Ontario Amateur Softball Association

Ontario Amateur Softball Association

An OASA Gold Medal
Sport Softball
Founded 1923, in Ontario, Canada
President Gary Wren
Motto Play the Game
Country Canada
Official website www.oasa.ca

The Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) is a division of Softball Ontario designed to promote the development of amateur softball in Ontario.

History

Beginning in the early 1890s, softball, an indoor derivative of baseball, extended into Canada as a popular summer activity. While initially only played indoors, in 1908, softball was played outdoors at Burlington Beach, Ontario. Two years later in 1910, an informal public-school league was formed in Hamilton, Ontario. The creation of this league spawned many of the leaders who would later become a catalyst for the emergence of Softball in Ontario.[1]

In 1923, the OASA formed and became the first amateur softball organization the world had ever seen. As a result, the game has spread throughout the world and has become a fairly popular sport. During World War II, Canadians introduced the sport to the Netherlands, where it has remained popular since;[2] in fact, the Netherlands acquired and published the official OASA rules in 1946.[1] Softball has been an olympic sport since 1996, but was dropped by the International Olympic Committee for the 2012[3] and 2016 Olympics.[4]

About the OASA

The Ontario Amateur Softball Association was formed in 1923 as a member of Softball Ontario. Since its creation, it has continued to promote and encourage both male and female softball and fastball.

Vision Statement

The Ontario Amateur Softball Association is acknowledged as a dignified developmental frame for softball in Ontario and Canada.

Mission Statement

The objectives of the OASA shall be to:[5]

  1. Coordinate, organize and create structure for participants of all ages in the game of softball in Ontario through:
    1. provision of guidelines and venues for competition
    2. preparation of an environment where players, coaches, officials and other individuals and groups in the softball community can learn
    3. promoting availability of the game to any who wish to play, officiate or coach
    4. provision of a forum for members to converse with the larger softball community
    5. representation of its members at the local, provincial, national, and international levels
    6. creation of opportunities for individuals and groups in Ontario to:
      1. compete on a fair basis
      2. partake in the game of softball on a local,provincial, national and international level
      3. develop skills
  2. Recognize excellence through:
    1. provision of awards for individual, team and member establishment achievements
    2. publication of individual, team, and member organization accomplishments
  3. Promote yearlong support of the game of softball.

Game Play

A "Windmill" Fastpitch

The OASA follows the same guidelines as Softball Canada and Softball Ontario. The seven inning game consists of two teams competing against each other with the end-goal of attaining more runs than the opposing team. Each team is permitted to have nine players on the field in fastpitch softball, while slo-pitch allows for the inclusion of a tenth.[6] Another key difference between the two types of softball is the pitching style.

In fastpitch, a "windmill" style of pitching is utilized, as the pitcher's arm makes a complete backwards rotation before completing the pitch. With this style of pitching, the ball travels considerably faster as pitchers have been known to reach around 60 mph.[7]

In contrast, the "slo-pitch" style - as one might gather from the name - has a far slower style of pitching. While rules will vary depending on age and level of competition, the ball is typically lofted towards the plate at a slow speed.

A "Slo-Pitch"

For a more comprehensive list of rules please visit Softball Ontario.

Players

Each player on the team must belong to the appropriate age category for their division. Each player must wear a uniform of the same colour, style and trim as that of the rest of the team. Ball caps are permitted but all players must wear the same colour.[8] All participating players in any single game must be included in the line-up card submitted to the official umpires prior to the beginning of the game.

