RSPA Slo-Pitch Tournament FAQ
Updated May 22, 2024Summer Tournament FAQ — Fall Ball Tournament FAQ — Spring-Pitch Tournament FAQ — Sno-Pitch Tournament FAQ
RSPA Slo-Pitch Tournaments 2024
SPN/SPOA Provincial & National Qualifiers - First place hoodies!
One-Day, Saturday only
May 4 • June 8 • July 6 • July 20 • August 17 • Sept 21 • Sept 28
Coed (6M-4F) D, E, F • Mens D, E • Mens Masters 50+, 60+
Parks: Mississauga-Etobicoke • Headquarters: Irish Shebeen Pub
5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1 — map
Free pitcher voucher (BOGO) for every team • Food & drink specials at the HQ bar!
Mens D & E, Coed D, Coed E-1 get minimum 4 scheduled games.
Randy Warren — e-mail preferred: accent@slopitch1.com • Cell 416-930-6124 • Entry Fee $400
How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament
Team Rep Appreciation Gift & Appreciation Draw Free Bat • Free Pitcher • Karaoke Party! • Live Band!
How To Register For An SPN Tournament
Updated May 22, 2024Complete instructions on How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM FOR A TOURNAMENT:
Sign in to the new PlaySlo-Pitch.com website https://playslopitch.com
Teams complete their new on-line roster and all players sign in to complete the waiver.
ADVISE ALL OF YOUR PLAYERS (and subs) to sign in and complete the waiver ASAP.
REMINDER: ALL players must be ALL-ACCESS ANNUAL PASS MEMBERS to participate!
You must register your team and pay $15 per player to SPN
RSPA teams DO NOT need to pay the $15 per player to play in RSPA tournaments.
Plus you have to pay the tournament fee $400 for the tournament paid by interac to accent@slopitch1.com
Please see below for step-by-step registration instructions for teams wishing to register for your tournament.
• When you login to your profile at www.playslopitch.com you’ll see Events on the left, click on it
• Click on Event Registration
• Search for event
• Click once on the event
• Click Register
• You’ll see General Information about the event.
• Scroll to the bottom and click Register
• Click on the team name that you are registering
• Click Select Team
• Select the Division you are entering
• Check off the Players that will be participating
• Click Next
• Follow through the Checkout process
RSPA Summer Slo-Pitch Tournament - FAQ
Can anybody enter a slo-pitch team in an RSPA or SPN slo-pitch tournament?
Anybody can enter a team in an RSPA or SPN slo-pitch tournament, with the following conditions:
• Team must be registered with SPN. Registration can be done at the tournament check-in.
• Players must be 16 years of age or older.
Players 16-17 must have written parental consent: SPN parental consent form
or use SPN online form: SPN parental consent form
• Team does NOT have to be registered in any league.
What level or what divisions are offered?
RSPA offers division from D to E, and Coed F (or Fun division). (Most tournaments offer only D and E divisions.)
• RSPA is the only tournament offering true Coed F in every tournament.
• RSPA has the most coed teams so we get more true divisions in the tournament.
• Most teams would be considered an E level team (if you don't know what level you are, you are probably E).
• Levels A to C are very good (better than you think you are).
• SPN coed divisions are now all 6M-4F.
• RSPA always offers a coed F division 6M-4F, and occassionally coed F 7M-3F.
What level or what division is my team?
If you don't know what level your team is, you are probably Coed or Mens E.
What rules are used for slo-pitch tournaments?
Tournament rules are up to the tournament convenor, but most conveners stay close to standard SPN rules -
• RSPA tournament coed divisions are 6M-4F; in the field two more males than females; bat max 2 males in a row. (bat up to 8M-4F)
• RSPA tournaments uses a pitching mat with the homeplate NOT cut-out and covering homeplate. Homeplate is a strike.
• Standard SPN Ontario Rule is the 175 foot rule. See 175 foot rule. - RSPA tournaments do not use the 175 foot rule.
• Minimum 10 players (RSPA allows 9 players with no automatic out).
• Courtesy Runners: maximum SEVEN courtesy runners, cannot be the same runner twice. Exception: Masters 50+ division.
• Rules will vary for summer slo-pitch tournaments and winter sno-pitch and fall ball tournaments.
SPN 2021 Rulebook
RSPA Tournament Rules web page
RSPA Tournament Rules PDF
Where are the games held?
