Year: 2018

by Colum Lavery

Ireland Drop One Spot in Softball Europe Slowpitch Rankings

Ireland drop one place to 4th in Europe in Slowpitch Softball

Ireland have lost third spot to the Czech Republic and dropped one spot to fourth in the European Slowpitch rankings issued on November 25, 2018 a reverse to what happened in 2017.

Ireland’s 7th place finish at the Men’s European Championships coupled with the Czech Republics 4th place finish sees Ireland trail Czech Republic by 250 points as we go into the 2019 European Co-ed Championships.

Ireland will head the the European Championships that it can reverse the situation once more as they push for a European medal and automatic qualification to the inaugural WBSC Co-ed Slowpitch World Cup in 2020.

by Colum Lavery

AGM 2018 Decisions – Treasurer Required

Annual General Meeting 2018 Decisions

The 2018 Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting was held on November 17, 2018. Thank you to all the members who attended and took part in engaged and positive AGM.

Below is a summary of the decisions on the day, the full minutes will be circulated shortly.

  • A detailed update on the proposed merger with Baseball Ireland was provided to the membership in attendance
  • Accounts to year ended September 30, 2018 approved
  • Elections/Confirmation of Appointments as follows
    • Conor Sayles was elected as Secretary
    • Jonathan Spielberg was confirmed as Softball Leinster Rep.
    • Jay Slevin was confirmed as Softball Ulster Rep.
    • Melanie Cunningham was confirmed as Fastpitch Rep.
    • Erin Brown was confirmed as Independent Board member
  • 2019 Softball Ireland priorities were noted
  • Constitutional amendments were approved

Treasurer Required

Softball Ireland are seeking a volunteer to take on the position of Treasurer – if you are interested in the role or need to know more about it please email president@softball.ie 

by Colum Lavery

DIST 2018 Tournament Report

Indoor Softball is back – Originals Win DIST 2018

Indoor Softball came back to Dublin after a two year break and has found a new home in the excellent DCU sports hall.

Impressively half the participating teams were from outside Dublin together with four teams, Camels, Wicklow Wolves, Galway Tribes and Galway Hookers, making their indoor softball debuts.

The tournament format saw the teams divided into two groups of 6 consisting of 5 round robin games with the top two in each group qualifying the semi finals.

The Originals win DIST 2018.

Story of the day …

Group Stages

Group 1

Group 1, Originals, BSC and Hippetys all started strong with commanding first wins but then Originals took control by first beating Hippetys and then in a close match defeating BSC 54-31. Meanwhile Galway Hookers and Suspects got their first win.

After Lunch Originals juggernaut kept rolling, winning two more games and securing the top spot. While in the last group game BSC and Hippetys met to decide second. BSC game out strong scoring 44 points in top of first inning and although Hippetys made a strong come back, BSC doubled down with another 41 score and second and a semi-final spot was theirs.

BSC at DIST 2018

Group 2

2Pak and DynaKegs started the morning strong by winning their games by 124 and 60 points respectively and sounding off a warning shot that was going to be heard for the rest of the day, the Galway Tribes beat ReneHomers 51-46. In the very next game Tribes continued the upsets beating a surprised 2Pak 75-60 and the Tribes were now serious contenders. In the third round games of Group 1 and now on the verge of an early knockout, 2Pak fought hard to get back into the competition and squeaked past DynaKegs 43-31. With the Tribes winning again, going into Lunch, Tribes topped the group undefeated, with 2Pak and DynaKegs tied in second.

In first game after lunch for group 2, DynaKegs gave Tribes their first defeat of the day and now we had a three-way tie for top spot. Going into the last group game 2Pak had the advantage with 303 runs for, Tribes 221 with and DynaKegs with 217 runs for. This meant 2Pak held a strong advantage but had the toughest last game against ReneHomers.  And so it proved with 2Pak failing to take command but eventually coming out top and they won 49-33 and took top spot.  Now with just 4 runs in the difference, both DynaKegs and Tribes blew away their competition but it was DynaKegs, who won by 16 more runs, that took the last semi final spot.

2Pak at DIST

Semi-Finals

In the Semi-finals, BSC once again started strong and dominated the first inning and despite an energetic comeback from 2Pak, BSC stayed on top and booked their place in the final. In the second semi-final DynaKegs batted well but there was no stopping Originals dominance, a 70-40 win for originals and we had our two finalists Originals v BSC.

