LATEST NEWS - June 18: I had set a schedule of June 15 for starting on getting back to ball. However, Ontario emergency measures for GTA including Mississauga are still at Phase 1 (phase 2 for non-GTA Ontario), and we need to be at Phase 3 for slo-pitch leagues. (Mind you my initial schedule was to push the league start back by 2-3 weeks.) As posted previously, Mississauga has cancelled all slo-pitch tournament permits until at least September, and have not yet made a decision on league cancellations (or have not responded). The city of Toronto has not yet made a decision on either league or tournament permits but my contact at city parks feels that it is unlikely that July slo-pitch would be a go as the province has to progress to phase 3 before the city can consider opening up to league ball.
And what sort of restrictions would be required to participate in on-field activities? Do we all have to wear masks? A whole new slant on "protective equipment". So many questions, so little info. Will we draw circles on the dance floor at the banquet like Trinity Bellwoods Park? And don't ask me about which stuff I am joking as I am not putting LOL behind everything I post.
I am still hoping that there will be some sort of ball this season but I cannot even begin to plan or even ask team reps about the status of their team and players. I know that when the restrictions open up, most teams and players will be ready to go.
We will look at accomodating whole returning teams, new teams, partial teams needing players, merging teams and even individual players looking for a temporary home. This is despite the fact that most GTA leagues have already cancelled their season.
CSPL has set a deadline of June 24 and I know that nothing will be resolved by then.
I have sent out a new email to team reps to update them. And I have redone my email list so forgive me if you are getting emails and you are no longer a team rep. PLEASE DO NOT UNSUBSCRIBE. Just send me an email and let me know.
And my favourite line - Please let me know if you do not receive this email.

LATEST NEWS - June 8: Ontario emergency measures extended to June 19, which means no gatherings of more than 5 people, which kind of puts a damper on both league and tournament slo-pitch. Ontario still records more than 200 new cases and more than 20 deaths every day. Toronto alone has recorded over 900 deaths and Mississauga/Peel almost 300 deaths related to the corona virus. While most cities have opened parks, all team sports are still banned. COVID-19 self-assessment: Take the Covid-19 self-assessment if you’re worried you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms.
LATEST NEWS - June 1: SPN has updated their 2020 Release of Liability Waiver form (which is a mandatory requirement for all participants) to cover the Covid-19 situation. Official Slo-Pitch National page on updated waiver form.
LATEST NEWS - May 30: The City of Mississauga has just announced that there will be no permits for slo-pitch tournaments (or any other permitted event with more than 50 people) until at least September 7. No word yet regarding league play but Mississauga permits are cancelled until July 3, with absolutely no gatherings including practices, league meetings, etc. The City of Toronto permits are cancelled until July 1 with no word different on tournament permits, but it is probable that they will follow suit.
The City of Toronto has cancelled all league permits up to and including June 28 and the City of Mississauga up to July 3.
SPN has cancelled/postponed all 2020 SPN National Championships.
For official Slo-Pitch National page on SPN National Championship postponement.
SPN Provincial Championships TBA depending on municipal and provincial guidelines.
SPN has posted recommendations for League and Event Management Return to Play along with Game Related Suggestions.
For full announcement and detailed suggestions:
Slo-Pitch National Covid-19 Recommendations For League and Event Management Return to Play
Note that this information is a national response and some provinces are more open than Ontario.
NSA has posted something similar with some silly rules: NSA Canada releases guidelines for the return of slo-pitch leagues
Slo-Pitch National has introduced the Double Play Deal for all 2020 carded umpires. The “Double Play Deal” will offer all 2020 carded officials, membership for both the 2020 and 2021 slo-pitch seasons. Double Play Deal for all SPN 2020 carded umpires
Toronto hac cancelled the Exhibition confirming that the Covid reach extends into the fall.
Toronto has opened SOME parks - but NOT sports fields. Closest thing to open is the golf courses.
I will send out an email but probably not until mid-June to determine how many teams are returning, and how many are willing to play some sort of season this year, and that is only if they allow us to play.

What will league slo-pitch look like for 2020?
There will be all kinds of rules like safe-distancing, no celebrations. Exactly the opposite of what slo-pitch is all about - bringing people closer together. Anybody with a runny nose will be shunned. If you get down and dirty expect to be sprayed with Lysol.
And the financial aspect of the game will be a nightmare. How many players will still be able to commit to another financial obligation.
So many company teams where players have lost their jobs or people who are just getting back on their feet.
Because we have to remember that this is not about players, it is about people.