Tournament headquarters for summer tournaments is the Irish Shebeen Bar
5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1, (south side of Eglinton, across from Satellite Drive) — Irish Shebeen map
Parks will be close to HQ if possible. The bigger the tournament, the more parks will be used and further from HQ.
Tournament map of parks
What parks are used?
Because the RSPA tournaments are the largest tournaments in the GTA, we have to use a lot of diamonds.
Parks include: Diamond Beach, Centennial Park, Max Ward, West Deane, Eringate, Fleetwood, Garnetwood, Dunton, etc.
As the tournament gets larger, we widen out to include Brickyard, Wildwood, Mount Charles, Mississauga Valley, etc.
Higher divisions such as Coed D and Mens D will usually be at Max Ward, Diamond Beach or Centennial Park.
Tournament map of parks
What about balls?
Balls will be supplied by the tournament. The official SPN ball is currently the Worth Hot Dot.
What about bases?
Bases and strike zone mat will be supplied by the tournament, including a safe-base for first base.
What about uniforms?
Uniforms are NOT mandatory for most tournaments, including RSPA tournaments.
SPN Provincial Championships require uniform tops and National Championships require uniform tops with numbers.
What are the awards?
SPN supplied awards for division first place change every year. See What's New SPN for current awards.
First place awards will be SPN awards for National and Provincial qualifiers.
Second place awards are up to the convenor, but with a diovision of 6-8 teams or greater is usually SPN, RSPA or other t-shirts or hats.
Larger tournaments offer prizes for 3rd and 4th place, if the division of 8-10 teams or greater fills.
Other Prizes? Team Rep Appreciation Draw.
RSPA tournaments give away more draw prizes and team rep appreciation gifts than any other tournament.
Every team rep is automatically entered in the Team Rep Appreciation draw.
A new bat or wheeled bat bag is drawn for at every RSPA summer tournament.
ALSO - any team that comes back to headquarters is entered in the individual player draws for prizes, bats, sweaters, tees, etc.
How does a team enter the RSPA tournament?
All SPN tournaments (including all RSPA tournaments) are entered by registering on line on the SPN website.
Complete instructions on How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Also how to submit your tournament event roster and how to revise your event roster once submitted.
How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament
When does the roster need to be submitted by?
The online roster needs to be submitted and completed by the Tuesday before the tournament, so that it may be checked for level of play.
Schedule?
Usually your team will initially be emailed game info (time and park) for the first game only by Thursday noon. The other scheduled games will be emailed and posted on-line usually by Friday morning.
Early or late start time: A team can request an early or late start or an early finish.
With a one-day tournament, game start times are earlier and go later in the day. Game slots are one hour and 15 minutes, with a usual first schedule start at either 8:00 am or 9:15 am. Usual schedule will be game, game off, game, two games off, game. Or game, two games off, game, game off, game.
Sometimes your team will be scheduled back to back games so carefully check the schedule for all your games.
It is your responsibility to check the game times and parks.
For one day tournaments, schedule will ususlly be posted at the diamond (or diamonds) that you are scheduled for.
Do not call me or the headquarters for your game schedule!
What is check-in?
THERE IS NO CHECK-IN AT HEADQUARTERS ANY MORE!
After each game?
THERE IS NO CHECK-IN AFTER GAMES ANY MORE!
What if we are short a girl or a guy?
If your team is short a girl or a guy, your team may play with nine players with no automatic out.
I usually have a list of players looking for a team to play on.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, or for more info - accent@slopitch1.com
Anybody can enter a team in an RSPA or SPN slo-pitch tournament, with the following conditions:
• Team must be registered with SPN. Registration can be done at the tournament check-in.
• Players must be 16 years of age or older.
Players 16-17 must have written parental consent: SPN parental consent form
or use SPN online form: SPN parental consent form
• Team does NOT have to be registered in any league.
What level or what divisions are offered?
RSPA offers division from D to E, and Coed F (or Fun division). (Most tournaments offer only D and E divisions.)
• RSPA is the only tournament offering true Coed F in every tournament.
• RSPA has the most coed teams so we get more true divisions in the tournament.
• Most teams would be considered an E level team (if you don't know what level you are, you are probably E).
• Levels A to C are very good (better than you think you are).
• SPN coed divisions are now all 6M-4F.
• RSPA always offers a coed F division 6M-4F, and occassionally coed F 7M-3F.
If you don't know what level your team is, you are probably Coed or Mens E.