The Field

The OASA requires field dimensions to follow those as directed by Softball Ontario. Each diamond must have a clear, unobstructed playing area with the following minimum radii:[9]

  1. 68.2 m (225 ft.) for Females
  2. 83.3 m (275 ft.) for Co-Ed
  3. 83.3 m (275 ft.) for Men

In addition, the baselines must be 9.81 m (65 ft.) apart with a pitching distance of 15.2 m (50 ft.)[9]

Types of Softball

There are three (3) types of Softball played in Ontario:

Softball is often played Co-Ed

Age and Divisions

The following table lists the age classification for Ontario's amateur softball athletes:[10]

Division Age
T-Ball 8 and under
Junior Rookie Ball 8 and under
Senior Rookie Ball 9 and under
Minor Mosquito 10 and under
Mosquito 11 and under
Minor Peewee 12 and under
Peewee Girls 13 and under
Peewee 13 and under
Minor Bantam 14 and under
Bantam 15 and under
Bantam Girls 16 and under
Minor Midget 16 and under
Midget 18 and under
Junior 21 and under

Leagues in Ontario

The following list consist of the leagues which operate under the OASA designation:[11]

There are many softball leagues throughout Ontario

Rule Changes

The OASA uses the rules set forth by Softball Ontario. Every two years, a conference is held to discuss rules changes. These conferences occur every two years, with the next one happening in November 2012. Each association sends three delegates, and one of these delegates may vote on proposed rule changes. Rules changes are only approved is there is a two-thirds majority in favour if the change.[9]

Quest for Gold

The Quest for Gold Ontario Athlete Assistance Program is an initiative set forth by the Ministry of Heath Promotion and Sport of Ontario. Its purpose is to promote and assist exceptional athletes in Ontario. This is accomplished by compensation for potential earnings lost due to summer training, increased access to high quality coaching, and enhanced opportunities for training and competition. The Quest for Gold program also is intended to encourage athletes continue to live and train in Ontario. Athletes chosen for the Quest for Gold program are also heavily encouraged to pursue post-secondary education. The OASA nominates several athletes for the program every year through the sport specific selection criteria.[12]

Nominees

The following athletes were nominated for the Quest for Gold Program: [13]

Executive

The following table illustrates the OASA's organizational hierarchy:[14]

Position Name
Executive Officers
President Gary Wren
Executive Vice President Roy Patenaude
Vice President George Ryder
Vice President Brad Thomson
Secretary Christine Patenaude
Treasurer Paddy Fitzgerald-Nolan
Registrar Mary Myers
Other Executive Officers
Immediate Past President Larry Sherwin
Past Presidents Representative Keith Fleming
Elected Executive Jeff Geddes
Elected Executive Gilles Butcher
Elected Executive Bruce Young
Elected Executive Dave Northern
Elected Executive Garry Waugh
Elected Executive Jamie Simpson
Other Officers
NSA Representative Peter Handley
High and Inside Editor Paddy Fitzgerald-Nolan
Insurance Ron Taylor
Insurance Sharon Taylor
  1. 1 2 Unknown. "Canada Formed First Official Softball Group". The News and Eastern Townships Advocate.
  2. ↑ William Humber. "Baseball". Historica-Dominion.
  3. ↑ Associated Press (9 July 2005). "They'rrre out! Olympics drop baseball, softball". NBC Sports. Retrieved 15 August 2008. Rogge has basically conspired against the sports to get them removed
  4. ↑ Wilson, Stephen. "Golf, rugby backed by IOC board for 2016 Games". Article. The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ "About the OASA". Ontario Amateur Softball Association.
  6. ↑ "Rules on how to Play Softball". Demand Media inc.
  7. ↑ "Range of Speed (in MPH) for Various Fastpitch Softball Pitches by Age Group".
  8. ↑ "International Softball Rulebook 2002" (PDF). International Softball Federation Playing Rules Committee.
  9. 1 2 3 "Official Dimensions for Slo-Pitch Softball Diamonds" (PDF). Softball Canada.
  10. ↑ "Baseball Ontario 2010 Constitution" (PDF). Baseball Ontario.
  11. ↑ "OASA Links". Ontario Amateur Softball Association.
  12. ↑ "Program Description".
  13. ↑ "Quest for Gold 2011". Ontario Amateur Softball Association.
  14. ↑ "OASA Contact". Ontario Amateur Softball Association.
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