After a brief hiatus from the UK sporting calendar, the Jersey Softball Association Tournament made its return on the weekend of 2-3 May at Les Quennevais Sports Centre in St Brelade, with seven teams taking part.
Even though Jersey holds the title of the “the sunniest place in the British Isles”, the competing teams were met with a deluge of driving rain and gusty winds on Saturday morning. As the first of the batters stood in the box and blinked through the elements, it soon became clear that no amount of soggy socks and soaking shirts would put a dampener on the players’ spirits.
Thankfully, the grey clouds parted late on Sunday morning to reveal beautiful blue skies and blazing sunshine, just in time for the final games to be played.
Jacksons Falcons took on the Honey Badgers Werewolves in the Plate final, with the Falcons shutting down their opponents in the final innings to gain a 15-11 win.
In a highly competitive Trophy final, the Werewolves’ sister team, Honey Badgers Lycans, took on the CPA Global Pirates, and the game went into the bottom of the seventh inning tied at 13-all.
But the Pirates put runners in scoring position, and the next batter sent the ball sailing over the heads of the outfield and the Pirates had won the title.
Afterwards, all of the teams gathered on the diamond to watch the winners receive their trophies from Jersey Softball Association President Ali Wade.
The Female MVP trophy was won by Chelsey Warner from Jacksons Phoenix, and Chris Le Lion from DMS Flyers was named Male MVP.
Despite the unsavoury weather to begin with, the true spirit of softball shone through the weekend.
Results
Trophy Champion: CPA Global Pirates
Trophy Runner-up: Honey Badgers Lycans
Plate Champion: Jacksons Falcons
Plate Runner-up: Honey Badgers Werewolves
Female MVP: Chelsey Warner (Jacksons Phoenix)
Male MVP: Chris Le Lion (DMS Flyers
