Volleyball Sign Language (ASL) & Support Charity in the Deaflympics

If you play volleyball then you know how important it is to talk. If you’ve ever had a coach then surely they have yelled at you to talk more. It’s true, it helps the game. Not only does the communication help but the action of doing it keeps you mentally engaged with the game.

Have you ever played on a team or against a team that speaks a different language? Well I have! It actually was ok – even though I don’t know Spanish I was able to follow along by listening to who was speaking. If it was the setter and they weren’t near the 2nd ball I knew that the word I didn’t understand was probably help. But you can also tell a lot from what their body is saying. The setter wasn’t going for that ball so that alone told me that someone needs to get that ball.

Body cues can tell you a lot, you just need to “listen” and by “listen” I mean watching their body language. Have you ever played with a deaf person? Well I have! It was no different then playing with someone who spoke a different language. I just needed to watch for the body language.

However it is nice to know some signs. Have you ever wondered how to sign, serve, hit, pass, set, good job, good point, and so on? Well my team mate, Charity, put together a tutorial video with her girlfriend Robyn.

Deaflympics

Charity is also looking for donations to sponsor her to go to the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria for beach volleyball, yes that’s doubles! Please support Charity by donating today!

Click on the [CC] to turn on the Closed Captions

Softball Registration Set to Open – Steel City Softball

Steel City Softball tweeted that registration will open in less than a month, but when? No idea yet as they haven’t officially announced the date. Here’s their tweet

Hey everybody! Registration opens in less than a month! Do you know where your teammates and players are?

Don’t wait – get your balls and bats in order!

Fall 2012 Volleyball Season!

Hello volleyballers! In just a little over a month, our Fall 2012 season will begin. There are a few things you should know that have changed since last season:

  • This year we are trying to process all registrations online
  • There are discounts for registering early – after September 9th, fees will increase by about $10 (see fees below)
  • If there is enough interest, the board will consider adding a “Power” division this season
  • Spiker, Setter, and potential Power players will have the choice to “play down” one division (last season you could only choose to play in competitive and/or recreational)
  • Regular season games will be scheduled on Sundays from 4PM – 8PM (last season games were scheduled from 4PM – 9PM)

If you are new to the league and you would like to play in one of our competitive divisions (Setter, Spiker, Power) you MUST participate in one of our evaluation days (dates are below). Recreational players are also encouraged to be evaluated so that we can create teams in a fair manner.

If you are a returning member but would like to challenge your existing rating, you may also participate in one of our evaluation days.

Registration

We are trying to process all registrations online. The following link has a simple form for you to fill out, and a convenient way to pay. Please click below to register.

Click here to register

.Important Dates

  • Thursday, 9/6 – Evaluations for intermediate (Setter) level players / Open play (recreational)
  • Sunday, 9/9 – Evaluations for advanced (Spiker/Power) level players / Open play (competitive)
    • LAST DAY FOR EARLY REGISTRATION
  • Wednesday, 9/12 – Evaluations for advanced (Spiker/Power) level players / Open play (competitive)
  • Sunday, 9/16 – Evaluations for intermediate (Setter) level players / Open play (recreational)
    • REGISTRATION CLOSED
  • Sunday, 9/23 – Round robin play with assigned teams
  • Sunday, 9/30 – Regular season begins

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Fees

Early registration (through 9/9/12):

  • One Division $56.95
  • One Division – student rate $36.35
  • Two Divisions $77.55
  • Two Divisions – student rate $56.95

Late registration (after 9/9/12):

  • One Division $67.25
  • One Division – student rate $46.65
  • Two Divisions $87.85
  • Two Divisions – student rate $67.25

Registration will close on 9/16/12. Click here to register!

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For any other information, please visit our website: http://www.steelcityvolleyball.org

Yours truly,
The SCVL Board.

Interested in Volleyball

Interested in Playing?

We typically start our Fall season the weekend after Labor Day. All you have to do is show up with proper volleyball attire (no need to form a team ahead of time). We will have a registration table setup at the gym where you will fill out some forms and can pay for your season registration. The first two Sundays of play will be devoted to developing basic skills and playing some 25-point pick up games so that we can assess which Division you will best fit into. We will be sending out emails to the league to remind people about this when it gets closer. Shoot us an email at SCVLBoard@gmail.com to be subscribed to the email updates.

Outdoor Games

In the meantime, if you’d like to meet some of the league members, we play outdoors at the Schenley Park Oval(near the ice skating rink on Overlook Drive) on Sundays at 1:30. This is open play and is open to all skill levels. We also play at the same location on Tuesdays at 6:30 – this is for more competitive players who have a good amount of experience. The Summer Season is less formal than the Fall and Spring Seasons, you basically come whenever you want to play, you don’t have to sign up. We do not make teams that last for the entire season, instead we just have pickup games where we form teams on the spot by counting off. Also, the Summer Season is free of charge since we do not have to pay a fee to play at Schenely Park.If you have any other questions, feel free to email us!-SCVL Board

For more information, see our FAQs page.

Steel City Softball Election Time

SCSLIt’s getting close to playoffs and that means election time. If you are interested in joining the board or would like to nominate someone you believe would be a fit for the position please send an email to Craig, commish@steelcitysoftball.org, by Sunday, July 22nd. Elections will take place during the playoffs. The following board positions are open for re-election at the end of the 2012 season: C Assistant Commissioner, D Assistant Commissioner, Treasurer, Membership Chairperson, Marketing/Fundraising Chairperson.

Online registration now open for the TREAT 2012 Bowling Tournament

TREAT LogoTREAT is the Pittsburgh-based tournament in the International Gay Bowling Organization, a non-profit organization that provides education, communications and opportunities to promote the sport of bowling and to enrich the lives of individuals through leagues and tournaments worldwide. For more than 20 years, the tournament has raised money for local charities and community groups. The visibility of their biennial intramural bowling tournament is one of the oldest gay bowling tournaments in the country, drawing domestic and international participants.

Tournament registration is $99 per bowler with a $10 early bird registration discount.  Bowlers, far and wide, are welcomed to stay in our host hotel the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown hotel for only $99 per night.

To register or for more details, visit treatpgh.org.

Mystery Doubles Bowling All Summer Long

Summer Mystery DoublesTo keep our bowling skills sharp through the summer, Steel City Bowling League invites all members and friends to participate in Summer Mystery Doubles each Sunday at 7:00 p.m. June through August.

Summer Mystery Doubles is the perfect low-commitment format for the summertime.

How does it work?

  • You can bowl with anyone you’d like.
  • Each player bowls three games.
  • After bowling three games, all names are randomly paired together.
  • The top 3 doubles scores bowl for cash prizes.

Join us on Facebook where we have open call for anyone to RSVP to find out the latest and spread the word about LGBT bowling in Pittsburgh.

Softball Opening Day May 5th

Steel City Softball League would like to announce: Opening day has been scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at North Park. Registration for the 2012 season is now open, so register now!

2012 marks the 31st year the Steel City Softball League will make its presence known in Pittsburgh. The SCSL provides an atmosphere for individuals to be themselves without fear of discrimination and is open to all members and friends of the GLBT community of Pittsburgh.

The purpose of the SCSL is to promote bonds of fellowship within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, through education and enjoyment of the sport of softball. The SCSL fosters mutual respect regardless of ability, age, race, creed or sexual orientation.