Coaches Corner

All coaches are required to register with Softball BC and VFA, and complete a Criminal Record Check. Follow the instructions on the Volunteering [link] resource page.

• VFA requires an NCCP number to register as a coach. To look up your number or sign up to get one (free!), go to https://thelocker.coach.ca.
• All volunteer registrants sign VFA’s Code of Conduct. A copy can be downloaded here.

VFA asks that all coaches complete Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS) training courses. FOCS are Softball Canada’s online National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) modules developed to introduce new and experienced coaches to the foundational skills of coaching and softball-specific coaching concepts. These courses are an excellent introduction to coaching softball and a great refresher for those who may have coached before, with or without formal training. They are hosted online by the Coaching Association of Canada through their Locker training portal. Log in here. They are completed online in a self-paced format.

We ask ALL VFA coaches to complete the following courses prior to the beginning of the season: Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS) #1 and Foundations of Coaching Softball (FOCS) #2. These courses are also a prerequisite for coaches wanting to go on to complete higher levels of NCCP Softball coach training, such as Community Softball - Ongoing, Competition – Introduction, Competition – Development training or certification. For many age groups, this training is mandatory for coaches wishing to coach teams in district, regional, provincial or national tournaments. Softball BC’s coaching requirements are here.

VFA will reimburse registered coaches for completed FOCS courses. For reimbursement, email your reimbursement request to treasurer@vancouverfastpitch.com with a copy of your payment receipt, a copy of the course completion message or of your transcript showing that the course has been completed, and an email address to which you want to receive the e-transfer.

VFA will pay the registration fee for each U13C and older House team to enter two Softball BC-approved tournaments per season. The team must pay the full tournament entry fee and provide a receipt to the VFA Treasurer to receive their 100% refund.

How do you find out where tournaments are being held at your level? All approved tournaments will be listed on the Softball BC website here. Associations hosting tournaments also sometimes advertise on their websites. Some nearby examples: Richmond, Delta, Ridge Meadows, Fleetwood.

There is no cost unless you are required to attend the police station for fingerprinting. This happens rarely and only if there is someone with a similar name/birth date to you floating around out there. VFA will reimburse for the cost of fingerprinting with a receipt.

If you have already completed a CRC for another organization within the past three years (for the 2027 Season, a CRC dated 2025 or later), there is an option online to “share” your CRC with VFA. If you prefer, you can also send a scanned copy to registrar@vancouverfastpitch.com.

• Field Prep Guide
• Score sheet abbreviations
• Basic Rules of Softball

Our umpires are critical to VFA. We can’t play without them! Keep in mind that most umpires are teenagers, many are learning, and they are all doing their best.

When interacting with umpires, bear the following in mind:

• You may ask for an explanation of a call (“What was the call?”) and request appeals on swings. Any such requests should be respectfully phrased.
• You may NOT question the judgment of an umpire (safe/out, strike/ball, etc.) by word or action within hearing/view of the umpire.
• Coaches are expected to control their players and advise their spectators accordingly.
• VFA is especially concerned regarding intimidation of youth umpires by adults (whether coaches or fans), so the range of behaviors that are unacceptable under these circumstances may be especially broad. Do not count on receiving a warning!

Any issues with officiating should be brought to the attention of the VFA umpire coordinator or President, not addressed with the umpires themselves. Provide as many specifics as possible.

VFA’s House Program follows official Softball Canada rules with the modifications below:

1. Batting: All players bat.

2. Player substitutions: Unlimited.

3. Maximum number of runs per inning: 5. The only open inning is the seventh.

4. Minimum number of players: A team must have a minimum of 7 players. Failure of a team to field at least 7 players 15 minutes after starting time will result in forfeiture. Upon forfeiture, the game could be played as an exhibition game. NOTE: In all Playoff games leading to a Provincial berth Softball BC Rules will apply. Accordingly, any such game may be started with 8 players but must be completed with a minimum of 9 players.

5. Player Rotation: Coaches are expected to rotate players in an equitable way between infield and outfield so that players gain experience and develop confidence. At U11 and younger, no player should play the same position more than 2 innings. In all divisions, no player will sit out two innings in a row except for injury or illness.

6. Game Duration (weekend games): No new innings after 90 minutes from the scheduled start time, with field to be empty after 105 minutes. If there are no games or practices following, the game must end after 105 minutes but teams may have a base relay after that.

7. Game Duration (weeknight games): No new innings after 90 minutes from the scheduled start time, unless both teams and the umpires agree to extend to no new innings after 105 minutes.

