FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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HAVE A QUESTION? MAYBE WE CAN ANSWER IT BELOW.

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What is the starting age for Baseball/Softball?

Our Boys and Girls baseball program starts at age four and goes to age twenty +.  If your child is turning four during the calendar year then he/she is eligible to play.  Our all Girls softball Division starts at age seven.

How can I register my child?

All registrations are now online.  Register from your computer or smartphone directly on our website.

I am having trouble registering.

Before you call (905-832-9659) or email our office (info@vaughanvikings.com), check to make sure your web browser is either Firefox or Google Chrome.  Issues with payments are because the browser you are using does not have the higher security settings that Firefox and Google Chrome have. 

Can my child be on the same team with his friends?

Our Policy is that we guarantee one reciprocating request, after that we consider all other requests keeping in mind that we do our best to balance all other teams.

Can my child play up a year (or two) – can he play down with his brother/friend?

We allow children to play up one year.  We do not allow children to play down outside of their age group.  If a parent desires to have their child play, up two years or play down a Division then approval from the Director of House League Baseball/Softball will be required.  Please email our Office or the Director of House League Baseball/Softball with this request. 

When does the season start & end?

For Tee Ball and Coach Pitch Divisions the season starts the last week of May or the first week of June.  For all other Divisions the season starts the first or second week of May.  The season ends either the third or fourth week of August.

I registered my child, when will I be notified about the start of the season?

Once registered you will get confirmation of registration from Team Snap within seconds.  Then, within a week from the start of the season (usually in late April) the coach of your child’s team will contact you and provide information such as start time and where to go for the first practice.  

Where do I get a practice/game schedule?

Your child’s convener creates the practice/game schedule.  Both are available as the season starts through the Team Snap App.

How many children register with the League?

Our registrations fluctuate between 1800 and 2000.

My child never played before, will he/she fit in – is this League for children who have experience?

Experience is not necessary.  In the younger Divisions, you will find about 6 to 10 children on each team with no experience.  In the middle Divisions there will a be about 4 to 7 children with no experience on each team.  In the older Divisions, you will find about 1 to 3 children on each team with no experience.   

What is included with the Registration fee – what will I need to purchase?

The registrant will receive a complete uniform (hat, jersey, pants and socks), a mid-season Tournament (excluding Tee Ball), individual and team photo, entry to the season-end banquet (based on health and safety protcols) and a trophy (for the younger Divisions) or an award (for the older Divisions).

The registrant will need running shoes/cleats, baseball glove, baseball helmet and a water bottle.

My child’s uniform is too large/small (either hat, jersey, pants or socks).

We do not exchange socks or jerseys.  Socks are two sizes, either a 7-9 or a 9-11.  Each Division will get the same size sock.  Jersey numbers go from 1 to 15 or 17 (depending on the Division).  They are sized specifically for the Division.  The lower numbers are the smallest sizes, with the higher numbers being larger sizes.   If you need to exchange the jersey, look to the other team members for a trade.

There are two sizes of hats, boys/girls and men/women.  Only the younger Divisions get a boy/girls hat.  We do have a limited number of hats that could be exchanged.  You can come to our Office, as long as the hat was not worn, for an exchange.

We do stock pants for exchanges.  As long as the pants have not been worn, you may exchange the pants at our Office. 

How many Divisions are there? What days do the Divisions practice and play on? How many teams in each Division?
 

Division

Age

Practice Day with approx. # of teams in parentheses

Game Day

Frequency/week

Coed  Baseball

Rally Cap

4 & 5

alternating Monday (8) or Saturday (6)

alternating Monday or Saturday

once

Sr. Tee Ball

6

Tuesday (4) or Saturday (2) or Sunday (1)

Thursday

twice

Coach Pitch

7

Tuesday (4) or Saturday (2) or Sunday (1)

Thursday

twice

8u

8

Thursday (8) or Saturday (4) or Sunday (2)

Tuesday

twice

9U

9

Wednesday (8) or Saturday (3) or Sunday (1)

Monday

twice

10/11U

10 & 11

Tuesday (13) or Saturday (5) or Sunday (2)

Thursday

twice

12/13U

12 & 13

Wednesday (10) or Saturday (4) or Sunday (1)

Monday

twice

14/15U

14 & 15

Monday (10) or Saturday (2)

Wednesday

twice

16-18U

16-18

Thursday (6)

Tuesday

twice

19+

19+

Thursday (4)

Tuesday

twice

Girls  Softball

5-Pitch

7 & 8

Wednesday (4)

Monday

twice

Mite

9 & 10

Monday (5)

Wednesday

twice

Squirt

11 & 12

Monday (6)

Wednesday

twice

Novice

13 & 14

Thursday (4)

Tuesday

twice

Bantam

15 & 16

Tuesday (4)

Thursday

twice

Midget

 17, 18 & 19

Tuesday (2)

Thursday

twice

How long are the practices/games?

