SWLB


 

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The Southwest London Baseball Association

Available Programs: House League and Competitive

Registration

Southwest Baseball Complex and other Southwest Diamond locations

Contact Us

Coaching

Practice and Playing Schedules


Uniforms and Equipment

Sponsorship and Volunteering



The Southwest London Baseball Association

Southwest London Boundaries

Starting at the Thames River and Wharncliffe Road, follow Wharncliffe Road south to Longwoods Road (Highway #2 and Highway #4). West along Longwoods Road to Bostwick Road, north on Bostwick Road to Pack Road, west on Pack Road to Colonel Talbot Road (county road #40). Follow Colonel Talbot Road north, which becomes North Street, to the Thames River. East on the Thames River to Wharncliffe Road.

Lambeth

Starting at Pack Road and Westdel Bourne, east on Pack Road to Bostwick Road, southerly on Bostwick Road to Longwoods Road, northeast on Longwoods Road to Wharncliffe Road, south on Wharncliffe Road to Exeter Road, east on Wellington Road, south on Wellington Road to Southminister Bourne.

South London

Starting at Exeter Road and Wharncliffe Road, north on Wharncliffe Road to Commissioners Road. East on Commissioners Road to the CNR tracks. Follow the CNR tracks south to Hwy # 401. East on Hwy #401 to Highbury Avenue, south on Highbury Avenue to Scotland Road, west along Scotland Road to White Oak Road. North on White Oak Road to Exeter Road, west on Exeter Road to Wharncliffe Road.

Available programs: House League and Competitive

What programs are offered?
We offer both house league and competitive teams for boys and girls aged 3 to 20 years. These programs are available for players living in the Southwest territory, (see the territory map in the About Us section).




What is BlastBall?
This game is just as fun to watch as it is to play! BlastBall is played with a foam ball and bat and uses fun to introduce the fundamentals of coaching and throwing. Games are limited to 1 hour, and teams have 6 to 8 players.
Blastball, are ages 3 to 4, maximum 2 years of playing BlastBall, then move-up to TBall.




What is T-Ball?
This is an introduction to baseball with emphasis on learning the elementary skills and having fun. A soft “safety baseball” is hit from a stationary tee. Players are encouraged to run the bases, while the opposing team begins to learn about defense and the various field positions.
T-Ball, ages 4 to 7, maximum 2 years of playing TBall, then move-up to RookieBall.


What is Rookie Ball?
This is similar to regular baseball, except that a pitching machine is used.  Players are ages 7 to 9.




What is House League?
This is intramural baseball. Minimum skill level and knowledge of the rules are required. Teams are balanced so there’s a relatively equal level of competition between all teams. The focus is on maximizing player involvement and enjoyment in a team atmosphere. Minimal, local travel is required.




What is Competitive Baseball?
This is regular baseball. Teams play in and around London. Teams play 2 or more tournaments a year. Competitive teams are eligible to play in the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) playoffs held at the end of the season. Tryouts for the team are held every spring. There is a $50 deposit for the team uniform, payable by cheque, which is held until the uniform is returned at the end of the season, at which time it is destroyed.




Registration

Are there pictures provided for each player?
Each player is provided with a complementary team photo, if they attend picture day. Typically, individual player photos can be purchased directly from the photographer, and should be ordered during your team’s picture day session.  If your player cannot make the day designated as Picture Day, one alternative date will be provided for retakes.  Please consult your Coach for more information.




When is “picture day”?
Picture day is Saturday June 5, 2010 and will be located at Southdale Complex (located on the north side of Southdale Road, west of Wonderland Road and east of Col. Talbot Road). Your coach will have the specific times for your team.
Each player is provided with a complementary team photo, if they attend picture day. Typically, individual player photos can be purchased directly from the photographer, and should be ordered during your team’s picture day session.  If your player cannot make the day designated as Picture Day, one alternative date will be provided for retakes.  Please consult your Coach for more information.




