Fact Sheet
SOFTBALL
Proposed Competition Dates 5 to 12 October
Venues:
Fast Pitch Gilbert Park, Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield
Waverley Womens Sports Centre, Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill
Located 25 km from city centre, accessible by public transport.
Please note: On the recommendation of the Sport organising committee, the Slowpitch discipline of Softball has been withdrawn from the Melbourne 2002 World Masters Games. Insufficient registration numbers to sustain a viable competition together with minimal expressions of interest are the reasons why this decision was made.
Venue Information
The two fast pitch venues will each have eight diamonds in operation. Some games will be held under lights in the early evening. A range of food and beverages will be available throughout the day. Local shopping centres are about ten minutes by car from the grounds. Most diamonds have granitic sand playing surfaces or running paths.
How to get there
Waverley Womens Sports Centre (fastpitch): Take the Monash Freeway from the city centre. The beginning of this freeway is part of the CityLink tollway and you will need to organise an e-tag with your rental car company if you plan to travel on this section. Drive along the freeway and take the Ferntree Gully Road exit. Drive along Ferntree Gully Road (east towards the mountains) and turn left into Jells Road. The centre is on your right at the end of the road.
Gilbert Park (fastpitch): Follow the directions as per Waverley Womens Sport Centre but instead of turning at Jells Road continue along Ferntree Gully Road. Cross over Stud Road and look for Gilbert Park on your right off Ferntree Gully Road.
Note: A shuttle bus service will operate between the two fast pitch venues.
Age Categories*
Fast Pitch: Men / Women 35+, 45+
*Age determined at 31 December 2002.
Competition Details
Events
Fast Pitch: Men, Women
Grades: A, B, C, D and E (Women only D and E)
All games, except finals, will be of one hour and fifteen minutes or 7 innings, whichever comes first. If the score is level at the end of a regulation game (7 innings) and time permits, the tiebreaker rule will apply from the top of the eighth innings.
Competition will be run in pools, ensuring teams compete in a maximum number of games.
Team members may only play in one age group. Players may not interchange between teams during the event.
Teams must register a playing uniform and all players must wear this for all their games. Coaches must wear at least the uniform top. Numbers on tops are required.
Each team must register team officials and must include at least a scorer and an umpire. Other officials may include a coach, an assistant coach and a manager. Age restrictions do not apply to non-playing team officials.
Umpires provided by teams DO NOT pay a registration fee. All umpires will receive a complimentary accreditation pass and a kit as thanks for the service they are providing to the Melbourne 2002 World Masters Games.
Umpires MUST accredit at the Games Centre to receive their accreditation pass.
Competition Standards
The softball competition at the Games will be conducted under the auspices, rules and regulations of the International Softball Federation and will conform to any special requirements of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA).
The Victorian Softball Association will conduct the competition.
Grades Definition
Fast pitch only: A, B, C, D and E
Womens Grades
A Grade: The team has a high representation of current or former national or State / Regional players
B Grade: The team is very competitive in local and regional competitions and contains some players of national / regional standard
C Grade: The team competes in local and regional competitions
D Grade: The team is experienced but does not contain players currently playing at a high standard in local competition. The majority of the team enjoys softball for its social aspects
E Grade: The team sets out to enjoy their softball and be competitive, but generally would regard themselves as occasional social players
Mens Grades
A Grade: The team is very competitive in local and regional competitions and contains some players of national / regional standard
B Grade: The team competes in local and regional competitions
C Grade: The team sets out to enjoy their softball and be competitive, but generally would regard themselves as occasional social players
Practice Facilities
Practice facilities are available at nearby venues. Limited team warm-up areas between games will be available adjacent to the playing diamonds.
*Please note: all information is proposed and subject to change.
