WELCOME! The Murillo Minor Athletic Association (MMAA) is a rural association that operates a spring youth softball league on volunteer power. The MMAA is based in Murillo in the Municipality of Oliver-Paipoonge; west of the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The MMAA welcomes those who want to be involved in our recreational league, either as a player or as a coach, umpire, volunteer etc. The only thing you need is the desire to have fun and to ensure that our area youth have the opportunity to play recreational sports in a safe and supportive manner. The goal of our league is to encourage good sportsmanship and the three F's; Fun, Friendship & Fitness.
Please take a few moments to browse our site and see what we are all about.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of the MMAA softball league, we have added the older-aged Bantam division in 2022. Registration is based on birth year, but generally, those aged 4 to 18 years can register. We reach player capacity every year on a first registered first paid basis, so you are encouraged to provide your contact email so you can receive registration notices in early each year.
Due to the Weather, All Games Scheduled for
Sunday June 16th are CANCELLED
Games will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
2024 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Please email mmaa1@tbaytel.net to be put on our waitlist, and to receive notices for the 2025 season.
2024 SOFTBALL DIVISIONS
|
Division |
T-Ball |
3-Pitch |
Atom |
PeeWee |
Bantam |
|
Birth Year |
2020 2019 2018 |
2017 2016 2015 |
2014 2013 2012 |
2011 2010 2009 |
2008 2007 2006 2005 |
Softball Divisions are organized by player birth year. No Exceptions.
T-Ball: All players bat each inning, players advance around all bases. The score is not recorded. 3 innings.
3-Pitch: All players bat each inning at 3 pitches from their Coach. Players advance to base if they hit the ball, and are not thrown or tagged out. The score is not recorded. 4 innings.
Atom: Modified softball rules apply. Players pitch. No base-stealing or sliding. Score is recorded. 5 innings.
PeeWee & Bantam: Normal softball rules apply, including base-stealing and sliding. Score is recorded. 5 innings.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LEAGUE
KEY DATES
Coach Orientation Clinic: Monday April 8th 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Umpire Clinic #1: Saturday April 13th 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Umpire Clinic #2: Sunday April 21st 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Field Clean-Up Day: Saturday April 27th 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Season start: Monday April 29th
Playoffs start: Wednesday June 19th (for Atom, PeeWee, Bantam)
Season end Tournament/BBQ Day: Saturday June 22nd
WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED?
Games are played on weeknights at the ball diamonds behind the Murillo Community Centre. There are some Saturday games for T-Ball and 3-Pitch, or for weather-related make-up games. We endeavour to have each team play 10 to 12 regular season games, depending on the number of teams in each division. Each team normally plays 2 games per week on weekday evenings.
There are no set game days of the week, as there are multiple teams per division; and each team will play each of the other team a few times per season. Teams in the older divisions may also have a few scheduled practices.
WHAT TIME ARE GAMES PLAYED?
Weekday evenings, T-Ball and 3-Pitch warm-ups start at 6 pm; Atom, PeeWee & Bantam warm-ups start at 5:50 pm. Game time is 6:30 pm for all divisions. For scheduled Saturday T-Ball and 3-Pitch games, warm-ups start at 10:30 am and game time is at 11:00 am.
WHAT HAPPENS ON TOURNAMENT DAY?
On Tournament Day on Saturday June 22nd, games are played throughout the day for all divisions. Atom, PeeWee and Bantam Divisions have a formal playoff. We have a huge BBQ with food and beverages. Players and coaches receive tickets for free food and drink; cash payment for others. Awards are handed out to all the players! It's AWESOME!
WHAT ARE THE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS?
Except for a softball glove and running shoes, all other equipment is provided. Please write the player’s name in/on their glove. The 3-Pitch and Atom Divisions use 11 inch balls; and Peewee /Bantam Divisions use 12 inch balls. If a player brings their own bat, it must be labeled “Official Softball Bat”, and the bat must be made available to use by all players, on both teams.
Every player will be given a sponsored T-shirt and a ball cap to keep and wear for all games, as expected by the team sponsors (jackets are permitted to be worn when it is cool, preferably under the shirt).
For insurance purposes, all players must wear running shoes and long pants (below the knee). We highly recommend that you keep a spare pair of long pants and shoes in your vehicle in case your child arrives without. Sandals, flip flops, shorts are not permitted. Rubber cleats are permitted; metal cleats are not. Unless prescription, sunglasses are not to be worn on the playing field.
TEAM SELECTIONS:
Registered players are assigned to teams using a balance of age, gender, and Coach-evaluated player skill from the previous season. Sibling players, in the same division, will automatically be put on the same team. Special requests to be on the same team as a friend can sometimes be accommodated but are not guaranteed. Depending on the number of team sponsorships & volunteer coaches, we can normally accommodate up to 6 teams per division; up to 12 players per team.
UMPIRES:
Our youth are the game officials. Registered MMAA players, in second year Atom (born 2013) or older, are eligible to be Umpires. Umpires can choose to be paid or they can use the time as credit for high school volunteer hours.
All Umpires must attend one of the two pre-season umpire clinics, where the rules and responsibilities are discussed. The Umpire clinics will be held on Saturday April 13th; and Sunday April 21st, from 10 am to 12:30 pm. The location is yet to be determined.
The MMAA Softball Rules are located under the Forms/Rules/Handouts tab.
COACHES:
Volunteer Coaches and Assistant Coaches are always needed. The only prerequisite is a desire to help the players and have fun. If you have some softball/baseball knowledge – even better! Coaching is not difficult, and the League will run through the basics with any new Coaches. If you are going to be at the games anyway, maybe you can help. Each team needs one Head Coach and one or more Assistant Coaches. Without Coaches, there is no team.
All Coaches 18 years and older must present a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) obtained within the last five years (since July 2019); or they will need to obtain one. The MMAA will reimburse the costs of the Volunteer rate for the VSC. If a VSC is already available, then Coaches must sign a VSC Declaration Form.
The Coach Orientation Clinic will be held on Monday April 8th from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Murillo Community Centre.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
THANK YOU to all the MMAA volunteers who devote their time and ensure our softball league’s continued success! New volunteers are always welcome to help with the following:
Team Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Scorekeepers
Player Registration
Uniform Distribution
Field Clean-Up Day & Field Maintenance
Equipment Supply & Maintenance
Team Pictures
Umpire Clinic
Tournament & BBQ Day Preparation
Awards
TEAM SPONSORS & LEAGUE SUPPORTERS
To keep player registration fees low, each year we seek team sponsorships from the local community. Team sponsors will have their business name / logo printed on team shirts and hats. A team sponsorship is $375.
The 2024 SPONSORSHIP FORM is located under the Forms/Rules/Handouts tab. Please contact Joe or Karen for more information at mmaa1@tbaytel.net.
Thank you to the Municipality of Oliver-Paipoonge for the ongoing support with facility maintenance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can find more information about the MMAA softball league under the Forms/Rules/Handouts tab, including: 2024 Information Handout; League Softball Rules; Codes of Conduct Policies; and the League's Concussion Policy.
Contact Joe or Karen by email at mmaa1@tbaytel.net.
MMAA Website: https://mmaa.tbay.me/
MMAA Facebook: MMAA-Murillo-Minor-Athletic-Association