Category: National Teams

by Jonathan Spielberg

Slowpitch National Team Squad Announced

Sixty-one players registered to try out for the National Slowpitch Squads in February, and 58 attended over the three trial sessions. It was great to see both new and familiar faces representing the breadth of softball on the island. The coaching team was impressed with the level of commitment and the effort people made to travel to the sessions. They were also encouraged by the passion and potential demonstrated by the group of players.

While assessing the participants, the coaching team’s selection criteria considered technical ability, athleticism and all-round attitude. The longevity of the national squad program was also a factor, so the squad’s short-term and long-term goals were foremost in the selection process. 

We are pleased to announce the following extended squads for COED and Men’s. We want to congratulate those selected and look forward to working with them over the coming months.

Below is the list of 28 players selected for the extended COED squad. A panel of players will be selected from this squad to travel and represent Ireland at the European Championship in the Czech Republic in July.  

NameTeamNameTeam
Christopher BarrBelfast CubsMike LucasAverage Joes
Brian ConnollyDoddder DynamoesKen McCarthyDodder Dynamoes
Serena CostelloeAverage JoesAbigail McConnellGalway Tribes
Cathal CreavenGalway TribesNorma McIntyreBatPak
Wayne CullenAverage JoesLuke MolloyHippetys
Darryl DolanAverage JoesMerilin NeilandAverage Joes
Katie DoyleHippetysPearse NewmanHippetys
Brian HehirLNZ LondonJennifer Ó BuachallaBatPak
Ashleigh HowardBearcats CastleknockGary O’SheaDodder Dynamoes
Eric KellyMunsterSalvador Rizo LopezBatPak
Hazel KilduffBatPakMary Carroll SmithGalway Tribes
Niall LaveryDodder DynamoesMegan SutcliffeDublin Bay Packers
Simon LewisBearcats CastleknockJulie TrundleDublin Bay Packers
Eimear LinehanDodder DynamoesPhil WallaceBSC Brawlers

Below is the list of players selected for an extended 24-man squad for the Men’s. Although the official 2024 Men’s tournament has been cancelled, the coaching team will provide the opportunity for this squad to train together over the summer. 

NameTeamNameTeam
Christopher BarrBelfast CubsSimon LewisBearcats Castleknock
James CallowBSC BrawlerMike LucasAverage Joes
Lorcan CarbinGalway TribesAidan LynskeyAverage Joes
Jason CheungAshbourne AntlersPaddy MeehanBatPak
Brian ConnollyDodder DynamoesLuke MolloyHippetys
Cathal CreavenGalway TribesKevin MullanNewtownabbey Phoenix
Wayne CullenAverage JoesPearse NewmanHippetys
Darryl DolanAverage JoesEoin O’ConnorOaktown Brew Crew, Oakland CA
JP DolanSuffolk County Police TeamGary O’SheaDodder Dynamoes
Brian HehirLNZ LondonSalvador Rizo LopezBatPak
Eric KellyMunsterShane SheridanAverage Joes
Niall LaveryDodder DynamoesPhil WallaceBSC Brawlers

Peter Mullen
Head Coach

by Colum Lavery

Senan Dormer Appointed Slowpitch National Teams Head Coach

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm the reappointment of Senan Dormer as the Irish Coed Slowpitch and Men’s Slowpitch National Teams Head Coach.

Senan was originally appointed to the role of Coed Slowpitch National Team Coach in 2015 leading national teams to 2 bronze medals during his tenure to date. Senan has been appointed until December 2023 which will include three European Championships and potentially the inaugural Coed Slowpitch World Cup.

I addition to Senan’s appointment, the Softball Ireland Board also confirmed the appointment of Karen Brady, Peter Mullen and Eoin Coonan as programme assistant coaches.

Senan Dormer said “I am delighted to be reappointed as head coach of the Irish Slowpitch National teams. I look forward to the challenges ahead. I have a coaching team of Karen Brady, Peter Mullen and Eoin Coonan. I look forward to bringing more silverware to Ireland and trying to qualify for the inaugural Slowpitch Softball World Cup.”