My child has never played before. How do we start?
Depending on the age of your child, a player in this situation would typically begin playing baseball in one of our house league teams. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game. For especially young players (boys and girls) who are just starting out, please consider the following categories:
  • Blastball, ages 3 to 4, maximum 2 years of playing BlastBall, then move-up to TBall
  • T-Ball, ages 4 to 7, maximum 2 years of playing TBall, then move-up to RookieBall
  • Rookieball, ages 7 to 9


What are the differences between competitive and house league regarding the time commitment?
One of the main differences between competitive and house league is the level of commitment regarding time for games and practices, and the degree of travel. Competitive teams travel outside London and compete with other baseball leagues in Southwestern Ontario. For more specifics of competitive baseball, please contact Scott Wilson at president@southwestlondonbaseball.com




Are there tryouts? If so, when are these held?
Tryouts are held for competitive teams - typically in April. For more information please call the competitive Convenor / Coach for the specific team and age of your player. Evaluations are also held for our house league teams. This is done so we can balance the skill level between the teams. This ensures a better level of competition and more positive experience amongst all the teams.




What happens if my child doesn’t make the competitive team?
There are always opportunities to play and further develop a player’s skills in our house league programs. Southwest London Baseball is also committed to the development of all our players, giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential.




How do we choose the right level of competition for my child?
This is a decision that should consider input from both the player and his or her family. Both house league and competitive baseball can be the appropriate choice for a player, depending on the skills level of the player, and the commitment he or she and his or her family are willing to make.




How far do the competitive teams travel to play their league games?
For regular season games competitive teams play most of their games inside London. London teams also compete with other baseball associations surrounding London. Competitive teams usually compete in one or two tournaments in other Southwestern Ontario cities ranging from Windsor to Toronto.




How and when do I register for youth baseball?
You have two choices to register: Online or in person. See below for details.

1. Online: Registration online is quick, easy and secure.
  1. Go to the Registration Page.
  2. If you do not have an account (from last year), create one. If you cannot recall your login/password information, click 'forgot password'.
  3. Register a Player. Register 3 or more players in one family, and get $40.00 off the third registration.
  4. Enter your payment information VISA, MasterCard, Cheque.
  5. Submit your registration(s) for the season.

2. In person:  You can drop by and see us, with cash or cheque, at the Westmount Mall from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on: Saturday, February 20th
Cash or Cheque only, please, as we are not processing Credit or Debit cards for in-person registration.




How and when do I register for adult Slo-Pitch?  Registration Page.
You have two choices to register for Adult Slo-Pitch:

1. Online: Registration online is quick, easy and secure.
  1. Go to the Registration page (see link above).
  2. If you do not have an account (from last year), create one.  If you cannot recall your login/password information, click 'forgot password'.
  3. Register a Team. If you had a team last year, your performance bond and current year fees will be available when you register.
  4. Enter your payment information VISA, MasterCard, Cheque.
  5. Submit your team registration for the season.
2. By Phone: Call Slo-Pitch Convenor and Complex Manager Ron Johnston at (519) 636-4626.

3. Information Night & In-person Registration:  Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 7-9 pm at the Labatt Amber Lounge, which is located on the west side of Richmond Street 1 block south of Horton Street.  There is a large parking lot and you walk through the gates to the building behind.

Any questions contact Ron at 519-636-4626.



What if we are late for registration?
Registration can continue up until the season begins, (normally around the middle of May). However, waiting until this late date would jeopardize the player / team’s chance of playing at a competitive level (competitive registration ends at midnight on March 15). Also, if you register after March 15th, a late registration surcharge of $25 will be applied. All divisions except BlastBall are closed as of May 30th OR when that division is full (NOTE: every year, registration has been full for most divisions by April 1st, so register early to ensure your child can play!).




Southwest Baseball Complex and other Southwest Diamond locations

Where is the Southwest Optimist Baseball Complex located?
All of our complex diamond directions and maps can be found on our Diamonds Location page.



Where will T-Ball and Rookieball games be played?
T-Ball games are played on community diamonds across the Westmount and Lambeth area. In particular:

  • Jessie Davidson Park 1, 2 and 3: located beside 725 Viscount Road, east of Wonderland Road, north of Southdale Road, south of Commissioners Road.
  • McMaster Park, located on McMaster Road, west of of Wonderland or in behind Westmount School
  • Lambeth Optimist Park, located in Lambeth off of Main Street, in behind the MTO and grocery store
  • Southwest Optimist Park, located on the north side of Southdale Road, west of Wonderland Road and east of Col. Talbot Road
Rookieball games are played at any of:
  • Southwest Complex
  • Southwest Optimist Park on Southdale Road, located on the north side of Southdale Road, west of Wonderland Road and east of Col. Talbot Road
  • Lambeth Optimist Park on Campbell Street North



What facilities are available at the Complex?
There are washrooms (including handicap facilities), a bar, plenty of parking and a full service concession booth providing a wide variety of food, beverages and snacks.




