Oshawa, Ontario November 6, 2006

Oshawa to Host OASA Convention

Thought the softball season was over?  Think again; this is where it all begins for next year.

The 84^th annual Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) convention is being held in Oshawa on November 17 and 18, 2006 at the Best Western motel on Bloor Street .  The event is hosted by the Oshawa City and District Softball Association (OCDSA).  The OCDSA includes the Neighbourhood Association Sports Committee (NASC Softball), Oshawa Minor Fastball, the Double “B” Sports Club and the Oshawa City and District Fastball League.

The annual convention provides an opportunity for softball and fastball fans, coaches and league organizers to be a part of the latest developments in the sport of Fastball across Ontario .  Following registration on Friday and Saturday morning, softball enthusiasts from all over Ontario will be on hand to participate in several presentations and discussion forums throughout the morning on Saturday the 18^th.  The annual general meeting follows Saturday afternoon capped off by the annual awards banquet on Saturday evening.

The agenda for the weekend includes delegate registration from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday.  Several exhibitors will also be on hand during this time to give attendees the opportunity to purchase the latest in softball equipment.  The featured presentations include:

1.      Sports medicine from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM;

2.      A panel discussion covering the OASA Bylaws, Amendments and The Game from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM;

3.      The basics of scorekeeping – providing an opportunity for tournament hosts to train volunteers from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM; and

4.      “From the Ground Up” a panel discussion on all aspects of fastball and how to build a champion starting from the local house leagues to the Canadian Championships from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM.  Many local fastball heroes including Pete “The Hook” Landers, Chris Jones, Bob Solomon and Dave Hoffman will be on hand to share their career experiences.

The Annual General Meeting and election of officers will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and is followed by the Annual Awards Banquet from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  The awards to be presented include the F.R. Feaver Award for outstanding contribution to Softball, the President’s Merit Award for contribution to the OASA and Life Membership Awards to individuals for extended involvement in the OASA.  Singer and comedian Rick Kerr will provide an evening of entertainment and song following the awards banquet to round out the day’s activities.

The OASA Convention provides a great opportunity for local softball fans, organizations, coaches and players to experience, first hand, the current state of the sport and where it is headed.  Most of all, everyone has the opportunity to influence the direction of the sport by bringing their voice to the various executive and committee members.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate.  For registration information contact Sylvia Ryan at 905-432-3272 or John Mather at 905-725-6975.