2026 REGISTRATION IS HERE!
Registration for the 2026 season will be open from January 1-31, 2026. We will only be accepting registrations thru the online form found on our website. Registrations received after January 31 will be put on a waitlist. We do our best to accommodate as many players as we can, however we cannot guarantee a spot on a team after January 31. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates and information at that time. If you have any questions please e-mail [email protected].
VOLUNTEER BOND
$200 PER FAMILY. A bond will be provided up front in order to participate. The bond will be returned at the end of the season if the family has completed a minimum of 4 hours of volunteering. Volunteer options include coaching, score keeping, running the booth at home games, helping with tournaments we host, fundraising, and some other activities. More details about volunteer options will be provided at the start of the season. If a family does not complete their volunteer requirements the organization will keep the bond.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Etransfer to [email protected] (preferred option, and please note the new address for payments)
Cheque payable to N-O Minor Ball (please arrange with Ben Kungl or Alicia Nobbs to submit this payment)
Cash (please arrange with Ben Kungl or Alicia Nobbs to submit this payment)
*We do accept post dated cheques to cover the bonds. These cheques must be dated July 1, 2026.
FAMILY FEE POLICY
For families with multiple children, the first 2 players are registered at full price. The registration fee for the any additional children is half price. The half price is taken from the lowest registration fee. For example, a family registering for U15, U13, and U9 would pay $400 ($180+$160+$60(half price U9)). Please reach out to us by email if you would like to confirm your payment before submitting it.
For financial assistance, please consider using JumpStart by following the link below, or contact a board member directly.
https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants
INFORMATION ABOUT TEAMS IN OUR ORGANIZATION
UNIFORMS
For teams U7 and above Minor Ball provides an Otters jersey to each player. Jerseys must be returned at the end of the season in order to have your uniform bond returned. *New for 2026 - the organization will NOT be providing ball pants or belts for players. We will be selling the pants that we have at blowout pricing. The dates of this are to be determined. We request that families have appropriate ball pants for their player. Additional optional uniform equipment include a hat, belt, and socks. We will be working with vendors to have these item available for purchase thru the organization prior to the start of the season.
U7 & U9: Grey pants
U11 & U13 boys: Grey pants
U11+ girls: Black pants
U15+ boys: White pants
Uniform Bond
$150 PER UNIFORM. A bond will be provided up front in order to receive a jersey. The bond will be returned at the end of the season when the jersey is returned. If the jersey is not returned the organization will keep the bond.
EQUIPMENT
All players must have their own glove. It is important to remember that we are playing softball/fastball (not baseball), which uses 11" balls from U7-U13. Finding a softball glove that has a pocket that can hold an 11" softball (not a typical hardball) is important for success on the field. Here is a general guideline for glove size by age. Ultimately it is important to choose a glove size that fits the player.
Under 8 years: 9"-11.5"
10-14 years: 10"-12"
15+ years: 11"-13"
All players U7 and above MUST have their own helmet with a cage and chin strap. Helmets are NOT provided. Each player must supply their own helmet.
Minor Ball does NOT provide bats for teams. Families are encouraged to buy their own bats, or work with their coach to ensure there is a bat amongst the team that their player can use. Many individuals do share bats, however that must be discussed amongst team members. At the younger age groups we find many children show up with hardball bats. If you are going to purchase a bat please ensure it is a softball/fastball bat. The main difference is the shape of the barrel on these bats. A quick online search will help you find more information on the differences and recommendations for softball/fastball bats.
Minor Ball does provide a pitching mask to all teams U9 and above. Pitching masks must be worn by all pitchers on the field. Other players on the infield may voluntarily choose to wear a mask, but this is optional and is not provided by Minor Ball.
Minor Ball does NOT provide hats for players. There is an opportunity to purchase organization hats through our merchandise suppliers.
Baseball cleats are typically recommended for players U9 and above, however they are not mandatory.
SPECIFIC DIVISION INFORMATION
Blastball ($45/player)
Blastball is our U5 program. Minor Ball supplies an Otters t-shirt (to keep), general team equipment, and basic drill information to be used by the program. We rely solely on parent volunteers to run drills and mini games between our own players within this division. This group has practice once per week, typically on Thursday evenings in Otterville between mid May - mid July. There is no extra travel for this program. Players need to have their own glove and come dressed appropriately for physical activity.
U7 ($70/player)
The U7 program, sometimes called Rookie, is an entry level program with modified rules. All players are divided into teams prior to the start of the season with an assigned coach. This group has 1 scheduled practice, and 1 game per week. They play on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Teams travel within the South Oxford Softball League to play teams from other towns. At this age players get the opportunity to hit off of coach pitching, or a tee during games. Runners can only advance 1 base at a time. The defensive team is given the opportunity to make plays in the field but outs and runs are not recorded. Each inning every player gets a chance to hit. Players need to have a glove, helmet with cage, and a bat. The organization does not provide bats, but we do provide balls, tee, and catchers equipment for the team to share.
U9 ($120/player)
The U9 program is still an entry level program with modified rules. At U9 teams are divided into separate boys and girls teams that play in separate divisions of the South Oxford Softball League. This group has 2 scheduled games per week. The team will typically have 1-2 weeks to practice before games start. Once games start it is up to the coach to schedule any extra practices. They play on Tuesday evenings (at 6:45pm) and Saturday mornings. Teams travel within the South Oxford Softball League to play teams from other towns. At this age players get the opportunity to pitch to the opposing team. Runners can advance a maximum of 2 bases per hit. A regular defense is played (3 outs to end the inning or 5 runs scored). The score is kept at these games. Players need to have a glove, helmet with cage, and a bat. The organization does not provide bats, but we do provide balls, pitching mask, and catchers equipment for the team to share.
U11 ($140/player)
The U11 division is the first time teams are playing the game all on their own. At U11 teams are divided into separate boys and girls teams that play in separate divisions of the South Oxford Softball League (historically we have played in the SOSL but other options may be available to teams if desired). This group has 2 scheduled games per week. The team will typically have 1-2 weeks to practice before games start. Once games start it is up to the coach to schedule any extra practices. The girls play on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons, while the boys play on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Weekday games start at 6:45pm, and Saturday game times are to be determined. All games are entirely player pitched, providing the opportunity for hits, walks, and base stealing. There is a limited set of modified rules, but expect to see "real ball" at this age. All teams travel to other centres for games. Players need to have a glove, helmet with cage, and a bat. The organization does not provide bats, but we do provide balls, pitching mask, and catchers equipment for the team to share.
U13 and Above
At these older ages our teams play in various leagues depending on where we can find teams to play. Options include Huron Perth Softball League (girls only), Perth Fastball League (boys only), South Oxford Softball League, Haldimand Erie Fastball League, or North Waterloo Fastball League (boys only). Game nights are not set and vary week to week. Full softball rules are in effect for all of these divisions with few or no modifications.
U13 ($160/player)
U15 ($180/player)
U17 ($200/player)
U19 ($200/player)