Month: September 2018

Jigsaw
by Colum Lavery

Slow Pitch Development Working Group Announced

Softball Ireland have today announced the formation of a Slow-pitch Development Working Group whose key objective is to develop a plan to support the retention and growth of participation in adult Slow-pitch Softball in Ireland.

Softball Ireland have appointed Katie Sadleir as the independent Chairperson of the Working Group. Katie is a high profile and experienced appointment with a broad knowledge in the sports world having shaped High Performance sport in New Zealand for a number of years. Katie is currently the General Manager of Women’s Rugby for World Rugby. Katie is a former Olympian and Commonwealth medal winner with New Zealand.

The other members of the Working Group will include representatives from Leinster, Ulster and Galway as nominated by the Regional boards. The Softball Ireland Executive members will also sit on the Working Group.

Speaking on the creation of the Working Group, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said:

“The retention and growth of participation in adult slow-pitch softball is Softball Ireland’s number 1 priority and we are delighted that the development Working Group has formed to look at retention and growth of Players in detail and I look forward to its work beginning. The Working Group has taken a little longer than planned to form but we are confident that under the leadership of an experienced Chair such as Katie we will make up the lost time.”

The Terms of Reference for the Working Group stem from the successful membership forum held in 2017.

The Working Group will report to the Softball Ireland Board and updates will be shared with the members quarterly.

by Colum Lavery

Dodder Crowned National Champions

Dodder Softball Club were crowned National Champions for the second time in three in years after a dominant display against Ulster League champions Belfast Softball Club (BSC). Similar to the 2017 final against TNT, BSC left themselves with a mountain to climb after conceding 13 to Dodder in the first inning. After conceding a run at the top of one, Dodder came out firing and went through the order scoring 13 through a combination of base hits and some power hitting over the fences. From there on in Dodder controlled the game keeping the score board ticking over and ultimately winning the game in the fourth on the runs ahead rule.

The Leinster league continues its dominance over the tournament and Dodder will be one of Softball Ireland’s two representatives at the 2020 European Super Cup.

The facebook live feed of the game can be viewed here

Box Score
Inning: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total
Belfast Softball Club 1 1 5 2 X X X 9
Dodder Softball Club 13 6 5 6 X X X 30
by Colum Lavery

European Softball Coaches Association

The European Softball Federation have asked that we share details of the European Softball Coaches Association, an international instructional training camp for players and coaches from all over Europe. The camp will be held in October 2018.

Launched in 2017 with great success, the training camp is open to Players and Coaches.

ESCA Training Camp 2018

Dates for coaches
October 23 – 28 (Tuesday – Sunday)
To make sure that the Training Camp runs smoothly and the coaches get the most out of it, their Camp will begin one day earlier.

Dates for players
October 24 – 28 (Wednesday – Sunday)

Location
De Nieuwe Erf , Diessen, The Netherlands 2018

ESCA Training Camp fee
Coach (newcomer) – 325 euro
Coach (returning) – 275 euro
Player (newcomer) – 385 euro
Player (returning) – 335 euro

Further details and the registration form are available by clicking here

by Colum Lavery

Notice of Softball Ireland AGM – November 17, 2018

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held at ALSAA Sports Centre, Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Co. Dublin, K67 YV06 on Saturday November 17, 2018 at 12.00pm (1200) for the purposes of transacting the following business in accordance with the Softball Ireland Constitution: –

  1. Adoption of Standing Orders
  2. Minutes of the 2017 AGM and Matters Arising
  3. Presidents Report
  4. Financial
    1. Accounts and Balance Sheet of SI for year ended September 30, 2018
    2. Appoint Auditors for 2019
    3. Note the 2019 Draft Softball Ireland Budget
  5. Election of Softball Ireland Board
    1. Consider Nominations for Secretary (2-year term)
    2. Consider Nominations for Treasurer (2-year term)
    3. Ratify Appointment of Softball Leinster Representative
    4. Ratify Appointment of Softball Ulster Representative
    5. Ratify Appointment of Fastpitch Division Representative
    6. Ratify Independent Board Member
  6. Any Other Business

Dated this September 13, 2018

By order of Softball Ireland

Note: 

  1. The Quorum for a General Meeting shall be 50% of the fully paid up Teams in accordance with Article 7 entitled to attend and vote at a General Meeting.
  2. Each fully paid up Player in Good Standing of SI may attend and speak, subject to the standing orders, at the General Meeting
  • Unless designated as Representative of a Team at a meeting, the Player shall not have a vote.

Nominations: Nominations for the position of Secretary or Treasurer of Softball Ireland must be submitted noting the proposer and seconder by 1700 on November 3, 2018 to president@softball.ie

by Colum Lavery

Ireland Finish 8th at World Series 2018

As part of its preparations for the 2019 European Championships, Ireland traveled to London to play in the annual World Series tournament hosted by the BSF. Ireland went 3 & 2 on day 1 of the tournament, beating the Netherlands and Japan and Scotland, losing to GB Masters and then losing out agonizingly to a place in the top 6 with a tough loss to England in the bottom of the 7th inning in the last game of the day.

