How long does the VMSL league run?
The season usually starts near the beginning of April, and ends in the beginning to mid July.
When are VMSL tournaments?
League fees include two main league tournaments. There is a season opener tournament, usually held mid April. The season ends with the year-end playoff, usually held the first or second weekend of July. Please note that a player must be on the roster by June 1 and play a minimum of 6 regular season games to be eligible for year-end tournament play.
What is the VMSL league format?
The league is a 6 and 4 COED format (6 men and 4 women). In other words, there should be a minimum 4 women on the field at any time.
Are there age restrictions for this league?
* For the 2022 season, this rule has been removed and we will then re-evaluate for the seasons that follow.
Age restrictions are in effect; men are to be over 30 and women to be over 25. However, you may have up to 6 underage members on your roster, and up to 4 underage players on the field at any given time. Out of those 4 under age players, a maximum of 3 underage males are allowed on the field at any given time. Our age restrictions ensure that teams can enjoy a good competitive game without intimidation.
What is the player eligibility for this league?
All players must be registered SPN members. Players on the roster must meet the age restrictions for the league. A maximum of 30 people are allowed on the roster. Failure to comply with roster regulations will result in fines, and may result in ejection from the league. Even if a player is regisered with another team in another league, they still must be added to each team roster that they play for.
What is the SPN membership for?
Our league is affiliated with Slo-Pitch National, an organization that offers membership benefits to teams and leagues on an annual membership basis. One of the benefits available through membership is access to SPN's group insurance program which offers teams secondary accident insurance along with a third-party liability coverage of up to $5,000,000 and group team accident insurance that acts as a form of secondary accident insurance, beyond players normal medical insurance. As a requirement for our league, all players must be registered SPN members.
IMPORTANT: All players must be active registered SPN members. Forfeit fines will apply to players and teams found with players on the field not registered with SPN.
What days of the week does the league play on?
We play on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday, and occasionally Sunday games. Schedules are a hybrid of single and double headers. Sunday games will run usually at 8:00am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm and 4:00pm. Usually you will play a double header on regular season Sundays.
What fields do we play at?
Our games are played at Noel Booth Park South East and North East diamonds (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) located at 202 Street and 36 Avenue, Brookswood, Langley. We also have some games at
What are the league fees?
League fees are $1000 if paid before March 1st, after March 1st league fees are $1100. First year teams league fee's are $1100.
A $200 deposit is required at the time of the Annual General Meeting (for new teams) to secure your place in the league. Teams must also top up their performance bond if needed. The balance is due before the teams take to the field. Cheques are payable to Valley Mixed Slo-Pitch League (VMSL) or e-transfered to the league treasurer.
What is included in league fees?
Insurance, Fields, Balls, 2 Tournaments, Prizes and Umpires for the Two Tournaments. Field use fees are paid to the Township of Langley for our parks and a payment is made to SPN for group insurance coverage. In addition, fees are used to maintain and upgrade all league related equipment, purchase new balls each year, cover umpires fees for the tournaments, purchase trophies and awards, and subsidize Pub Night and other social activities, as appropriate. The league will also contribute to Township of Langley initiated projects such as installation of lights at Noel Booth Park and installation of Jox Box, and make community donations. VMSL is a non-profit organization. All duties (except SPN umpires at tournaments) are done on a voluntary basis, and league executive are not paid.
What level of slo-pitch is played in this league?
Most teams/players fall within the C/D/E/F (SPN ratings), that is to say, you will find a wide range of ability among teams and even among players on teams. Basically it is a bunch of people who are out to play good ball while having fun at the same time.
What is the Performance Bond for?
The mandatory $200 was established to help deter the unnecessary cancellation of games or the failure to follow league rules. Rainout games are to be called at the field only. Teams who are unable to field a suitable number of players or who cancel a game will be fined $30 per missed game. Any deficit in the Performance Bond must be topped at the AGM to secure a team's place in the league. Performance Bonds are only payable the first year, and are carried over to the next year. The balance will be refunded when a team leaves the league.
For more information, see the Fines section in the rules.
How many players do I need on my team?
Usually there is a minimum of 14 players per team (6 women and 8 men) to make it less likely that you will have to forfeit a game, but you need a minimum of 10 to field a team each game.
What is the cost for an individual player?
This will vary from team to team, depending on the development of the teams fundraising and sponsorship, cost of uniforms, number of people on the roster, purchase of bats and other equipment, entrance into outside tournaments, etc. Fees could range from $50 to $100 or more.
