Softball Program & Transfer Policy Info
Edmonton Wide Transfer Committee Policy
All 5 Edmonton Associations NWZ, NEZ, SEMSA, River City and Edmonton Warriors, have joined together to create the Edmonton Player Transfer Committee. The EPTC will comprise of 1 member from each of the 5 Associations within Edmonton who will in turn vote to approve or deny a transfer according to our individual player transfer policies.
Transfer Policy –
Northeast Zone Softball (NEZ) will affiliate with Edmonton Warriors Athletic Association (EWAA) and River City Softball (RC) to allow its players a place to play at higher level A and B levels.
Our transfer policy will be as such, effective the 2023 season:
- All players living within the City of Edmonton boundaries* including past and present NEZ players who are looking to play for an A or B team will be only transferred to EWAA and RC**
- No transfers will be allowed for U11 and under (any division)
- No transfers will be allowed for C or D divisions to outside communities
Players who live in Edmonton can register in any of the 5 Edmonton Associations without a transfer.
**If the player does not make a team within either affiliated association (tryouts must be attended), they will then be allowed to request a transfer to another association outside of Zone 6. If a team exists within one association only then that association is the one that the affiliation will apply. If both have teams the player will be expected to try out for both associations before a transfer will be considered. At that time, the Edmonton Transfer Committee will make a decision on whether the transfer will be approved or not. If they do not make a team or the team folds, outside of the Zone, then the transfer will be revoked and they will be returned to their home association. Only one transfer can be requested by a player for the season.
Transfers will only be accepted on or after the 15th of March for the upcoming season. Any transfers sent in prior to this date will be discarded and will need to be sent in again on or after March 15th.
Transfer requests for NEZ players can be emailed to nezsports@gmail.com
***Exceptions on a case by case basis will be up to the discretion of the board.
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NEZ Softball still has nobody on their executive. NEZ will continue with the Softball program under the supervision of the NEZ Sports Council.
The U5, U7 & U9 teams will play in a league with the same age baseball teams. All players will be able to enjoy events like the Rally Cap Days, the Machine Pitch Tournament, the MLB Pitch & Hit & Run competition.
Teams in U11, U13, U15 & U17 will play in the GEMSA League.
The Warriors are looking at hosting some skill development events for teams and players.
Looking to the future…..we will work to increase player numbers and fill our Executive Committee
Executive positions:
- Softball Director – 2 year term
- Assistant Director – 1 year term
- Secretary – 2 year term
- Commissioner- 1 year term
- Registrar – 2 year term
- Scheduler – 1 year term
- Tournament Director – 2 year term
- Public Relations – 1 year term
- Player Development – 2 year term
- Clinic Director – 1 year term
- Category Director – one 1 year term and one 2 year term
- Umpire Director – appointed by the Blue Crew currently David Dron)
- AA Rep – appointed by the Warriors
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Northeast Zone Softball offers programs for boys and girls from 4 to 19 years old. We offer grassroots softball for children of all skill levels and more competitive softball through the Edmonton Warriors Athletic Club.
The season starts are the end of April/beginning of May – depending on the weather and goes to the end of June. Teams from U11 to U19 conclude their season with the GEMSA City Finals in June. Some teams then go on to Softball Alberta Provincial Championship play in July.
We are members in good standing with Greater Edmonton Minor Softball Association, Softball Alberta and Softball Canada.
Northeast Zone Softballs’ focus is on fun, fair play and sportsmanship. Softball equipment and uniforms are supplied. U5 players require running shoes and a helmet (softball and bike helmets are both fine). All other categories require a softball glove and runners. Players are encouraged to have their own helmet but these are also supplied as part of the team equipment.
The U5 program is for 4 year old girls and boys and is an introduction to the game. Games are played once a week on Thursday evenings. Nerf equipment is used. At this level players learn the basics of the game – running the bases, throwing and catching the ball, hitting and basic rules of the game.
U7 is for 5 & 6 year old boys and girls. Teams are mixed and games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays with some occasional practices on other days. Players hit off a batting T &/or a hand operated pitching machine.
U9 is for 7 & 8 year old boys and girls. Once again teams are mixed and skill development is the emphasis. At this level pitching is with the hand operated machine. Early in the season some hitting is off the T. Games are played on Mondays and Wednesdays with practices on other days.
Most U5, U7 and U9 games are played within northeast Edmonton. All teams participate in the two Rally Cap Skill Development days and the Machine Pitch Tournament. U7 & U9 also participate in the MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Competition. There is no extra charge for any of these events. At the tournament all players will receive a participation medal and goodies. They can also compete for some extra awards that are presented to each team.
U11 program is for 9 & 10 year olds and is the category where players start to pitch. Teams are still mixed with both boys and girls on each team. Teams play in the citywide softball program governed by GEMSA. Games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays with practices on other days of the week.
Play continues in leagues under the governance of GEMSA in the U13, U15, U17 and U19 categories. U13 and U17 play Mondays and Wednesdays and U15 and U19 play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teams practice on other than game nights. All categories from U11 to U19 play in citywide leagues against teams from outside of Northeast Zone.
Teams from U11 to U19 are invited to play in the “NEZ SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT” on the Father’s Day weekend in mid June. This is an open tournament with teams from across the city and around the province participating. This fun packed weekend is a great warm-up for the Softball City Finals. Categories offered at this tournament are determined by the team entries received.