During the weekday, our fields with lights are split into two time slots, 6:00 PM to 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM.  Our fields without lights have only one time slot which is from 6:00 PM to dusk.  Typically, practice ranges from 60 minutes, for the younger Divisions, to 90 minutes or more for the older Divisions.  We let the individual coaches determine the length of their practice.  During the weekend, we have our practice fields from 9:00 AM to Noon.  Practice can start anytime between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. 

Games are based on innings played.  Innings do not have a set time limit.  Typically, games in the early time slot start at 6:15 PM or 6:30 PM and finish around 8:00 PM.  Games in the late time slot start at 8:30 PM and finish around 10:00 PM in May and June or finish around 10:30 PM in July and August. 

Where are the ball fields? I have a field down the street from my house. Can my child play there?

The ball fields are all over Vaughan.  Check out our Park locations on our website under the INFO tab.  The ball field near your house may not be the appropriate “level” field for your child.  All our ball fields are assigned to specific Divisions based on the size of the field. 

I live in the West/East Side of Vaughan, why is my practice in the East/West of Vaughan?

Due to having many player registrations from one side compared to the amount of fields available on that side and the amount of teams.  Occasionally we will need to balance the teams in order to create balance in the Division.  We always do our best to keep you closer to home.

It has been raining off and on all day, are the games/practices still on?

We are either proactive and cancel games/practices or the City of Vaughan cancels the permits.  Either way, you will be notified by email of any cancellations.  Alternatively, the cancellation will be posted on the main page of our website and through all of our Social Media Platforms. Please check prior to leaving for the ballpark.

Are the coaches qualified?

Our House League Coaches are parent volunteers who receive training at the start of the year and have support throughout the season.  Rep/Select Head & Assistant coaches are required to complete NCCP training sessions, prior to the season in order to be certified as a Coach. VSS (Vulnerable Sector Screening) are to be completed though a local Police Association in order to be register as a Rep/Select coach through the CVBA/CBSA

What is the difference between Baseball & Softball?

Baseball uses a 9” circumference ball.  The younger Divisions of Softball uses an 11” ball with the older Divisions using a 12” ball.  In baseball, the pitcher throws overhand from an elevated mound, which is further away from the plate than in softball.  In softball, the pitcher throws underhand from a flat surface. The bases are further away in baseball than in softball.  The barrel of the bat in baseball is more conical where the barrel in a softball bat is cylindrical.  The baseball bat is typically shorter than the softball bat and it has less of a weight drop.  Baseball bats have a weight drop of -3 where a softball bat can have a weight drop from -8 to -11. 

Our League does not allow boys to play softball.  Girls can play either baseball or softball.

Do you sell baseball/softball equipment at the Office?

No, we do not. 

How do I become an umpire?

We accept Umpires who are older than 14 or will be turning 14 in the current year.   We run a Level 1 and Level 2 Baseball Clinic and a Junior Development and Intermediate Softball Clinic each spring in our Office.  We post information about the Clinics on our website.  The Clinics are also posted on the Baseball Ontario and Softball Ontario websites under Umpires.   Contact our Office for more information.                                                                     

Where is our office located? What is the office phone number? What is the office email address? What are the office hours?

We are located in the lower level of the Maple Community Centre, which is located at 10190 Keele Street, Maple, Ontario.  Our Office phone number is 905-832-9659.  Our email address is info@vaughanvikings.com.  Due to Covid, our office hours are staggered. Please contact us to arrange a time to come in.

Does the League offer Scholarships?

Yes, the League offers up to three $1,500 scholarships each year to players or umpires continuing studies at a post-secondary institution.  

Are there volunteering opportunities with the League?

Yes, please inquire with the League Office Administrator for opportunities. 

Are there sponsorship opportunities?

Always. Community involvement on all levels, including sponsorship is always welcome. Please contact the baseball office to inquire. info@vaughanvikings.com

How can I sponsor my child’s team?

Fill out a sponsorship form which can be found on line under the INFO then PARTNERS heading on our website.  Sponsorship starts as low as $500 for your logo on one House League team jersey and goes up to $5,000 for your logo on all House League jerseys.

How do I get a tax receipt?

Through your profile on Team Snap. For more assistance contact the office info@vaughanvikings.com

Are there washrooms at each park?

There are portable toilets at each ball field.  In addition, some fields are located at Community Centers and some fields such as Vaughan Grove and Tudor Park have permanent structures, which house washrooms.

How many children are on a team?

We strive for 12 children per team with the older Divisions going up to 14 children per team.

How many coaches are there per team?

