The BSF website will be publishing monthly reports throughout the season from slowpitchsoftball leagues. Below are May reports from the Manchester Softball League, the Norfolk Softball Association and the Greater London Softball Mixed League.
Other leagues that want to send monthly reports should send them by the 25th of the month to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Manchester Softball League
by Harry Somers
Four weeks into a season whose start was delayed by a washed-out first week, and in which games have been played in mostly wet conditions (what? in Manchester?) the Lions lead Division 1 with a 4-0 record, 1.5 games ahead of the Mavericks, Greensox and Jammie Dodgers, but still to sit out their "rest week" in this nine-team league.
Greensox lost to the Mavericks in their opening game in Week 2, having got their rest week out of the way early. But the Mavericks lost their 100% record in a thrilling game against Thunder, who scored three in a two-out seventh inning rally to win. They, along with Outlaws and Bullfrogs, are in mid-table at 2-2.
In Division 2, the Didsbury Bats, one of four founder members remaining in the league in this, our 20th anniversary year, top the table with a 4-0 record, ahead of the Spittin' Camels, a half game behind on 3-0. Newly promoted Dragons are one game behind the leaders, with the rest neatly spread out down to the Camels' struggling club-mates, the Clanger Camels, whose unfortunate start to the season was a forfeit, a rest week and two losses.
In Division 3 we have two new teams, though the loss of two teams over the winter means for the first time in six years we have not expanded. Relegated Hackers, another founder member that has been up and down over the years, share the leadership with Mossley Mayhem, in their third year. Both have perfect records after four games. Just behind, with 3-1 records, are four teams including both Sale Bluesox and Tigers, each in only their second seasons.
The league's "show pitch", the purpose-built softball diamond, now has side fences thanks to a BSUK development grant and really looks the part. Not everyone loves playing on it, but more and more doubters are now coming round. The league is also looking forward to playing its part in the Olympics, as League Head Harry Somers has been selected to take part in the torch relay.
"This is on behalf of all the players and volunteers who contribute to making MSL such a great league," says Harry, who is in training for the 300 metre run. "It's a distance I have not covered in one go at more than walking pace for many a year," he added.
Regular news from Manchester can be found in our weekly review "Bases Loaded", available for download at http://www.manchestersoftball.co.uk/?q=node/284.
Norfolk Softball Association
by Mark House
The worst spell of May weather in a hundred years failed to dampen enthusiasm for the first month's play in the Norfolk Slowpitch Softball League. All scheduled games were completed on time and in full – a true indication of the strength of character of the group and their strong love of the game.
The story of the season so far must be the rejuvenation of the Wensum Wolves. Last season's whipping boys have started this year as the only undefeated team, carving out five convincing wins from five games. One more win and they they will reach the mid-point of the season with a perfect record.
The rest of the pack are all playing at around .500, with no one team able to string more than a couple of wins together. But special mention must go to the league's newest team, the Basehunters, who recorded their first win last week after going down to four consecutive heavy losses. They are an improving team for sure and will be one to watch after the midpoint.
Away from league action, the NSA has made significant progress in updating the playing surface of the main diamond at Fakenham High School through the installation of dirt baselines and cutouts. This has been a great success and has really added to player enjoyment both during games and at practice sessions.
Further developments are planned later this summer, with more dirt being added, new storage facilities and even some bleacher seating for spectators.
Greater London Softball Mixed League
by the GLSML Committee
With winter finally just about behind us and the season now under way, the teams in the Greater London Softball Mixed League is already experiencing another exciting summer of weekday co-ed softball.
With divisional tables just starting to take shape, the GLSML Majors divisions are chock-full of storylines as the 2012 season begins.
Several of the newly-promoted teams are making their debut campaigns at their respective levels (Comets Black, Mezcalitos Ninos, Comer’s Homers, Thundercats). This will set up some interesting match-ups throughout the summer as these debutantes will hope to stave off the dreaded label of “yo-yo team” (ie, going up and down between divisions every season) and prove that they are playing for keeps. For this reason, predicting the landscape of each division come mid-August is enough to keep Miss Cleo awake at night, let alone those less qualified in the clairvoyant arts.
