93 Birth Year players
The 2010 season is done and the 2011 season isn’t far behind!!
The age rule changes that come into effect next year mean that next season is the final year of Minor ball for all players born in 1993. That means that they only get one more chance at Midget Canadians (which are in Winnipeg next year…very affordable!). For most of you, you are heading into grade 12. You are going to have a busy year. Do you have time for a major commitment to ball? Do you have time for 8 travel tournaments in May and June?
If you are interested in playing Midget A or B ball, we would like to hear from you. We have the program and the structure that will work for you.
ACES Calgary will have at least one Midget A team and at least one Midget B team next season. Our goal will be to also have ACES Edmonton teams if there is enough interest. Wouldn’t it be great to come up with a program where Edmonton players played on Edmonton teams and Calgary players played on Calgary teams? It make take some time to make it all work, but we are trying! We have the program. All players are welcome.
The ACES Super League has made us believers in the development system that we have in place. We don’t need to spend a fortune and travel every weekend to compete. The Calgary program was a huge success last season and Edmonton will hopefully get started next season. Our players graduating from high school didn’t have any problems attending the events they needed to attend and there weren’t any issues that affected their academics. It was a great combination of playing top quality ball and also getting to enjoy their grade 12 year.
So what does the 2011 season look like?
In terms of games, our top Midget team will once again play in the ACES Super League.
5 Super League Weekends – 4 games per weekend(at least) – 20 Games
Weeknight Super League Handicap Games – 10 games
Ladies Industrial League – 12 Games
A 42 game schedule against a wide variety of opponents all right here in Calgary. More importantly, we are not encumbered by roster rules that force us to carry 12-14 players. Our roster will have 10-11 players so that everyone gets to play. There is no shortage of playing time!!
May Long Weekend – 5 Games
June Tournament to be determined – 5 Games
July Tournament – 5 games
We will likely have Firecracker events in early April in Kelowna or Sicamous again. They went very well last season. These events are optional but if you attend both that would be an additional 8 games.
That is 65 (approx.) games for those who want to attend every game and event. 65 games against a wide variety of opponents with only 2 travel tournaments during the last 2 months of school.
Many of the 93 birth year players are heading into grade 12 this upcoming season. What does that mean? It means Graduation preparation, dresses, ceremonies, parties and events. Many kids even get part time jobs. More importantly, many of the girls will be needing to focus on their academics. Homework, test preparation, reports and so much more. The ACES Program has designed a league and a structure that can be accommodating to the needs of the grade 12 student. A grueling 8 Travel tournaments schedule does not leave a lot of room for studying, graduation events or any social life.
You don’t need to choose between life and ball. You can have both. It isn’t easy, but it can work. There are certainly more expectations for players on an A team over a B team, but the players on the B team play the same competitive and exciting ball as the A team all year long. The ACES Super League was designed for player like you.
The upcoming Fall Firecracker is a great way to get started!! We hope to see you there.
ACES Academy of Softball