There are three altogether. One head coach and two assistant coaches per team.  We do encourage more parents to step forward and help as scorekeepers, bench assistants, statisticians, etc.

Where is the best place to purchase equipment?

Any local sports store with a good selection of baseball equipment. While purchasing online can be convenient with some items, others are best to be purchased in-person to get the look and feel of it.

I have special needs child; can he/she play?

Of course. Please inform the league during the registration process so we can adequately provide the support and assistance required to your family.

Is there any credit back for missing a week or two for vacation?

We do not issue credit back for any games/practices missed.

Is there any credit back for missed time due to injury?

We do not issue credit back due to injury unless the injury is season ending which occurs prior to midseason.

If I register my child and decide not to continue, can I get my money back?

We do offer refunds, less a $50 Administrative fee, for all requests for refund that we receive, by email, prior to April 1.

I registered my child and I found out that I paid $50 more than my friend did.

That would be because you registered after expiration of our early bird registration fee.

My child went to his/her first practice and hated it. Can I get my money back?

Unfortunately no. We do not issue refunds after April 1.

Why do the practices/games start so early?

We need to ensure that we are doing our best to have all games completed by curfew time.  The early slot for games will start at 6:30pm SHARP.  For practices, we may have two teams using the same field.  We need to ensure both teams have equal time; thus, one team will start at 6:00 PM with the other team starting at 7:15 PM. 

My child left equipment behind at the park (hat, glove shoes etc.). How can I get this back?

After returning to the park and not finding your lost article, you should first call your coach.  If he/she does not have it then please contact the Office.  Some pieces do end up at the Office.

My child lost his glove (hat, jersey, pants, socks, helmet, etc.). Can he play without this?

Your child will need to have a complete uniform and shoes, glove and helmet to play.  We do sell hats and pants at our Office. 

I have an issue with my child’s coach. How can I resolve this?

Ask the Coach for some time to discuss your child.  Do not be argumentative.  State your case and provide viable solutions.  Give the coach some time (a day or two) to think about what was discussed.  If you are not satisfied with the coach’s decision, or if nothing has changed, please contact your convener or the Director of Baseball or Softball.

My child is a good player. Are there opportunities for him to play in a more competitive Division?

Each September we have open tryouts for all Rep and Select teams.  Times and locations are posted on our website in late August.

I do not/did not agree with an umpires call?

Do not argue or verbally abuse the umpire(s).  You have to remember that Umpires are young men/ladies that are doing their best.  They will make mistakes; even professionals miss calls.  Please remember that this is another parents’ son/daughter out there.  Show them the respect that you would want other parents to treat your child. 

I found spectators/coach/coaching staff of the opposing team to be disrespectful/rude/unsportsmanlike. How do I register a complaint?

Contact your Convener to discuss, who can then escalate to the Director of Baseball or Softball should it be required. 

I purchased Banquet Tickets then found out I cannot attend. Can I get a refund?

We do not offer refunds for purchased Banquet tickets.  Try selling your ticket(s) to other parents on the team.  Perhaps a grandparent would want to attend.

My child could not/did not attend the Banquet. How can he get his award and photo?

Contact your coach as all awards and photos are given to the coach to take home to distribute to the missing player/parents.  After some time where the coach is not successful in contacting a player/parent, the coach would then return the items to our Office. 

My child’s name is miss-spelled on the trophy/picture. How do I get this corrected?

Contact our Office right away.  We will endeavor to correct the error.

I left behind my child’s award/photo at the Banquet Hall. How do I get this back?

You should first contact your coach.  If he/she does not have it then please contact the Office. 

How do I contact an Executive menber, House League Convener or Rep/Select Coach?

Contact emails for our Executive members, House League Conveners, and Rep/Select Coaches are found on our website under the CONTACT US and REP/SELECT tabs

What is the Executive make-up of the League?

President, VP of Baseball, VP of Softball, Director of Baseball, Director of Softball, Treasurer, Director of Operations, Director of Special Events, Director of Government/Public Relations.

What is the history of the league?

The City of Vaughan Baseball and Softball Association is one of the largest sports Associations in Canada.  We provide baseball and softball for the youth of the City of Vaughan aged 4 to 20+.  We have between 1800 - 2000 players involved in three levels of play: House League, Select and Representative (Rep).  The Association was founded in 2001 as a result of the merger of two separate organizations, the Maple Minor Baseball Association and the Woodbridge Knights Baseball Club. Both organizations had a long history in their respective communities.  In 2006, the Association expanded to include girls only softball.  The mission of the Association is to enhance the quality of baseball and softball for the youth of the City of Vaughan while stressing the values of sportsmanship, athleticism, teamwork, fair play and fun.  This is the framework of how the CVBA/CVSA operates.  We strive to be an integral part of the City of Vaughan to provide history and tradition for our community.