As I said before, we will send out an email in mid-June and tell team reps that it's time to start contacting players and finding out who and how many are returning. Toughest part is that if the team rep is unable to commit then the team will have a difficult time getting reorganized. We will probably resort to ad hoc teams merging and borrowing players from other teams.
If parks open the first week of July then it is probably going to take two weeks to get teams organized and some sort of schedule out. Usually regular season ends and playoffs start middle of August (because all the teams make the playoffs) which would only leave 4 weeks for a regular season and 4 weeks for playoffs. Mississauga parks all close down the middle of September. We can apply for an extension but we were denied last time we asked for an extension. One obvious step is to reduce the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs, only advancing half the teams (like most other leagues).

FIRST PRIORITY: Our first priority is the safety of all the league members. Our next priority is the continued success of the league.
LEAGUE FEES: NO IDEA. We will try to reduce league fees as much as possible and offer delayed payments in order to ease the financial burden on the team reps and the players. I know that many teams will lose players due to financial constraints. And I know that many company sponsored teams will lose their sponsorship and I would like to work with them to see their continued registration.
FIRST RSPA LEAGUE MEETING FOR TEAM REPS:
We will try to conduct as much of the league meeting virtually and on-line - confirmation, payments, info submission, etc. Anything that needs actual physical contact (balls, rulebooks, etc.) can be delayed until the start of the season.
TOURNAMENTS: Mississauga cancelled all tournament permits until September 7. Toronto has not cancelled tournament permits yet.
RSPA OPEN PRACTICES FOR NEW PLAYERS: Probably start open practices July 5 (optimistically). But I am betting that a lot of teams will be looking for new players. RSPA will look at a lot of options, from merging teams that have lost too many players, or temporarily placing players until their original team is back up and running.
RSPA/SPN UMPIRE CLINIC THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020: All SPN umpire clinics have been cancelled and the RSPA/SPN umpire clinic is rescheduled to tentatively THURSDAY, JULY 2 at Diamond Beach (if it is open).
RSPA needs SPN carded umpires for recreational coed slo-pitch league. We will train and card. You will be eligible to umpire any SPN league or tournament. RSPA pays: $45 single game; $70/$80 double-header; $100 3-gamer 6:30-11:00 pm.
Get out get some exercise, have some fun and earn some extra cash.

I hope that everyone is keeping SAFE for yourself and the people around you.
Randy Warren, President, RSPA.

RSPA Slo-Pitch New Team Application/Info

Updated January 25, 2020

Steps to Apply as a New Team for RSPA Slo-Pitch

1. Check the following pages for information on RSPA Slo-Pitch League:
   RSPA Information
   Frequently Asked Questions For New Teams
   How To Start A New Team
   RSPA Team Info Package web page
2. Check that the Parks & Diamonds are suitable for your team. We do give the teams the option to choose preferred parks and nights. Note that some parks such as Fleetwood Park are booked and will be spread out to the requesting teams.
   Check the map and list of diamonds at: Parks & Diamonds
   RSPA Team Park/Night Preference Form: - Complete Park/Night Preference Form and fax or email back.
   (This form may be revised at a later date, if you change your mind about your park selections)
   REMEMBER: These are requests only and are not guaranteed.
   RSPA Park-Night Preference Form - Tentative only — Parks may be revised for the new season.
3. PREFERRED NIGHTS: On your Team Info Form indicate which night your team prefers to play.
   Some nights are already busy - Wednesday and Thursday nights. No late games available for Wednesday and Thursday nights.
   All new teams MUST play TWO FRIDAY NIGHTS. We will even let you select your Friday nights in advance.
4. Complete the "Team Info and Application Form" and fax or e-mail. - RSPA Team Info Form (PDF)
   Team Info and Application Forms are requests only and are not confirmed. They will be confirmed in order of receipt and approval.

RSPA League Costs for 2020

Despite further increases in park fees, insurance, SPN registration and umpire fees, we have maintained the RSPA team fees. Returning teams league fees are $1550.00, one of the lowest league fees in the GTA for what is included.
New teams pay $1550.00 + $250.00 = $1800.00
Includes parks, permits, insurance, SPN registration, carded umpires, game balls and also subsidizes the league banquet, All-Star night, volleyball night, etc.

As well, all teams MUST PAY:
Tournament Fee: all teams - due June 13 — $ 350.00 (Tournament is mandatory for all league teams)
Banquet deposit: due August 1, 2020 — $ 220.00 (Banquet deposit 4 tickets x $55.00 = $220.00)
(Banquet deposit is usually minimum 6 tickets per team; for 2020 will be 4 tickets per team)

PLEASE NOTE: The tournament fee and banquet deposit are an integral part of the league and the league fees. We only keep them separate for financial control reasons. If your team is not prepared to pay tournament and banquet fees, please find another league.

