RSPA New Player/Open Practice Info

Updated March 19, 2024
• Practices obviously depend on the weather.
• Check the RSPA Open Practice Info before leaving. If it is not updated, then I will be there.
• DO NOT CALL ME to see if practice is still on.
Do not call me for directions to the park (seriously).
Do not call me with a question until you have read Frequently Asked Questions For New Players
• All correspondence is by email. If you have not received an email from me, then you are not on my email list.
Email me at accent@slopitch1.com to be put on the list.
• Bring a baseball glove. Wear sensible running shoes, either cleats or turf shoes preferably or running shoes.
Metal cleats are NOT allowed. Bring a bat if you have one, but bats will be there. Balls will be supplied.

RSPA - New Player Looking For a Team Info

Updated January 7, 2021

Steps to Apply as a New Player for RSPA Slo-Pitch:

RSPA always has room for new players. Females and couples are in high demand and are almost guaranteed an offer from a team.
The league compiles a list of teams looking for players.
We have 134 teams in 2024 (190 teams pre-covid), so we always have teams looking for players.
We also compile a list of players looking for a team, and then we try to match the player with the team
- level of play, nights of play, preferred parks, etc.
Couples and friends will usually be offered a spot on the same team.
Usually a group of M-F may find a spot with a rebuilding team.
Usually less than half the guys will be offered a spot on a team.

1. The first step is to check the following pages for information on RSPA Slo-Pitch League:
   RSPA Information
   Frequently Asked Questions For New Players
   RSPA Parks & Diamonds
   RSPA Team Info Package
2. Download the New Player Application Form complete and return it to me by email or bring it to one of the open practices. accent@slopitch1.com
3. The next step is to send me an e-mail accent@slopitch1.com
   so that I have you on file and can keep you informed of any changes, practice cancellations etc.
4. Show up at one of the open practices (email for info).
5. If you do not go out to an open practice, you will probably not be placed on a team.

Frequently Asked Questions For New Players
We also have tournament teams looking for players.
If you are interested in playing tournaments, please contact me accent@slopitch1.com

RSPA 2025 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (Saturday, one-day) :
May 3 • June 7 • July 5 • July 19 • August 16 • September 20 • September 27, 2025.

RSPA Open Slo-Pitch Practices

RSPA hold open practices for new players looking for a team, Sunday mornings and Thursday nights (see below for info).

Why do new players have to go to open practices?

1. First off, it's nice to go out and get into some sort of shape before the season starts.
   Too many new players underestimate the physical requirements of playing softball.
2. Secondly, the league needs to rate all new players to see what level of ball they can play,
   so that they can be put into the correct division.
3. Also, it is nice to meet the players, since team reps show up at the practices, and sometimes pick players from the field that they can see, rather than from a list that doesn't give any indication of true level or personality.
4. Yes personality counts! We also put together a new team from the players looking for a team.
   They usually are players that have shown up and bonded with each other at the open practices.
5. Male players have a much better chance of making a team, if they can make more practices.
6. If you do not go out to at least one open practice, you will probably not be placed on a team.

Will I definitely be put on a team?

1. Females and couples have a 90% chance of making a team.
   In fact, I like to say that all females and couples will be offered a spot, either on an existing team, or with the new team that gets formed. However, if you can't make certain nights, or don't want to travel to certain parks, your opportunites may be limited.
2. Male players have about a 30-40% chance of making a team. Better players will get more offers. and male players have a much better chance of making a team, if they can make more practices.
3. We have 180 teams (pre-covid) (60 teams in covid 2020 and 101 teams in 2021) in the league, and usually 15-20 of those teams are looking for players.
4. If you do not go out to at least one open practice, you will probably not be placed on a team.

Why are there Sunday and Thursday practices?

RSPA offers Sunday and Thursday practices for new players who cannot make one of the days, to give new players multiple choices.

Do I need to attend both Sunday and Thursday practices?

The more practices that you go to, the better the chance of getting picked up and might give you more choices of potential teams.

RSPA practices are by invitation only, not "open" anymore.
Players who are already on a team may NOT come out (unless they are looking for another team).
Team reps are allowed out to practices to observe and request players
BUT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO NEW PLAYERS UNTIL APPROVED.

For info, contact Randy Warren, accent@slopitch1.com