So without further ado, let’s preview the 2012 GLSML Majors season with an individual look at each team, including how they performed in 2011 and what they should have in store for their opposition.
DIVISION 1
Last season saw a changing of the guard atop the league, as the Mescalitos secured their first Division 1 title in the team’s long history. In a race that went right down to the wire, they narrowly edged out LNZ and Mi6 with an 11-3 record. With the return and debut of the Muppets and Comets Black respectively, what are their chances of a repeat?
Comets Black
It is hard to believe that three years ago, Comets Black were in MINORS Division 1. After three successive promotions, they find themselves in the GLSML’s top flight, looking to make a statement. After their promotion from Division 4 in 2009, Comets Black became Division 3 and Division 2 champions in consecutive years (going 10-4 and 11-3 respectively). This gives them plenty of experience at being successful underdogs – a mentality that will serve them well in Division 1. Because of their meteoric rise, they are an unknown quantity to virtually every Division 1 team and could cause problems for sides resting on their laurels. Comets have very dangerous bats from both sides of the plate, along with top-level experience in the middle infield from Ian Withycombe. As with all newly-promoted teams, the question remains whether or not they have enough defence to cope with the bats of their new opposition. It should also be noted that they are missing some key players from their fantastic 2011 run (Jill Slatchta, Nate Sumpter and former captain Anna Stover), so a dip in performance would not be unexpected. However, this is a club with wonderful team spirit and enthusiasm along with a genuine belief that they can disrupt the establishment. Expect high-scoring games with them in the fixture. Definitely the dark horse of 2012.
Coyotes
Having played in Division 1 since 2006, West London’s own Coyotes will be entering their sixth top-flight campaign in a row, and seventh in eight years. Having placed as high as second in their 2008 and 2009 campaigns, they have struggled for results in recent years, finding themselves in the relegation scrap at the end of last season (5-9), narrowly fending off the OddSox and London Raiders Gold for sixth place. They will be looking to rebound in 2012 and they certainly have the players to get the job done. Shortstops don’t come better than Mike Povelones; cagey veterans Kim Comer, Pearl Bramhall and Steve Getraer bring a reliable presence to the side; mix in Fleeta Seigel and Pat Ruberto and you’ve got a box full of the right tools to win games. Also worth noting – the Coyotes arguably have the biggest home field advantage in ANY division, which means a trip to Boston Manor is always far from comfortable. A wild card in Division 1 in every sense.
LNZ
No team has been more successful in Division 1 than LNZ, having won the division five times in the last nine seasons and never finishing below fifth place, with a combined record of 89-27-1 since 2003. (Yes, math majors, that’s an average of 10 wins a season!). In 2011 they finished with a 10-4 record in joint second place, only one game behind the champions. They also conceded by far the fewest runs in the GLSML (7.5 runs per game), showing that their gloves are as strong as their bats, if not stronger. It seems a foregone conclusion that LNZ will contend for the title once again in 2012, although the loss of the incomparable Dave Baird to a season-ending winter injury will certainly be felt. Nonetheless, captain Ross Smith has assembled a mouth-watering roster of players from the NSL’s Chromies, Pioneers, Dragons, and Niners along with their regular influx of female fastpitch players. LNZ are without question the perennial top team to beat, and will no doubt be hungry to reclaim their title from the Mescalitos this season.
Mescalitos
Last year, a superb cast of players resulted in Mescalitos’ first Division 1 title. Several important members of that championship team have left, but Captain Dan Armstrong has again recruited some of the best ex-pats available (Chiya Louie & Mike Cameron) to complement a line-up built around Ethan Solomon’s prodigious bat. But have they managed to keep enough of their core together to repeat as champs? Are they as well-rounded and deep as last year’s team? Debatable. But with their experience, team spirit, resourcefulness and lack of an obvious weak spot they must be considered one of the top contenders.
Mighty Muppets
After a blip year in 2010 which saw them relegated to Division 2, the Mighty Muppets returned to their winning ways and secured an immediate return to Division 1. Anchored by a large core of male talent, the Muppets are always sure to put runs on the board and have their defensive responsibilities well-tended. As in all co-ed softball, success relies heavily on the strength of your women. Co-captains Beth Bear and Kristen Dodd pack a punch with their bats and gloves, but do they have the depth to cover the rest of the female positions? There is no question their roster is lop-sided, but if they can secure a strong “five-and-five” on a weekly basis, it is very hard to see them returning to Division 2 for 2013.
