Six local Birmingham sports clubs braved a bit of rain and wind in the name of charity and softball on Saturday, April 28 to raise £860 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital at the first annual Birmingham Charity Softball Derby.
Of the six clubs taking part, five had never played softball before. But by the end of the afternoon, all of them were not only getting proficient in the game, but some players expressed an interest in furthering the game within their clubs.
Hockey winners
The tournament itself was played in a round-robin format, followed by placing games that pitted 1 v 2, 3 v 4 and 5 v 6.
Harborne Hockey Club won the tournament, defeating the host
team Birmingham Bobcats (called Team Mushroom on the day). With Harborne down 9 – 6 in the bottom of the third inning, the newcomers managed some well-placed hits to draw within a run at 9 – 8 before a double with runners on second and third ensured victory for the hockey club as well as an undefeated record on the day.
Other teams involved in the tournament were Birmingham City Centre-based climbing club Extreme Sports Central (winners of the third place playoff); Team Ream, a group of newcomers formed by Bobcats member Cara Rose; plus Wooden-Spoon co-winners Moseley Majors Ice Hockey Club and Edgbaston Police Falcons.
Unfortunately the Spoon playoff was cancelled due to minor injuries suffered by the Majors as well as the Falcons squad needing to start their work shift!
Community spirit
Although softball was the focus on the field, the most important aspect of the day is that all the players came together to raise money for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and West Midlands Regional Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate.
Birmingham Bobcats Chairman Alex Levine said, “The turnout we had in the conditions we played in is a testament to how much our local clubs care about BCH and the conditions they treat. The Bobcats are also very grateful to Hallfield School in Edgbaston for donating the use of the full facility and playing grounds to ensure that any money taken from the tournament went directly to BCH.”
Tournament organiser and Bobcats Marketing Manager Kate Page-Smith added, “'The tournament was a great success. Not only did it raise money and awareness for BCH, but it also brought together different sections of the local community and promoted the Bobcats and softball in general. The day was full of laughter and cheers and the level of softball played was astonishing. However, the day would not have been possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of the Bobcats, which was awe-inspiring.”
Next year
The Bobcats are already planning the 2013 event, which they hope will at least double the money raised in 2012.
Any club interested in taking part in the 2013 tournament should contact Bobcats Chairman .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).