Year: 2019

by Colum Lavery

Annual General Meeting 2019

Annual General Meeting Documentation

To Softball Ireland Membership

Acting in accordance with the Constitution, the 2019 Annual General Meeting Pack is attached as follows (please click links for papers):

*External clarification on the Accounts/Treasurers Report Required and will be provided in due course.

by Colum Lavery

SPORTFEST 2019 a Success

Softball Proves Popular at SPORTFEST 2019

Softball Ireland’s exhibition at the 2019 Sport Ireland Family SPORTFEST went down a treat with over 500 adults and children and 1 Leo The Lion getting an introduction to the sport.

Softball Ireland created a Softball Village at the Family SPORTFEST demonstrating slowpitch softball and allowing those attending an opportunity to try the different skills of the game including throwing, hitting and pitching. The Softball Village was one of the more popular exhibitors on the day with a constant flow of willing participants trying to hit the target or hit the ball from a Batting Tee.

Speaking on the success of the Softball Village, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said:

“The SPORTFEST event for Softball Ireland was an amazing day with non-stop lines of children and adults looking to try out of the sport. We hope that everybody who tried the activities walked way knowing more about our sport and hopefully they will follow it up by getting involved with local clubs.” Lavery added “I was encouraged by the number of PE teachers who were interested in the coed nature of the game and this something we will explore further whilst developing our youth strategy with Baseball Ireland within BSI.”

The exhibition stand manned by Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery together with current and past Softball Ireland national team players and representatives from National Champions Dodder. Softball Ireland would like to thank Caitlyne De Lange, Brian Connolly, Jordan Sylver and Niall Lavery for volunteering their time on the day. 




by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland to Exhibit at Family SPORTFEST

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that we will be exhibiting and promoting softball at the 2019 Sport Ireland Family SPORTFEST

Following a presentation of the case for the inclusion of Softball at the SPORTFEST event by Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery, Sport Ireland have allocated an exhibition space at the event.

Softball Ireland will have a Softball Village at the Family SPORTFEST demonstrating slowpitch softball and allowing people attending an opportunity to try the different skills of the game including throwing, hitting and pitching. The exhibition stand will be manned by current and past Softball Ireland national team players.

Speaking on Softball Ireland’s inclusion as an exhibitor Colum Lavery said ” I am delighted that we are able to exhibit at the SPORTFEST and would like to thank Sports Campus Ireland for including us. It provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate and promote all disciplines of our sport whilst hopefully expanding our database of players interested in playing softball.” Lavery added “We will also provided details to any potential players interested in Baseball as part of our shared commitment under Baseball Softball Ireland to promote and grow our membership.” 

This event, in association with the European Week of Sport, takes place on Sunday 22nd September from 12pm to 5pm in the national sports campus and tickets are sold out.

If you happen to be at the event please drop by and say hello!

More details on Family SPORTFEST can be found here.

Dodder win the Softball Ireland National Club Championship in 2019.
by Colum Lavery

Dodder are 2019 National Champions

Dodder Win Softball Ireland National Club Championships

Dodder Softball Club have retained the National Championships with a 17-5 win over Belfast Softball Club on damp day in Belfast.

SINCC is played annually between the winners of the Softball Leinster Premier Division and Softball Ulster League to determine the Irish National Champions. The 2019 game was  replay of the 2018 fixture and it was clear to see that BSC had learnt its lessons holding the powerful Dodder line up to a couple of runs in every inning bar the 4th. Unfortunately for BSC, Dodder had brought its “A” defensive game up the M1 to Belfast and held BSC to 5 runs over 7 innings though BSC did leave a number on.

Softball Ireland streamed the game live on Facebook and if you missed the the stream on the day you can click here to watch the full game.

The SINCC game was held as part of the Softball Ulster end of season tournament which saw 3 teams travel up north from Softball Leinster to participate. Softball Ireland would like to thank Softball Ulster for hosting the SINCC game.

With the completion of the 2019 SINCC tournament, Dodder Dynamoes and Belfast Softball Club have been confirmed as Softball Ireland’s entries to the 2020 European Softball Federation Slowpitch Club Championships.

SINCC 2019 Box Score

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total
Belfast Softball Club 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 5
Dodder Dynamoes 4 2 2 8 1 0 X 17
by Colum Lavery

Carathon 2019

Carathon 2019

Carathon 2019 will be held at Wanderers Rugby Club in aid of the Alzheimer’s association and Enable Ireland on Friday September 6, 2019.

