2010 World Championships
WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM 2010
SELECTION PROCESSClick here to download the Word version
SECTION 1 – PURPOSE
The Senior Women’s National Team Program for 2010 will compete in the 2010 ISF World Championships. The purpose of this document is to set out the process that will be used by Softball Canada to select athletes to the 2010 World Championship team. This process will also be used to identify athletes eligible to be nominated for future carding (Athlete Assistance Program).
This selection process has two objectives:
• Select eligible athletes to an Athlete Pool. Athletes in the Pool are those identified by Softball Canada as having demonstrated potential to earn a position on a current or future national team. At any given time, the Athlete Pool represents a ‘snapshot’ of Canadian talent in women’s softball.
To be eligible to be selected to the Athlete Pool, an athlete must be a member in good standing of Softball Canada, a Canadian Citizen, or a person eligible for Canadian Citizenship who is actively pursuing Citizenship.
To be eligible to be selected to a Team, the athlete must meet any age requirements and citizenship requirements stipulated by the organizers of the event at which the Team will be competing.
SECTION 4 – ATHLETE SELECTION PROCESS
Pool Selection
The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) carding cycle for Softball Canada has now been changed to begin June 1 and end May 31 of the following year. Athletes who are selected to the World Championship Team (2010) will be considered for nomination for carding in the June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011 period. Additional athletes in the Athlete Pool, who are not selected for the World Championship team, may be nominated for carding at the discretion of the Head Coach. The number of athletes nominated will depend on the allotment of cards by Sport Canada. Any athlete nominated for carding must meet the eligibility requirements of the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program.
Team Selection
Athletes from the Pool will be selected to Teams, with the goal being to put together the best possible team for any particular event. Factors that will be considered in this selection include physical and technical aspects of the game, as well as team dynamics. These factors include:
- Previous and current performance
- Experience
- Positional requirements (primary and backup)
- Present and projected development and/or improvement
- Leadership/Contribution to team chemistry
- Availability for competition and training
- The depth chart, as developed from the evaluation criteria in Appendix A
It is understood that in making selections to create the best possible Team, it is possible that the best individual athletes may not be selected. An athlete may also be named to the Team even though that athlete may not have participated in selection camps or other Team events.
The timelines that will be followed in selecting the Pool and the World Championships Team are as follows:
May 22-23 (Brampton), June 2-3 (Surrey)
Two regional try-out camps will be held. Athletes will be invited to attend one of these two camps, may register on their own or may be advanced right to the final selection camp, as determined by the Coaching Staff.
June 4-12 (Surrey)
The Pool will be selected following the second of the regional try-out camps in Surrey. The final Selection Camp for the World Championship Team will be held June 4-12, also in Surrey. At the conclusion of this camp, seventeen (17) players will be selected to the Team with the remainder of the pool acting as possible alternates, if required.
June 13 - 19 (Florida)
Final preparation camp and exhibition games.
June 20 to July 2, World Championships (Caracas, Venezuela)
July 3 – 11, Canadian International Fast-Pith Championship (Surrey BC)
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July 12 – 15, Exhibition series vs. U.S.A, (Whitehorse, Yukon)
July 20 – 27, USA World Cup (Oklahoma City)
December 17 – 21, Regional Camp and Athlete fitness testing
In addition to the above schedule, athletes are expected to follow the prescribed training regime, take the required regularly scheduled fitness tests and be available to meet with national team staff at agreed to times and locations throughout the year.
UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
SECTION 5 – DISMISSAL FROM THE ATHLETE POOL OR FROM A TEAM
An athlete may be removed from the Athlete Pool or from a Team where the athlete:
- Is unable to maintain the training standards set out in Appendix B;
- Is unable to meet performance expectations;
- Is unable to perform due to injury, illness or for other medical reason as determined by Softball Canada’s medical staff;
- Violates team rules; or
- Exhibits conduct that is detrimental to the image of the National Team program of Softball Canada.
Where necessary and appropriate, an athlete removed from a Team may be replaced by an athlete from the Athlete Pool.
Appendix A - Evaluation Criteria – Rating Scale
5
An excellent elite-level performance. Athlete executes effectively at position and within role on team. Clearly outperforms counterparts at same position on opposing team. This athlete had a lasting dominant effect. Athlete can definitely play and impact at the top international level. (Elite-level)
4
An above average elite-level performance. Good plays and decisions clearly outnumber poor ones. Factors not allowing performance to be (5) might include: playing time lost to game circumstances; slight skill deficiency compared to a (5); slight inconsistency in terms of effort, grittiness, lapse in discipline or emotional control as examples. Athlete can definitely play at the top international level with the only limitation being depth at a similar position.
3
An average elite-level performance, requires more observation. Athlete made their share of mistakes/poor decisions, but they were countered by an equal number of good plays/decisions. Factors within the game may have inhibited achieving a satisfactory evaluation on this athlete. Athlete warrants consideration as a candidate for the National Team Program. Athlete demonstrates dominate play at the Junior or Senior Elite Domestic level of play (i.e., Canadian Championships).
2
A below average elite-level performance. Bad plays/decisions outnumber good ones. Athlete may have lacked effort and hustle and made errors costly to the team. Attitude, behaviors and performance questionable. Physical and mental components were deficient and below average. This athlete shows some potential but has definite limitations which would not allow them to play at the top international level. Athlete demonstrates above average play at the Junior or Senior Elite Domestic level of play (i.e., Canada Championships). Athlete demonstrates dominate play at the Midget Elite Domestic level of play (i.e., Canada Championships, Canada Games).
1
Unacceptable elite-level performance. Well below acceptable standards. Not approaching level of contribution required or expected. Significant deficiencies in many areas of the game. Athlete has not demonstrated the appropriate skill set to warrant participation in the National Team Program. Significant improvements are necessary in order to successfully compete at the top international level.
Additional Comments / Recommendations from Evaluator:
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***Please refer to attachment Appendix A – Evaluation sheet 5 star
Appendix A - Women`s National Team Program Player Evaluation
Rating System: Exceptional (Podium level) = 5, Above Average = 4, Average = 3, Below Average = 2, Weak = 1
(click Evaluation Form to enlarge)
APPENDIX B – TRAINING STANDARDS
Pitchers
Minimum Standard
National Team Best
Fastball
63 mph
70 mph
Change-Up
15-18 mph slower than maximum
Any 2 of the following:
Rise
Curve
Screw ball
Catchers
| Minimum Standard | National Team Best | |
| Throw: H-2B | < 2.00 seconds | 1.84 seconds |
| Glove to glove Release | < 0.95 glove to release |
General Fitness
| Minimum Standard | National Team Best | |
| Throwing Speed (overhand) | > 55 mph | 64 mph |
| 8lb Medecine Ball Toss (overhead) | > 26 (feet) | 45.1 (feet) |
| 20 yd | < 3.5 seconds | 3.0 seconds |
| Beep Test (Leger) | > 8 | 12 |
| Pro Agility | < 6.0 | 4.70 |
| Bench Press | > 100 lbs | 150 lbs |
| Leg Press | > 300 lbs | 540 lbs |
| Vertical Jump | 38cm / 15in | 52 cm / 22 in |
| Home to home | < 12.00 | 11.3 |