Mi5
The 2010 champions have always boasted one of the most enviable rosters in the league, including the Brothers Spinks and the Rice family. In fact, virtually all of their personnel come from contending NSL teams. Unfortunately, it was a rare day when Mi5's full complement came out to play in 2011, resulting in a disappointing 7-7 record with two forfeits. Saying this, when this Secret Agents outfit turns up in full force, hold on to your hats. They handed defeats to both the Mescalitos and LNZ through the course of last season, seeming to step into the role of “league heartbreakers”. With the Secret Agents’ second team Mi6 finishing above them last season, will they use this as motivation to fight for the title once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – no team will enter a fixture against Mi5 expecting an easy win.
Mi6
The “second team” of the Secret Agents softball club is fresh off of a Cinderella season, reversing their fortunes from barely surviving in 2010 (4-10) to finishing joint second in 2011 (10-4). Perhaps the ultimate feather in Mi6's cap from 2011 was winning both games against club rivals Mi5 for the first time in the club’s 21-year history. Mi6's success changed the landscape of Division 1 last year, due in large part to co-captains Duncan Waugh and Gelske Huyer bringing in impact players to support their already-talented roster. The additions of Jason Giberti, Lee ‘Staffie’ Rowe, Bruce Saunders and Konstantina Panagiotou proved a masterstroke, as the upgraded bats and gloves gave Mi6 the best run differential in the league. While there has been some turnover with their roster for 2012, it is believed that Mi6 have recruited well once again (Kelvin Terblanche, Kim Robertson, Pipp Saul-Harrah) and have stability in key positions. However they did not manage to beat either the Mescalitos or LNZ last season, and winning key games will be crucial to reaching championship level. Nevertheless, this is a side full of athletes that will certainly no longer be thought of as underdogs.
SPAM
Having been promoted in 2010, SPAM have managed to stay in the top flight for the past two seasons with mid-table records of 7-7 and 5-9. John Boyd and Simon Gordon anchor a well-organised team with loads of resourcefulness and solid gloves. While their roster may not be the flashiest on paper they have an uncanny knack for keeping contenders on their toes, with several close games against the top four teams in 2011. On paper, one would expect them to struggle the most out of the eight teams in Division 1, but as we all know games are not played on paper. This is a long-standing team that knows how to play the game properly, and SPAM will look forward to proving any and all naysayers wrong along the way.
DIVISION 2
2012 will be a very balanced year in Division 2, with the standard seeming to get higher every season. Four new teams will be storming the division, all capable of getting results. This makes predicting the final league table well nigh impossible as some spirited new blood will be going up against talented, more established teams. Last year’s race for promotion went right down to the final game of the season, and with such an even field one could expect a similar race this year. Let’s see what we can predict from the eight teams vying for promotion:
Beyond Bermuda Guns
BBG have been residents in Division 2 since 2008, where they have generally been a force to be reckoned with. Last season saw them fighting for survival, finishing just above the Chargers in sixth place. The Guns have always had the firepower in their line-up to put up big scores, but their defence has been a question. Angela Bonora has become a consummate all-around player in the past couple of years, Michelle Pratt remains one of the best female bats in the division, and captain Matthew Davies has the range and speed to cause problems everywhere. However, with their big power threat Mikey Rodriguez returning to his native Venezuela, their line-up’s balance will have been disrupted. This is a very strong division, and 2012 could be a struggle for BBG, but never count them out. Team spirit and turnout will be critical to their Division 2 success.
Breakers
Looking at their roster, it’s hard to believe that the Breakers are not playing Division 1 ball. With GB National Team members Kim Akehurst and Vicky Chapman in their ranks along with the Pioneers’ Laura Brockman, they certainly have the talent to cause significant problems for Division 1 teams. The Breakers finished third last season with a 9-5 record, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Muppets after their final rain-delayed head-to-head game of the season. Having spent the better part of last decade in the top flight, this team knows how to win and can cause problems for any defence on any given day. They are a mixture of veteran players and top-grade talent, with virtues throughout the roster. If pitcher and captain Richie Harrison can get their A-team out every week, expect a return to Division 1 in 2013.
