What are the ages and divisions?
- U13 – Players born in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013
- U17 – Players born in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- U19 – Players born in 2003***, 2004 & 2005
(*** 2003 players are considered overage players and this team can only allow up to 3 overagers. Overagers can not pitch or catch)
Any player residing in Lambton County is eligible to play in Sarnia.
Why are there no U11 or U15 teams?
We are combining divisions to make the teams. U11 and U13 are combined to make a team and U15 and U17 are combined to make a team.
If there are enough players that register, we will look at splitting the team to make more divisions.
Why are you not offering a U9 Travel team?
U9 is an instructional division, designed to help players understand the game and improve their skills. Because we offer House League Fastball, our House League U9 Mite Division offers the players the same opportunity without the travel. Our U9 Mite House League will prepare players that are moving up to U13 Squirt House League and U13 Travel. If you are interested in U9 travel, there are other communities in Lambton County that will be offering teams.
Will there be a team Meet and Greet before the season?
Yes. Before players take the diamond, the coaching staff and Sarnia Heat Executive will invite everyone to Meet and Greet. We will go over the season, expectations, rules, volunteer requirements, and answer any questions you might have.
How Many Days a Week Do We Play?
Sarnia provides 2 nights a week for games and practices. Teams will also have away games during the week. Most weeks you will have 3 nights of fastball. A typical week is one home game, one practice, and one away game.
How long are the games?
Players are to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before a game starts for warmups.
- U13: No new inning starts after 1.5 hours
- U17 & U19: No new inning starts after 2 hours
Each team will have 2 hours for practice.
What nights do we play/practice?
Diamonds have not been reserved yet, but we are looking at home nights being Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Away games will depend on the away team’s diamond availability.
When does the league run?
The league will begin in mid-May and conclude at the end of August with a weekend tournament in Camlachie.
How far do we travel?
The travel teams will be joining the Lambton Central Girls Softball League. The league is comprised of teams from Corunna, Wyoming, Camlachie, Enniskillen, Port Lambton, Wallaceburg, Wilksport, and Charing Cross.
Do we get uniforms?
Every player will receive a jersey, pants, belt, and visor. Players are required to purchase their own white socks. Before a player receives a uniform, they must provide a $100 uniform deposit (Cash or Cheque). At the end of the season, when you return your uniform, you will receive your $100 back. If your uniform is ripped during the season from regular wear, that is okay, you will still receive your deposit back. Failure to return the uniform will result in the SMAA keeping the $100 to replace the missing uniform. Visors are mandatory and must be worn on the diamond. Pitchers, catchers, and any infielder wearing a mask are exempt from wearing a visor during a game. At the end of the season, players keep their visors.
Do we need any equipment?
Players must provide their own glove and baseball cleats (no street footwear is allowed). The SMAA will provide bats, helmets, catching gear, balls, and a pitcher mask. Players are welcome to bring their own bat and batting helmet. Your bat must be softball/fastball approved and your helmet must be CSA Approved and have a cage and chin strap.
Do infielders need to wear a mask?
The only player on the infield that is required to wear a mask is the pitcher. This mask will be supplied by the team. However, we do recommend that you consider purchasing a mask if your player is an infielder.
How many volunteers are required to run a team?
Each team must have a dedicated Head Coach and 2 Assistant Coaches. Coaches can be non-parent coaches. During a game, only 3 coaches are permitted on the field. For practice, as many helpers as a coach needs are welcome. Each team should also consider a Team Manager. Coaches are not required to have any special certifications, but experience in Fastball or Baseball is a must. Each coach must also pass a Police Background Check. The Head Coach or Team Manager must also attend the Sarnia Heat Girls Fastball Monthly Meeting. If you might be interested in coaching or helping out, please email us at smaa.fastball@gmail.com
Did I hear that at least one family member is required to volunteer in the concession booth?
You heard correctly. At least one family member of each player is required to volunteer one night in the concession booth in Germain Park. Families with a parent coaching or helping the team are exempt as they are already putting in many volunteer hours with the team. More information will be available at the Meet and Greet.
Are the rules in Travel the same as the House League Rules?
No. Teams will follow Softball Ontario Rules and rule modifications created by the LCGSL.
Example:
- Players can steal home on a wild pitch in all divisions
- Players are not required to slide at home plate when there is a play.
- 3 outfielders, not 4 like in House League
- U13 coaches do not pitch like our U13 Squirt House League
- Pitchers can pitch any number of innings, they are not limited to 2 innings a game like House League. A pitcher can pitch the entire game if the coach wants.
We recommend talking with your coach or league officials about rules. Rules will also be posted on our website.
Is the fair play rule in effect?
Every player that shows up to a game will get the opportunity to play in that game. It will be up to the coaching staff to decide just how much playing time a player would get. We are encouraging coaches to play as fair as possible so all players have fun. This is a more competitive league than House League, so the coaches can play better players more often. The coaching staff is not required to rotate players so everyone gets a chance at each position or hit at the top of the batting order. The coaching staff can have the same lead-off hitter all season if they wish. The coaching staff can also play players who miss practice less than players that are showing up at practice and working hard. At the end of the season, only the team that wins the championship will receive awards from the LCGSL. Fair play will be discussed in more detail at the Meet and Greet.
Do we need to wear uniforms to practice?
Players are required to wear ball pants and cleats to practices. Game jerseys and visors are not required for practices. Players can not wear shorts to practice.
Do I really need to attend practices?
Yes. Practices are mandatory for players to attend. If your player does not like practices and decides they don’t want to attend, the coach has the right to play that player fewer innings in a game. We understand that illness, vacations, work, and injury will prevent players from missing a practice.
We can’t make a game or practice, do we need to let the coach know?
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Communication is the key. If your player can not make a game or practice, you must let the coaching staff know. The more time a coach has, the better. Coaches plan practice drills and game strategies before you take the field. If a coach is expecting 12 players at practice and only 8 show up, that could change the drills they had planned. Hitting and Pitching are important in practice, but so is skills development. It’s difficult for a coach to teach skills if they don’t have players on the field in all positions.
Are there any tournaments on the schedule?
A final year-end tournament is held in Camlachie at the end of August. This tournament is for the teams in the league only and the winner of the tournament is the league champion. This is part of your registration fee. If a team would like to play in an OUT-OF-TOWN weekend tournament during the season, we would support that, however, the fee to play in the tournament must be covered by the team.