The BSF is calling for nominations for the annual awards that it presents each year at the AGM to those who have made special contributions to the game during 2013 or consistently over time, and for nominations for the BSF Hall of Fame.
The annual awards will be presented at the 2014 BSF AGM in Manchester (date to be confirmed) and the announcement of those to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 will be made at the same occasion.
Award categories
The annual award categories are:
- The Glover Cup for outstanding and/or long-time service to softball.
- The League Glover Cup for the league demonstrating the highest development or competition achievements in the past year.
- The President's Club Award for the softball club or team demonstrating the highest development or competition achievements in the past year.
- Youth Coach of the Year.
- Adult Coach of the Year.
- Slowpitch Tournament Umpire of the Year.
- Tournament of the Year.
All nominations should include a brief summary of why the individual, league, club or tournament nominated deserves the award.
Hall of Fame
If nominations are received, new members are inducted into the BSF Hall of Fame every two years, and the last members were inducted in 2012.
The total membership of the Hall of Fame currently stands at 35, and nominations can be made in the following categories:
- Players
- Team Managers
- Coaches
- Umpires
- Administrators
- Development Workers
- Other (this has so far included nominations for a Scorekeeper and a Media Worker).
The basic purpose of the Hall of Fame is: “To honour those men and women who have played a major role in the growth and development of, or demonstrated outstanding achievement and ability within, British Softball.”
Some of the criteria for nominations were changed by the BSF in 2011. Here are the basics:
- Anyone can be nominated in any Hall of Fame category following retirement as an active participant in that category, without regard to length of service.
- People still active in the sport can be nominated in any category after 10 years as an active participant in that category, even if they are still active now.
- People can be nominated in a category in which they are no longer active even if still active in other categories.
- People can be nominated and elected in more than one category but nominations for different categories will need to be made and voted on separately.
- Non-British nationals can be nominated and elected to the BSF Hall of Fame.
In considering nominations, the BSF is not necessarily looking only for the “best of the best” in each category, but can also elect candidates for superior and/or inspirational performance. All nominations should include background information on the nominee's career in British softball and a summary of why the individual nominated deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
Nomination details
All nominations for the annual awards for 2013 and for the Hall of Fame should be made to BSF Tournament Officer Fiona Thorley (fiona.thorley@britishsoftball.org) by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 31 December 2013.