Frequently Asked Questions
PLAY SLO-PITCH is the biggest game changer in the history of slo-pitch in Ontario, bringing Slo-Pitch Ontario and Slo-Pitch National (Ontario Region) TOGETHER to offer more benefits, programs and services, more perks and rewards, more opportunities to play and umpire, more competition for teams, and more opportunities to get involved, to anyone in Ontario who shares our love of slo-pitch!
SPN and SPO began working closely together during the pandemic. As a result of some positive collaborative efforts to solve huge challenges presented at that time, further conversations resulted in determining that merged efforts would enhance our game and the overall player experience.
Both organizations are committed to moving the game of slo-pitch forward into the future by prioritizing the development of technologies that our current and future membership are expecting. These investments are complex, challenging and expensive, but by working together they are achievable!
Our Mission is to continue to foster, build, strengthen and expand the game of slo-pitch, through leadership, commitment, development and promotion.
Play Slo-Pitch offers a broad range of membership benefits to players, teams, leagues, tournament directors, and umpires – all you need for all things slo-pitch, all year long!
Membership options for Individuals include a Base Membership, or an All-Access Annual Pass that can be customized to fit your slo-pitch needs for the year! For more information, Please click here!
The All-Access Annual Pass is available to individuals for an annual fee of $15 (+HST). This Pass includes insurance coverage, eligibility to participate in leagues and tournaments, access to the Play Slo-Pitch app, and exclusive member discounts, contests, and promotions.
Play Slo-Pitch Tournaments and Events are hosted across Ontario by local Tournament Directors every season. In addition to local tournaments, we offer specialty Tournament Programs and Events including Super Series, Senior Circuit, and Grand Slam Series, as well as the Eliminations, Northern Shootout, Bill Miller Classic CanAm, Provincial Championships and National Championships throughout the year. Go to our Event Calendar and plan your season today!
Play Slo-Pitch is a collaboration between Slo-Pitch Ontario and the Ontario Region of Slo-Pitch National. A province-wide network of over 50 community Slo-Pitch expert volunteers is steered by CEO Tom Buchan, and COO Trish Harrow Rodic, together with a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board and full-time office staff – all available as valuable resources to assist our members and to carry out the day-to-day business operations all year long!
Play Slo-Pitch is affiliated with Slo-Pitch Ontario, Slo-Pitch National, Softball Ontario, and Softball Canada. Several international relationships are also in place.
Rules from both Slo-Pitch Ontario and Slo-Pitch National have been utilized to create program-specific rules, guidelines and procedures for various specialty Tournament Programs and Championships.
Respected and experienced local community slo-pitch leaders make up our province-wide network of volunteers. This group of people is a collection of current and former players, league and event organizers and officials who all have a passion and dedication to contribute to the current and future development of the game of slo-pitch. If you’re interested in volunteering or contributing to the growth of our sport, contact Tom Buchan or Trish Harrow Rodic!
Play Slo-Pitch League Membership options have been designed for various levels of participation by you and your teams - but whichever way you choose to register, every League receives Scorebooks, Rulebook or digital Handbook access, liability insurance, an Invitation for every team to compete at the Provincial Championships, merchandise rebates, access to amazing Awards and Prizes at discounted prices, a Worth Ball Deal from Home Run Sports, live and online support available from full-time office staff, and an online Member Registration System for an easy way to keep your league organized, communicate with team contacts and players, and offer a convenient way for players to register and make the most of their slo-pitch season!
Leagues registering with Play Slo-Pitch have the choice between having Individual Member Registration for their players, with no Per Team fee paid, or pay a Per Team registration fee, with no individual fee to be paid by their players. Check out our Membership Comparison chart to determine what will work best for your League!
Commercial General Liability insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 is offered to all registered Leagues to cover you, and your Executive and volunteers, while acting within the scope of their duties on the League’s behalf.
A Certificate of Insurance can be requested by the League President right through our Member Registration System when completing your League's registration, or you can contact the office to have a request submitted for you. You can also request to have the name(s) of a Municipality added as an Additional Insured, and a Certificate will be emailed to you.
Rules are available through the Slo-Pitch Ontario Official Handbook and/or the Slo-Pitch National Official Rulebook.
We encourage all Leagues to utilize Rules that work for their own League and to consult with their local Officials to answer any Rule questions they may have, or inquire about any necessary modifications.
We can put you in contact with Umpire-in-Chiefs across the Province to assist with your officiating needs!
Programs are available to provide opportunities to compete locally in league play (weekly) or in events that take place mainly on weekends. For more information on how to find out where you can play, please contact us.
A Player's rating is determined by an individual's skill level and/or by the ranking of the team that you currently play with, or competed on in the past. When you’re logged into the Member Registration System, your ranking will show on your Profile. If you are uncertain about what you should be rated, or need assistance, our volunteers across Ontario can provide you with information, or you can contact our office.
The All-Access Annual Pass is available to individuals for an annual fee of $15 (+HST). This Pass includes insurance coverage, eligibility to participate in leagues and tournaments, access to the Play Slo-Pitch app, and exclusive member discounts, contests, and promotions.
