BSF Annual General Meeting Highlights
On February 22nd, 2025, the British Softball Federation (BSF) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), bringing together league and team leads, coaches, players, and board members to discuss key updates and approve BSF activity. A wide range of topics were covered, including coaching developments, new board appointments, annual awards and upcoming changes to team registration and national events. This meeting was chaired by Lesley Morisetti, president of the BSF. Apologies were received from BSF Administrator Jessica Hastings and BSF Fastpitch Officer Laura Hirai. There were 79 attendees, of which 71 were voting members.
AGM Voting and Finances
The minutes from the 2024 AGM were approved and seconded. Members of the BSF board were present to answer any questions regarding the presidents, competitions, fast pitch, national teams and technical officers reports. If anyone has any questions on these reports please send them to info@britishsoftball.org
The AGM also included a detailed financial presentation by Laura Burkhardt, who provided insight into the BSF's 2024 financial results and plans for the upcoming year. Laura highlighted that the BSF experienced a higher income this year, largely due to the National Softball League (NSL) and Nationals income, although there were some reductions in fees from the AD league’s non-registration. On the expense side, the federation spent less than anticipated, with significant savings in areas such as GB team expenses, umpire costs, training, and marketing. Notably, some expected costs related to the World Cup in Mexico were not incurred as the event was canceled.
In the meeting it was confirmed that there would be no increase in fees for 2025. Importantly, the surplus from 2024 will be ring-fenced for future event-related expenses, particularly for the European Championship in 2026.
Election of Officers
Following the voting process, the BSF Executive for 2025 will be:
President: Lesley Morisetti
Treasurer: Laura Burkhardt
Competitions and Membership Officer: Liz Graham
National Teams Officer: Dr Alice Hunter
Administrator: Jessica Hastings
Safeguarding Officer: Stella Ackrell
Fastpitch Development Officer: Laura Hirai
Technical Officer: Pete Saunders
Coaching Officer: Mike Harward
General Officers
Nicola-Jayne Dyson (2026 European Slowpitch Championship Coordinator)
Shiraz Mehra (Legal)
Tim Bishop (Athletes Commission)
The Executive still has two vacant positions – Slowpitch Development Officer and Communications Officer – and anyone interested in either position should email info@britishsoftball.org
Annual Awards
The annual awards were then announced by the BSF board. Congratulations again to this years winners:
Glover Cup - Chris Dore, Oxford
League Glover Cup - Swindon Softball League
President’s Club Award – Spittin Camels
Tournament of the Year – League Nationals
Youth Team of the Year – Maidenhead
Young Fastpitch Player of the Year – Cara Edwards
Young Slowpitch Player of the Year - Josh Walker
Betsy Holden Award – Olive Boyd
Umpire of the Year - Colin Russell
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations this year!
If you would like to read the full write up, please visit the awards announcement article here.
Baseball Softball UK (BSUK) Update
John Boyd, CEO of BSUK presented an update on the organisation’s ongoing efforts and key challenges. He discussed the development and operation of the Farnham Park complex, emphasising the importance of the facility for both baseball and softball. However, with Buckinghamshire Council seeking to lease the property to a commercial entity, there are concerns regarding future investments, particularly in improving facilities such as the shower and toilet facilities.
John also touched on the performance side, sharing optimistic news about the women's fast pitch softball team's growth and the upcoming European Championships, alongside UK Sport's funding commitment for the LA 2028 Olympics. Additionally, Baseball Softball UK continues to focus on coach development, safeguarding, and disciplinary processes to support the sports' long-term sustainability and success. During the upcoming season we are expecting the release of the new coaching playbook during this season as part of the updated coach development programme. This programme is a joint effort led by John and Aled Howell of BSUK, with support from BSF and British Baseball Federation (BBF) board members. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements on the coaching playbook, seminars and online sessions.
Coaching Update
Mike Hayward, was previously the coach commissioner for the BBF and newly elected BSF Coaching Officer. He is a passionate advocate for coaching development and emphasised that after years of iterations, the current coaching structure was in need of reform. He highlighted the gaps in "soft skills" and communication that had become apparent during the consultation process. Looking to address these gaps, a new coaching program was introduced that focuses not just on what to coach, but how to coach. The program will be divided into various levels, starting with an activator course for assistant coaches and progressing to core qualifications that emphasise communication, leadership, and the essential "soft skills" required to foster a positive learning environment. Coaches will also have the opportunity to specialise in areas relevant to their specific coaching environments—whether that's youth, adult, recreational, or high-performance teams.
One of the most exciting parts of this new program is its flexibility. Coaches will have access to face-to-face, online, and blended learning formats. Mike has been working closely with Aled Howell at BSUK to help develop this new coach development. If you have coaches or players in your league who are interested in the coach development, please get in touch by emailing info@britishsoftball.org
Athletes Commission
Tim, a longstanding member of the BSF community, provided an update on his transition from the Athlete's Commission to the BSF Executive Board. He explained that the aim was to recruit for two vacant roles— male representatives for fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. These new athletes commission members will bring fresh perspectives and help ensure that players' voices continue to shape the future of the sport.
Tim also took the opportunity to highlight the need for broader representation across the UK. While Farnham Park has long been the focal point of the softball community, Tim expressed his commitment to promoting the sport across other regions, including Edinburgh and Manchester. His efforts align with his passion for slow-pitch co-ed and single-sex softball leagues, where the sport's grassroots energy continues to thrive.
BSF's Organisational Changes: Safeguarding and Technical Officer Roles
One of the significant motions at the AGM was a proposal to change the structure of two crucial positions within the BSF. The Technical Officer and the Welfare and Safeguarding Officer—currently held by Pete and Stella, respectively—will transition from being elected roles to appointed ones. The BSF recognises that these roles require specialised skill sets and experience to properly carry out the responsibilities, particularly around safeguarding and technical development, ensuring the roles are filled by individuals with the expertise necessary to support the federation’s continued growth and commitment to player safety.
This change reflects the evolving needs of the softball community and the increasing importance of having qualified professionals in these key positions. This change was voted and approved.
Team Registration and National Events
As the softball season approaches, there was a lot of interest surrounding team registration and the scheduling of national events. The BSF reminded attendees that registration for teams will be handled through TeamLink. For those looking to make changes to their team affiliations, please contact Liz Graham, as she is overseeing the registration process and will provide assistance with any team transitions. Liz can be reached through email
Additionally, the date for this year’s Nationals was confirmed to be in the middle of August. The BSF will continue to work with teams and leagues to ensure a seamless and exciting competition season, with a clear focus on fostering a competitive yet inclusive environment for all players. Check out the events calendar for this seasons confirmed dates.
AGM Close
The meeting concluded with a call to action for continued community involvement and the importance of communication within the softball community. Lesley, emphasised the need for ongoing feedback and engagement from all members, coaches, and players to keep pushing the development of the sport.
For those who couldn’t attend or are interested in learning more about any of the updates, the BSF encourages you to reach out to the board members, with contact details available through the official BSF website. As the season progresses, the federation is eager to hear from its community and continue to develop softball in the UK.