The UK Corporate Games, the UK’s biggest multi-sport event for businesses, was held at the University of Warwick from 3-6 August. Softball was back on the programme this year, and the softball competition was organised by the Coventry Blitz Softball Club. Their Chair, Matt Evans, takes up the story.
The UK Corporate Games (UKCG) describes itself as “the most comprehensive multi-sport employee wellbeing event in the country -- a platform for companies from all business sectors to integrate and engage employees, address CSR strategies, and raise brand awareness. Annually, thousands of participants representing hundreds of organisations come together for an unrivalled weekend of sportsmanship and celebrations.”
This year’s event was held at the University of Warwick and softball was back on the schedule, with the Coventry Blitz Softball Club approached to organise and lead the softball competition. Coventry Blitz, the only softball club in Warwickshire and the West Midlands, has been going from strength to strength post-Covid and we saw this event as a good opportunity to get the Blitz name out there and raise some important revenue for the club to continue to deliver accessible softball in the region.
Organisation
Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy as rocking up on Saturday and delivering a day of softball. Following three months of communication between myself and UKCG, site visits, sports organiser ‘initiation’ meetings, and athlete registration, it was finally time for the softball itself!
Actually, I should touch on registration. Teams were supposed to supply their own playing kit, and whilst we had a prior arrangement to supply one team with gloves, it was clear from the looks on athletes’ faces that not all teams had them.
“I actually play cricket -- I don’t have to wear a glove, do I?”
Thankfully, we had enough to supply two-and-a-half teams, and thanks to spares from another competing team we managed to get everyone kitted out.
There were five companies competing: BUPA Care Services, Freeths LLP, Insight, Safran, and Willis Towers Watson (WTW).
Each team was guaranteed a minimum of three games upon entering, so the first challenge was devising a schedule where all teams had the same number of games! In our schedule, teams were guaranteed four games (they would all play each other) and then the top two would compete for gold and the third and fourth-placed teams would play for bronze.
The Great British Summer
As seems to be the standard for softball in 2023, the forecast wasn’t great. In fact, it was absolutely horrendous -- and it turned out to be true! We were faced with constant rain from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. At times during the day, the rain was very heavy, but the grounds held up well and no bats were dropped unintentionally, so play continued!
Picture five teams of 10-14 players where only a couple of players had ever played before. Blitz members were acting as scorers, coaches, umpires, and tournament control (including medal presentation!) for the day, and whilst we tried not to overload them with 100% of the rules from the outset, some things certainly took some explaining. Small ball hitters, using a smaller ball, and only taking one base when walked was a frequent topic of conversation! But I will say that many players did want to learn and the feedback we’ve had was that they very much appreciated our coaching points during the day.
Despite the appalling conditions, the competition was played in good spirit, and amongst the madness there were some genuinely impressive plays. Taking a hard line drive off the wet grass at third in a brand-new glove in that weather and then making the throw to first for the out definitely stood out. As did a first base fielder taking a catch peddling backwards into foul territory or a pitcher taking a sliding catch -- though the conditions were ideal for that!
Finals
The Bronze Final was contested between Freeths LLP & Insight, with Freeths taking the win 8-3.
The Gold Final saw Safran take on WTW – funnily enough, the two teams who had their own kit. WTW reigned supreme to finish the day with a 100% record, taking the gold medal with a 12-2 victory.
Following the medal ceremony – where we once again pushed the BSUK Teamfinder (like we did in the Captains Pack and WhatsApp group!) – it was time for the Blitz team to head home and dry out ,following a customary team beverage, of course. We even picked up a new player at the pub who came to our next training session!
Thanks
Following several days of kit-drying, the Corporate Games team were in touch to say feedback was that the Blitz team were “excellent” and competitors “learned a lot from them”.
If you have the chance to support the delivery of softball through this event, it’s definitely worth considering as a cash boost for your club -- though it is a lot of work! Feel free to contact Coventry Blitz (covblitz@gmail.com) if you want to discuss further.
At the time of writing the 2024 location has not been confirmed, so keep an eye out on their media:
it may be happening at a field near you!
Special thanks to the Blitz team who made the event happen: Carl Billson, Lee Grafton, Matt Evans, Nate Richardson, Neil Foot, Sally Bynoe, Tim Bishop and Vrushank Sharma.