Tournament rules are up to the tournament convenor, but most conveners stay close to standard SPN rules -
• RSPA tournament coed divisions are 6M-4F; in the field two more males than females; bat max 2 males in a row. (bat up to 8M-4F)
• RSPA tournaments uses a pitching mat with the homeplate NOT cut-out and covering homeplate. Homeplate is a strike.
• Standard SPN Ontario Rule is the 175 foot rule. See 175 foot rule. - RSPA tournaments do not use the 175 foot rule.
• Minimum 10 players (RSPA allows 9 players with no automatic out).
• Courtesy Runners: maximum SEVEN courtesy runners, cannot be the same runner twice. Exception: Masters 50+ division.
• Rules will vary for summer slo-pitch tournaments and winter sno-pitch and fall ball tournaments.
SPN 2021 Rulebook
RSPA Tournament Rules web page
RSPA Tournament Rules PDF
Tournament headquarters for summer tournaments is the Irish Shebeen Bar
5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1, (south side of Eglinton, across from Satellite Drive) — Irish Shebeen map
Parks will be close to HQ if possible. The bigger the tournament, the more parks will be used and further from HQ.
Tournament map of parks
Because the RSPA tournaments are the largest tournaments in the GTA, we have to use a lot of diamonds.
Parks include: Diamond Beach, Centennial Park, Max Ward, West Deane, Eringate, Fleetwood, Garnetwood, Dunton, etc.
As the tournament gets larger, we widen out to include Brickyard, Wildwood, Mount Charles, Mississauga Valley, etc.
Higher divisions such as Coed D and Mens D will usually be at Max Ward, Diamond Beach or Centennial Park.
Tournament map of parks
Balls will be supplied by the tournament. The official SPN ball is currently the Worth Hot Dot.
Bases and strike zone mat will be supplied by the tournament, including a safe-base for first base.
Uniforms are NOT mandatory for most tournaments, including RSPA tournaments.
SPN Provincial Championships require uniform tops and National Championships require uniform tops with numbers.
SPN supplied awards for division first place change every year. See What's New SPN for current awards.
First place awards will be SPN awards for National and Provincial qualifiers.
Second place awards are up to the convenor, but with a diovision of 6-8 teams or greater is usually SPN, RSPA or other t-shirts or hats.
Larger tournaments offer prizes for 3rd and 4th place, if the division of 8-10 teams or greater fills.
RSPA tournaments give away more draw prizes and team rep appreciation gifts than any other tournament.
Every team rep is automatically entered in the Team Rep Appreciation draw.
A new bat or wheeled bat bag is drawn for at every RSPA summer tournament.
ALSO - any team that comes back to headquarters is entered in the individual player draws for prizes, bats, sweaters, tees, etc.
All SPN tournaments (including all RSPA tournaments) are entered by registering on line on the SPN website.
Complete instructions on How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Also how to submit your tournament event roster and how to revise your event roster once submitted.
How To Enter An SPN Slo-Pitch Tournament
The online roster needs to be submitted and completed by the Tuesday before the tournament, so that it may be checked for level of play.
Usually your team will initially be emailed game info (time and park) for the first game only by Thursday noon. The other scheduled games will be emailed and posted on-line usually by Friday morning.
Early or late start time: A team can request an early or late start or an early finish.
With a one-day tournament, game start times are earlier and go later in the day. Game slots are one hour and 15 minutes, with a usual first schedule start at either 8:00 am or 9:15 am. Usual schedule will be game, game off, game, two games off, game. Or game, two games off, game, game off, game.
Sometimes your team will be scheduled back to back games so carefully check the schedule for all your games.
It is your responsibility to check the game times and parks.
For one day tournaments, schedule will ususlly be posted at the diamond (or diamonds) that you are scheduled for.
Do not call me or the headquarters for your game schedule!
THERE IS NO CHECK-IN AT HEADQUARTERS ANY MORE!
THERE IS NO CHECK-IN AFTER GAMES ANY MORE!
If your team is short a girl or a guy, your team may play with nine players with no automatic out.
I usually have a list of players looking for a team to play on.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, or for more info - accent@slopitch1.com
RSPA Fall Ball Tournament FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of ball is used?
Depending on the weather, fall ball normally uses the green ball or RIF ball, which is softer than a real ball, but not as soft as the orange sno-pitch ball. If the weather is nice, we MAY use a real ball for higher level coed or mens divisions. Balls will be supplied by the tournament. - Why don't we use a real ball?
A real ball would cause possible injury as they are much harder when cold, bouncing on frozen ground.
They would also damage most bats when used in cold weather. - What rules are different?