Due	Returning Team	New Team	Payment
April 14, 2020	200.00	300.00	1st payment
May 1, 2020	700.00	700.00	2nd payment
June 1, 2020	650.00	800.00	3rd payment
LEAGUE FEES:	$ 1550.00	$ 1800.00	League fees
plus
June 13, 2020	350.00	350.00	Tournament fee
August 1, 2020	220.00	220.00	Banquet deposit
TOTAL	$ 2120.00	$ 2370.00

1. RSPA league fees are payable by cheque, money order, cash or Interac money transfer.
2. No debit cards, Mastercard or Visa accepted.
3. Cheques are payable to RSPA.
4. Post-dated cheques are recommended for final payment, tournament and banquet deposit.
5. $20 fine for all late payments.
   Teams with late payments will NOT be scheduled.
6. League fines for game defaults $50 first time, $100 for 2nd time, $200 for 3rd game default.
7. League fines $10 for uniform fine or no bases, no pitching mat or no game ball.
8. All default fines and late payment fines will be strictly enforced.
   All fees and fines must be paid before play-offs start or teams do not play.
9. Any team that does not get league fees and payments to the league on time will be fined and suspended.
10. It is YOUR responsibility to get the fees in. It is not our responsibility to chase you for it.
11. Invoices and/or receipts are available. Somebody on your team may be able to write it off.
12. League deposit payments are non-refundable.

New Players Looking For a Team

go to New Player page

RSPA Slo-Pitch First League Meeting - Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The first RSPA League meeting for team reps is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020,
drop-in style, anytime from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm,
at The Irish Shebeen Pub, 5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1 — map

The team rep meeting is for team reps to register or get info for a new team.
This meeting is NOT for new players looking for a team.

Every team rep who attends the meeting will be given an RSPA and/or SPN T-shirt (and possible other gift) (while supplies last).
PLUS - team rep appreciation draw; one team rep will win a bat or bat bag for team rep appreciation.

Equipment will be available for sale at the meeting - uniforms, bases, bats, extra balls, pitching mat, uniforms, etc.
RSPA Equipment Order Form

At This Meeting:
RSPA team reps will review RSPA League info for 2020; confirm team entry; pick-up RSPA Info Package; pick up balls; submit team contact info; preliminary park & night preferences; baseball equipment and uniforms will be available for sale.

League deposit required - $300 for new team; $200 for returning team;
We strongly recommend leaving post-dated cheques for final payment, tournament fee and banquet deposit.
Late payment of fees will result in late payment fines and automatic suspension of schedule.

RSPA Meeting Info & Map
RSPA Team Info Package - web page

RSPA Slo-Pitch Final League Meeting - Tuesday, May 5, 2020

The final RSPA League meeting for team reps is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2020, drop-in style, anytime from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, at The Irish Shebeen Pub, 5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1 — map

Every team rep who attends the meeting will be given an RSPA and/or SPN T-shirt (and possible other gift) (while supplies last).
PLUS - team rep appreciation draw; one team rep will win a bat or bat bag for team rep appreciation.

Equipment will be available for sale at the meeting - uniforms, bases, bats, extra balls, pitching mat, uniforms, etc.
RSPA Equipment Order Form

At This Meeting:
RSPA team reps will review RSPA League info for 2020; confirm team entry; pick-up RSPA Info Package; SPN package, including scorebook and rule book, etc., pick up balls; submit team contact info; preliminary park & night preferences; baseball equipment and uniforms will be available for sale.

League fee payment (second payment) is required - $700.00
We strongly recommend leaving post-dated cheques for final payment, tournament fee and banquet deposit.
Late payment of fees will result in late payment fines and automatic suspension of schedule.
Please Note: if team package and balls are not picked up by June 13, they will be defaulted.

RSPA Open Slo-Pitch Practices

RSPA holds "open" practices, by invitation only, specially for players looking for a coed team are Sunday mornings and Thursday nights. Looking for females and couples M-F and a few high level males. Friday night teams looking for players.
Thursday, April 16 & Thursday, April 23 & Thursday, April 30, 6:00/6:30 to 8:00/8:30 pm (weather permitting) -
Sunday, April 19, Sunday, April 26 & Sunday, May 3, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon (weather permitting) - e-mail for info. e-mail for info.
click here for practice info