Finals

So to our final, Originals v BSC, BSC won the toss and if it was an omen how the rest of the final would go, well the Originals weren’t listening. Originals batted first and had 10 points with no outs, and continued to rack up the points with both the Limerick Boys and Girls smashing the balls against floor, netting and rafters. After 6 minutes they had amassed an impressive 37 points. Belfast came right back at them and although playing solid, too many late outs, left them with a solid 17 points but trailing 20 going into second half. Again Originals just continued to pound the court while at bat and beat their first inning score, finishing with 42 points, 79 in total.  Belfast went into the bottom of the last inning knowing they had to find 63 runs from somewhere, rarely done against Originals.  And despite some waylaid throws hitting Barry in the back, Belfast’s first few at bats were fruitless, which seemed to knock the wind out of them and after a long day of indoor they just couldn’t muster the last bit of energy. Originals held them to 6 runs in the inning and won the final 79-23.

Big thanks to Umpires and Scorers, Grace Kearney, Ruth Brady, Gerard Guckian and Jordan Sylver and to all teams and players for contributing to an excellent day…

Final Standings of DIST 2018
1st Originals
2nd BSC
3rd 2Pak
4th DynaKegs
5th Tribes
6th Hippety’s
7th Rene “whatever” Homers
8th Suspects
9th Sliders
10th Hookers
11th Wolves
12th Camel

by Colum Lavery

Originals win DIST 2018

Originals best Belfast Softball Club in 2018 DIST Final

After an exciting day of Indoor Softball in Dublin City University, Originals Softball team have won the relaunched Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament beating Belfast Softball Club 79-23.

The Originals win DIST 2018.

The Final Standings of DIST 2018
1st Originals
2nd BSC
3rd 2Pak
4th DynaKegs
5th Tribes
6th Hippety’s
7th Rene “whatever” Homers
8th Suspects
9th Sliders
10th Hookers
11th Wolves
12th Camels

Thank you to Julie and Steve for getting the tournament up and going again together with the scorers and umpires for making the day run smoothly.

Report to follow shortly

by Colum Lavery

Indoor Softball is Back – DIST 2018

After too long of a break, the Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament is back under the stewardship of its founder Julie Trundle

It was to our great delight that Julie Trundle approached Softball Ireland and volunteered to resurrect a tournament that had unfortunately dropped off the softball calendar in Ireland.

The tournament, to be held on November 11, 2018, has also found a new home in the DCU Sports Complex on Dublin north side and promises to be the best venue yet for what is always a fun day ran by an energetic Julie.

Softball Ireland are also very pleased that Julie Trundle accepted our offer and we are delighted to announce the appointment of Julie Trundle as the Softball Ireland Director of Indoor Softball.

Speaking about the appointment, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “I was delighted when Julie volunteered to take on the role once more. Julie re-introduced indoor softball into Ireland a number of years ago and some of the best attended tournaments were when Julie ran them. Julie will bring her unique infectious positive energy to the tournaments and we look forward to them once more becoming “not to miss events” on the softball calendar.”

DIST 2018 Tournament Details

Tournament Schedule and Indoor Softball Rules may be found by clicking here

Details of how to get to DCU can be found by clicking here

Updates on the tournament or teams seeking players can be found through following the Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament Facebook Page

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting

Download AGM Pack

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

OF 

SOFTBALL IRELAND 

The 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

a.    Accounts and Balance Sheet of SI for year ended September 30, 2018 

b.    Appoint Auditors for 2019 

c.     Note the 2019 Draft Softball Ireland Budget 

5.    Election of Softball Ireland Board

a.    Consider Nominations for Secretary (2-year term)

b.    Consider Nominations for Treasurer (2-year term)

c.     Ratify Appointment of Softball Leinster Representative

d.    Ratify Appointment of Softball Ulster Representative

e.    Ratify Appointment of Fastpitch Division Representative

f.      Ratify Independent Board Member

6.    Consider Proposed Amendments to the Constitution

7.    Any Other Business 

By order of Softball Ireland 

Note:  

      i.        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.

     ii.        Each fully paid up Player in Good Standing of SI may attend and speak, subject to the standing orders, at the General Meeting  

    iii.            Unless designated as Representative of a Team at a meeting, the Player shall not have a vote. 

