Game Day Information

   Set up & Pack up Duties

Clubs are assigned Set Up and Pack Up duties in blocks throughout the season. Each Club is responsible for how these duties are managed, with team managers delegating tasks to parents and players.

Please note: If a parent or member is unable to complete their assigned duty, it is their responsibility to find a suitable replacement from within their team or club.

Click here to learn more about duties.

   Game Bells

Teams allocated to the first base dugout on Diamond 1 (and occasionally those on the third base dugout on Diamond 6)will be responsible for ringing the game bell to signal the start and end of games.

While reminders are sent to clubs on Friday afternoons, it is the responsibility of team managers to ensure this duty is covered by a team member or spectator each week once the draw is finalised.

  Team Umpiring Duties

Teams are allocated umpiring duties throughout the season and are required to provide 3 umpires (plate and 2 bases). 

NSDSA is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all volunteer umpires. All junior umpires must have an adult mentor or advocate present, either on or off the diamond. Abuse of umpires is not tolerated under NSDSA’s strict zero-tolerance policy.

Where available, umpiring relief by accredited Blues may be arranged and will be communicated to clubs via email on Friday afternoons. Please note: Failure to supply all three umpires may result in penalties, including the loss of competition points.

Concerns, Complaints, Incidents/Injuries

All player or parent concerns, questions, or complaints should first be directed to the team manager, who will coordinate with coaches, umpires, the Umpire in Charge (UIC), or the NSDSA Committee as needed.

If an issue requires escalation, it can be formally lodged using the Incident Form. NSDSA also has a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) available to provide confidential and impartial support. The MPIO can help you understand your options but does not participate in the complaint resolution process.

   BBQ Duty

BBQ duty is allocated at the club level and serves as a valuable fundraising opportunity throughout the season. Each club is responsible for supplying their own food, equipment, and a gas bottle, as gas storage on-site is not permitted under NSDSA’s lease with Council.

The BBQ is stored in the female umpires' change room and must be returned clean at the end of your club’s allocated duty.

   Wet Weather & Ground Closures

Please be assured that our priority is always to play softball, and we will do everything we can to get teams on the field each week.

Training and games may, but are not always, cancelled if Ku-ring-gai Council closes the grounds. In addition, the NSDSA Committee may choose to close fields—particularly on training nights—to help preserve diamond conditions for competition.

All wet weather updates will be communicated through club channels and NSDSA’s social media, with as much notice as possible.

   Match Balls

2 Match Balls are to be provided by each team for each game. The size of balls required for each grade are as follows:

   Pitching Distance

Representative pitchers are required to pitch from the distance they will be pitching at their respective tournaments in 2025.

   Photography Guidelines 

NSDSA recognises that parents often enjoy capturing moments of their children during training and games. However, some junior and senior players may have chosen not to grant permission for their image to be used or shared during the registration process.

We ask that all members and the wider softball community exercise sensitivity and respect when taking photographs at games. Under no circumstances should photos or images be posted on websites or social media without the explicit permission of the parent or player involved. That said, NSDSA welcomes team photos and action shots taken during games for the sole purpose of promoting our sport and building momentum on social media—with appropriate permissions in place.