The London Fastpitch Softball League moved up to Norfolk for its final competition day this year on Saturday, September 17.
Only five of the league's 12 teams managed to make it to Fakenham High School, home of a thriving fastpitch and slowpitch programme and proud owners of a backstop, fencing and dugout areas installed last year on the main pitch through a BSUK Small Facilities Grant.
After a rainy start that forced the teams into a nearby sports hall, the sun came out, games were played (even if players had to chop and change between teams) and league winners for 2011 were declared -- including which teams had earned the right to compete in European Cup competitions next season.
Long and winding road
It's a long way from most places to Fakenham, but that should have led the teams that made the journey from the South East and Nottingham to appreciate what a long trek it's been for teams and players from Norfolk to come down to Richings Park in May, June and July when most of the LFSL games were played.
Along with a host mixed and men's team from the Norfolk Softball Association, the other teams that competed on September 17 were Division 2 mixed teams from Nottingham and Chalfont. plus Division 1 women's teams London Angels and Richings Park. Most teams got to play most other teams as a total of eight games were played outdoors and two indoors.
League winners
After the games were over, the league standings showed that in Division 2, where there are three men's teams and three women's teams, the men's team Richings Park Red won the division by just one game from the London Angels women's team.
Both teams will represent Britain in European Fastpitch Cup competitions next year.
In Division 2, where there are six mixed team, the title was won by Hove Tuesday, who didn't make it up to Fakenham for the final day, but had amassed enough points earlier in the season to top the table.
More expansion
The LFSL, which increased from five teams in 2010 to 12 teams this year, is planning more expansion in 2012 to reflect increased interest in the fastpitch format.
All league dates will be played at Richings Park next year from May through early August, mostly over full weekends that will feature not only Division 1 and 2 adult competition, but a new youth league plus clinic sessions, demonstrations, good food and lots of fun.