2022 Spring Season
This page will give you an overview of the 2022 Spring Fastpitch Season with as much information as possible.
Ready to go?
Parent Orientation Meeting
If you missed our Parent Meeting on February 24, please view the recordings and the presentation material for all families.
- View our 2022 Parents Meeting Presentation
- Watch a Recording of our u9-u11 Parent Meeting
- Watch a Recording of our u13+ Parent Meeting
(note: u13 recording didn't conclude properly, so it shows 5 hrs, but in reality is only 1hr 10min). - Timbits Meeting Material is found here
Recent Updates
Listing some new updates to Season Details since January 9:
FOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS SENT TO REGISTERED PLAYERS SINCE JANUARY, PLEASE SEE OUR NEWS PAGE.
- Apr 17 - Our season is now starting! However, we do have a couple open positions available in our u7 and u9 divisions. If you'd like to register, please reach out to us ASAP to get you signed up and started right away!
- Mar 3 - We are closing registrations for all division u9+ on Friday (March 4). Missed out but still want to play? Inquire with us directly at info@westhillsoftball.ca
- Feb 20 - Registration Status: We are still open for regular U7 & U9 registration. We are also accepting late registrations for our u11+ groups. Sign-up ASAP to ensure placement on a team with West Hill!
- Jan 17 - Schedule: First Calgary Minor games will now be scheduled for April 30th (from April 27). WHS will be conducting practices and exhibition games between April 18-28 (weather & field conditions permitting)
- Jan 17 - Respect In Sport: You are NOT required to renew your RIS certification if it has expired after 5 years. Calgary Minor Fastpitch has removed this requirement, effective immediately.
Age Categories
Softball programs differ based on the Year of Birth of each player. For example, U9 will be all players that are under 9 years old as of the start of 2022 calendar year. These age groups align with the new Softball Canada alignment for the 2022 season. .
| Age Group | Birth Year | Games | Length (Hrs) | Practices | Evals | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 Timbits | 2015 & 2016 | Mon & Wed | 01:15 | None | No | Fun activities |
| U9 | 2013 & 2014 | Tue & Thu | 01:30 | Weekends | No | Modified Rules |
| U11 | 2011 & 2012 | Tue & Thu | 01:30 | Weekends | Yes | Full Games |
| U13 | 2009 & 2010 | Mon & Wed | 01:45 | Weekends | Yes | Full Games |
| U15 | 2007 & 2008 | Tue & Thu | 01:45 | Weekends | Yes | Full Games |
| U17 & U19 | 2003 - 2006 | Mon & Wed | 01:45 | Weekends | Yes | Full Games |
(Table best viewed on desktop version of site; please scroll left/right to see all columns)
Requests for Age Category Exceptions: These can be made via your registration form, and must be followed with an email to info@westhillsoftball.ca. Exceptions will only be granted to players within 1 year of the desired age category. Determination will be considered based on team sizes, skill level (through WHS Evaluation Process), and safety of all participants.
Season Dates
In 2022, Calgary Minor Softball (CMSA) has extended its season for Division 1 & Division 2 tier players for age categories U11 to U19. Here are the approximate dates for our 2022 Spring Season
| Age Category | Preseason | Season Practices | First Game | Playoffs*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 Timbits | n/a | n/a | Apr-23 | n/a |
| U9 - All Divs. | Apr 11+ | 1 per weekend | Apr-30 | Jun 13 - Jun 26 |
| U11-U19: Div. 3 | Apr 11+ | 1 per weekend | Apr-30 | Jun 13 - Jun 26 |
| U11-U19: Div. 2 | Mar/Apr* | 1-2 per week ** | Apr-30 | Jun 27 - Jul 10 |
| U11-U19: Div. 1 | Mar/Apr* | 1-2 per week ** | Apr-30 | Jul 6 - Jul 21 |
(Table best viewed on desktop version of site; please scroll left/right to see all columns)
* Pre-season Indoor practices can start as early as March at the conclusion of evaluations.