It is one of the most eagerly awaited events on the Softball calendar, Carathon, which is arranged by Kegs Softball Club and has raised over €115,000 in recent years and supported charities such as Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Pieta House, Focus, The Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation, etc.  Every year Carat nominates a different charity to support and for 2019 it’s two, the Alzheimer’s association, and also Enable Ireland. It is anticipated they will benefit to the tune of €15,000 from Friday afternoons softball activities.  

Speaking about the event this Friday, organiser in chief Peter Murnaghan said ” I would like to thank you all for volunteering your time. It is very much appreciated and reminds us about the great things that we can achieve for others with our sport. Carat very much appreciates our help in this too, in fact this couldn’t operate without your help.”

Kegs running of the event has been supported by numerous softball volunteers from the Softball Ireland community and Softball Ireland over the last number of years and once more Softball Ireland and the softball community has stepped up to support.

The event itself is starting at 14:00 pm in Wanderers rugby club on Friday September 6, 2019 with four diamonds running all day until 6:30pm followed by a BBQ. Umpires, Pitchers and team helpers as well as floating helpers to get the teams to the pitches on time and give them some initial advice on playing will be in attendance all day!

If you haven’t had a chance to volunteer but are still interested in doing so, please do note hesitate to contact Peter Murnaghan.

To Peter, all we can say is THANK YOU!


by Colum Lavery

Ireland Development Team Announced for World Series

Ireland Development Squad Announced for World Series

Following on from Ireland’s bronze at the European Championships, an Ireland development squad will once more compete at the 2019 World Series organized by the British Softball Federation.

The tournament consists of 18 team representing the country or region they are from in a weekend of Slowpitch Softball. The team will be led by the National Team assistant head coach Jonathan Spielberg under the watchful eyes of head coach Senan Dormer.

The Slowpitch National Team Management have announced a development roster for theCo-ed World Series to be held in London on September 7/8 as follows:

Women:
Jennifer Ó Buachalla
Allison Marano
Suzanne Hannon
Kayla Martell
Hazel Kilduff
Merilin Neiland
Meabh Hogan
Rachael Rogan

Men:
Ken McCarthy*
Niall Lavery
Paddy Donnelly*
Salvador Rizo*
Wayne Cullen
Kevin McGreevy
Dermot Donnellan
Gary O’Shea*
Jonathan Spielberg*
Timothy Healy

*Capped players

Munster will also compete in the tournament as part of their rotation with the Leinster Craicers.

Please follow our social media channels over the course of the weekend for updates.

Tournament Schedule

TIME

PITCH 1

PITCH 2

PITCH 3

PITCH 4

PITCH 5

PITCH 6

9.00

GROUP A:

Canada v Dutch

GROUP A:

Japan v Masters

GROUP A:

Heath v Ireland

GROUP B:

Waynes v Wales

GROUP B:

Belgium v USA

GROUP B:

England v Africa

10.15

GROUP C:

Munster v Latins

GROUP C:

Scots v Futures

GROUP C:

UCE v Anzacs

GROUP B:

USA v Africa

GROUP B:

Belgium v Wales

GROUP B:

Waynes v England

11.30

GROUP C:

Futures v Anzacs

GROUP C:

Scotland v Latins

GROUP C:

Munster v UCE

GROUP A:

Masters v Ireland

GROUP A:

Japan v Dutch 

GROUP  A:

Canada v Heath

12.45

GROUP B:

Wales v Africa

GROUP B:

England v USA

GROUP B:

Waynes v Belgium

GROUP A:

Dutch v Ireland

GROUP A:

Heath v Masters

GROUP A:

Canada v Japan
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.00

GROUP B:

USA v Waynes

GROUP B:

Africa v Belgium

GROUP B:

Wales v England

GROUP C:

Latins v Anzacs

GROUP C:

UCE v Futures

GROUP C:

Munster v Scots

15.15

GROUP A:

Masters v Canada

GROUP A:

Ireland v Japan

GROUP A:

Dutch v Heath

GROUP C:

Futures v Munster

GROUP C:

Anzacs v Scots

GROUP C:

Latins v UCE

16.30

GROUP A:

Heath v Japan

GROUP A:

Ireland v Canada

GROUP A:

Masters v Dutch

GROUP B:

Engl’d v Belgium

GROUP B:

Africa v Waynes

GROUP B:

USA v Wales

17.45

GROUP C:

UCE v Scotland

GROUP C:

Anzacs v Munster

GROUP C:

Futures v Latins

 

 

 
by Colum Lavery

SINCC Teams Confirmed

Softball Ireland National Club Championships

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that the Softball Ireland National Club Championships (SINCC) will be contested between the Softball Leinster Premier Division champions and current SINCC champions Dodder Softball Club and Softball Ulster champions Belfast Softball Club.

