Frequently asked questions

Fastpitch softball skills and gameplay are similar in many ways to baseball. The main difference in play (besides ball size and field dimensions) is windmill pitching. Sliding and other elements of competitive play are part of fastpitch softball.

The most notable difference between the two is that fastpitch softball is overwhelmingly dominated by girls, while baseball tends to be dominated by boys, especially at older ages. The atmosphere is different. Check out a fastpitch game and a Little League game at equivalent levels and see for yourself what might fit your player.

Another difference is longevity. In Vancouver, Little League baseball (5-13 years old) is co-ed but dominated by boys. Once Little League ends, even fewer girls continue to play baseball. Some move over to softball. A few play both. Others stop playing altogether. At university and beyond, there are few to no baseball opportunities for women.

A big factor in girls’ continuing participation in team sports is affiliation. Simply put, players who make social connections into softball are more likely to keep playing. VFA never forms our House teams by draft, and members of House teams will often continue playing together throughout their entire association with minor softball.

It does not matter, no matter what her age. We want as many new players as possible to join in the game of fastpitch softball.

Rep is most suited for athletes who are keen on a more competitive level of ball. Rep teams typically:

• hold tryouts in September;
• practice in the off-season;
• practice twice weekly in season;
• start playing games in the first week of April;
• play 20-24 interlock games with surrounding associations (half of these games require travel); and
• participate in 3-4 tournaments or more per season.

Rep softball is more expensive than VFA’s House Program, with player costs including personal equipment and uniforms, tournament fees, and other team costs. Teams may fundraise to cover costs. Rep teams have a few additional privileges, like priority field allocation and batting cage access, and a locker in VFA’s space in the clubhouse at Trafalgar to stow their team gear.

House teams are open to all registrants, typically practice less often than Rep teams, start playing games in the third week of April, play fewer league games (requiring travel only at U15 and older), and play in fewer tournaments. House is also much less costly, as VFA provides team equipment and jerseys for use during the season and pays registration fees for up to two tournaments per team per season.

Yes, to a limited extent. VFA is insured through its affiliation with Softball BC. Details are available on the Softball BC website.

This depends somewhat on the level of play. Actual dates are dependent on field permits, registration, age group, and regional or provincial post-season qualifications.

Rep teams often start practicing in the fall before the Spring season, shortly after tryouts. House teams, particularly U13C and older, might practice informally beginning in March. Most House teams will start practicing by the first week of April, with VFA’s introductory clinics for U11 and younger teams often beginning that week.

Rep teams start playing games during the first week of April (brrr). House games generally start playing league games in mid-April.

Games continue through mid-June for younger age groups. Older age groups (U13 and up) typically play league games until late June. Teams qualifying for Regional or Provincial Tournaments may continue to practice and play a bit longer. Provincial Championships are generally on the first weekend after the July 1st weekend for House teams, and the second or third weekends of July for “B” and “A” teams.

This varies by Program and age group. Refer to the House Program or Rep Program pages for details. Refer to the Facilities page for park location details.

The number of practices is up to the team management (coaches/managers).

Typically House teams practice once a week during the season and play two games per week. Older House teams may also participate in a couple of weekend tournaments. Rep teams may practice twice a week and play two games per week. They generally play in 3-4 weekend tournaments.

Practice schedules may increase somewhat toward the end of the season if the team intends to compete in Regional or Provincial tournaments.

Rep teams are formed after tryouts in September.

House players are able to list up to three “preferred teammates” at registration. VFA will make every effort to place each player on a team with at least one friend. Refer to the House Program page for details about team formation.

There is no restriction about playing up. However, there are three reasons this might not be a good idea. First, the time commitment goes up a fair bit between age groups at younger ages. Advancing early can promote early burnout. Second, there is an appreciable gap in physical and intellectual development between age groups (and sometimes even within the age group). Third, your player may lose the opportunity to make social connections with players in her own birthyear that could make the difference in her long-term interest in the sport. For a player who has high interest, is talented, or is bored in House, trying out for the Rep program may be a better outlet.

Softball BC, our governing entity, allows athletes to play “down” only in extenuating circumstances. Reach out to info@vancouverfastpitch.com with specific inquiries.

Refer to the Volunteering page for details!

Registration for VFA’s House Program Spring season typically opens in January. Registration for Clinic typically opens several weeks before the session begins.