Fall ball rules are generally set-up for a faster game. At bats start with a 1-1 count. RSPA Fall Ball Tournament Rules PDF - What parks are used for fall ball?
Parks include: Diamond Beach, Centennial Park, Max Ward, Fleetwood, Garnetwood, etc. - What about uniforms?
Uniforms are not required for fall ball tournaments. - What are the awards?
SPN awards are the same for summer tournaments Provincial qualifiers. - Other Prizes? Team Rep Appreciation Draw.
RSPA tournaments give away more draw prizes and team rep appreciation gifts than any other tournament.
Every team rep is automatically entered in the Team Rep Appreciation draw.
A new bat or wheeled bat bag is drawn for at every RSPA tournament.
ALSO - any team that comes back to headquarters is entered in the individual player draws for prizes, bats, sweats, tees, etc. - When does the roster need to be submitted by?
The roster needs to be submitted by the Tuesday before the tournament,
so that it may be checked for level of play. Initial roster can be without signatures and signatures can be added Saturday morning when you check in. - Schedule?
Your team will be given game info (time and park) for the first game only. the other games will be posted at the headquarters when you check in before the first game. First game times and parks are usually emailed Thursday noon.
Early or late start time: a team can request an early or late start or an early finish, and in most cases we can oblige.
Fall ball game slots are one hour or less, with a usual schedule start at 9:30 am. Usual schedule will be game, game off, game, two games off, game. Or game, two games off, game, game off, game. Sometimes your team will be scheduled back to back games. Be sure to check the schedule for all your games when you check in. A good idea is to take a picture of the board with your phone.
It is your responsibility to check the game times.
Do not call me or the headquarters for your game schedule! - What is check-in?
One player, usually the team rep has to check in at headquarters one half to one hour before the first game to pay the tournament fee, drop off a final roster and check the boards for all the games. Double-check that your first game info has not changed, and write down the time, park and opposing team for the other scheduled games. A good idea is to take a picture of the board with your phone. - After each game?
Check-in at headquarters after each game to report the score and double-check that no changes have been made. - What if we are short a girl or a guy?
If your team is short a girl or a guy, your team may play with nine players with no automatic out.
I usually have a list of players looking for a team to play on.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, or for more info - accent@slopitch1.com
RSPA Sno-Pitch Tournament FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
(see also Summer Slo-Pitch, Fall Ball & Dome FAQ)
- Are sno-pitch tournament games played inside or outside?
Yes, games are played outside, and yes - we really play in the snow. - What do you wear for sno-pitch?
Dress warmly, as if you were going skiing or tobogganing. - What rules are used for sno-pitch tournaments?
Tournament rules are up to the tournament convenor, but most conveners stay close to standard SPN rules modified for sno-pitch. Sno-pitch rules are generally set-up for a faster game. At bats start with a 1-1 count.
RSPA sno-pitch is coed 6M-4F; bat maximum 2 males in a row, which allows batting up to 8M-4F.
Some of the rules are:- At bats start with a 1-1 count.
- Strike zone called by an umpire; no pitching mat.
- RSPA Sno-Pitch Tournament Rules PDF
- What kind of ball is used?
There are two types of cold weather balls. The soft mushy orange balls are used if there is snow on the ground. The green ball or RIF ball is not as soft and can be used in borderline weather, or if there is no snow on the ground. Balls will be supplied by the tournament. - Why don't we use a real ball?
A real ball would cause possible injury as they are much harder when cold, bouncing on frozen ground. They would damage most bats when used in cold weather. - Are bases supplied?
Bases will be supplied by the tournament. - What do we need to bring?
Bring your own bats and gloves. Balls and bases will be supplied by the tournament. - Can anybody enter a team in an RSPA or SPN sno-pitch tournament?
Anybody can enter a team in an RSPA or SPN sno-pitch tournament, with the following conditions:- team must be registered with SPN; registration can be done at the tournament check-in.
- players must be 16 years of age or older;
players 16-17 must have written parental consent.
SPN parental consent form
- How many players should we take?
If you take only 10 players you risk playing a player short or even defaulting the game. But if you carry too many, players will sit too long. Optimum number is 12 players 7M-5F, gives you a guy and girl sub and you can bat everybody and rotate everybody through the defence. - What if we are short a girl or a guy?
If your team is short a girl or a guy, your team may play with nine players with no automatic out. I usually have a list of players looking for a team to play on. - Where are the games held?