The SINCC game will be played during the Softball Ulster end of season tournament at 12 noon on  Sunday September 15, 2018 at Hydebank Playing Fields, Newtownbreda Road, Belfast BT8 6AS. Softball Ireland hope to be able to stream the game through the Softball Ireland facebook page.

Rosters for the tournament will be released on September 8, 2019.

Please follow our social media channels for updates in the build up to the tournament.

by Colum Lavery

Ireland win Bronze on Final Day

Ireland have won a deserved bronze medal at the 2019 Co-ed Slowptich Championships.

Following on from the disappointment of missing out on the final after defeats to the Netherlands and Czech Republic on Friday, Ireland got a chance for revenge as they took on the Czech Republic in the bronze medal final.

Ireland took an early lead in the game and unlike Friday, never let the Czech Republic back into the game with great defence and more importantly kept the score-board ticking over every inning. Truth be told, Ireland always looked like they could match Czech Republic on the scoreboard and bar a couple of hairy moments controlled the game, winning every inning on the scoreboard bar one. Ireland eventually won out 17-13 to bring home a bronze medal.

Speaking on the medal, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “On behalf of all the members of Softball Ireland, I wish to congratulate Senan, the Players and Coaching staff on thier bronze medal. We all followed the ups and downs as the week went along and we are immensely proud of the way the team regrouped on Friday night to come out on Saturday to give such a dominant display. We are very proud of how they performed and we could not ask for any better representatives of our Country”

Softball Ireland would like to congratulate Steve Patterson, Kegs player and former Irish Fastpitch team national assistant coach, on his gold medal as head coach of Great Britain!

Next up for Ireland is the World Series in September.

IRELAND............. 164 123 0 - 17
CZECH REPUBLIC...... 142 033 0 - 13
 
The Co-Ed Slow Pitch National Team representing Ireland.
by Colum Lavery

Ireland look to bring home bronze medal

Ireland to play for bronze medal on final day

Ireland will play for a bronze medal on the final day of the European Championships in Budapest  Hungary. 

Coming into the day, Ireland knew two wins would guarantee them a place in the final, whilst one win and a result going the right way would have also put them into the final. 

Ireland played the sleeping giant of the tournament, the Netherlands in the morning, the Netherlands record of 1 & 4 in the medal round doesn’t tell the true story of the quality in the team and Ireland went toe to toe with this European heavy weight. Once more the game was time limited to 6 innings, and after a back and forth game, a 5 run fifth inning just pushed the Netherlands noses in front enough to give them a 10-9 win. The box score for the game is below.

NETHERLANDS......... 300 250  - 10
IRELAND............. 303 201  -  9

The afternoon game saw Ireland play the Czech Republic. A win for Ireland coupled with a loss by Germany to Great Britain and Ireland were in the final. Ireland jumped into an early lead in the game leading into the fourth inning, however the Czechs put the pressure on by keeping the score board ticking over in most innings. Ireland would have felt comfortable chasing the Czech Republics 3 run lead going into the seventh, however, the Czech bats came alive and scored 8 runs in top of the seventh to leave Ireland chasing 10 runs. Ireland started eating away into the lead but unfortunately ran out of outs.

CZECH REPUBLIC...... 011 3408  - 19
IRELAND............. 050 4003  - 12

Following the two defeats, Ireland finish the round robin stage of the medal round on a 2 & 3 record meaning Ireland will play for the Bronze Medal tomorrow afternoon (2pm Irish Time) most likely against the Czech Republic.

The team will no doubt be disappointed not to reach the final, but all of us here in Ireland are very proud of how the team has competed and represented Ireland over the last number of days.

With a bronze medal to be played for we look forward to Ireland producing one more performance to take the medal home tomorrow!

The Bronze Medal game will take place at 1400 Irish Time tomorrow.

Eire Abu!

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland & Baseball Ireland Announce Merger

Baseball Softball Ireland Created

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that the Board of Softball Ireland have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding with Baseball Ireland as the two federations merge into one national governing body. This important merger is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.