Speaking on Senan’s appointment, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “Together with the Board we are delighted to reappoint Senan to the role. Senan has a proved track record at European Championships since 2015 and we are confident he will take the programme forward”. Lavery added “We are entering a challenging period post COVID for national teams and Senan and his coaching team have vast international slowpitch softball experience on and off the field and we are confident that they will bring through the next generation of players at the international level.”

Subject to the approval of the Softball Ireland medical committee, the Coed Slowpitch National Team is scheduled to play in the World Series in London during September 2021.

Softball Ireland have confirmed that the position of Director of Slowpitch National Team remains vacant and will be readvertised shortly.

by Colum Lavery

Irish Teams withdrawn from European Competition due to COVID

Further to the recommendation of the Softball Ireland Medical Committee, the Softball Ireland Board on March 15, 2021 agreed to withdraw all Softball Ireland National Teams and Club Teams from International Competition up to and including August 2021. The decision of the Board is athlete welfare driven to ensure those representing Ireland may do so in the safest way possible

The rationale for the recommendation of the Softball Ireland Medical Committee and the decision of our Board is as follows:

1. Ireland continues to be in a Level 5 (highest level) lock down which restricts movement and does not permit sport to be played bar for a very l imited number of sports. Softball (and Baseball) does not meet the criteria of elite sport in Ireland. At this point, we do not foresee Softball recommencing in Ireland before May 2021 earliest and therefore do not believe our athletes can be adequately conditioned or prepared to participate in an international tournament.

2. The continued spiking of COVID -19 across Europe together with the inconsistent vaccination roll out (including Ireland) has concerned our Medical Committee who formed the opinion that the risk of inf ection and the subsequent 14 day quarantining of infected player/staff continued to be too high a risk for amateur athletes. The concerns of the Medical Committee have been reconfirmed by the recent snap lockdowns in Italy and other European Countries coupled with the positive tests of an Irish athlete returning from the recent European Indoor Championships in Poland.

3. The on-going uncertainty around travel restrictions for athletes entering and exiting Italy, irrespective of nationality and the financial risk s associated with this.

4. In addition to the medical and logistical risks identified by the Medical Committee, the Irish government has also introduced a €2,000 travel fine ( per person) for non-essential International travel. We have been advised that travelling to compete in Softball European Championships does not meet the requirements to be deemed essential travel.

The decision to withdraw from international competition in 2021 was not a decision taken lightly by the Softball Ireland Board. However after discussions with the Medical Committee, HSE, coaches and athletes, the Softball Ireland Board has taken the position that our decisions would be taken with an abundance of caution and medically led by our Medical Committee.

Softball Ireland can confirm that the following teams have been withdrawn from 2021 events:
• Ireland National Team withdrawn from the Co- ed Slowpitch European Championships 2021

• Ireland National Team withdrawn from the Women’s European Championships 2021

• Dodder Softball Club withdrawn from the Co- Ed Slowpitch Super Cup 2021

by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Upate – February 2021

Island of Ireland Restrictions

In accordance with the restrictions as set out by the Northern Ireland Executive and the decision of the Irish Government set the Republic of Ireland to Level 5, all Softball activities inclusive of training continue to be suspended to at least March 5, 2021.

Please note that during this period no softball activities are covered by the Softball Ireland insurance policy. Please note that the suspension of activities inludes but is not limited to leagues, tournament, inter-team games, practices and training in any sized grouping.

Softball Ireland woud encourage our members to follow all public health guidelines and continue to work together to reduce the spread of the virus.

Softball Ireland continues to liase with Softball Leinster, Softball Ulster and Galway Tribes to plan and prepare for international tournaments, leagues and club tournaments in 2021. Updates will be issued to Club contacts in the coming weeks.

The Board wishes continued good health to all our members and their families.

Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Andrew Craven

Softball Ireland Return to Play Framework

Softball Ireland are fortunate to have two doctors on the Board, representing North and South of the border respectively, as our medical committee. Following the most recent public health advice from the HSE and the NI Executive, they have presented initial return to play timelines to the Board. Following receipt of feedback from the regions, the Board have approved these as our national framework. The committee will now consider detailed return to play protocols (including playing rules), while the Board works with the regions on challenges such as insurance costs, field availability and competition structure. 

1. Seek to reactivate Softball Ireland insurance as of 20th July 2020.

2. Teams may train from 20th July 2020 provided insurance is in place, no more than two teams are present at the diamond and the Softball Ireland return to play protocols are adhered to.

3. Games may commence from 1st August 2020 provided insurance is in place, no more than two teams are present at a diamond and the Softball Ireland return to play protocols are adhered to.

4. No tournaments will be sanctioned in 2020, including BWC, IOST, SINCC, and club/national tournaments at home or abroad.

5. Team captains must submit electronically a list of attendees at training or games, within 24 hours, in line with HSE contact tracing requirements, for 6-week retention.

6. SI will make a final decision on Softball Ulster activity after the NI Executive publishes timelines for their recently published roadmap.

Expected return to play timeline
Expected Softball Ireland Return to Play Timeline

This position is subject to change as further information is made available to the public by the HSE and NI Executive. Final decisions on when games will be played, competition structures and fees will be set by Softball Ireland and the regions, subject to this framework and the SI Return to Play Protocols (TBA) being adhered to. The Softball Ireland Return to Play Protocols will be issued no later than the 30th of June 2020. Any questions to secretary@softball.ie.

by Colum Lavery

Slowpitch National Team – Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest are sought from Irish eligible players who wish to be considered for the Slowpitch National Teams in 2020

Ireland will participate in two tournaments in the summer of 2020. The Men’s Slowptich European Championships will be held in the summer of 2020, most likely June, on the continent. The exact dates will be confirmed at the ESF Congress on February 8, 2020. The annual BSF World Series in London will be held at a new venue in 2020. The date for the tournament has yet to be confirmed but will most likely be the end of August/September time frame – Ireland will enter a Coed Slowpitch National Team in this tournament.  Players who are interested in representing Ireland at either of the 2020 tournaments are invited to complete the below survey which will be provided to the newly appointed Director of Slowpitch National Teams and Coaches. Please click the below link to register your interst to prepresent Ireland in 2020, players should complete the form by February 21, 2020 at which point trial dates will be announced. 

Register Expression of Interest to Represent National Slowpitch National Teams

by Colum Lavery

Director of Slowpitch National Teams Position

Softball Ireland are seeking applications for the voluntary position of Director of Slowpitch National Teams. 

The newly created position will report directly to the Softball Ireland board and provide oversight for all Slowpitch National Teams operations including, but not limited to, programme finances, personnel (hiring, evaluations) and programme operations, team logistics (scheduling, programme needs). The Director will oversee, coordinate and evaluate all coaches and players and is responsible for overall team operations, while reporting directly to the Board of Softball Ireland. The Head Coaches of the programme will report directly to the Director of Slowpitch National Teams.

The job specification for the position is available below and candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitate to the Softball Ireland Secretary, Conor Sayles (secretary@softball.ie) by 5pm on Friday February 14, 2020.

Click Here To Download Director of Slowpitch National Teams Job Specification.

by Colum Lavery

Ireland Team Entries for 2020 Confirmed

Softball Ireland have confirmed the National Team Entries for 2020 Season

Men’s Slowpitch National Team

The second Men’s Slowpith European Championships is scheduled to be held in 2020. To date, no host or date for the tournament has been confirmed and Softball Ireland have requested a meeting with the ESF at the 2020 congress to discuss its concerns that there is a possibility there will be no European Club or International Softball tournaments in Europe in the 2020 season.

Ireland have entered the Men’s National Team in the tournament and the full list of entered teams for the tournament can be seen here.

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!

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.