Minor News

OASA Minor Committee Update

As we get ready to start the season our division conveners are ready to answer any questions that you may have regarding dates for tournaments, seeding questions for the provincials or anything else that comes to mind.
Division conveners are as follows:
Junior Mite (U8) – tbd
Mite (U10) – Gilles Butcher, gbutcher@sympatico.ca
Squirt (U12) – Randy Bridge, randy.bridge@gmail.com
Peewee (U14) – Christine Patenaude, lat@love-a-tree.com
Bantam (U16) – Bruce Young, bruce_h_young@teksavvy.com
Midget (U18) – Dave Northern, dave.northern@sympatico.ca
Select (Mite through Midget) – Bob Kearse, rmskearsefamily@sympatico.ca

If we have 3 or more teams affiliate in the Junior Mite age group we will look at identifying a division convenor to assist with organizing an OASA event for these teams.
In our Mite division this year we are looking to provide a weekend event with the OASA, PWSA and ORSA joining forces to bring together boys and girls teams in one location for the July 20 -21 weekend for games as well as skills and fun activities. This event will replace our traditional Qualifier, but it will still be used as one of the primary means of seeding teams for our Provincials on the August 17 – 18 weekend.
Our Squirt Qualifier goes the July 20 – 21 weekend as well, providing the primary basis for seeding for the Provincials on the August 10 – 11 weekend.
In Peewee the Elimination goes the July 6 – 7 weekend. The top teams from this event will determine who will be eligible to go to the Eastern Canadians August 22 – 25 in Fredericton, New Brunswick or for the first time ever to the Western Canadians August 2 – 5 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Seeding for the Provincials on the August 17 – 18 weekend will also be determined at the Eliminations.
The Bantam Elimination goes on the July 6 – 7 weekend to determine which teams will go to the Canadians in Gander, Newfoundland August 7 – 11; the Eastern Canadians August 22 – 25 in Cite des Loisiers de Ste Perpetue, Quebec; or to the Western Canadians in Winnipeg, Manitoba August 2 – 5. The Bantam Provincials go the weekend of August 3 – 4.
In Midget the Elimination takes place on the June 29 – 30 weekend. The Canadians are August 5 – 11 in St Leonard D’aston, Quebec; the Eastern Canadians are August 22 – 25 in Fredericton, New Brunswick; and the Western Canadians are in Richmond, BC August 8 to 11. The Midget Provincials are taking place on the July 27 – 28 weekend.
For the first time ever Ontario and Quebec teams are being invited to the Western Canadian Championships. This will necessitate us needing to make decisions in our Peewee, Bantam and Midget divisions immediately after the conclusion of our Eliminations. We will be allowed to have 1 team in each division go to the Western Canadians.
Once again the OASA will be joining forces with the Select teams to assist with putting on Provincial championships in each division from Mite through Midget. All divisions will be running the Provincials on Saturday August 17. The Mites will be in Kitchener Waterloo, Squirts in Woodbridge, Peewees in Goulding Park, Bantams in Georgian Bay and the Midgets will be in Unionville.
2013 OASA Rule Changes
Over the past several years Softball Canada has been promoting Long Term Player Development (LTPD) which has resulted in several proposed new rules that place more emphasis in the younger age groups on increased player participation, skill development and fun. The OASA has reviewed the recommended rule changes from Softball Canada and will consider slowly adopting them, where we believe they will benefit the game.
For all of the minor divisions (Junior Mite to Midget) the OASA has a global set of rules that apply to all divisions as well as division specific rules. These can be obtained from the division convener or anyone on the Minor Committee.
As a result of the proposed new Softball Canada rule changes, for the 2013 season we are looking to pilot the following rule changes in these divisions:
Junior Mite (U8)
1. If a player arrives late, they may be added to the bottom of the line up.
2. The Tournament ball will be the 11” Worth soft indoor or Incrediball.
3. Wherever possible a larger home plate (19” or 21”) will be used.
4. Duration of game: no new inning shall start after one hour and thirty minutes from the official beginning of the game including medal games. In the event that the game is tied after the time limit, the tie will be broken at the completion of the next full inning.
5. A courtesy runner may be used at any time for the catcher, not just when there are 2 outs.
6. No player will sit out for more than 1 consecutive inning. All players will sit out 1 inning before a player sits out a second inning. Coaches are encouraged to play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.


Mite (U10)
1. If a player arrives late, they may be added to the bottom of the line up.
2. Duration of game: no new inning shall start after one hour and thirty minutes from the official beginning of the game, even in medal games. In the event that the game is tied after the time limit, the tie will be broken at the completion of the next full inning.
3. A courtesy runner may be used at any time for the catcher, not just when there are 2 outs.
4. No player will sit out for more than 1 consecutive inning. All players will sit out 1 inning before a player sits out a second inning. Coaches are encouraged to play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.
Squirt (U12)
1. If a player arrives late, they may be added to the bottom of the line up.
2. Infield fly rule does not apply.
3. A team is permitted 2 defensive conferences per inning. If there is a third conference the player must be removed from the pitcher position for the remainder of that inning.
4. Coaches are encouraged to play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.
Peewee (U14), Bantam (U16) and Midget (U18) do not have any new rule changes being implemented in 2013.
Once again, if you have any questions regarding the rules for any age group please contact the division convenor to get any clarification needed.


Dave Northern
Chair, Minor Committee
dave.northern@sympatico.ca