Once the formalities of recognition are completed with our respective international governing bodies, the new Federation, “Baseball Softball Ireland”, will be in a position to apply for recognition by Sport Ireland.

On a practical day to day basis, Softball Ireland and Baseball Ireland will continue to run our respective leagues and tournaments, however the merged body will work to identify strategic areas to develop the sport, particularly in the development of youth programmes.

Should you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Colum Lavery at president@softball.ie 

Softball Ireland would like to thank the positive contribution of both the Softball Ireland and Baseball Ireland boards in finalising the merger.

We look forward to working with our colleagues from Baseball Ireland to continue to grow our respective games in Ireland.

The Co-Ed Slow Pitch National Team representing Ireland.
by Colum Lavery

Ireland Progress to Medal Round with perfect record

Ireland Top Group B Unbeaten

Day 2 Dominated

Updated: 19:45 July 17, 2019

Ireland started Day 2 of the European Championships unbeaten and top of the table and that is how the finished after setting their stall out and dominating both Bulgaria and Italy.

In the first game of the day, after a slow start against Bulgaria, Ireland took control half way through and never looked back finishing strong by scoring 12 runs in the bottom of 6 to beat a good Bulgaria team 20-4 (runs ahead rule).

Ireland then faced Italy in the afternoon game. Ireland dominated the game from start to finish and saw off Italy 20-12 to finish top of Group B with four wins as the first round of the tournament comes to a close. This was the first win of any Irish national softball team over European powerhouse Italy.

Ireland finish the first round unbeaten and above defending champions Germany.

 

Moving Forward

Ireland now progress to the next round of the tournament and as B1, Ireland will play Great Britain, the winner of Group A tomorrow at 17:45 Irish Time. The benefit of going unbeaten through the first round is that Ireland bring forward a 2 win and 0 loss record by virtue of beating Germany and Belgium as we take on the top 3 teams from Group A.

At the end of the next round robin phase, the final will be contested by the top two teams and bronze by the teams ranked 3 and 4.

A phenomenal start to the tournament and Ireland now carry some real momentum into the medal round.

Softball Ireland hope to stream tomorrow’s evening’s game on our Facebook page and all the results and schedules may be found by clicking here.

The schedule for the next phase of games is outlined below – Ireland are B1 in Group C.

Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Colum Lavery

Co-ed Slowpitch Euro 2019 Preview

Months of hard-work is now turning into reality. In a couple of days Ireland’s competitive campaign will begin at the Coed Slowpitch European Championships 2019. There have been knocks, fractures, good days and bad days but nothing can break the spirit or determination of this team. There is a belief within this team. Ireland is in a round robin group with Germany, Bulgaria, Italy & Belgium. Germany are the recent champions having won gold in 2017. In 2017, Ireland lost by 1 run in the first match vs Germany, beat them by 5 in their second meeting only for Germany to take the final game by 8 runs. It shows how close to the mark Ireland was. Bulgaria would have been the underdogs in 2017 however, took some scalps along the way. This year, they will be more experienced than a lot of the new teams entering. Belgium and Italy are longtime FastPitch competitors but first time in the SlowPitch competition. However, they both play in the Super-Cup.

So what is the goal for this Irish team?‘Goal for the team is to play cohesively as a unit in defence and offence towards our goal of gold. Players and coaches have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point and we look forward to it paying off. Ireland Abu.’ Senan Dormer, Head Coach. The team is not short of inspiration as Team Captain, Salvador Rizo has embraced his role with his well known passion and flair. ‘I believe that we have an strong team to win the tournament and the hard work should be rewarded. We should be strong mentally as well as physical.  We will enjoy every game playing at our best, Éire Abú!’ Dedication is not in short supply in this team either…Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Hehir who got married in Italy and will travel straight to Hungry for their honeymoon on the diamond!  Off the field there will be laughs and the ever so democratic, ‘Kangaroo Court’, we will look forward to the warm-ups where we will compete and bond when doing team tasks. But when the team lines out and Amhrán na bhFiann starts to play, our eyes will fill with tears and our hearts with passion. We will be a team who plays hard, plays for each other and plays for Ireland.  We have a job to do. Thank you to our club mates and the wider softball community for their support and well wishes. Make sure to follow the Softball Ireland Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and website for updates on the team performance.  You can follow play by play action for the tournament by clicking here Norma McIntyre