Of course, you can play for multiple teams, however, please be aware that some leagues, tournaments, events and programs may have restrictions on the eligibility of players, ratings and classifications and/or applicable qualifying requirements, and some terms, conditions, policies and guidelines may apply. We encourage all players to consult the guidelines/rules for each specific league and event.
Please check with event organizers regarding rules pertaining to participation on multiple teams within specific events.
There are many playing options available to Teams across Ontario, including local tournaments and events, competitive tournament programs such as Super Series, Grand Slam Series, and Senior Circuit, as well as special events like the Bill Miller CanAm Classic, Northern Shootout, Provincial and National Championships. Several international events are also available through our relationships with ISF, ASA, USSSA, ISSA, SSUSA and the Pacific Rim Federation.
We have contact information for over 500 leagues across Ontario and we'd be happy to find one for your team to play in!
Contact our office for assistance!
A maximum of twenty-five (25) Members can be added to each Roster in our Member Registration System.
Please note that some restrictions to Tournaments, Event and/or League Rosters may apply.
Team ratings are established in a number of ways including participating players, and your tournament history. Some terms, conditions, policies and guidelines may also apply.
You can find Team Ranking Guidelines here. If you are unsure what your Team should be ranked, you can contact your local Play Slo-Pitch representative, or contact the office.
A request for a reclassification of a Team’s rating can be made by a Team Contact by completing and submitting the online Team Reclassification Request Form available on our website.
Some terms, conditions, policies and guidelines may apply.
Please note that a Team that has been reclassified based on performance may be required to compete in one or two events in the higher division to determine their suitability for that division and calibre of ball.
The Miken Super Series is a series of weekend slo-pitch tournaments providing registered Mens and Womens A, B and C teams the opportunity to compete in a consistent and structured program, earning Points to determine divisional Super Series Champions each season.
For more information, visit Super Series!
The Grand Slam Series is a series of weekend slo-pitch tournaments providing registered Mens D and Womens D teams the opportunity to compete in a consistent and structured program, earning Points to determine divisional Grand Slam Champions each season. For more information, including registration information, visit Grand Slam Series.
The Rawlings Senior Circuit is a series of weekend slo-pitch tournaments providing registered Mens teams of all competitive levels and players aged 50-75, the opportunity to compete in a consistent and structured program, earning Points to determine divisional Senior Circuit Champions each season.
For more information, visit Senior Circuit!
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." (George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950)
Provincial Championships are hosted each year over multiple weekends to determine Champions in over 25 divisions of play for qualified teams in Mens, Womens, Coed, Masters and Senior categories. Event locations vary based on divisions. For more information, go to Provincial Championships.
Whether you’re already an experienced Tournament Director or Convenor or a complete rookie, contact us for information on running your Tournament with PLAY SLO-PITCH, and help us in our Mission to provide more opportunities to play, more competition for teams, and to build, strengthen and expand the sport of slo-pitch across Ontario! We welcome the opportunity to partner with you and make your next Tournament the best ever!
Contact Steve Camus at steve@playslopitch.com, or Sam Fenech at sam@playslopitch.com!
Commercial General Liability insurance is offered to Tournament Directors for their events, and having fully registered and insured teams and participants helps to protect you from liability. Liquor Liability Insurance is available to be purchased separately and can be tailored to meet your specific requirements.
Umpires who are affiliated with Softball Ontario or Slo-Pitch National are recommended to officiate at your events.
We can put you in contact with Umpire-in-Chiefs across the province to assist with your officiating needs! Visit our Umpires page for more information.
Your Event will show on our Event Calendar and will allow Team Contacts to register their Team right from our website through the Member Registration System. Using our System ensures that teams consist of registered and fully insured members who are in good standing for the current season, and who are rated correctly to compete in the divisions you’re offering. You can even make use of the Communication area in the System to keep in touch with and provide information to the Team Contacts!
Slo-Pitch Ontario and Slo-Pitch National rules can be utilized for your events. Many local tournaments will utilize customized rules based on what works in your specific area or make any necessary adjustments due to associated facilities or league rules. If you have questions about rules, please contact the office for more information.
For the 2024 season, Officials can card with Softball Ontario and/or Slo-Pitch National. For more information, go to Umpires.
Your local Umpire-in-Chief, umpire association, Tournament Director or League can instruct you on uniform requirements.
Once you have successfully completed your 2024 Officiating requirements, opportunities are available within local leagues and tournaments across the province. Contact your local Umpire-in-Chief to inquire about work available in your specific area.
Umpires interested in officiating in any of our specific Tournament Programs or specialty Events, as well as any Provincial and National Championships, should contact us for more information!
Visit Umpires/Clinic Listings to find one near you! (Specifics on each Clinic are available from the hosts of each event.)
Slo-Pitch National, Slo-Pitch Ontario and Play Slo-Pitch Umpires are covered for officiating during their respective sanctioned events and leagues. Umpires will not be covered under the insurance program for any event that SPN, SPO or Play Slo-Pitch has not approved.
Provincial Umpire-In-Chiefs will select the umpires for the Provincial Championships. For selection criteria, please contact your Provincial Umpire-In-Chief.
Umpires who have been selected to officiate at the National Championships will have attended a current year clinic. Provincial Umpire-In-Chiefs work with the National Umpire-In-Chief to select umpires for the National Championships. For selection criteria, please contact your Provincial Umpire-In-Chief.