Day 2 saw Ireland in the Plate tournament and were in a group consisting of Canada and the other Irish team, the Leinster Craicers. Ireland beat Canada in game 1 and in a tight game 2, needed to dig deep and come from behind to beat the Craicers.

After topping its group, Ireland entered the Page System with two chances of making the final, and needed both chances. First up was the other group winners Czech Republic, Ireland led for the majority of the game but Czech game back strong to win the game over the last two innings of the contest. Ireland’s second chance to make the final came against Africa, this time Ireland made no mistakes and led from start to finish, in the end comfortable beating one of the stronger teams of the tournament. The final was a repeat of the earlier game but this time Czech came out firing and took an early lead which they never gave up and ended up comfortable winners in the Plate final with Ireland finishing eight. A worthwhile tournament with lots of learnings in preparation for the 2019 European Championships.

Ireland World Series Roster

Head Coach: Senan Dormer
Ciara Walsh Barry Casey
Elaine Barr Brian Hehir
Norma McIntyre Chris Barr
Phoebe Louisa Niall Lavery
Ruth Casey Simon Lewis
Ruth Concannon
Shawna Walsh
by Colum Lavery

SINCC 2018 Rosters Announced

Belfast Softball Club and Dodder Softball Club have announced their expanded rosters ahead of the 2018 SINCC final to be played in Dublin on Saturday September 15, 2018. Both teams will submit their final 18 player roster on September 15. The SINCC winners will be crowned national champions and also qualify as Ireland’s representative to the 2020 European Slopitch Super Cup.

Softball Ireland National Club Championships

September 15, 2018 – Stanaway Park Dublin @1230

Expanded Rosters
Belfast Softball Club  Dodder Softball Club
Philip Wallace Ken McCarthy
Sean Gottschalk John McCarthy
Tom Napier Frank Geoghegan
Jay Manticahon Leo Farrell
Nathaniel McQueen Carl Ward
Mark White John Austin
Andy Lamont Brian Connolly
Kevin Havekes Stephen Carter
Ryan Kerr Derek Ward
James Calow Ciaran Darcy
Patrick Scullion Andrew O’Hanlon
Richard Simpson Niall Lavery
Glyn Rees Tim Healy
Elaine Barr Graham Sullivan
Deb Gray Jordan Sylver
Audrey Osborne Shawna Walsh
Irena Mihneva Ciara Walsh
Emily Davison Olwen Barrett
Kerry Gottschalk Ruth Brady
Christina Carty Sara Radics
Orlaigh Connor Ashley Downs
Amandine Ledru Noeleen McCarthy
Niamh Donegan Susan McCarthy
Janice Ward
Meabh Hogan
Katerina Prazakova
Siobhain Monerawela
by Colum Lavery

SINCC 2018 Confirmed for September 15, 2018

The 2018 Softball Ireland National Club Championships between the Belfast Softball Club (Ulster League Winners) and Dodder the (Leinster League Winners) will be held on September 15, 2018 in Stanaway Park @ 12:30.

The game is held annually and rotates hosting between Leinster and Ulster will decided one of Ireland’s representatives at the 2020 European Club Championships.

A link to the venue on google maps can be found here.

by Colum Lavery

Volunteer Role Vacancy – Competitions & Event Officer

Softball Ireland is seeking to appoint a Competitions & Event Officer who has a strong interest in sport and is willing to volunteer their time to a sporting organisation. This is a volunteer position and the successful applicant will be appointed to a rolling 1-year contract.

Softball Ireland is the National Governing Body for Softball in Ireland and is recognised as such by Sport Ireland and the World Baseball Softball Confederation. At present Softball Ireland is a volunteer-run organisation and there are over 750 active members involved in the sport at various levels. Softball is a growing sport in Ireland and we are expanding our Management team to meet this increased demand. Softball Ireland is managed by a Board of Management, members of which are elected by the membership, who in turn appoint Regions/Directors to manage each section of the sport.

The Competitions & Event Officer will report to the Softball Ireland Board and will work with all sections of the sport to co-ordinate their events.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for the role include:

  • Take the lead on all Softball Ireland events including but not limited to Brian Walshe Cup, IOST, SINCC and the Annual General Meeting
  • Prepare draft tournament schedules for approval
  • Prepare and manage a budget for each event
  • Appoint any subcommittee members as necessary to assist with the deliver of Competitions and Events
  • Support the various Regions and Directors with the running and implementation of their events
  • Assist the Communications Officer with improving the event management process
  • Engage with third parties to enhance the quality of Softball Ireland events
  • Assist Regions and clubs with their events, when required
  • Work with the Communications Officer on the effective advertising of events
  • Work closely with venue managers, services and other stakeholders
  • Support the Board with enforcing the event sanctioning process

Application Process

If you would like to apply for the role of Competitions, please send your CV, outlining your qualifications and experience, along with a cover letter outlining your suitability to President@softball.ie. Applications should be submitted by Friday September 14, 2018

Please submit all items in PDF format where possible.

This is a rolling 1-year contract, subject to the directions of the Softball Ireland Board.