AA Softball
Softball Manitoba has approved the restructuring of the minor division by adding the AA category.
The three categories that now exist are:
- A (community level -formerly referred to as B)
- AA (regional teams)
- AAA (high performance - formerly referred to as A)
The AA category is a development program to bridge the skill gap between the A and AAA categories. The vision is a competitive program giving grassroots players and coaches an opportunity to be involved in a more competitive environment while advancing skill level and knowledge of the sport. To protect the grassroots A level of softball, all AA players must register and play A level softball in order to be eligible, and play will be restricted to specific nights and/or specific weekends between May 1 and the end of the specific age category A provincial. The select nights for 2024 are Fridays and Sundays (after 6pm). The 3-day weekend, June 14-16, 2024, will be designated for the AA Program tournament.
- AA regions will mirror AAA regions U11, U13, U15 and U17 AA Categories will be run under the guidance of each region’s AAA organization or a Regional Committee of no less than four people.
- The number of AA teams in each U11, U13, U15 and U17 category will be restricted to a maximum of three (3) from each AAA region. AAA organizations or the Regional AA Softball Committee will oversee the AA program in their region and be responsible to submit teams and rosters to Softball Manitoba. Overseeing will ensure that there is a process to select coaches, arrange tryouts, select athletes, and determine the number of teams registered based on athlete numbers at the tryout with the team’s ability to compete in mind. If tryout numbers are strong and coaches are available, a second or third team should be considered.
- This is a development program and age advancement will not occur. There will be no displacement of a player from their age eligible category by an age-advanced athlete. Under extenuating circumstances only, a region may be exempt from the age advancement policy in order to form a single team in an age category, subject to the approval of the Softball Manitoba Board. No displacement of an eligible athlete and formation of only one team at that particular age category are requirements to access the exemption.
- Team Registration - all AA team (9 player minimum) rosters (players, coaches, manager) must be submitted to the Softball Manitoba office by May 17 for the upcoming season. Electronic copies will only be accepted.
2024 AA Softball Regional Tryouts
Regions may host tryouts between April 1-30 or on the designated AA Softball Tryout Weekend (first weekend in May - Friday Saturday or Sunday).
2024 AA Softball Registration Deadline - May 17th
All players and coaches will be required to register on their respective team's Ramp website. Each AA Association will be invoiced $100 per team. This fee helps cover insurance and online registration expenses.
2024 MINOR DIVISION AA PROGRAM TOURNAMENT WEEKEND
AA Program Tournament Host Application Deadline - April 24, 2024
The Program Tournament will be held from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16. This is a mandatory event in order to enter AA provincials.
Hosts are required for all 4 age categories.
Softball Manitoba will be responsible for collecting the showcase fee ($450/team) at the same time a provincial entry fee ($450/team). The entry deadline is May 31.
All showcase fees will be forwarded to the host committee who will be responsible to run the event including payment of umpires.
| Category | Classification | Date | Location | Host Contact |
| U11 | AA | June 14-16 | Up for Bid | TBD |
| U13 | AA | June 14-16 | Up for Bid | TBD |
| U15 | AA | June 14-16 | Up for Bid | TBD |
| U17 | AA | June 14-16 | Up for Bid | TBD |
2024 MINOR DIVISION AA PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - CLICK HERE
COACH CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Coaches must be certified by June 22nd to ENTER any Softball Manitoba Provincials.
AA Head Coaches will require the Community Softball Ongoing Participation Certification. If AA Softball moves on to compete at a Western Canadian Championship in future years, Competition Introduction Coach Certification would be required.
All coaching staff (Head, Assistant and Manager) require a Respect in Sport Certificate and Criminal Record Check within the past five (5) years.
You can find a detailed listing of our Coaching Certification Requirements on our website here.
For further questions regarding Softball Manitoba’s AA Category, please contact Executive Director Don Klym via email or 204-925-5674.
AA REGION CONTACTS
