“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
Softball in Bermuda has always been in our fabric. There has always been a connection with our culture and this very passionate game. It is as Bermudian a tradition as any of the other "big" sports, namely soccer and cricket, and it should still be spoken in that same reverence. It's not.
I have been involved in softball for easily the better part of 20 years, and I have stuck with it through the highs and lows, for which the local game is still trying to emerge from a murky decade of indifference. As Vice President of the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association, it has been a task trying to emerge from this period with a plan, and the support from the public hasn't always been there.
Slow pitch softball is the only competitive aspect of our game at the moment. Slow pitch leagues dominate and credit to their dedicated core, they have kept softball being played, even if it's not the "real" game we want. Slow pitch is a nice fun game, but there is no development, there are no progression charts. The top teams are who they always have been and there is very little to be gained from this game. Its fun and gives players a chance to play... but it's not our game.
Our game is fastpitch. It always has been, and always will be. We have a need for it and it is Bermuda Softball. For the past few months a ladies team has been very dedicated in trying to come together to compete in a tournament in the Bahamas, for which they leave in a weeks time. Under the coaching excellence of Braxton Stowe, the team is really taking shape and as we head into the final weekend of fundraising efforts we also look forward to the launch of our youth program this weekend. I can not begin to tell you how exciting this is. Focus on fastpitch, developing a plan, a strategy to carry us forward, and ultimately a long term goal of club softball being played around the island every night of the week! It is a solid plan and if we can make it happen, softball will return to it's rightful place on Bermuda's sporting mantle piece.
This weekend, B.A.S.A. will hold car washes at BAA and at Somersfield this morning and a bake sale at the stadium this afternoon. A reminder that all youth ages 15+ that are interested in playing are asked to please come out to the Mike Preece Stadium (Bernard's park) beginning at 4:30 p.m. for registration and introductions.
One last note. Some people may have paid attention to media reports this week about a player that was dropped and "re-instated" from the ladies team. She has, provided her "side" of the story, and early next week the Association will reply through those same media channels. I will not go into great detail, but I will say this. In meetings last night, for which she and another player opted out, a TEAM decision was made, and the decision was unanimous. Stay tuned for further updates!!!
What are the aims of softball in Bermuda these days? To an outsider like myself it seems to be purely recreational, meet and mingle with people from across the island, with the competitive aspect seemingly more limited.
ReplyDeleteI suppose if the sport wished to take it to the next level they'd need a couple of things in place, starting with funding, followed by expanded or new facilities and an expanded national team programme (I only hear of fast-pitch women's league in the newspaper, for example).
Maybe there are other issues at play such as ensuring it's distinct from baseball (which the IOC of all entities, couldn't quite manage), encouraging youth level participation to the point where international fixtures may be a highlight of the season, I don't know. You've been with the sport for a long time and I bet I'm not the first by any means to throw these notions around.
Best wishes to the association in growing the sport on the island.
hi
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