VFA’s registration fees and policies, including any discounts, may vary by season. Refer to your specific registration form for any discount details.

Policies for the 2027 Spring season have not yet been set. For background reference only, for the 2026 Spring Season, VFA offered a $50 Refer-a-Friend Discount to any returning VFA player who was registered for the 2025 season who referred a NEW player, born between 2019 (second year U7) and 2006 (U20), for the 2026 season. The new player identified the referring player in their registration form for the referring player to receive the discount. Players could refer up to two new players for a maximum total discount of $100.

VFA’s registration fees and policies, including any discounts, may vary by season. Refer to your specific registration form for any discount details.

Policies for the 2027 Spring season have not yet been set. For background reference only, for the 2026 Spring Season, VFA offered a $100 Sibling Discount off the total cost of registration if two or more siblings were registered for the season. To be considered for the sibling discount, families were required to select the number of siblings they were registering in their registration form.

VFA’s registration fees and policies, including any discounts, may vary by season. Refer to your specific registration form for any discount details. Policies for the 2027 Spring season have not yet been set.

For background reference only, for the 2026 Spring Season:

There was no discount for early registration. However, players were encouraged to register by March 1 in order to ensure that they could be placed on a team with a friend; friend requests cannot be guaranteed once team formation has begun. There was a late fee

There was a late fee for registrations after the March 15 close of regular season registration. After that date, late registrations were subject to an additional $50 fee per player.

VFA’s registration fees and policies may vary by season. Refer to your specific registration form for details. Policies for the 2027 Spring season have not yet been set. For background reference only, for the 2026 Spring Season, VFA charged a mandatory $50 Volunteer Fee at registration. Refund of this fee was available for registered coaches, team managers, board and executive members, and families providing other approved volunteer support communicated by VFA during the season.

Payment of this fee does not excuse families from team-level tasks, such as gameday field preparation or scorekeeping. All families are expected to provide team-level volunteer support, which is necessary for your player’s team to function.

VFA’s registration fees and policies may vary by season and program. Refer to your specific registration form for details. Policies for the 2027 Spring season have not yet been set. For background reference only, for the 2026 Spring Season, requests for refund of registration fees were required to be submitted via email before April 15 and were subject to a $20 administration fee. No refunds were to be considered after April 15 without a medical letter.

Note that Softball BC fees, including lifetime membership number fee and annual membership fees, are separate from VFA’s season registration fees, and can only be refunded by Softball BC. These are subject to Softball BC’s refund policy.

Softball BC encourages players to play in the districts in which they reside. Our district (District 5) includes all of the city of Vancouver as well as Richmond.

Yes. View it here.

• If you are on a VFA team, you owe it to your teammates to attend practices and games consistently.
• Notify your coach if you’re unable to attend (update TeamSnap regularly!).
• Take proper care of your team’s equipment (uniforms, bats, catching equipment, etc.).
• Treat players, coaches, managers, and officials with respect.

• Ensure that players have a ride to games and practices on time (5 minutes early is on time, on time is late).
• Ensure that players have the necessary equipment.
• Take proper care of VFA property.
• Cooperate fully with team managers and coaches.
• Cheer your child but avoid coaching your child during a game; it is the coach’s job and confuses players to be receiving (sometimes different) instructions from many people.
• Volunteer!

No person from the stands shall make derogatory comments about any player on either team, team officials, or spectators. If a spectator is unmanageable, the umpire may stop the game until the situation is under control. The umpire may order any person (team official, spectator, or player) out of the park. They also have the authority to default the game. Any time a person has been required to leave, the umpire will report the incident to the league (which may lead to further action).

If you are a parent or spectator, keep it to yourself. If you are a player, talk with your coach in the dugout (outside of the umpire’s hearing). If you are a coach, refer to the Coaches’ Corner for guidance.

Umpires are essential to the game. Most of our umpires are teenagers, many of them are learning. Umpire errors are part of the game. All adults need to remember that we are setting an example for children. VFA has a zero tolerance policy toward abuse of umpires. “Enthusiasm” from parents and spectators can be inappropriately intimidating to young umpires. Team management (coaches/managers) is responsible for the conduct of their team’s parents and spectators. Any abuse will result in ejection from the game of the offenders or potentially default of the game.

Your question not here? Email info@vancouverfastpitch.com.