Now in its eighth season, the Manchester Indoor Softball League, with 15 teams, has emerged as one of the most popular leagues in the region, offering players across the North West a chance to play competitively outside the summer months.
The league, now roughly at the midway point in its autumn season, is also proving to be a great source of recruitment for Manchester Softball League teams for the outdoor campaign.
Venue​
Since the Manchester Indoor League was established in January 2014, games have been played on five-a-side pitches at Trafford’s Powerleague Soccerdome.
The venue, which has state-of-the-art 4G pitches, is filled with softball players every Tuesday evening from October to December for the autumn season and again from January to March for the winter season, with more than a third of the indoor pitches being used by the league.
The venue benefits from close to 200 people coming through the door on Tuesday nights, with players staying for a drink in the bar after matches -- and complimentary chips, wedges or curly fries are a valued feature.
As a less well-known sport, softball has made its presence felt at Powerleague, with a personalised Manchester Indoor Softball League noticeboard in the foyer displaying the current league tables, weekly fixtures and information on how to get involved.
Each of the pitches used has a Manchester Indoor Softball League flag on display behind the umpire, letting everyone who walks by know exactly what sport is being played and who is playing it.
Satisfaction​
Player satisfaction is always at the top of the league’s priority list, and added touches such as video highlights and weekly prizes for performance help to provide a positive experience week on week.
A new feature during the current autumn season is that vouchers for local restaurant Pinchjo’s in Didsbury are up for grabs every week. The ‘Team of the Week’ prize is 10% off food for the whole team and is given to teams scoring the most runs on weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8 and to teams conceding the fewest runs on odd-numbered weeks. Pinchjo’s also donates a voucher for two free drinks for the player hitting the most home runs each week, alternating between male and female players.
With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, players were invited to don their spookiest softball wear with the chance of winning drinks vouchers for the best-dressed team.
Tournament
The league’s Indoor Tournament in March 2017 was successful in gaining interest nationwide, with teams traveling from Scotland, London, Leeds and Liverpool to join local Manchester teams.
The Autumn 2017 tournament will have 16 teams competing on Saturday 2 December, and will include a free buffet for all players. The tournament can be followed on the league’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterIndoorSoftballLeague/.
Places are open now for the next Manchester Indoor Softball Tournament that the league will host in the spring, on Saturday 3 March 2018. To register interest, email luis.arrevillagas@bsuk.com.
More teams
The ever-growing Manchester Indoor Softball League is set to have more teams than ever when the Winter 2018 season starts in January.
Since October, a group of rookies has been attending indoor training sessions at Powerleague run by BSUK North West Coach Linni Mitchell. The rookies will be joining the league in January for the 2018 winter season as the Base Invaders.
The team, which has had six sessions so far, has already designed a logo, bought all its kit and acquired sponsorship ready for their debut game in two months’ time.
To keep up to date with standings, videos and competition winners from the Manchester Indoor Softball League, check out: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterIndoorSoftballLeague/.