Who is the main Complex contact for information on renting baseball diamonds, booking company functions, and booking tournaments?
Contact Facilities Manager Ron Johnston at (519) 636-4626.




What other services are available in the general vicinity of the Complex (eg. hotels/motels, restaurants, etc)?
Just 5 minutes north on Wonderland Road, you’ll find a very wide range of restaurants in the area of Wonderland Road and Southdale Road. A variety of hotels and motels are located along Wellington Road beginning just north of Highway 401 at Wellington Road (exit 186).




Contact Us

Who do I contact to find out if our game is delayed or cancelled because of rain?
Your Coach will contact all of the players in the event of a game rain out. In addition, we will post information on this website. Look for the ticker scrolling notice on the top of any page of this website, for the latest news.

For competitive teams, if the game has not been cancelled by 4:00 PM, then all players are required to arrive at the away game location in time to play.




Where on your site is a listing of Southwest Board Members, coaches, etc.?
On every page, there is a Navigation Menu - one of the options is Contact Us. You will find Complex Information, Board Of Directors, Convenors and Coaches.




Can I call or email Southwest Coaches and Board Members?
On every page, there is a Navigation Menu - one of the options is Contact Us. You will find Complex Information, Board Of Directors, Convenors and Coaches and you may reach us via email.




How do I get someone at the Baseball Complex?
Call the Concession Booth at the Complex 519-652-8571




Who do I call if there is an urgent need to contact someone at the Complex?
Call the Concession Booth at the Complex 519-652-8571.




Coaching

Who will coach my child?
Coaches’ names and contact information will be posted next to their team name on the age division page. Our Coaches are parent volunteers. Each Coach attends a Coaching Clinic that instills the fundamentals of the game and the Association's mission and objectives at each level. Each Coach must have passed a police check before assuming their duties.



How do I get in contact with the Coach?
Coaches will contact you prior to the beginning of the season (typically by early May) and will provide you with their email and/or phone number.



Practice and playing schedules

When does the season start and finish?
Games begin on the following dates, however, your Team’s specific schedule will be communicated to you by your Coach:
  • House League - begins after the May long weekend and runs until the end of July.
  • Competitive - begins the middle of May until the Labour Day long weekend.




When are practices held?
Houseleague typically has one practice a week and competitive may have 1 to 2 scheduled practices each week. This schedule will be posted on your Team’s Division page and distributed by your Coach at the beginning of the season.




When are games played?
Teams have regularly scheduled games each week: one home game, and one away game. This schedule is posted on your Team’s Division page, and displayed on the site’s homepage.




Uniforms and equipment

What kind of uniform will my child receive?
House League and Competitive Teams receive the following uniforms (which are included in the registration fee).  Please note - helmets are provided however, we strongly recommend that you purchase and bring a helmet for your player:
  • BlastBall & T-Ball
    • hat
    • t-shirt
  • House League (Rookie and older)
    • hat
    • t-shirt
    • pants
  • Competitive - Along with the uniform a $50 deposit is required in the form of a cheque, (not cash). If, at the end of the season, the uniform is not returned, the cheque will be cashed.
    • hat
    • t-shirt
    • pants
    • vest
    • socks
    • belt



Do we get to keep the Competitive and/or House League uniform?
You must return the following parts of your uniform at the end of the baseball season:
  • Houseleague Players get to keep the whole uniform.
  • CompetitivePlayers need to return the pants, vest and belt. The player gets tokeep the hat, socks and t-shirt. If at the end of the season theuniform is not returned, the $50 deposit (cheque only) will be cashed.


What equipment does my child need to bring to the game?
Children are required to bring a baseball glove. Players can also bring their own bat if it conforms to Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) and London District Baseball Association (LDBA) regulations specific to their age and level of competition. For details regarding those regulations speak to your Coach. Be sure you understand the current regulations before purchasing a bat. Your Coach is a good source of knowledge when making important purchases like a bat!
Helmets will be provided in each equipment bag, however, it is highly recommended that each player have their own helmet.



Sponsorship and Volunteering

How can I get involved with the Southwest London Baseball organization?
The success of the Southwest London Baseball Association has been built through the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. If you wish to volunteer check out the Volunteer section (under About Us) for more information, check the Registration Form or speak to a Coach.
You may also email our President:  president@southwestlondonbaseball.com



How can I sponsor a team?
If you are interested in sponsoring a houseleague or competitive team, we'd appreciate your support. Please email our President at president@southwestlondbaseball.com