Tournament headquarters is usually the Irish Shebeen Bar, 5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1, (south side of Eglinton, across from Satellite Drive) — Irish Shebeen map - What parks are used?
Parks include: Diamond Beach, Centennial Park, Max Ward, Fleetwood, Garnetwood, etc. - What about uniforms?
Uniforms are not required for any tournaments. - What are the awards?
SPN supplied awards for division first place change every year. - Other Prizes?
RSPA tournaments give away more draw prizes and team rep appreciation gifts than any other tournament. - When does the roster need to be submitted by?
The roster needs to be submitted by the Tuesday before the tournament,
so that it may be checked for level of play. Initial roster can be without signatures and signatures can be added Saturday morning when you check in. - Schedule?
Your team will be given game info (time and park) for the first game only. The other games will be posted at the headquarters when you check in before the first game. First game times and parks are usually emailed Thursday noon.
Early or late start time: A team can request an early or late start or an early finish, and in most cases we can oblige.
Sno-pitch game slots are 45-50 minutes, with a usual schedule start at 9:30 am. Usual schedule will be game, game off, game, two games off, game. Or game, two games off, game, game off, game. Sometimes your team will be scheduled back to back games. Be sure to check the schedule for all your games when you check in.
It is your responsibility to check the game times.
Do not call me or the headquarters for your game schedule! - What is check-in?
One player, usually the team rep has to check in at headquarters one half to one hour before the first game to pay the tournament fee, drop off a final roster and check the boards for all the games. Double-check that your first game info has not changed, and write down the time, park and opposing team for the other scheduled games. - After each game?
Check-in at headquarters after each game (if you have time) to report the score and double-check that no changes have been made.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, or for more info - accent@slopitch1.com
SPN Umpire Information:
SPN Umpire Exam
SPN 2022 Rule Book
SPN Umpire Manuals
SPN Umpire Incident Report Form
RSPA Umpire Information:
RSPA Parks and Maps
RSPA Park-Night Preference Form
SPN/RSPA Slo-Pitch Umpire Clinic May 3, 2023
RSPA umpire clinic scheduled for Wednesday, May 3,6:30 pm at Irish Shebeen Pub,
5555 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke ON M9C 5M1 — map
RSPA needs SPN carded umpires for recreational coed slo-pitch league and tournaments.
We will train and card. You will be eligible to umpire any SPN league or tournament.
You will become a fully sanctioned SPN umpire, eligible to umpire any SPN league or tournament in Canada.
Clinic cost (2022) is $105 + GST = $118 and includes:
SPN umpire card, rulebook, hat, instruction clinic and umpire test.
If you have already written the SPN test you may attend the RSPA umpire clinic for free.
If you attend the RSPA umpire clinic, we will guarantee umpire bookings of at least your RSPA clinic cost
(we cannot guarantee parks or nights).
RSPA is an adult recreational, coed league, with parks in Mississauga-Etobicoke, Monday to Friday, weekend tournaments available.
RSPA 2022 umpire rates:
$50 for a single game (no time limit);
$85 for a double-header with time limit (starting 8:00/8:30 pm);
$100 for a double header with no time limit (starting 6:30/7:30 pm); $140 for a triple-header (6:30 pm to 11:00 pm).
TOURNAMENT: $35 per game (usually 1:15 game slot) Saturday only one-day tournament.
Tournament Dates 2023: May 6 • June 10 • July 8 • July 22 • August 19 • Sept 23 • All Saturday, one-day.
Get out, get some exercise, have some fun and earn some extra cash.
Anyone wishing to become a carded umpire should contact the League.
Contact Randy Warren, accent@slopitch1.com
New SPN Bat Rules in Effect
Updated November 17, 2022All legal bats used in Slo-Pitch National will have either the
existing USSSA compliance mark or the new USSSA compliance mark
as pictured to the right located on the bat.
Local leagues have the ability to set their own bat policies.
Note: This rule is NOT in effect for RSPA Slo-Pitch.
RSPA allows the use of both USSSA and ASA 2004 approved bats.
Official Slo-Pitch National web site. SPN - Slo-Pitch National -- SPN Rule Book
SloPitch1.com Home - RSPA Home - Site Map
For more information about SloPitch1.com
please contact: Randy Warren
e-mail: accent@slopitch1.com
RSPA 2023 Slo-Pitch Tournaments
All tournaments tentatively Saturday one-day.Saturday, May 6 • June 10 • July 8 • July 22
• August 19 • September 23 • September 30