** Most teams will have one practice per week, but may have additional practices scheduled where possible.
*** Playoffs will be conducted over two weeks this year. There are NO playoff games on June 18-19, July 1-3, July 9-10
SEASON FEES
Fees for the 2022 Season are listed on our Fees Page.
TIMBITS PROGRAM
Our Timbits program is run locally within West Hill Softball and does not participate in a Calgary Minor Softball League. For more information about the program, please visit our Timbits Program link.
PLAYER EVALUATIONS (Mandatory)
Evaluations are run for all programs U11 to U19, and is mandatory for all players. Evaluations are necessary to ensure placement of players on teams at appropriate levels (Division 1, 2, & 3) and specific teams. For more information and dates, please see our Evaluation Page.
MODIFIED U9 GAME RULES
The Modified game (6 players on field, Home Run line, Coach pitch) will be used at the new U9 group. You can read about the Modified rules on the CMSA Modified Rules page
GAME TIMES
Typical game nights start at 6:45pm across all CMSA Games.
Players are asked to arrive 30 to 60 minutes prior for warm-up & preparation, based on their age category & level
PRACTICES
In addition to the game schedule, coaches will schedule practices on a weekly basis, typically on weekends (Saturday or Sunday mornings, or Sunday late afternoon / evenings). Practices will typically be scheduled for the same time each weekend.
Practices will start either indoors or outdoors in early April. Additional fees may be collected for some team-based indoor practices (to offset the gym costs).
Division 1 & 2 teams may have additional practices during the week or weekend and may start practicing by March.
CALGARY MINOR SOFTBALL OPENING WEEKEND - April 30 & May 1
All teams will participate in opening weekend, which will consist of 2 games on each of the Saturday & Sunday. This is a great way to get into the season quickly!
TOURNAMENTS
Pending COVID Rules in 2022, each team has the opportunity to participate in various weekend tournaments within the city and across the province or beyond. Teams/coaches are encouraged to participate when/where they can for great team development. And please, SIGN-UP EARLY, spots go quickly in many tournaments.
Updated tournament listings can be found at https://www.softballalberta.ca/tournaments/listings/.
Once teams are finalized for the season, teams can determine if they would like to play in tournaments during the season.
Typically, Division 1 and 2 teams would aim to play in 1-2 tournaments and Division 3 teams may or may not choose to play in a tournament
CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS / PLAYOFFS
For all age categories & divisions, each team will qualify for a city-wide league playoffs referred to as "City Championships". Schedules are listed in the Season Dates above.
Changes for 2022: Playoffs will have more games during the week, avoiding shortened game double-headers. Each division level has different dates for playoffs.
SOFTBALL ALBERTA PROVINCIALS
Note, provincial participation is considered part of the program for all Division 1 teams, and some Division 2 teams. WHS Teams & players are encouraged to register and compete at Provincials.
REGIONAL QUALIFIERS: In many age categories and divisions, teams will be required to qualify to attend provincials weekend. As of January, these qualifiers are likely to occur in Calgary on June 24-26. This is subject to change.
Please keep the following dates in mind when planning your summer vacations, but visit the Softball Alberta Provincial site for the most up-to-date and official dates and locations for Provincial Championships.
| Dates | Categories | Level | CMSA Divisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24-26 | Qualifiers | All | All |
| July 1-3 | All U11 | All | All |
| July 8-10 | U13-U19 | 'D' | Div 2 & top Div 3 |
| July 15-17 | U13-U19 | 'C' | Low Div 1 & top Div 2 |
| July 22-24 | U13-U19 | 'B' | Div 1 |
(Table best viewed on desktop version of site; please scroll left/right to see all columns)
NOTE: All Provincials dates listed above are as of January 5, 2021 and are subject to change, visit Softball AB for official information
PARENT REQUIREMENTS & INFO
“Play, compete, learn, and have fun!”
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