Article 1 - Organization and Participation

1.1 Introduction

a) Softball Canada will organize and supervise Canadian Championships in categories determined by the Annual General Meeting provided that a host organization can be found to execute the championship tournament.

b) Provincial/territorial associations in good standing with dues paid are eligible to send teams to a Canadian Championship.

c) Provincial/territorial associations must confirm their participation in the Canadian Championships by May 1 of the year of the event and must submit the registration fee for each registered team no later than June 30th.

d) The start date for the Men’s Championship would be Sunday concluding on Saturday for a 7 day event. The start date for the Women’s Championship would be on the Monday concluding on the Saturday for a 6 day event.

1.2 Participants

a) Team Representation

i) All Canadian Championships will be filled to a maximum of twenty four (24) teams, subject to hosting capacity. In the event that more than twenty four (24) teams, or greater than the host’s capacity, indicate their intent to participate, then entry will be awarded as follows:

a) Initially to each province/territory in good standing, a host team and the previous year’s champion.

b) On a pro–rata system based upon provincial/territorial registrations in the respective categories.

c) No province/territory be allowed more than 4 teams except in the event that a province/territory hosting Canadian Championship or a province/territory sending the defending champion would be allowed up to 3 additional.

ii) A host city team is eligible providing the team originates in the city or town in which the championship is held. Said team must have participated (as a team) in the provincial/territorial competition played to determine the provincial/territorial representative to the Canadian Championship.

iii) If there is more than one team eligible to represent the host committee, the applicable provincial/territorial softball association shall determine the manner in which the host committee team is to be decided.

iv) When a Canadian Championship is hosted by a province/territory who has been given all-star status in the category presented, this hosting province/territory may participate in the Canadian Championship with two (2) all-star teams.

v) In all Canadian Championship categories, the previous year’s champions are eligible to attend their respective Canadian Championship, subject to the following considerations;

a) They are responsible for all of their own expenses.

b) At least eight (8) players from the championship roster are still on the current roster and in attendance. If the previous champion does not have eight (8) returning players, the provincial/territorial body can declare a Defending Champion.

c) They follow Softball Canada’s team and player registration procedures.

d) They must compete in the Provincial/Territorial Competition which determines representation to the Canadian Championships for the current year. Applicable to Provincial/Territorial Associations without All–Star status.

b) Managers and Coaches

Managers and coaches are eligible to participate in Canadian Championships under the following provisions:

i) They are signed to the current Softball Canada or Provincial/Territorial Team Registration Certificate of his/her team.

ii) Managers and coaches may not participate as players unless they are
so registered.

c) Playing Rosters

i) Roster Size

Team roster sizes will be as follows:

Players                                 Minimum                               Maximum
Master Men & Co–Ed                12                                          20
Men’s & Women’s                      12                                          17
Coaches and Managers             1                                            4

ii) Provinces/Territories will have their own criteria to qualify for the Canadian Championships.

iii) Affiliated Team Representatives

When no designation occurs, representatives must use their affiliated rosters.

iv) Player Additions

A provincial/territorial team representative may add up to three (3) players providing that:

a) Players have signed a Softball Canada Team Registration Form by the registration date with the province/territory seeking to pick them up.

b) Approval to pick up these players is received from their provincial/ territorial association.

c) The players are eligible for Canadian Championship play.

d) The pick–ups are made by the end of the coaches/managers meeting at the Canadian Championship and have Provincial/Territorial written approval.

e) Any team from the Atlantic provinces attending the Canadian Slo- Pitch Championship can pick up to five (5) players from any Atlantic province providing that province does not have a team entered with the release of the province that player is registered with.

f) Any team from Manitoba attending the Canadian Slo-Pitch Championship can pick up to five (5) players from Saskatchewan, providing Saskatchewan does not have a team entered, with the release of that province.

g) The above additions are to include any current border agreements that provinces share.

v) Coaches Additions

A provincial/territorial representative may add a coach or manager providing that:

a) Coaches/managers must have signed a Softball Canada Team Registration Form by the official registration date within the province/territory seeking to pick them up.

b) Approval to pick up these coaches is received from their provincial/ territorial associations.

c) The coaches are eligible for Canadian Championship play.

d) The pick–ups are made by the end of the coaches/managers meeting at the Canadian Championship and have Provincial/Territorial written approval.

e) The total number of signed coaches and managers does not exceed four (4).

1.3 Penalties for Non–Participation and Late Entry

a) A province/territory withdrawing a team(s) from a Canadian Championship before May 1st will forfeit their registration fee to Softball Canada.

b) A province/territory withdrawing a team(s) after the May 1st deadline will forfeit their registration fee and will be fined an amount equal to $1000.00
(minus their registration fee). This penalty will be equally divided between Softball Canada and the Host.

c) A province/territory registering a team after the May 1st deadline will be assessed a late fee of $500.00 to be paid immediately upon notification.

d) Failure of a team to appear in any Canadian Championship game shall result in that team being suspended for the remainder of the championship and will be assessed a $1,000.00 fine and disciplinary action reviewed by the Directors of Softball Canada.