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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why fastpitch softball and not baseball?
2. What type of organization is the Vancouver Westside Minor Softball Association?
3. Does the VWMSA have insurance?
4. What ages of children can register?
5. When does the season start and end?
6. What is the difference between "house" and "rep"?
7. Does the VWMSA register boys, and if my son wants to play softball, how can he do so?
8. How many games and practices are involved?
9. Can my daughter play with her friends? How are teams made up?
10. Does the VWMSA take registrations from players outside the district?
11. How can I volunteer to help (with coaching, managing a team, on the executive, or otherwise)?
12. What if my daughter has never played softball?
13. Where are the games played and practices held?
14. Can my child play in the division above her age?
15. What school's are represented in the association?

1. Why fastpitch softball and not baseball?

In Vancouver, Baseball = Little League.  Little League (5-13yrs) is co-ed but dominated by boys.  All but the most talented and determined girls generally leave baseball because, candidly, no girls.  Once Little League ends, very few girls have the combination of skill and willingness to move to the male-dominated Vancouver Community (westside) and Vancouver Minor (eastside) associations, and they don't have the social connections into our association, so they often just stop playing.  At university, there are no baseball opportunities for women.  Girls who keep playing after Little League overwhelmingly move over to rep softball.

VWMSA is very different from Little League in that our house teams are never formed by draft, teams will often play together through their entire association with minor softball.  Go to a softball and a Little League game at equivalent levels and see the difference for yourself.

The main difference in play (besides the ball size) is the pitching.  Softball windmill pitching is much less likely to cause rotator cuff injury than overhand pitching, as the motion is much more ergonomic.  Sliding and competitive play are part of fastpitch softball.

1. What type of organization is the Vancouver Westside Minor Softball Association?

The VWMSA is a society incorporated pursuant to the B.C. Societies Act. It is an organization entirely run by volunteers, mainly parents of existing or past players. It is affiliated with Softball Canada and Softball BC. At present registrations are only accepted for girls teams.

1. Does the VWMSA have insurance?

Yes, to a limited extent, the Association is insured through its affiliation with Softball BC. Details are available on the Softball BC website.

1. What ages of children can register?

Registrations are accepted from players that are 5 years of age and older.  Normally, children will be in grade one when they are first eligible to register for Learn to Play. The last year players in the Midget (the oldest category) category can register is at age 19.

1. When does the season start and end?

This depends somewhat on the level of play. Rep starts the first week of April (brrr).  House regular season games generally start in mid-April, and the end of the regular season is normally in mid to late June, with Provincial Championships on the first weekend after the July 1st weekend for the "C" Division, and the second or third weekends of July, for the "B" and "A" Divisions.

1. What is the difference between "house" and "rep"?

There are differences in the level of competition, more and longer practices and games, expected commitment by coaches and players, longer season, and higher cost. More details are provided on the Wildcats Page.  In 2011, the rep teams are a mix of separately formed teams, and house teams that have chosen to move to rep to get more challenge and more play.  In 2011, VWMSA will have five single birth year rep teams in "B".  We have no "A" rep teams.  They have tryouts in September and several teams practice once a week through the winter.

How are house and rep treated differently by VWMSA?  Their treatment is the same except: 

• The rep teams get preference for the Trafalgar diamonds for practice because they play at them for league games, are allocated two practice times of 2 hours before house (house can have two if they want, but only after all house teams have been allocated one), and have slots for makeup games on Saturdays to comply with LMSA rules.
• Umpire costs are are a bit higher, as rep teams play about 12-14 home games with 2 umpires mostly, where house teams play about 18-20 home games (so they have the equivalent of 9-10 given that both teams are VWMSA teams), and fewer of their games have two umpires. 
• Rep are allowed to book two weekly slots in the batting cage. 
• Rep hats are a bit fancier, and most of the teams have a small locker in our rent-free space at Trafalgar for their pile of "stuff". 
• House players are supplied with uniforms, including special uniforms for provincials paid for by the Association.  Rep teams buy everything except their hat.
• House teams have their first tournament paid for by the the Association.

1. Does the VWMSA take registrations from boys?

Yes but we just have few registrations because so many Little Leagues exist (at least Kerrisdale, Jericho, Dunbar and Little Mountain all overlap our catchment), and this has always been a "boys play baseball" town. VWMSA originally spun off from one of the Vancouver Little Leagues, but any "non-compete" that existed doesn't anymore.  Other B.C. districts have boys softball teams, with great success. If any member or potential member of the VWMSA was sufficiently interested in forming a boys division, the organization is flexible enough to accommodate this. We will accept boys in our LTP Program (K to grade 2). This would then be a mixed program.   Parents of boys interested in softball beyond LTP should visit www.lmbfastball.org.

1. How many games and practices are involved?

The number or practices are up to the team management (coach/manager). Typically house teams will practice once a week during the season. Normally, house teams play two games per week during the season, and the schedule may be somewhat increased at playoff time.

1. Can my daughter play with her friends? How are teams made up?

The VWMSA forms house teams that emphasize continuity over time and playing with friends.  With attrition over the years, teams will need to merge.  

1. Does the VWMSA take registrations from players outside the district?

Not generally. Softball BC rules mandate that players should play in the districts in which they reside. Our district (No. 5) includes all of the city of Vancouver, proper. IN THE CASE OF A PLAYER REGISTERING FROM OUT OF DISTRICT 5, A CROSS BOUNDARY PERMIT IS REQUIRED. "B" teams and Squirt "A" are allowed 3 Cross Boundary Permits, from Pee Wee and up "A" players can play in any district without a cross boundary. See Softball BC handbook. 

1. How can I volunteer to help (with coaching, managing a team, on the executive, or otherwise)?

Fill out the registration form with information about the area you want to volunteer in. Offer your services to the Coach/Manager of your child's team. Or phone or e-mail anyone on the executive to advise of your willingness to help.

1. What if my daughter has never played softball?

It does not matter, no matter what her age. We want as many new players as possible to join in the great game of softball.

1. Where are the games played and practices held?

   See the Field Locations pages

2. Can my child play in the division above her age?

There is no restriction about registering up if you want to, and some do. 

While it is your call, there are three reasons why this might not be a good idea particularly at the younger ages (LTP to Mite or Mite to Squirt):

Time: understand that the time commitment goes up a fair bit between divisions at the younger ages. The amount of time doing one thing can be a lot to ask of K-4 children, and can promote early burnout.

Physical development: There will be an appreciable gap in physical and intellectual development between divisions.  For the less competitive child, this may not be an issue, but it can be trying for those who are both competitive and not super athletic. 

Social: It is the observation of our league that one of the things that keeps girls coming back is playing with the same team (same coaches, same girls) almost literally for years.  For girls, this game is very social.  Because of this, the VWMSA typically chooses teams that are predominantly a single birth year so they play with their classmates/friends/fellow brownies, and move up together.  While some leagues do draft teams, VWMSA had a near riot by parents at an AGM after a draft was proposed.  The way we do it does mean the girls lose a lot of games in the year after move up, but the two year age bands is a feature of softball across Canada. 

For those with greater interest, Mite Selects and the rep program is the best outlet for those who are talented, or bored in house.

15.   What schools are represented in the league?