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May 2018 - Girls Instructional League, Summer Games & More!

BC Girls' Instructional League set to launch in the Lower Mainland

For the first time ever, Baseball BC is proud to offer an all-girls instructional league in the Lower Mainland. Girls aged 8-12 will have the chance to work with female mentors and coaches as they develop baseball skills and play with and against other like-minded girls. The league will run on Saturday afternoons 1pm in Surrey at Holly Park & Lionel Courchene Park (minutes apart) through the spring/summer for 7-9 weeks beginning May 26th. The players will enjoy time to learn the game of baseball and develop skills and then participate in games against each other. This will be a unique experience for any young player to participate in whether or not they are playing in a league already.

Over the course of the development sessions, our trained mentors and coaches (many who have Women's Team Canada experience) will build confidence, promote inclusivity, and provide a fun environment for new and experienced players alike. Whether your daughter has played since t-ball, or she just wants to try out a new sport, get her out to this new league! Sport is so important to girls' healthy development, and we recognize the importance of giving these young players a safe place to further develop their physical literacy and stay active.

It's also time to recognize that not every young female ball-player wants to be pushed into softball. Although a great game, it is just different. Baseball is as different from softball as hockey is from ringette. With more opportunities presenting themselves for the female hardball player, we encourage you to join this league and witness the movement for yourself. We welcome all skill levels, and require no previous sport experience. All we ask you bring is a ball glove, a helmet, a smile, and a willingness to learn. All registered girl's recieve a league uniform with a logo'd shirt & hat.

Do you already play on a boys' baseball team or another sport? That's ok, play in the BC Girls Baseball Instructional League too. Financial assistance may be approved through the Baseball BC Office.

Contact the League's Manager of Operations Stacy Fournier by email at stacy.fournier22@gmail.com or by phone at 778-558-6723 if you have any questions and visit the links below for more information and to register!

2018 BC Summer Games - Coaches Announced & Tryout Information

The 2018 edition of the BC Summer Games is taking place in the beautiful Cowichan Valley and baseball will once again be returning to the games!  We are excited to see all the different zones that have confirmed their participation in these games and look forward to the competition and memories that will be created at the event!

The BC Summer Games will take place between July 19 and July 22.  Congratulations to all the zone coaches who were selected and all the final participants from each team.

Any players interested in participating should register and attend one of their zone tryout sessions.  Please see the link below for information on tryout sessions and to register!

Grassroots Initiation Coach Pilot Project Launches

Baseball BC Grass Roots Co-Ordinator Shawn Schaefer has been hard at work these past few months at creating a Grassroots Initiation Coach platform.

This program is aimed to assist new parents or volunteers who are brand new or just getting started to coaching, giving you the tools you need to be successful in developing the key skill sets that players at the 5, 6 and 7 year old age groups should be focusing on.

Each skill is broken down into main parts or key words which players and coaches can focus on to simplify instruction and skill acquisition.

Practice plans, activities, skill sets and strategies for dealing with and gaining assistance from other parents... it's all there and presented in a highly-visual format in order to help anyone facilitate the learning that young athletes need at such a young age to get them developing the right skills while still having FUN!

Baseball BC would like to thank Kamloops Minor Baseball Association, Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association, and Langley Baseball Association, as well as the various individuals who assisted in the creation of this project.

Stay tuned for a more formal announcement on this program in the future - or if you want a sneek peek you can contact Shawn directly at the link below or at 604-586-3311

Baseball BC Provincial Championships Update & Deadline Reminder

Baseball BC Provincial Championships serve as the gateway for access for Baseball Canada and Western Canadian Baseball Championships.  Competing at a National Championship is an unforgettable event which creates lifelong memories for athletes, coaches and parents.

The entry deadline for teams of all levels (except 18U AAA & 15U AAA) is June 15th so be sure to get your team's application in before then!

Opportunities still exist for associations to host Provincial Championships for the 2018 season.  Championship hosts receive an automatic entry into their applicable tournament.

Hosting Applications are still being considered at the following levels:

15U (AA & AAA Qualifier)
18U (AA)

A special thank you to Abbotsford Angels Hardball Association who has stepped to host 13U AA and 13U AAA as well as North Shore Mens Baseball who are hosting the new Senior AA division.

Team Entry Forms as well as the 2018 Championships Entry Package are available at the links below.  Any inquiries can be directed to Baseball BC Championships Co-Ordinator Kyle Williams at kyle@baseball.bc.ca

Upcoming NCCP Coaching Certification Sessions

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) gives coaches the confidence to succeed. When you take an NCCP workshop, you’ll not only gain sport-specific technical abilities, but also leadership and decision-making skills. NCCP training will open doors to new opportunities in coaching and in life.

Coaching baseball in Canada is set up mainly around 6 NCCP clinics, including 2 levels of which a coach can be Trained or Certified.

The 1st level is called Regional Coach and includes 4 clinics (Initiation Coach, Teaching & Learning, Absolutes & a Planning clinic).

The 2nd level is called Provincial Coach and consists of 2 clinics (Pitching & Catching and Skills Analysis). Completing Regional or Provincial Clinics will earn a coach “Trained” status, furthermore, completing the Evaluation process earns “Certified” status.

Coaches should also note Baseball Canada enforces NCCP Training & Certification as mandatory at their Championships; in fact, coaches are not permitted on field without meeting these requirements… When your time comes, players need you coaching & leading them to an experience they will never forget.

A coach will impact a youth athlete for a lifetime and Baseball BC can help begin a successful journey. Easy access to information on The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is critical for coaches; even for such things as how to register, clinic pathways, etc., so that's why everything can be found on Baseball BC’s web page.

The following NCCP certification sessions are upcoming shortly:

Surrey (Baseball BC Office - #310-15225 104th Avenue):

• Teaching & Learning Clinic - May 22nd
• Absolutes Clinic - May 28th
• Pitching and Catching Clinic - June 3rd
• Strategies Clinic - June 3rd
• Planning Clinic - June 13th

Duncan (Evans Park Clubhouse - 6257 Somenos Road):

• Initiation Coach Clinic - June 6th
• Teaching & Learning Clinic - June 13th
• Absolutes Clinic - June 20th
• Planning Clinic - June 27th

Visit the link below to register and see more information on the above.  Any questions can be directed to Scott Mackenzie at scottm@baseball.bc.ca or at 604-586-3315

BC Amateur Baseball Association
#310 - 15225 104th Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3R 6Y8
www.baseball.bc.ca
info1@baseball.bc.ca

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