Comer’s Homers
It would be unfair to label these guys as “unknown quantities” despite this being their first foray in Division 2. This is because their entire roster can often be found playing some sort of ball throughout the wintertime. Whether it's in the GLSML’s Indoor Rec League, at The Player's Tournament in the US or in Regents Park for weekend pick-up games, this dedicated bunch of softballers regularly show great enthusiasm for the game (which certainly has made them better individually and collectively). Having formed in 2008 in what was then Division 5, the Homers have been promoted in all of their seasons bar one. 2012 will be their sharpest test to date, but looking objectively at their roster one realises they have enough talent to float. Laura Van has always amazed opponents with her power, and captains Mark Oldroyd and Paul Duncan have plenty of experience in organising an effective team. They have lost one of their strongest players in Carly Isaacs in the off-season, which won't help their efforts, but they should be game-ready from the get-go. They will look to get out to a fast start, but regardless of results this fun crew of ballplayers will play hard and look to cause the old guard some problems. They will certainly have plenty of neutrals rooting for them to stay up!
Raiders Gold
The flagship of the London Raiders Softball Club, Raiders Gold have returned to Division 2 after their inaugural run in Division 1 resulted in an identical 4-10 record to the Oddsox (albeit two of those wins were forfeits). They boast one of the deepest rosters of female talent in the league (in fact, they might just be the only team in the Majors to play a guy at first base!). Led by captain Beth Gaudet, they also have one of the biggest player pools to call upon from the other five colours in the Raiders’ rainbow, giving them reliable turnouts every week. The main point of focus for Raiders Gold is their consistency, as they can fall victim to that “one bad inning” from time to time. If they play seven full innings of softball they are as dangerous as they come. Jake Ramey is the male lynchpin that holds their infield together at shortstop – if he manages to have a big year on both sides of the ball, they could find themselves contending for the title once again.
Meteors 1
The flagship of the Meteors Softball Club is always an interesting quantity to consider when predicting league tables. They are one of the longest-standing clubs in London with a great legacy, spending most of their time in Division 1 since 2003 and even winning the Division 1 crown as recently as 2004. But since finishing in last place in Division 1 in 2009, they have been producing mid-table finishes in Division 2. Saying that, last year was far from a mundane mid-table campaign for M1 – they went 1-5 in their first six games, then went on to win seven in a row and finished fourth overall with an 8-6 record. This season of two halves and their finishing run of form should fill them with belief to challenge any team put in front of them, providing they have held onto their talent. This team is a part of a well-organised club with the faculties and facilities to do great things this season, and should be considered dangerous to all who venture to Finsbury Park. This could very well be the year they return to Division 1, where they no doubt feel they belong.
Mezcalitos Ninos
The Ninos are entering their sophomore season after they surprised Division 3 by claiming the title in their inaugural campaign with an 11-3 record. They became a dominant force in both league and tournament play, winning several C-Comp tournaments as well as GLSML’s Lastball in 2011. The Mescalitos’ second team may be new to the scene, but several of their players are not. Their golden-voiced captain Glen Wrage and the ageless Kevin Fallows have been Mescalitos since the invention of digital photography, and several others have spent time with the Division 1 team as well. Another Mescies team filled with ex-pats, they are up to the brim with young up-and-coming talent (Leila Dukes, Pete McNair, Katie Wilson) and established players who will certainly garner a lot of attention in 2012. Their tournament form has shown that they play hard and make opponents earn every run that they get, and they may just be a dark horse in Division 2. Two Mes(z)calitos teams in Division 1 next year? Far from impossible.
Oddsox
One of Division 2's mainstay teams, the Oddsox are fresh out of a year in the top flight which saw them go a respectable 4-10 but it was not enough to avoid relegation. Historically, this tight outfit of players has been solid at the Division 2 level and have not dropped to Division 3 since 2003. The core players of this team (Tim Kimber, Duncan Shaw and Grant Burger) have played together for several years and have developed excellent chemistry on the field. The addition of Steve Lime in recent years has given them a legitimate power threat. They have players, both male and female, who distribute the ball well and defend solidly. Are they the youngest, most intimidating team in the division? Certainly not, but their track record over the last nine years makes them perennial contenders for the title (57-39-2 in all Division 2 campaigns since 2003, averaging more than eight wins a season). Make mistakes against the Oddsox at your peril, because they certainly won’t.
