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  With over 15,000 registered players and coaches in Manitoba, there's a softball league for every age and skill level. As the governing body for softball in the province, Softball Manitoba is dedicated to the promotion of the sport, and to the development of players, coaches and umpires at all levels.

 
"On The Diamond" , the official newsletter of Softball Manitoba, is published four times a year in Adobe Acrobat © format.

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader
Click here to download the latest edition of "On The Diamond"

Click here to subscribe to On The Diamond
 
 
Softball Manitoba Announces Team Manitoba for the 2013 - U21 International Men’s
Softball Championships
Softball Manitoba would like to thank the Coaching Staff of the U21 Manitoba Men’s Softball Team and congratulate the following players on being selected to represent Manitoba in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from July 9-13, 2013.

Manitoba Roster

Players:
16 - Roy Ettawacappo / 3 - Devon Garson

15 - Taran Laquette / 1 - Kenly Monias

14 - Christian Raven / 19 - Cody Spence

4 - Dennis Stevenson / 17 - Eddy Stevenson

5 - Sheldon Stevenson / 11 - Alex Sutherland

12 - Grant Sutherland / 30 - Joseph Sutherland

2 - Brett Wood / 31 - Tyler Woodhouse

Coaching Staff:

Mike Sutherland - Head Coach GM
Randy Strong - Assistant Coach
Howard Kitchen - Assistant Coach
Victor Sutherland - Team trainer

The U21 Men’s International Championship was created to offer male softball athletes from across Canada the opportunity to compete in a major tournament featuring teams from each province and territory as well as a few international teams. The official U21 Men’s International Championship website can be found at:
http://www.u21mensinternational.ca where you can view the event schedule, results, team rosters as well as follow the games live.

Manitoba opens the tournament with a game against the talented ISF New Zealand U21s. Although young (average age is 19), we have a highly skilled team with the majority competing as a team in the past 4 WCSC's. The core of this team is derived from Team Toba who represented Manitoba at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games.

Good Luck Guys – Softball Manitoba will be cheering you on!

Don Klym
Executive Director
Softball Manitoba
Softball Manitoba Announces the 2013 Canada Summer Games Female Softball Team
Softball Manitoba and the 2013 Canada Summer Games Softball Coaching Staff would like to congratulate the following players on being selected as one of the top 16 athletes who will represent Manitoba in Sherbrooke, Que from August 2-9, 2013.

10 - Jade Anderson / 11 - Jill Dickson

00 - Mia Gautron / 4 - Brigitte Gauvin

17 - Brittany Hince Siwicki / 19 - Madison Hope

93 - Danielle Klassen / 7 - Courtney Kwasnitza

16 - Regan Lawrence / 5 - Tara Nykoluk

3 - Makensy Payne / 2 - Brooke Seneshen

55 - Stef Sheard / 9 - Taylor Studler

23 - Olivia Thorleifson / 15 - Hailey Unger

There will be one alternate out of the 16 named by the third week of June.

Check out the summer schedule posted on the Team Toba blog:
http://www.teamtobasoftball.blogspot.ca

The coaching staff are very excited for the opportunity to work with what they feel is a great group of athletes and strongly believe that with hard work and passion, this group can medal at the Canada Summer Games
Ashley Neufeld Memorial Bursary
This Bursary is to be presented annually by Softball Manitoba to a student/athlete who exhibits exemplary sportsmanship and dedication to Softball. The deadline to apply is August 1st.
Click here for the bursary criteria and application.
Softball Manitoba Bursaries
Softball Manitoba offers two bursaries - Softball Manitoba Bursary and the Eugene Michalow Memorial Bursary. The deadline to apply is August 1st.
Click here for the bursary criteria and application.
Softball Canada Bursary
Softball Canada offers the Ethel Boyce Achievement Award for all registered softball players enrolled at a Canadian Post-Secondary Institution. The deadline to apply is September 15th.
Click here for the bursary criteria and application.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Winnipeg is hosting the 2013 U16 Fast Pitch Western Canadian Championships. An event of this size depends heavily on volunteers. It simply cannot be done without a large number of scorekeepers, gate attendants, and general help. Please consider donating a few hours of your time to support this event and Winnipeg's softball community.

Attached is the volunteer form. Volunteer early to get your preferred job and timeslot! The volunteer form can also be found at the Western’s website:
http://www.2013u16westerns.com

Thank you for supporting the 2013 U16 Westerns. With your help we can make this event a great success.

Click here to download the Volunteer Form
Saskatchewan to Host Umpire Instructor/Evaluator Clinic
We are spreading the word to our Western Canadian Blue that Softball Saskatchewan is hosting an Umpire Instructor/Evaluator Clinic and if anyone is interested in attending here are the details:

Dates: September 28-29, 2013
Location: Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre
Address: 1818 Victoria Avenue, Regina
Reservations: 1-306-569-8715

If you are an umpire that wants to advance your career in Softball this will be a great opportunity. Please pre-register with Softball Canada by completing the application below. Duane Bakken, UIC Saskatchewan asks that you email him at
djbakken@sasktel.net to notify him of your registration.

