Info For Players Looking For A Team
Information About R.S.P.A.
Revised January 14, 2010
See also: Frequently Asked Questions For New Teams
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| Q. | What is my first step to get on a slo-pitch team? | ||||||
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1. The first step is to check the following pages for information on RSPA Slo-Pitch League:
RSPA Information RSPA Parks & Diamonds 2. The next step is to send me an e-mail : Randy Warren, accent@slopitch1.com ; alternate e-mail: alternate e-mail; so that I have you on file and can keep you informed of any changes, practice cancellations etc. 3. Download the "New Player Application Form" complete and return it to me: a. -- fax it to me at fax 905-840-4189; b. -- bring it to one of the open practices (see below); c. -- or go to the e-mail version of the "New Player Application Form" ; copy the info to your e-mail, answer and e-mail back to me; Randy Warren, accent@slopitch1.com ; alternate e-mail: alternate e-mail; 4. Show up at one of the open practices (see info below); | ||||||
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| Q. | What are the RSPA open practices? | ||||||
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| Q. | Why do I need to go to the RSPA open practices? | ||||||
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-- First off, it's nice to go out and get into some sort of shape before the season starts;
too many new players underestimate the physical requirements of playing softball; -- Secondly, the league needs to rate all new players to see what level of ball they can play, so that they can be put into the correct division; -- Thirdly, we want to see the committment that means that you will show up for a 16 game schedule plus playoffs; if you can't make a couple of practices, you probably won't make all the league games; -- Also, it is nice to meet the players, since team reps show up at the practices, and sometimes pick players from the field that they can see, rather than from a list that doesn't give any indication of true level or personality; -- Yes personality counts! We also put together a new team from the players looking for a team; They usually are players that have shown up and bonded with each other at the open practices; -- Male players have a much better chance of making a team, if they can make more practices; -- If you do not go out to an open practice, you will not be placed on a team; | ||||||
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| Q. | How are players placed on a team? | ||||||
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We collect the list of teams looking for players and match them up to the list of players looking for a team - what level of ball; what nights you play; what nights you cannot play; what parks you prefer; etc.
Then we try to match the players up with teams looking for players; With 108 teams, we always have teams looking for players, or a new team with a group looking to fill out their roster; When the list of teams looking for players becomes available, we match the list to the players list and it will look like this: team "A" plays Monday and Thursday nights and prefers Max Ward and West Deane Park; team "B" plays Tuesday only at any north Mississauga park; etc. | ||||||
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| Q. | What are the chances I will get on a team? | ||||||
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RSPA almost guarantees all females and couples an offer from a team. About 50-60% of the male players will be placed on a team. However, if you can't make certain nights, or don't want to travel to certain parks, your opportunites may be limited;
We have 108 teams in the league, so quite a few teams are usually looking for players. Plus, we also usually form a new team from players looking for a team. We will be looking for someone to help run the new team; Also, positions like pitchers and shortstops will have an easier time getting placed than other players; better players will get more offers; and male players have a much better chance of making a team, if they can make more practices; -- If you do not go out to an open practice, you will not be placed on a team; | ||||||
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| Q. | When will players be placed on a team? | ||||||
| A. | The RSPA regular season starts Thursday, May 6; but open practices continue to Sunday, May 9; We try to place players at the Sunday, April 25 & Thursday, April 29 practices; However, some teams do not know if they will need players until the season starts. | ||||||
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| Q. | How much does it cost per player? | ||||||
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R.S.P.A. is one of the least expensive leagues in the Toronto area
League costs are $1250.00 per team; $1500 for a new team; plus each team must enter in one of the 3 league tornaments and must commit to six (6) banquet tickets. Individual player fees depend on each team - what sponsor they have, what they include, what about shirts, uniforms; etc. But RSPA player fees are usually around $100.00 to $150.00 per player. | ||||||
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| Q. | How much to join the new team being formed? | ||||||
| A. | Player cost for this new team will be capped at $100 per player, plus cost of shirts, plus tournament ($20 per player; tournament is a must) and league banquet. Because the cost of forming a new team is actually higher than $100 per player, the League will subsidize the cost over 2 years; The league will subsidize the cost of equipment including bases and some bats; Uniforms can be as simple as matching t-shirts for the first season; | ||||||
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| Q. | When are the player fees due? | ||||||
| A. | New players looking for a team do not pay their fees until they are assigned to a team. However, the league may request a $20.00 deposit from each new player, which is forwarded to the team. This deposit is refunded if the player does not get a suitable team offer. | ||||||
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| Q. | Where are the parks? | ||||||
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The league centres itself on the Mississauga-Etobicoke border, with teams having the option of choosing their own preferred parks and nights.
Click here to see Parks & Maps Teams will never play at a park that they specify that they cannot play at. | ||||||
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| Q. | What nights do we play on? | ||||||
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Games are played one night per week, single games on unlit diamonds, single games and double-headers on lit diamonds, on any scheduled night, Monday to Friday.
We do give the teams the option to choose preferred parks and nights. Teams will never play on a night that they specify that they cannot play on.
Parks & Maps - Click here to see the map and the list of parks and nights. | ||||||
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| Q. | Do we always play on the same night? | ||||||
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Usually not. Some teams will request a specific night. If they request a specific night, they must be more flexible with what parks they play on. Some teams will request several different nights.
