OUR MISSION:
- To institute and regulate the game of slo-pitch softball
- To foster and improve the game of slo-pitch softball across the Province
- To protect and promote the mutual interest of all Association Members
- To develop and promote a minor slo-pitch program throughout the Province
- Who We Are
Slo-Pitch Ontario Association (known as "SPO") was established back in November of 1982 to create more awareness of the sport of slo-pitch and to better communicate with its participants throughout Ontario, and now has one of the largest provincial memberships in Canada. In 1992, SPO became a Member Association of Softball Ontario and affiliated with Softball Canada, the officially recognized national and provincial slo-pitch/softball organizations. Slo-pitch softball is a fun, popular adult team sport in North America for adults of all ages and skill levels, with over 2.5 million Canadians taking the field to play this recreational grassroots game each season!
For over 40 years, our volunteer based, not-for-profit Association has worked extensively to create and develop many programs and services for players, teams, and coaches to enjoy, and for league executives, umpires and convenors/directors to assist with the administeration of their local programs, leading the way with innovative ideas, integrity, and a passionate commitment to our sport.
- What We Do
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We are proud to offer our Members:
LEAGUE REGISTRATION
Leagues can register their teams, receive $5,000,000 liability insurance coverage for all Members of their League Executive, including a Certificate of Insurance for their municipality, scorebooks and Invitations to our Ontario Championships for each team, access to The SPOrt Store for awards and prizes, and more!MEMBER REGISTRATION
All participants in any SPO-sanctioned League, Tournament or Event must be a registered and Active Member. For an annual Membership Fee, SPO Members are eligible for liability insurance and secondary accident and health insurance coverage, gain exclusive access to the SPO Mobile App and Rewards Program, and can play in any SPO League, on any team, in any event, anywhere (subject to conditions and guidelines relevant to playing ability).INSURANCE
The insurance covers each player for $5,000,000 liability insurance, and secondary sport accident coverage, for any slo-pitch activity including practice. Our insurance program offers our Members the most comprehensive secondary sport accident insurance coverage available, with NO DEDUCTIBLE paid by any Member for any claim. (Please Note: It is not a loss of wage and income policy.)THE SPOrt STORE
Our on-line store offers our Members the highest quality gear and merchandise available from our corporate partners like Rawlings, Miken, Worth, Mizuno, and New Era, at special Member pricing. Our unbeatable prices for amazing items allows leagues and tournament directors to customize their awards and prizes to suit their needs and their budget.QUALIFYING TOURNAMENTS
We offer Qualifying Tournaments each season across the Province for teams to compete for Awards, and to qualify to attend our Ontario Championships.ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIPS
Our Ontario Championships are held each year in London, Ontario and the surrounding area. Over 300 teams compete in more than 20 divisions over multiple weekends for the title of Champion, distinctive Awards, travel expenses, Champion Rings and bragging rights.ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT
This exciting tournament brings together the best mens and womens slo-pitch teams in the Province to compete for the right to represent Ontario in the Softball Canada Canadian Slo-Pitch Championships.SUPER SERIES
Uniquely offered for SPO Member teams, the SPO Super Series is a series of tournaments held each season that provide Mens and Womens teams in the A, B and C divisions, the opportunity to play in a competitive program, earning Points at each Event to determine a Super Series Champion in each division.SENIOR CIRCUIT
Uniquely offered for SPO Member Senior teams, the Senior Circuit is a series of tournaments held each season to provide teams from the 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+ and 75+ age divisions the opportunity to play in a competitive program, earning Points at each Event to determine a Senior Circuit Champion in each division.USSSA
As part of our affiliation with the United States Specialty Sports Association ("USSSA"), the premier softball organization in the US, we are able to offer Ontario teams the opportunity to compete in local State tournaments, as well as qualify to participate in the USSSA World Series Championships, most of which are held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, in beautiful Orlando, FL.HIGH SCHOOL PROVINCIAL SLO-PITCH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Since 1995, SPO has been proud to host the Provincial High School Championships to promote youth slo-pitch. This event is OFSSA-recognized and is held each year on the Thursday and Friday following Victoria Day. Contact the SPO Office for more details.TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR PROGRAM
We make running a tournament or event as easy as possible for our Tournament Directors. From on-line registration and management for Tournament Directors, insurance, and tournament supplies delivered right to your door, to assistance from full-time office staff, advertising through social media and our SPO Mobile App, we can get your tournament information to Team Contacts and Players across the Province so that you can have your most successful event to date. Contact the SPO Office to get started!UMPIRE CARDING AND CLINICS
Anyone interested in Umpiring, or attending a Clinic can obtain information by contacting the Softball Ontario office at (416) 426-7150, or emailing info@sloftballontario.ca.COACHING AND SCOREKEEPER CLINICS
Through our exclusive affiliation with Softball Ontario, our Members have access to Coaching and Scorekeeper Clinics. Contact Softball Ontario at (416) 425-7150, or visit their website at www.softballontario.ca for more information or to find a Clinic near you.GET CONNECTED WITH THE SPO SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK
Find everything you need right here at slopitch.org, including tournament listings, rules, playing procedures, information on insurance and equipment, and the latest news and information! You can also like us on Facebook (@SloPitchON and @SPOSuperSeries), and follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@slopitchontario), and you won't miss a thing!AND MUCH MORE…
There are many services and benefits included with SPO Membership too numerous to mention here. Contact us to find out more! We're the Home of Slo-Pitch, and we want you to come Home!
