COVID-19 Update June 4th 2020

To the Newmarket Stingers Softball Community,

The Newmarket Minor Softball Association (the Stingers) remains committed to the safety of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, sponsors, and families.

While the COVID-19 response remains fluid, we are continuing to monitor the situation and are actively communicating with our partners at the Town of Newmarket and our York North Loop member associations, Stouffville, Aurora, and Richmond Hill.

Based on the guidelines provided by the provincial government and our public health officials, the Town of Newmarket has suspended all field permits through the end of June 2020. As of May 27th, 2020, the Town of Newmarket has also cancelled all Town-run summer camps and programs for the rest of summer 2020.

Following the direction taken by the Town of Newmarket, the Stingers have made the decision to suspend 2020 houseleague softball for players aged U12 and under. The Board wants to assure our hive that this decision has not been made lightly and is guided by the priority of the health and safety of all players, coaches, officials, and volunteers. Our houseleague programs, as they are currently designed, cannot be delivered safely and in keeping with Provincial Guidelines. Our York North Loop partners have also agreed to suspend houseleague programming for U12 and younger.

At this time, anyone currently registered for any of our U12 and under programming  may request a refund by contacting our treasurer, Kanita Sichantha at treasurer.nmsa@outlook.com.  Alternatively, you may roll-over your fees for next year and lock-in this year's price for 2021.  If we don't hear from you, we'll assume your are rolling over your fee but you may change your mind at any time and request a refund.  If we are able to put on alternate programming in 2020, we will request a reduced payment at that time.

We plan to move to skills and drills programming for U12 and under, once we have a green light from the Town of Newmarket for permit use and we have a clear direction for health and safety guidelines from the provincial government for this season.

For age groups U14 and older and the adult 3 pitch division, we are continuing to monitor all sources of COVID-19 related information and direction to decide if we can provide a comprehensive shortened/condensed houseleague program that would not start until mid-July - at the earliest.

For our Select division, we have received initial direction from the PWSA for proposed rules of play that are intended to fulfill current social distancing and safety guidelines. The NMSA's existing Select softball program is designed and structured in a way that cannot be delivered in line with current Provincial requirements for social distancing and gatherings nor in line with the proposed PWSA guidelines. Based on this reality, the Stingers are suspending the 2020 Select program for all age groups. We are looking into the potential for a modified Select program which may be offered only if the NMSA is able to deliver it in a meaningful and safe manner.

We anticipate that when we are able to resume in person activities, it will begin with small organized practices, skill and drills, to be kept within the limits of gatherings the provincial government is likely to mandate along with provincial return-to-play guidelines.

The Stingers are still planning to conduct our 2021 Select try-outs in late August/early September 2020. As part of our league's strategic plan, we are committed to aligning our Select program selection process with the regional teams we play each season. We are very excited to form our Select teams in the fall as it gives all the players and coaches the entire fall and winter to work as teams to train, practice and bond together for almost 8 months prior to our next Select season in 2021.

We acknowledge that some of the information we provided today was hard for some to hear. However, we want to assure you that the decisions were not taken lightly and were made while considering the health and safety of everyone involved. We are committed to providing safe programming and hopefully that will include some sort of softball activity for each division this year.

Next steps:

1. We are a busy hive and we LOVE to keep as active as possible! We will be reaching out to our Stinger community very shortly with a fantastic initiative aimed at connecting the Stingers with Newmarket and area seniors through a letter-writing campaign.

2. We are also going to create a cool new video showcasing Stingers in and around Newmarket. Watch for info on our social media how you can help, by submitting video clips!

3. We need all players to formally register on www.nmsa.net so we have you officially listed as a Stinger. We need you to be registered so that when we start playing again, we are able to contact you and formally put you on a team roster, clinics, events and skills and drills. No payment is required.

Question: Will the Newmarket Stingers be cancelling the upcoming season?