We do give the teams the option to choose preferred parks and nights, and we will try to accomodate teams as much as possible. | ||||||
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| Q. | How many games are played in a season? | ||||||
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RSPA schedules a 16 game schedule, plus playoffs, and all teams make the playoffs;
If you compare this to leagues that offer 24 games per season with a time limit (time limits are usually 55-65 minutes per game), compared to 16 games with no time limit (or 90 minute time limit on lit diamonds), the 16 games gives yo more actiual playing time; Plus, most leagues do not offer all teams qualify for the playoffs; | ||||||
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| Q. | Why do we play only one game per night? | ||||||
| A. | All games are scheduled for a 6:30 game start, since we find that a 6:00 game start is difficult to get to with the parks being so spread out. We also have no time limit and play a leisurely full 7 inning game, no rush, unlike most leagues who enforce a time limit of 55 to 65 minutes, and struggle to get in two complete games. | ||||||
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| Q. | What level of slo-pitch does RSPA play? | ||||||
| A. | RSPA is a recreational level slo-pitch league. Teams range from "F" level to "C" level; with the majority of the teams at "E" or "Rec" level. We have some "A" level and "B" level individual players, but slo-pitch is a team sport. Like I said, we are just "guys" and "gals" out to have fun! | ||||||
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| Q. | What rules does RSPA use? | ||||||
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R.S.P.A. uses modified SPN rules
- Coed: 7 guys & 3 gals (May play more gals.); - May play 7M+3F; 8M+4F; 9M+5F; 10M+6F; - Or may play 6M+4F; 5M+5F; etc. - No restrictions on batting sequence; - Standard slo-pitch 6 to 12 foot arc; - Called balls & strikes using a mat; - If a male batter is walked, and is followed by a female batter, he is awarded two bases; Female batter following has to bat, unless the male batter was walked on a 4-0 count (4 straight balls and no strikes), then the female batter has the choice of batting or a free walk; - No time limit on games on unlit diamonds; one hour & a half hour time limit on lit diamonds; - Grace period 10 minutes; Mercy rule 15 runs; - SPN affiliated; Carded umpires; SPN insured. Click here to see the RSPA League Rules | ||||||
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| Q. | How long has RSPA been around? | ||||||
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RSPA has been around since 1982. Originally founded as the in house league for Zenith TV on Islington Avenue in Etobicoke, and gradually moving west into Mississauga as the diamonds became available and the players tended to move out into the suburbs. I have been president of the league since 1984 (on and off) when it was only a 4 team league.
P.S. - I am still trying to complete a more accurate early history of the League, especially a list of League Champions, so if anybody has any info, please contact me.
RSPA League History - Click here to see the RSPA League History. | ||||||
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| Q. | Is there a minimum age? | ||||||
| A. | Minimum age is sixteen (16) years of age; players 16-17 years of age must have parental approval; | ||||||
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| Q. | What is the average age? | ||||||
| A. | As I mentioned before, the League has been around since 1982, so we have players older than dirt. But with a new influx of players every year we have a good mix of young, medium and (instead of old, I will say) experienced players. | ||||||
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| Q. | How many girls play on a team? | ||||||
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RSPA is a coed league that plays 7 guys + 3 gals.
(first off, pardon the use of the word "gals" or "girls", instead of "ladies" or "women", but we are just "guys" and "gals" out to have fun) A team may always play more girls if they wish, (example: 6 guys + 4 gals; 5 guys + 5 gals; 4 guys + 6 gals; etc.) (If you ask me, some teams should be sitting the guys and playing the girls!) | ||||||
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| Q. | How many teams are in RSPA? | ||||||
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R.S.P.A. had 118 teams in 14 divisions for the 2009 slo-pitch season, which is the largest league in Mississauga/Etobicoke and is the largest coed league in Ontario!
We will be accepting new teams and new individual players for 2010 on a limited basis, depending on park availability;
We have increased in size almost every year for the last 10 years; and we hardly ever lose a team to another league; new teams check out what we have to offer, and we must be doing something right, as we have grown from a 4 team league in 1982 to 118 teams for 2009!
We are also looking for individual players (females & couples preferred) Click here for: New Team Application | Player looking for a team Info | ||||||
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| Q. | What about umpires? | ||||||
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League costs include SPN carded umpires.
We try to develop our umpires from within our own system. Anyone wishing to umpire or wishing to learn, should contact us. The RSPA umpire clinic is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 29; | ||||||
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| Q. | What does the League supply? | ||||||
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RSPA League costs include: SPN carded umpires, game balls, liability insurance.
We have a year-end banquet, an All-Star Game & barbecue, a volleyball night, poker tournament and several slo-pitch tournaments; | ||||||
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| Q. | What do the teams need to supply? | ||||||
| A. | Each team is required to supply their own bases, including a safe-base for first base and a pitching mat. Players are required to wear matching uniform tops; (could be as simple as matching t-shirts); Teams supply their own gloves and bats; | ||||||
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| Q. | What about the League meeting that I hear about? | ||||||
| A. | The RSPA League meeting is for Team Reps only; no players are allowed; The meeting is by invitation only; | ||||||
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| please contact: Randy Warren Recreational Slo-Pitch Association 8 Buxton Court Brampton, Ontario L6Z 3H9 e-mail: accent@slopitch1.com Alternate e-mail: alternate e-mail |
RSPA INFORMATION & LINKS:
RSPA Home Page | SloPitch1.com Home Page
More Info About RSPA | RSPA League Rules | RSPA Parks & Maps
Frequently Asked Questions For New Teams | Frequently Asked Questions For New Players
RSPA League Calendar | RSPA League History | RSPA Umpires
New Team Application | Player looking for a team | RSPA Player Release Form
Slo-Pitch Bulletin Board | Sponsors & Links
St. Louis Slo-Pitch Tournament Teams -- Coed, Mens, Mens Masters 50+
Sno-Pitch Tournaments 2010 - February 20 & March 20, 2010
Slo-Pitch Tournaments 2010 - June 12-13 & July 24-25 & August 21-22, 2010
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