Completed registration forms can be returned to Softball Canada via mail or email.

Softball Canada
223 Colonnade Rd., Ste 212
Ottawa, ON K2E 7K3
info@softball.ca
Click here to download the application form
7th Annual Batting Against Breast Cancer Slo-pitch Tournament Presented by Smitty's
Winnipeg is proud to be hosting its 7th annual Batting Against Breast Cancer slo-pitch tournament on Saturday, July 6th at
Little Mountain Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Teams comprising a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 15 (three MUST be female) are encouraged to register in one of the following divisions:

• Recreational • Competitive • Senior

Registration deadline date is on: June 22, 2013

All teams MUST raise a minimum of $1,500 to participate in tournament. Batting is also a fundraising challenge and awards will be handed out to both the top team and top individual fundraisers.

Prizes available for: Top Fundraiser(s), Top Fundraising Team(s), Rookie of the Year Team
Tournament Raffle: Stay tuned for more information!
Event launch: TBD
For more information visit the website at:
http://www.cbcf.org/battingagainstbc
Softball Canada Bat Standard Clarification
Softball Canada has released a memo regarding 2013 bat standards.
Click here to review the memo on bat standard clarifications
New ASA Bat Certification / Changes affecting Softball Canada
The ASA has released a new certification mark for 2013. The testing standards have changed on these new stamped bats which have resulted in a livelier bat than with the old 2000 or 2004 mark that is currently approved for Softball Canada play. Currently there are no new 2004 ASA stamped bats above the weight of 25oz available in Canada. Manufacturers have stopped making these bats. Also, there are no 2013 ASA (new stamp) bats available in Canada via a retailer so supplies in Canada are limited. There are some bats available in the USA. So moving forward, based on information gathered the past several months, Softball Canada is making the following recommendations and changes for the 2013 season.
Click here to read the news release
from Softball Canada
PROVINCIAL HIGH SCHOOL
FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations to Olivia Thorleifson (MVP) and the Nellie McClung team for winning the Provincial High School Fastpitch Championships held in
Neepawa, MB - May 31 & June 1, 2013.

For more information and to view the results please go to
http://www.mhsaa.mb.ca
Manitoban Assigned to the 2013 X ISF Junior Women
Congratulations to Joyce Schroeder who was selected to attend the 2013 ISF X Junior Women's World Championship.

The 2013 ISF X Junior Women's World Championship will take place from July 1-7, 2013 in Brampton, Ontario. For more information on tickets, hotels and the event visit the official website at
http://www.jwwc2013.com
2013 CATCH THE ACTION
Click here for the Softball Manitoba 2013 Catch the Action
Team Toba Blog
Please check out Softball Manitoba’s 2013 Canada Summer Games Team Toba Softball Blog at

http://www.teamtobasoftball.blogspot.ca

New posts from the Team’s Coaching Staff will appear each week and will include everything from training and athlete updates to Canada Games info, sport psych coach and athlete tips, nutrition, rehab pointers, inspirational sports articles etc.
Blue Convention Scholarship Fund NAME CHANGE to Ed Bitz Scholarship


Click here to download the Ed Bitz Scholarship Criteria

Click here to download the Ed Bitz Scholarship Policy

Click here to download the Ed Bitz Scholarship Application Form
SOFTBALL CANADA LAUNCHES NEW TRIPLE PLAY WEBSITE
Softball Canada along with the Player Development Working Group is pleased to announce the launch of its new Triple Play website, targeting softball players aged 10 to 18 years old. The website can be accessed by visiting http://www.tripleplaysoftball.ca

'Our Triple Play Program is now a reality and its excellent website is now launched' said Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. 'This website is a very exciting tool which has sections for players, coaches and parents. This will eventually provide young athletes the opportunity to see how they match up against other athletes across Canada and will provide some very useful information for coaches and parents as well.

For more information click on the link above or contact:

Mary Cahill
Manager - Domestic Programs
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3107
mcahill@softball.ca
Learn To Play
Softball Canada and Softball Manitoba are pleased to announce a Youth Development Program called Learn to Play. All Schools, Minor Softball Associations, coaches and Youth Organizations are welcome to contact us to learn more about this new and exciting program.
Click here for more information on the Learn to Play Program
2013 Competition Calendar
Click here for the 2013 Competition Calendar
Softball Manitoba Hall of Fame & Museum 2013 Inductees
Softball Manitoba Hall of Fame & Museum announces the 2013 inductees.
Click here for the list of inductees
A New League - All Teams Welcome!
The Softball League of Winnipeg has decided to call it a day. A new league has been formed in its place and is called:

The WINNIPEG ORTHODOX SOFTBALL LEAGUE

The website is
http://www.leaguelineup.com/winnipegorthodoxsoftballleague
For more information on becomming a member of this league please contact:

Don Smart, President
(Ph) 204-250-9049
email:
d_smart@live.ca

Lori Vandal, Vice-President/Treasurer
(Ph) 204-960-6929
email:
lorivandal@hotmail.com
Looking For Team Gear for the Upcoming Season?
If you're looking for some new gear for your team this year, check out this flyer from Home Run Sports.
Click here for the 2013 Home Run Sports Flyer
2013 Minor Division Operating Rules
Click here for the Changes to the 2013 Minor Division Operating Rules
Provincial Championship Hosting Opportunities
Softball Manitoba is currently accepting applications to host 2014 Provincial Championship tournaments. Application deadline is October 1, 2013. Please contact the Softball Manitoba office at 204-925-5673 or via email (softball@softball.mb.ca) with any questions.
Click here to download the Provincial Hosting Application Form
U12, U14, U16 Coaches Guide Now Available at Softball Manitoba
The U12, U14, U16 Coaches Guides are now available for sale at the Softball Manitoba office. The cost per manual is $30.00

The U16 guide contains a season’s worth of practice plans (34 practices in total) divided into four training phases (including indoor and outdoor practices), with each phase having its own objectives and outcomes. Our coaching guides will assist softball coaches with the critical skill of developing and conducting sequential and well-organized practices.
Click here for more information
Softball Manitoba Code of Conduct
Click here to view The Softball Manitoba Code of Conduct
2012-2013 Regional-Community Sport Development Grants & Programs
Sport Manitoba offers a wide range of developmental grants that facilitate the growth of athletes, coaches and officials at the community level.

Assistance provided by Sport Manitoba focuses on participants who are being introduced to sport and those who are looking to take their development to the next step.

For more information click on the link below and go to: RESOURCES FOR ORGANIZATIONS and click on Grants.

http://www.sportmanitoba.ca/page.php?id=228
2013 Canada Summer Games Girls Softball Program Information
Softball Manitoba would like to announce the following the coaching staff of the 2013 Canada Summer Games Girls Team:

Head Coach - Haylee O’Neill
Assistant Coach – Wayne Dixon
Assistant Coach/Manager – Val Pelleck

Tryouts are scheduled for early June 2012.
Click here for the Games Policy as of February 16, 2012
Two time SEC Coaches of the Year explain how to score early and often
Top softball duo provides offensive methods, strategies, and advice in new book

Windsor, ON--Plain and simple, championship teams score runs. Their offenses are consistent, aggressive, opportunistic, and disciplined. In High-Scoring Softball, Ralph and Karen Weekly, one of the most successful coaching duos in softball history, provide the methods, strategies, and advice that have helped their Tennessee Volunteers consistently rank among the country's highest-scoring teams.

The authors, who have earned over 1,700 combined career victories, provide insights on swing mechanics that will help players and coaches improve hitting both for power and for batting average. The book includes detailed coverage of offensive keys like bunting, slap hitting, and bat speed along with baserunning keys for all game situations.

Applicable for players, teams, and coaches of all levels of competition, High-Scoring Softball includes ready-to-use individual and team drills for generating high run totals every inning as well as a detailed strategic background of each play. The coverage spans techniques, skill development, plays, and strategies and includes advice on communication and mental aspects of the game.

The in-depth analysis provided throughout High-Scoring Softball will enable teams to make the most of their at-bats every game. The outlined strategies will ensure that any team hits to its best ability and generates the type of high-powered offense that has long been a hallmark of teams coached by Ralph and Karen Weekly.

For more information on High-Scoring Softball visit:
http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/High-Scoring-Softball
or call 1-800-465-7301.
Coaching Certification - Program Information
For all coaches: If you have taken any coach course in the last two to three years and have not completed your Making Ethical Decisions test online, please do so.

For all coaches who are CERTIFIED level 1, level 2 and level 3: You need to complete the Making Ethical Decisions test online in order to maintain your certification status. Please go to www.coach.ca/elearning-s13846

If you would like to take the Making Ethical Decisions course module before you take the exam, please contact Coaching Manitoba at 925-5692 to find out when it is taking place.

If you have any questions please contact
softball@softball.mb.ca.
CANpitch Program
To arrange a CANpitch Program in your area please contact Softball Manitoba's Master Pitching Instructor Greg Bouchard at 204-254-5043 or bouch18@mts.net .
Click here for further information.
Respect in Sport Program
Sport Manitoba launched the Respect in Sport Program on November 30, 2006. Respect in Sport is an online training course being implemented for all coaches in Manitoba. Sport Manitoba is initiating this program to create a better sport environment for children through education. All registered Minor Division softball coaches are required to complete the 3 hour online training.

This component will be a coaching requirement starting in 2011 for all coaches attending Minor Provincial Championships.
Click here for further information on how to complete the online training course.
Sport for Life Resource Centre
Click here for further information
Sport Medicine Centre
Click here for further information on the Sport Medicine Centre.
 

Click here for Softball Manitoba contact information This website is a clearinghouse for softball information in Manitoba. If you are unable to find what you're looking for, or have information that you feel would be of interest, we'd love to hear from you.Click on the icon to the left for contact details.  
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