AA Bolts Information
What is the AA division?
AA division IS NOT A LEAGUE on its own.
It is an extension to the "A" league and a bridge for the "AAA" league.
Softball MB recognized that there was a large gap between the community level softball and the AAA softball leagues. Some players in the community A leagues felt they were not getting enough development or challenged, while the AAA league was left with a very small pool of players to choose from during tryouts and subsequently an almost non existant pool to call up from. The result was that community softball associations were "stacking" one team, while making the other "developmental", when the reality is ALL community softball should be developmental. By creating the AA program, associations can now have the more "stacked" team for those more developed players with their own provincial tournament of the same caliber, while creating a safe, fun, developmental environment for the rest of the kids who just want to play.
Because the registration numbers are not very high, the players that play on the AA team will still have to play on their community A team. The goal will be to incorporate some leadership of these players on the A teams for the ones who might need more skill development in softball. "A" team Coaches may ask their AA players to set up drills, or help new players on a one on one basis to teach them how to throw or catch, or just simply teach the rules of the game.
The idea of AA softball is to hopefully establish it's own league. Much like hockey. The kids that don't make AAA, usually play AA, and those that don't make AA, usually play A. Subsequently, when AAA needs a player, they pull up from their sister AA team, and when AA needs a player, they will pull up from the A team. But this will take time to establish in softball. Especially in the urban associations where numbers of registrants is much lower than the rural. BUT, we are not there yet.
Why are there separate try outs for A and AA?
The AA program is essentially a partnership with the A league and the AAA league. Ideally, tryouts for AA will start to run in conjunction with the AAA tryouts in the fall. Again, just like in hockey, those that don't make AAA, then are usually placed on an AA team. Not always, but mostly. Some associations, a lot of the rural ones, have already started this. BVSA was formed a little too late. So in order to keep and give AA it's own identity, we keep the tryouts separate. Also the AA is a TRYOUT. The A is an EVALUATION for placement and balance. Again, much like in hockey.
Kids who do not make it on an AA team will be placed on an A team and do not need to attend the A evaluations. Kids who make it on an AA team will also be placed on an A team.
Why are there no league games in AA?
Two reasons.
1. Because the program is in its early stages, players who make it onto an AA team must still play with an A team and play in the A league games. There would be no available days to play AA league games for them. Until the AA program can be firmly established, AA players will have their regular season games with their A team. For also this reason Softball MB is arranging a showcase weekend tournament for the AA teams with another weekend for provincials. There is also the potential for teams to have exhibition games against other AA teams that coaches can set up on the established Friday practices for AA teams.
2. UMPIRES! I'm not sure if I need to give much further explanation, but there just is not enough umpires at this time to even ump 2 leagues, let alone adding a 3rd league.
What is the commitment level for AA players?
With their A team
- Attend practices set out by the coaches (1/wk)
- Attend weekday league games (2x/wk)
- Attend "A" league championships held in July
With their AA team
- Attend Friday and potentially Sunday evening practices. Once A league provincials are completed for each age division in July, coaches will increase the practices during the week.
- Attend AA Showcase weekend tournament.
- Attend AA provincial tournament held in July.
During the interval between the A provincial tournament and the AA provincial tournament, coaches may incorporate more exhibition games. Being that the AA season is well into August, coaches may elect and are encouraged to either give the team a week off, or allow individual players a week off for any summer plans their families have arranged.
What costs will there be to play AA?
This year there is no "registration" cost! The registration fee comes from the A registration.
But there will be additional costs...
- The purchase of a sublimated "Bolts" jersey ($50 -75) which will be theirs to keep. There will be no cost for the A "Flash" team jerseys.
- The cost of tournaments
- Potentially extra Pants, belts, socks
- Any costs of exhibition games
- Potential costs for equipment
Approximately $150 to $250 extra.
Gym time in the spring will be provided by BVSA.
Below is a pathway showing the Registration process..
