Policies (Registration/Team Formation/Evaluations)

Program Governing Body

Cochrane Softball is affiliated with Calgary Minor Softball Association (CMSA).  CMSA provides the framework under which Cochrane Softball plays and is inclusive of but not limited to game/team definition, rules, officiating, discipline, administration/registration, insurance, etc.

Registration

• Registration will be open from January 15th @ 8:00am until March 1
• Registration after March 1 will be accommodated if there is room
• U11 and U13 House League will have a maximum of 48 players each
• Registrations will be accepted to a maximum of two teams per age category (24 players for U13/15/17/19). If numbers exceed the maximum a wait list will be created on a first come, first served basis.
• Registration will be monitored.  If there is enough diamond capacity teams may be added.  Please put your name on a waitlist if your division is full
• Practices/evaluations may begin after March 15, depending on the age level. Ideally, teams will be formed by early April, allowing players to practice 'as a team' for the remaining indoor training sessions in April.

Team Formation

In most cases, evaluations will take place to determine player placement.  These evaluations may vary for each age group and teams based on skill will be formed.  

U11 - house league and 1 CMSA team

U13 - house league and 1 CMSA team

• Division 1, 2 or 3 teams will be formed for CMSA teams based on evaluations

U15/17/19 - all CMSA teams

• Division 1, 2 or 3 teams will be formed based on evaluations

Cochrane Softball strives to find a place for all players. If there are too many for one team but not enough for two - players will be evaluated and placed accordingly.  Options include:

• playing up a division (as an individual player or as a mixed age team)
• over-aging in a lower age division (on an individual basis, must be approved by CMSA)
• playing with another community within CMSA
• Cochrane players who evaluate at other associations’ try-outs are required to register for BOTH associations. If your player is placed on a team in a division that is NOT offered in Cochrane, a player release form will be signed and CMB will reimburse the registration fee. Example: a U17 player hoping to play Division 1 can attend other CMSA association evaluations. If she makes their Div. 1 team AND Cochrane does not have an equivalent Div. 1 option, then that player will be released from Cochrane. If she is placed on a Division 2 team, and Cochrane also has a division 2 team, the player must return to their HOME association. Please see http://calgaryminorsoftball.com/ for policy regarding player releases. 

Team formation is decided in conjunction with the VP softball, evaluation team and possibly coaches of the affected age categories

Evaluations

The players are put through various drills to evaluate their general athletic ability and specific softball skills to ensure they are placed with players of similar skill level. Proper placement helps players enjoy the sport more.

Our goal is to make sure that players are placed on teams where they are sufficiently challenged but comfortable with the level of play and are able to develop as a player.

Players should arrive about 15 minutes before evaluations begin to register and receive an assigned number. There are typically one to two evaluation sessions, each beginning with a warm up which includes running, warm up stretches and throwing. Warm up is followed by a series of fielding, batting, throwing, and catching drills. During these drills players are rated by several evaluators. In order to receive a proper evaluation players should attend all sessions but must attend a minimum of one session.

Scoring is kept simple to remain objective. Evaluators are looking for proper technique, accuracy and form during the evaluations but also look for attitude and athletic ability.

If a player registers late and/or misses evaluations for other reasons, best efforts will be made to place them on the correct team based on skill. However, if placement based on skill is not an option, players will be placed on a team where there is room.

Evaluation Guidelines

***2024 Evaluations will be held March 18-22, 2024***

Evaluator Expectations-

Third party evaluators will be present for all the evaluations that CMB performs unless otherwise stated in CMB procedures. Third party evaluators hired by CMB must follow the following rules and procedures.

• All evaluators must be ON the field for the duration of the evaluations
• All evaluators must be focused on the performance of the player they are evaluating.
• Evaluators are expected to watch the entire skill before marking down the result
• Evaluators are expected to provide fair, unbiased evaluation scores.

Parent Expectations-

Parents are encouraged to gather around the turf area to watch their players participate in the evaluation process. Parents are to follow the following rules; failure to comply with these rules will result in the removal of the parent from the turf area and possibly the removal of their player from the evaluation process.

• Parents will not come onto the bench area or the turf before or during the evaluation process
• Parents will not approach or talk with the evaluators at any time.
• Parents requiring any information or clarification can talk with a member of CMB. 

CMB Board Member Expectations

CMB board member are expected to ensure that all individuals involved are working together in a fair, ethical and timely manner to ensure the most fair process possible. CMB board members are to ensure that all groups are abiding by the rules set out in this procedure.

Evaluation Information

• Players will receive one or two tryout times. Players MUST attend at least one (1) tryout. Players who attend two tryouts will have their lowest score removed and the best scores will be kept.
• Players will be evaluated based on the following scoring system:
  
  
• • Throwing / Fielding (Worth 45%)
    • Throwing Mechanics (10)
    • Fielding Range (10)
    • Arm Strength (10)
    • Overall Fielding / Throwing / Catching (15)
      
      
  • Hitting (Worth 45%)
    • Mechanics (10)
    • Power (10)
    • Contact (10)
    • Overall Hitting (15)
      
      
  • Attitude / Effort / Focus (10%)
  • • Having a good attitude, putting in a strong effort and having a solid focus will get you additional points. (10)
      
      

Friend Requests

We understand that sport is social and enjoyment of friends is important. After evaluations, if it is possible within the team structure and fairness to all, Cochrane Softball will, on a best efforts basis, attempt to facilitate the request (both parties must make the request). This however, keeping player safety in mind, is not always possible depending on the player’s skills and the division the teams will be playing in.

We will ensure that siblings playing at the same level are on the same team. Cochrane Softball policy is such that if one sibling makes the division one team and the other makes the division two team the option will be for the division one player to move to the division two team.

If you are told that your request can not be met, please understand that there are limited players on a team and Cochrane Softball must still place a priority on player safety and having competitive and roster balanced teams. 

There are no friend requests considered for Division 1 teams at the U15/17/19 level.

Team Placement Appeals

In situations where the parent/player does not agree with the team selection, they may request the opportunity to present their case to two or more members of the board for review.

• Decisions will be final and will be based on the best interest of the team(s), not the individual player(s)
• If an appeal is made based on a friend request, team adjustments may be made, however, the player that evaluated higher must move to the lower division team. No exceptions.
• No appeals will be rewarded for individuals who do not attend a minimum of one evaluation session. This includes those players that register after evaluations.