| Category | A Ball (Community) | AA Ball (Strikers - WSWYSA) | AAA Ball (Smitty’s Terminators) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of Play | Recreational / community league | Competitive (regional) | Elite (provincial & national) |
| Who Can Play? | Open to all players, no tryout required | Players must attend tryouts; selected athletes only | Players must attend tryouts; only top athletes selected |
| Team Structure | Community-based teams (local club registration) | Strikers teams formed under WSWYSA | Terminators teams formed under provincial AAA program |
| Season Length | May - June (league play) Provincials in July (optional) | Runs in parallel to A ball season Exhibition games, Showcase (June), Provincials (end of July) | Extended season with travel Provincials in late July; Nationals for qualifying teams |
| Time Commitment | 1-2 practices + 1-2 games per week (weekday evenings) | Two teams at once (A + AA) Practices only Friday evenings or Sundays after 6:00 PM Extra tournaments + Provincials | Multiple practices weekly, strength/conditioning, league & tournaments, travel weekends |
| Travel | Minimal (local league play) | Moderate (within Manitoba, 2 tournaments) | High (travel across MB and often out-of-province) |
| Costs | Lowest (community registration fees only) | Moderate (community fees + AA team fees) | Highest (team fees, travel, equipment, training) |
| Player Pathway | Entry-level, learn fundamentals, community fun | Bridge between community and elite play Prepares athletes for AAA or Team MB | Highest competition level in MB Pathway to Nationals, Team MB, college/university |
| Focus | Fun, skill development, and teamwork | Skill progression, competitive experience, balance with A ball | Elite training, high performance competition, exposure to post-secondary opportunities |