Nominations: Nominations for the position of Treasurer of Softball Ireland must be submitted noting the proposer and seconder by 1700 on November 15, 2018 to president@softball.ie 

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Board Meeting Update

As part of Softball Ireland’s commitment to improve communication with our members and keep you informed of areas of focus and decisions, Softball Ireland moving forward will be providing a summary of matters discussed at the Board and decisions taken. The below is a high level summary of the minutes of the

Softball Ireland Board Meeting

16 October 2018 / 7.00-9.00pm / World Rugby Offices

Attendees

Colum Lavery (President – CL), Olwen Barrett (Treasurer – OB), Conor Sayles (Secretary – CS), Erin Brown (ind. – EB), Jonathan Spielberg (SL – JS), Melanie Lavery (FP – ML)

Apologies

Jay Slevin (SU – JA)

Notes

  • Minutes and updates noted
      • Discussions with Baseball Ireland on the MOU continuing to finalise language.
      • EB is working on TOR for the good governance group with the aim of progressing before the 2019 season.
      • Noted that SU voted against changing the run ahead rule.
      • Softball Skills Clinic and intro to  FP launch was scheduled for 20 October in ALSAA and has been advertised on social media.
  • Softball Ulster
  • JA provided an update in advance and it was taken as read.
  • CL noted the positive progress being made in Ulster following his attendance at the recent AGM
  • Softball Leinster
    • JS circulated minutes from the last SL meeting in advance. He also shared draft, high level accounts on the day.
    • CL noted the long term need to agree a single format for all regional and national accounts to enable aggregation into consolidated “SI Group” accounts.
    • Information for the SL AGM will be circulated shortly. CL offered to meet the SL Board in advance, but JS declined – not required.
  • Fastpitch
      • ML noted the focus of the programme was turning toward bottom-up development, following on from the success of the top-down approach.
      • Finding more volunteers to support coaching and administration will be key to future progress.
      • Continue to work on developing a selection policy that is acceptable to the Olympic Federation of Ireland
      • CL noted TG4 interest in a FP documentary about girls in Irish sport, to be filmed before Christmas.
  • Treasurer
      • Update on Softball Ireland finances was noted
      • Final accounts to September 30, 2018 being prepared
  • Competitions/International
    • Belfast and Limerick are both keen to host a leg of the National Coed League. Galway are more interested in Pick ‘n’ Mix.
    • The advertisements for a Competitions and Events Officer has drawn no volunteers. It will be raised again at the SL and SI AGMs and advertised on Volunteer Ireland. We are however near confirmation on a Communications Officer.
    • CL noted a true slow pitch World Cup is in development with WBSC.
    • CL noted his delight that Julie Trundle had offered to take over the running of the defunct Indoor tournaments over the winter and she has successfully relaunched the November tournament. CL added SI were delighted that Julie had accepted the title Head of Indoors.
  • AGM
      • It is hoped to stream the AGM.  Noted some concerns were raised about the in-person quorum attendance (50% teams).
      • The SI Board reviewed the proposed constitutional amendments from SL. It was agreed that #6 is not constitutional.
      • It was agreed to amend #2 to a set date of of Notice being issued by 1 September and combine an element of #1. Board was in agreement with recommendations #3, #4 and #5
      • OB confirmed that she would not be running for re-election. CL thanked her on behalf of SI for 4 years’ service as treasurer.
  • 2019 priorities
    • The Board were supportive of proposed priorities presented by CL.
    • SI Board asked to review and provide comments in advance of the AGM.
    • SL suggested that responsibility for intervarsity coed slow pitch should reside with SI.

Calendar

  • October
    • 20 Softball Skills Clinic and Fastpitch League Event, ALSAA
    • 21 Softball Leinster AGM
    • 25 SI Board Con Call (0730)
  • November
    • 17 Softball Ireland AGM, ALSAA
Under-22 Women's Team
by Colum Lavery

Open Letter to Softball Ireland Membership

To: Softball Ireland Membership

Re: Open Letter to Softball Ireland Membership

I am writing to you on behalf of the Softball Ireland Board in advance of the Softball Leinster and Softball Ireland AGMs to provide clarification on some matters, update on progress in 2018 and plans for 2019. We hope that this letter will be circulated to all Softball Ireland members.