What do league fees include?
League fees include approximately 25-30 regular season games (depending on the number of teams), a Season Opener tournament in April with SPN umpires and a Season End Playoff Tournament in July with SPN umpires, trophies, prizes, awards, equipment at all diamonds, game balls, score cards, SPN rule book, SPN registration and insurance, 12 tickets to our annual Pub Night, and any subsidized league activities. Each coach will be provided with a key to the equipment storage bins.
What do the teams supply?
Each team will need to have one or two representatives at the Annual General Meeting (held usually in February). Each team will need to supply their league fees on time, including a $200 minimum deposit at the time of the AGM (new teams only). Home teams are responsible for setting up the field equipment (bases, mat, clicker and foul territory cones) and returning the equipment to its respective place in the storage bin and ensuring the bin is properly locked. Each home team will need to bring 2 balls for each game (1 brand new, one relatively new) provided by the league. Each team will need to provide their own uniform (could be as simple as matching t-shirts), gloves and bats. Each team will need to supply an umpire when your team is up to bat (except tournaments). Please make sure that someone who is comfortable and familiar with the league rules is umpiring for your team. Teams will also need to supply a minimum of 2 door prizes and a silent auction item for our year-end Pub Night fundraiser, and may be asked to help out with associated duties. All teams need to bring positive attitudes and sportsmanship to each and every game.
Is this a “beer” league?
Why are there no umpires during regular season play?
In an effort to keep our league fees low, and acknowledging that there are several more than capable players who can do the job well, we have historically not employed umpires for regular season games. We feel that the teams and players of VMSL are aware of league rules, respectful and fair, and therefore will do an excellent job. The team up to bat provides the umpire. This has been done for 20 years now, and works really well. VMSL will offer umpiring clinics periodically.
How many teams are in the VMSL league?
There have been as many as 16 and as little as 10 teams in the league since it began. This relatively low number of teams allows for a high amount of games per season, and also maintains a more personal feel to the league and fosters a strong sense of community and respect. And yet, there are enough teams and enough new people continually joining the league to keep you guessing about the outcome of the games!
What is the Pub Night?
*Pub night is canceled for the 2022 season due to the latest world events
The Pub Night is our annual fundraiser, which includes a burger dinner, one beer, wine or hi-ball, door prizes, Silent Auction, 50/50 draw, and dancing. Each team is required to pay for a minimum of 12 tickets at $20 each. Teams may purchase additional tickets from league executive for $20 each. It’s a time for our league members to socialize without cleats on, and see what we all look like once we get cleaned up, and continue to develop the strong sense of community that exists in our league. It’s also a fundraiser for our league so that we can continue to keep our league fees low and make contributions to the community. Pub Night usually takes place in mid to late June.
What makes Valley Mixed Slo-Pitch a unique league?
Valley Mixed Slo-Pitch is a unique league in that it consists of many players that have been involved in the league for many years, who then in turn invite their family members and friends to play. You will see that many family members play together, and many a long-time friendship has been forged. As a result of our unique age restrictions, within this league exists a great sense of healthy competitiveness and respect for safety balanced proportionately with fun. The players take great pride in the preservation and maintenance of the league and the ideals upon which it was created.
Although the rules are followed, occasionally you will see some exceptions. For example, a team will lend another team a player so they won’t forfeit, or sometimes a team will play 3 women and 7 men for a game due to a shortage of players, although it is generally expected that the extra man will play catcher. Although we are out to have fun, all “fudging” of rules must be acceptable to both teams and must not compromise the integrity of the game, as we are still a competitive league. We take the game seriously, but not ourselves!
How can I enter a team in the League?
To enter a team in the League, contact the League executive by email or phone (Tarlyn at 604-836-1484). Applicants should make sure that their team conforms to the age restriction rules. Once your team is approved by the executive, a $200 deposit at the time of the AGM (or sooner) will secure your place in the league.
What rules does VMSL use?
The league uses SPN sanctioned rules, with a few exceptions. For example, “The batter is automatically out if the pitcher is hit by the ball and has no opportunity to get out of the way.” This was established to help eliminate potentially dangerous injuries for the pitcher. See our Rules for more info.
What is the History of the League?
The league was started in 1988 by
FAQ’s updated March 2022. Please note that information on this page is subject to change.
