News
Below you will find Softball Ireland's main news items and links to further information (if applicable). Please check back regularly as this section will be added to on a regular basis.
If you have anything that you would like to add to the news section please and let us know.
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Softball for Beginners – Meet new people and join the fun!
Have you ever fancied playing a new sport with friends, family or even just meeting new people?
Softball is a co-ed game similar to rounder's and baseball. The primary difference is in softball the ball is “soft” tossed under arm as opposed to the “hard” overarm ball pitch in baseball.
The softball season starts in April, yet we're holding open days now to give new players an opportunity to try it out and get familiar with the game before the season starts.
We are looking for both women and men above the age of 16, of all fitness and all the equipment will be provided. If you are interested please come along to one of our open days in January.
If you enjoy yourself, we have leagues of all abilities throughout the spring/summer which present a great opportunity to meet new people and have some fun.
All you need is suitable athletic clothing, runners and a fun attitude!"
Lucan Open details can be found
Tallaght Open Day details can be found
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Spring Indoor Softball
What's better to start your new year than to play indoor softball again. Entries are now open for the Spring Indoor League and entry is on first pay basis.
Dates are: Feb 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, Mar 3rd and 10th.
Saturday mornings 10-11 or 11-12 for the 6 weeks.
Venue: Ballyfermot leisure centre.
Cost: 350 per team.
Closing date for entries Friday 20th Jan.
For further information, please contact Michelle Hayden via or Adrian Crowe via
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Dodder Dynamoes win the National Club Championship
Dodder Dynamoes, the Leinster League champions, emerged winners of the National Club Championships on Sunday 25 September at ALSAA sports grounds. It was an exciting day of softball. Close games were anticipated and the teams did not disappoint. Dodder Dynamoes will now have the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European C0-Ed Slow Pitch Softball Championships in 2012 and will be hoping to win, just like they did when winning the European Club Championships in 2009
Munster was represented by the Limerick Originals, the defending champions, who also came second in the European Championships this year. Ulster were represented by the Belfast Sliders who had won the Ulster league for the first time. The final team in the SINCC were Batpak as winners of the Brian Walsh Cup. Batpak have also represented Ireland in the European Club Championships in the past and bring lots of experience to this competition.
Games began at 10am in glorious sunshine. The four teams played each other in a round robin competition with the top two teams going onto compete in the final at 3.30pm.Belfast Sliders started very well with some lovely hits but the Originals proved too strong as the game went on and the final score was 22 to 7 for the Originals. The other game between Dodder Dynamoes and Batpak was a very close game but Dodder won 9-7. Dodder played the Originals in their next game, which was also very close for the first few innings but Dodder found their bats and won this game 16 - 7 . Meanwhile Batpak were playing Belfast Sliders and won 23 to 4. The next games would decide the finalists. Dodder maintained their winning streak and beat the Belfast Sliders meaning the winner of the Batpak and Originals would join them in the final. This was yet another very close game with both teams hitting well but strong defence kept the scores very close. However, Batpak pulled ahead and went onto win 14 to 9. Dodder and Batpak were into the final, and given both are based in Dublin, Leinster Softball were going to win SINCC either way. Dodder had built up momentum from their earlier games and this proved too much for Batpak in the end,. Dodder won the game 17 to 7, and are worthy champions going undefeated for the day.
A special mention to the superb hitting by two players, managing to hit over the 300 foot fences for outstanding home runs. Well done to Eoin Coonan of Originals and Dave Pepper of Batpak.
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Limerick Originals Win Silver at the Softball European Club Championships
Having beaten Oddsox Green in the Irish Nationals, the Limerick Originals travelled to Mlady Buky in the Czech Republic to take part in the 5th Annual Softball European Club Championships. The competition, which ran from the 3rd to the 6th of August, consisted of 5 teams, Limerick Originals, reigning champions Cromies (GB), Pioneers (GB), Wayne’s World (CZE) and tournament hosts Sparks (CZE). The first three days of the tournament saw the completion of the group stage games. The Limerick Originals finished 2nd in the group stages having won 7 of their 12 group games. Pioneer’s topped the table with 10 wins and Wayne’s World were knocked out of the tournament, finishing 5th with just 3 wins.
The final day of the tournament began with the Cromies (3rd) playing the Sparks (4th). Cromies started slowly but came back to beat the Sparks by a score of 10-3. The second game of the day was between the Limerick Originals (2nd) and Pioneers (1st). The Originals began well, scoring 3 runs in the first inning, with Killaloe native Michael O’Sullivan driving in 2 runs and Ennis native Ruth Lillis driving in the third run. The score remained 3-0 until the 3rd inning when the Pioneers tied the game at 3-3. In the 5th inning, the Originals retook the lead with Brian Hehir scoring the go ahead run to make it 4-3. Having scored 1 run in the 6th, the Originals extended the lead further scoring 5 runs in the final inning to make the score 10-3. Having recorded 2 outs, and a runner on 1, Pioneers pitcher Dan Spinks hit a single to left fielder Barry Casey, who then threw a pin point accurate throw to third base girl Prudence Kjontvedt, who tagged the runner out to finish the game. The Originals progressed to the final and would play the winner of the Cromies, and the Pioneers.
The Pioneers had to settle for 3rd in the tournament after losing to the Cromies in a very low scoring game, 4-2. The Cromies progressed to the final to take on the Originals. The Originals began the game well taking a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd inning thanks to a 2 run Homerun by centerfielder Eric Kelly. The Cromies began to string some hits together, scoring 4 runs in the 3rd inning and another 2 in the 4th. The score remained 6-2 until Kim Jones drove in a run in the 6th inning. Unfortunately that is where the comeback ended, and the Cromies retained their European title, beating the Originals 6-3.
The Limerick Originals brought home Silver from their first European tournament. Congratulations to outfielder Eric Kelly who won the Best Male Batter title. Hopefully the Originals can bring home the gold next year. On a different note, Best of Luck to teammate Mary Kehoe, the Wexford Rose in this year’s Rose of Tralee.
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Ireland finish 3rd at the European Championships
Following 5 days of competition in seering temperatures of over 36 degrees, Ireland finished in 3rd place behind runners-up, Slovenia and the tournament winners Great Britain.
Overall final standings were...
Great Britain
Slovenia
Ireland
Bulgaria
Germany
Czech Republic
Congratulations to Emma Kilbride of Baptak Softball Club who took one the top individual honours, being awarded the tournament Female MVP (Most Valuable Player) title.
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