The attached letter addresses the following key areas:

  • Clarification of the Role of the Governing Body and the Regions
  • Composition of the Softball Ireland Board
  • Communication
  • Irish Open Softball Tournament 2018
  • Future of Slow Pitch Working Group
  • Softball/Baseball Merger

As a board, we appreciate that we need to improve in a number of areas and our 2019 priorities are being developed to reflect these needs. However, we cannot do this without the support of our membership and most importantly, without volunteers.

As you will note below, the Board consists of three Executive members and representatives from the Regions and Fastpitch. These representatives have their own responsibilities and limited time to give to the national body. As the saying goes, we need you.

We would ask that you take a moment or two to read the attachment so that we may have a robust and positive discussion at the Softball Ireland AGM.

We have had great success on and off the diamond in 2018 and we look forward to sharing these with you at the Softball Ireland AGM, which will be held in ALSAA on November 17, 2018.

Yours in softball,

Colum Lavery on behalf of the Softball Ireland Board

President

Continue reading “Open Letter to Softball Ireland Membership” →
by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Partner with SportsNews Ireland to launch Pick’n’Mix tournaments in 2019

Softball Ireland has today announced that it will partner with SportsNews Ireland to add two exciting Pick’n’Mix Tournaments to the Softball Ireland tournament schedule in 2019.

The tournaments will invite Players to sign up individually on the day and then be allocated to teams based on positional needs and ability. The balanced teams will allow players to share their varied playing experience with each other whilst also enjoying close games in a relaxed environment.

Softball Ireland have also confirmed that the National Team Coaches will be available to run short hitting and throwing skills clinics at the Pick’n’Mix tournaments.

Head of operations at SportsNewsIRELAND Joe Naughton said “We are delighted to be sponsoring the new Pick’n’Mix tournaments in 2019, we feel it will be a great way for players of all levels to learn and get to know softballers from other clubs.”

Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “We are very grateful to SportsNews Ireland for partnering with us for these new tournaments. Tournaments similar to this format have been ran very successfully previously and we look forward to promoting and running these fun family friendly days. We are delighted that we will be embarking on this exciting journey with the full support of SportsNews Ireland.”

 

About SportsNews Ireland

SportsNewsIreland is based in Galway and offers readers updates on all sports from softball to showjumping and is leading provider of GAA and rugby live score updates.

Web: https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/

Twitter: @SportsNewsIRE

Other Softball Ireland 2019 Tournaments

  • Brian Walshe Cup
  • Softball Ireland National League
  • Irish Open Softball Tournament
  • Softball Ireland National Club Championships
  • Softball Ireland Indoor Tournaments
by Colum Lavery

Softball Leinster AGM Agenda Confirmed

SOFTBALL LEINSTER
(The “Region”)
Softball Leinster AGM to be held at Parnell’s GAA Club
On Sunday 21st October 2018, at 12:00pm
_____________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA
• Confirm Team Representative Attendance and confirm that the quorum of 50% (13 teams)
has been met. (Secretary)
• Approve 2017 AGM minutes (Secretary)
• Review of the SL 2018 Season (Chairperson)
• Review the SL Accounts for the 2018 Season (Treasurer)
• Vote on Constitutional Motions – (None)
• Vote for new committee members – recruit new volunteers
o Massimo Lepri (Wicklow Wolves) has put his name forward to be Treasurer again
o From last year’s committee Brian Ebbs (Inglorious Batters), Muireann O’Farrell
(Homers), Johnny O’Brien (Thunderbolts) and Todd Zboyan (Marlay Martyrs) have
offered to stay on as Ordinary Members.
o Need to recruit a SL Secretary and one more ordinary member.
• Any other business for the Leinster Region?

by Colum Lavery

2019 Softball Ulster Council Confirmed

Softball Ulster at its 2018 AGM Softball Ulster elected its Council for 2019. Softball Ireland wish to congratulate to Phil Wallace (Chief Umpire), Andrew Craven (Secretary), Rachel Bourgault (Vice Chair) and Glenn McKnight (Competitions Officer) on their appointments to Council. Softball Ireland look forward to continue working with Softball Ulster’s Chair Jay Slevin and her Council.

More details on the Softball Ulster 2019 Council may be found here