Answer: We hope not. We are working behind the scenes and making every effort to plan for a season to start as soon as we are able. We are in regular communication with the Town of Newmarket and our York North Loop member associations (Stouffville, Aurora and Richmond Hill) Because the season won't start at the regular time, we are looking at having a shortened season and tournament games. We will continue to send updates on www.nmsa.net and social media as they become available.

Question: When would the Stingers season open?

Answer: We will not be able to provide a date for when the season will open until the Government of Ontario lifts the restriction on the closures of all parks and sports fields and we are communicating with the Town of Newmarket if/when they plan to issue permits for the diamonds and if/when the Town staff is able to prepare the diamonds for play.

Question: Will there be an Opening/Anniversary Weekend?

Answer: Our Anniversary Weekend was originally scheduled for June 5th/6th https://www.nmsa.net/event/show/463300096 When it is safe to do so and diamond permits are issued by the Town, we are planning how best to celebrate our 46th Anniversary season later in the summer.

Question: I registered my child for House League, can I request to withdraw my child for the season and request a refund?

Answer: Yes. We respect this is a very uncertain time and the health/financial decisions each family must make. Please email Kanita at treasurer.nmsa@outlook.com to request a refund for any monies already paid. We are encouraging all Stingers to register online at https://www.nmsa.net/page/show/5539108-registration and choose the “pay later” option. This will have you and/or your child registered with the league and ready to be put on a roster for 2020 and beyond. No payment is required at this time.

Question: If the season is cancelled at a later date will I get a refund then?

Answer: Yes, full refunds will be provided for all house league players and adult 3-pitch teams if the season is cancelled.

Question: Will there be a partial refund if the season is delayed or shortened?

Answer: Yes, a partial refund will be available. The NMSA will calculate a refund for a shortened season.

Question: What is the status of the girls Select teams and can they request a refund?

Answer: We have not collected any funds for Select players for the 2020 season. Chan, our Director of Select is actively communicating with the Select team coaches and will advise any/all plans for Select tournaments this season as they become available. New for 2021. We will be organizing our 2021 girls Select teams in August and September this year. As part of our 4 year Strategic plan, we are moving our tryouts to the Fall time period. This will allow our Select teams to be organized and training together right through the Fall and Winter in preparation for the Spring/Summer tournament schedule the following year. We are also looking at setting up some “friendly” Select games with area and regional teams this Fall.

Question: I sponsored a team in house league, can I request a refund for sponsorship?

Answer: Yes, we understand many businesses may be struggling at the moment and may need to withdraw support for this season. Another option is to roll-over your gracious support into our 2021 season. We are happy to work with our tremendous Sponsorship partners to find the best option for you. Please email Kanita at treasurer.nmsa@outlook.com to request a refund or advise plans for 2021.

Thank you for all your continued support during these ever-changing times!

Updated March 29th, 2020

As a league, please know that we are in regular contact with our partners at the Town of Newmarket, our suppliers, sponsors, Softball Ontario and our York North Loop partner associations (Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville  and Richmond Hill).

Two key traits of bees are that they are very  adaptable and very well-prepared! 

Online registration will remain open indefinitely. To help us prepare for the full or modified season ahead, we'd love to hear from you and know that you are planning to play.

Bees are also very social creatures. Like us, we know everyone will be so eager to get back out onto the field and play ball, once we get the green light that it is safe. We are doing everything to be ready to PLAY BALL!

We encourage everyone to continue to register here for the 2020 season. 

 https://www.nmsa.net/page/show/5539108-registration 

Please choose the PAY LATER option. We are not seeking payment at this time, only to know that you are planning to play. 

For all players, adult teams and anyone who has already paid their fees for the 2020 season, please also know the NMSA will issue refunds (full or partial) if the season is shortened or cancelled. 

We also want to thank our local Sponsors who have already made contact with the league and committed their sponsorship for the 2020 season, despite the uncertainty.  When its time, they too recognize the importance of returning  to a sense of normalcy.  The power of community sports is STRONG. They are committed to helping us all get back on the field playing softball as soon as its safe.  We appreciate all the support we receive from our community partners!