Welcome to West Hill Softball! Whether your child is picking up a glove for the first time or joining us with years of experience, we’re excited to have your family be part of our community.

West Hill Softball operates under the Calgary Minor Softball Association (CMSA). We are a community-focused, non-profit, volunteer-driven organization founded in 2008 and built on a passion for softball, player development, and our community.

 

How Do I Stay Up to Date?

The best way to stay informed is to sign up for our email list. We use email to share important updates, announcements, registration information, schedules, and other communications throughout the season.

Not interested in signing up? No problem! We also post our major communications in the News section of our website, so be sure to check back regularly.

What Is Softball?

New to the sport? Softball is a team sport where players develop skills including throwing, catching, hitting, base running, and fielding while learning the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and competition.

Whether your child is completely new to softball or has played before, there is a place for them at West Hill Softball.

When Does the Softball Season Start?

While the official CMSA season begins in late April and runs through mid-July, the softball year starts much earlier.

Evaluations for our Division 1 teams (U13 through High School) take place in September for the following season. Evaluations for our other divisions and age groups typically begin in December.

Exact dates can vary by age group and season.

Want to see what's coming up? Check out our Key Dates page for important registration, evaluation, and season dates.

 

What is the Weekly Commitment?

This will differ by age group; you can find all this information on our Season Information page.

Most age categories play two games per week, along with team practices on the weekend. More competitive teams may have additional practices throughout the week.

Coaches will coordinate practice schedules, which are typically held at the same time each weekend. Some teams may also have opportunities to participate in tournaments throughout the season.

Exception: Timbits (U7) will play ONLY two weeknights per week. No additional practices required

 

What is Respect in Sport?

RIS Certification is required in all divisions. One parent of every registered player must have completed the Respect in Sport Parent or Activity Leader Program, and be completed no later than April 1st of the current year. When you regisiter, we will ask you for your RIS Number. If you haven't completed it at the time of registration, please email it to us as soon as possible. To find the RIS Courses, Click Here

What Age Group Is My Child In?

West Hill Softball offers programs for players in the following age groups:

U7 • U9 • U11 • U13 • U15 • U17 • U19

Your child's age determines which division they are eligible to play in. Our age-group information also includes additional details, including the typical game days for each division.

Not sure which division your child belongs in? Check our Season Info page.

 

Can My Child Request a Friend to Be on Their Team?

Yes! Friend requests are welcome, but they cannot be guaranteed.

Team formation depends on several factors, including team sizes, player evaluations, and overall team construction. Most importantly, we aim to create teams where players are appropriately matched based on skill and development.

You can include a friend request during the registration process or email registration@westhillsoftball.ca.

 

What Equipment Does My Child Need?

West Hill Softball provides several pieces of team and shared equipment, including:

• Jersey
• WHS visor
• Softball bats
• Softballs
• Catching gear

Players are responsible for providing:

• Glove
• Batting helmet
• Infield or pitching mask
• Jill
• Black ball pants and belt
• Socks

While not required, many players also choose to bring their own:

• Bat
• Batting gloves
• Cleats

For more detailed information about equipment recommendations and requirements, visit our Equipment page.

 

How do I break in a Glove?

It is important to break in a new ball glove as it makes it easier to use. Your player wants to be able to squeeze the glove as well as easily trap the ball in the pocket. Here are a couple of helpful videos that you can refer to:

• Wilson Baseball - Glove Break-in
• How to Break In a Glove - Rawlings

 

What Is the Volunteer Bond?

West Hill Softball, like many Calgary softball clubs, is a volunteer-run organization. Volunteers are an essential part of keeping our programs, teams, and events running throughout the season.

To help share the workload, each family is asked to complete a set number of Volunteer Credits during the season.

We understand that not every family has the time or ability to volunteer. For families who are unable to complete their volunteer credits, there is an option to pay a $300 per-player volunteer bond for the 2025 season instead.

For complete details, including how Volunteer Credits work and the current season's requirements, visit our Volunteer Bond page.

 

How Do I Become a Coach?

Many of our coaches are volunteers from within our West Hill Softball community. If you're interested in coaching, we'd love to have you get involved!

Whether you have years of softball experience or are a parent looking to give back, there are opportunities to coach and support our players.

To learn about coaching requirements and how to get started, visit our Become a Coach page and follow the coaching checklist.

 

Still Have Questions?

We're happy to help!

If you can't find the information you're looking for, contact us at info@westhillsoftball.ca and a member of our team will be happy to point you in the right direction.