all players, including players with high and low skill levels, are included. Tim Horton’s Learn to Play Program uses activities and lead-up games that are patterned after informal playground games that promise FUN and LOTS OF ACTION.  Participants will go home at the end of the night happy and tired while improving their fitness level and softball skills. Tim Horton’s Learn to Play Program provides 5-7 year-olds with maximum opportunity to practice the progressions necessary to successfully participate in the softball game with a reasonable amount of skill.
Traditionally, at the 5-7 year level, Coaches are Moms and Dads with little or no coaching experience.  This program is designed to make it easy to implement for the volunteer coach who knows a great deal about softball or who does not.  It includes:

• Prepared lesson plans
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• A letter to give to parents about the program
• Progressions for teaching basic skills
• Lead-up games designed to simulate the real game of softball

The Tim Horton’s Learn to Play Program is designed to be a young person’s introduction to the sport of softball.  The emphasis in on FUN, ACTION, and a POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE, with a gradual introduction to non-stressful competition.  The kids will have FUN, and they will want to come back for more!

Local BMSA Rules 

Base Distance: 40ft and will use soft sponge balls.

All players in the pitcher's position must wear a face mask. In lieu of a face mask, the pitcher may wear their batting helmet.

Batting
The coach should communicate the batting order  (# on the back of the jersey and alternate the 1st batter each inning)
Each batter will hit once per inning, with no outs- The Batter can only advance one base at a time.
The coach is responsible for aligning/positioning the batter, ensuring the correct Tee height and placing the ball on the tee. They will also communicate “play ball” and swing away (acting umpire) so everyone is aware and engaged. (beware of the batter’s practice swings)
Coaches are encouraged to recruit their assistant coach and/or parent volunteers as 1st and 3rd base coaches to help direct the base runners as well as a parent to help get the on-deck player ready.

Defence
Rotate players around the field to try different positions; for more advanced kids, you can encourage them to throw the ball to the coach(usually at the pitcher's position), who will then return the ball to the tee- Try to introduce infield positions and keep “outfielders” engaged on the diamond (not grass)

The first 2 weeks will be practices and should focus on the fundamentals of throwing, catching, and hitting.
Begin with team stretches and warm-ups and introduce running the bases to help them identify 1st, 2nd, 3rd base and home plate. As you advance, you can introduce slow grounders and fielding, Ensure batters are right or left-handed, and keep their eye on the ball, knowing the foul lines and the field of play.

All batters and base runners need to have a helmet with a cage.
All players must have closed-toe shoes
Players should have athletic pants or shorts.

No Jewelry (medic alert is exempt)

All games will be from 6-7 pm

Games will be roughly 3 innings or 1 hrs in duration. Teams should shake hands after the game; Cheers are encouraged!