8. Game Duration (all games): As always, game duration is subject to umpires calling the game earlier on account of weather or darkness.

9. At U11 and younger, pitchers may not pitch more than three innings per game. If a pitcher pitches one pitch in any inning, that inning is considered an inning pitched. Violation of this rule will lead to forfeiture of the game.

10. Pickups: Teams may pick up players from lower age group only to enable a 9-player team to be fielded. Teams can only pick up the same player 3 times per season. Pick-up coach is to notify regular coach of player picked up prior to pick-up. Age group coordinator is to be advised of pick-up within 24 hours after game. Pitchers may be brought up to play, but not to pitch.

11. Home Team:

11.1. Bats last and has first option to occupy third base dugout.

11.2 Provides new or almost new game ball for each home game.

11.3. Marks out diamond 30 minutes before game including at a minimum pitching circle, batter boxes, fair/foul lines and on deck circles.

11.4. Puts away bases and tools to equipment box, including property locked it after the game.

11.5. Is responsible to determine whether weather and field conditions are acceptable and, if not, inform the visiting team and umpire coordinator of game cancellation at least 1.5 hours before game time.

12. If visiting team cancels a game, visiting team is responsible for informing home team and umpire coordinator of game cancellation no later than 1.5 hours before game time.

13. Jewelry is not permitted, nor is taping of earrings or other jewelry. If jewelry is detected after the start of the game, the player will be asked to remove the jewelry. If the player refuses to remove the jewelry she will not be allowed to play.

14. Field Cleanup: All diamonds and surrounding areas must be raked and left clean after each game. Take along a litter bag and have players help clean up after each game. If two VFA teams play each other, both teams (coaches or parents) are responsible to fill in and rake the pitching area and the batters boxes before leaving the field.

15. Protest: Protests will be allowed only in District Playdowns leading to Provincial Championship. The procedure in the Softball BC handbook will be the official guide.

For all LMSC games, that is, all U15C and older in-season games and any U13C interlock games, LMSC Rules will also apply. Where there is direct conflict between a VFA House Program Rule and an LMSC Rule, the LMSC Rule will govern.

VFA Batting Cage

The VFA batting cage is located at Trafalgar Park next to Trafalgar Diamond #1. Only registered VFA coaches are permitted to book and use the VFA batting cage,  and only for practices for their teams. Use by individual members and/or non-VFA members is NOT PERMITTED.

Please clean up the cage once you have finished using it. This includes putting away all balls and equipment, making sure gravel is raked and smoothed, making sure power plugs for machines are disconnected, and making sure the cage is locked before you leave. Any team not respecting these conditions may have their batting cage privileges revoked.

Benefits of batting cage practice. In a regular game, a batter may only get 2-3 turns at bat and may only face 10-15 pitches. Of these pitches, they may only make contact with the ball 3-4 times. Batting cage practice allows quality time focusing on hitting and for coaches to work individually with players on their hitting techniques.

How to use the batting cage.

• Coaches are provided with the code to the batting cage at the start of the season.
• Only approved adults are permitted to operate the pitching machine equipment.
• No children/players are allowed in the batting cage unless they are supervised by an approved adult.
• Only pitching machine balls are to be used with the pitching machines in the batting cage.
• For safety and insurance purposes, players need to have full batting gear (helmet with cage, cleats, “jill” protector).
• Composite bats are not recommended in the batting cage. The pitching machine balls destroy these bats.
• Do not leave the pitching machine running unattended at any time.
• Notify the Fields Coordinator ASAP if you notice anything broken, missing or in need of repair.

Best practices for batting cage practice. Limit turns to 10-15 hits/contacts at a time per player. Focus players on practicing their hitting technique. Stop and demonstrate if you need to. Have players who aren’t actively facing pitching machines hitting off tees or hitting with coach soft toss outside the batting cage. Avoid having them standing around too long waiting for their turn in the cage. 

Booking rules and etiquette. Wildcats teams take priority to book batting cage time. House teams should limit their bookings to one two-hour slot per week. Allow approximately 10-15 minutes in the cage per player. There are two separate lanes inside the batting cage so you can run two players at a time. Delete any sessions you are not using so other teams can book them. Never delete someone else’s booking.

• VFA Practice Guides
• VFA House Programming Guide
• VFA Social Engagement Guide
• Softball Canada Long Term Athlete Development Matrix
• Fielders Coverage Responsibilities
• Softball Skills Checklist
• Dominant Eye Test
• Mental Side of Hitting
• Softball Terminology and Rules for Players
• Johnston Black Belt Book

In addition to VFA guidance, Softball BC has coaching modules and other Resources available here.