The second day of competition in the Under-14 Great Britain Fastpitch League took place on Sunday 29 May at Farnham Park, and produced a close 
and exciting game between Team A and Team B.
The two teams, made up of 21 athletes, took to the field to play each other after a warm-up and practice session combined with a GB Under-13 training session.
The teams were kept as similar as possible to those on the first day of play in April, with new players slotting into teams where previous attendees were absent.
The starting pitcher for the A Team was Isla Dodson-Ritchie and the B Team’s starting pitcher was Megan Rollins.
The rules of play remained the same as on the first game day, with no stealing and with players given soft toss if the count reached three strikes or four balls. Each team batted through their order and then switched over, and three innings were played in the time available.
Game action
The score remained very close throughout. Team A led for most of the game, but Team B had the home advantage and used it to come from behind and win by a score of 9-8.
Megan Rollins pitched all three innings for Team A and also hit well for her team, getting on base in each of her three at-bats. In contrast, Team B used three pitchers over the three innings.
Isla Dodson-Ritchie, who pitched the first inning, also hit well and made some good defensive plays.
Freddie Ladd then took to the pitcher’s circle for the second inning. Pitching for the first time, he was able to throw a reasonable number of strikes over the plate as well as showing some good defense.
Jack Leslie was the Team B’s final pitcher in the third inning. It was also his first time in the circle and, like Freddie, he did a good job.
Learning opportunities
As on Day 1, all athletes were given the opportunity to bat in all three innings and all athletes were able to change positions in the field to allow for more learning opportunities.
There were some good plays made in the infield, numerous outs at home, and some good relay throws from the outfield.
The game was facilitated by BSUK Fastpitch Development Manager Alyson Spinas-Valainis as the umpire and GB Women’s Team player and GB Under-15 Pitching Coach Amie Hutchison as the catcher and soft-toss coach. Teams were helped on the bases by GB Under-13 Head Coach Jodie Rushin and RBI Wales Coach Holly Ireland.
MVPs for Day 2 of the Under-14 GBFL were Emma Lanza and Freddie Ladd.
Day 3 will be on Sunday 12 June, and some new rules will be introduced to reflect the greater confidence on the part of the players.