Spartans
The Spartans have spent the last two seasons in Division 2, coming directly from Minors Division 1 in 2009. One would have expected significant struggles in such a scenario, but in both of those years they have managed very respectable season-end results, going 8-6 in 2010 and 7-7 in 2011. There is no question that Jason Kittinger is the keystone of the team: his range, athleticism and tactics at shortstop make his entire team better. This should not overshadow a cast of solid players around him, with Brett Martin and reliable pitcher Kenny Tun on board. Roster depth will play a huge role in the rise or fall of their season, but they have proven capable of getting big results when needed. The Spartans are a prime example of a team that one should never underestimate, and should strive for a high mid-table finish.
DIVISION 3
Barnes Badgers
The Badgers are one of the GLSML’s longest-lived teams and it's certainly been a while since they hit their peak in 2004, their 11-3 record in Division 2 that year earning promotion for a single season in the top flight. Since then, they have struggled to find their level, for the most part yo-yoing between Divisions 2 and 3. This year, the Badgers are coming off their worst season, going 0-14 last year in Division 2. Without a (non-forfeit) win since 29th July 2010, they will be looking to get back to their winning ways against Division 3 competition, but this division is certainly tougher than it used to be. Nevertheless, one can assume they will fare much better this season, providing they can get Kelvin Pryer and other key players out for their games during the week. With some younger, up-and-coming teams in Division 3, though, it’s far from certain that the Badgers will be returning to Division 2 in 2013.
Chargers
After darting out to a brilliant 4-0 start to their 2011 Division 2 campaign, the Chargers went on to struggle for the rest of the season, losing nine of their last 10 games. This led to a somewhat surprising relegation for a team which had been a long-standing mainstay of Division 2. Indeed, only in 2008 have the Chargers previously dropped to Division 3. They returned immediately to Division 2 on that occasion and would seem a good bet to do so again this year. This is an experienced team which knows how to play together and has a nucleus of impressive talent led by A-grader Stewart Butcher. But what really stands to set the Chargers apart in 2012 is the addition of Great Britain shortstop Steve Hazard, one of the best players in the country, let alone Division 3 of the GLSML. If they can get their best line-up out on a regular basis, they may well be the team to beat.
Cheetahs
After narrowly losing a promotion playoff to open the 2011 season, Joe Deely’s Cheetahs spent a year in Minors Division 1, arguably below their talent level, where they went a dominant 12-2 to win the title and reclaim a spot in the Majors. One of their two losses last year came against fellow promotees the Thundercats, and these jungle animals will no doubt renew a strong rivalry when they meet for the first time as Majors teams on 30 May. Prior to last season, the Cheetahs had strung together several years’ worth of respectable mid-table performances in Division 3, but this year seem capable of falling in either half of what will be an unpredictable division.
Finsbury Dazzlers
In 2011, the Dazzlers proved that their season-opening promotion-playoff win over the Cheetahs was no fluke, finishing with a respectable 6-8 record in their first season in the Majors. After a slow start to the year, they found themselves winning some very close games against the division’s top teams, showing grit, perseverance and most importantly, acclimatisation to Majors play. This could be due in part to the work done by former Great Britain third base player Moera Flett, who often ran the Dazzlers’ training sessions in the 2011 pre-season. This year, the team will need to draw on last year’s learning experience and rack up the wins against the incoming Cheetahs and Thundercats if they want to make a charge at the division title.
Italian Suede
Italian Suede has been getting better year on year in terms of number of wins, yet despite their improving records the team has been treading water, finishing in third place in Division 3 for three years in a row. Will this be the year that Italian Suede shake the dreaded “bridesmaid” tag? After going 9-5 last year, it’s almost certain that if they can continue their upwardly trending win total they will break through to the next level. Surely no one will put money against this -- well, except maybe the other seven teams in the division!
Raiders Blue
The second team of the London Raiders Softball Club started in 2006 and rose through the ranks quite quickly before finding a comfort level (but hopefully not a ceiling) in Division 3. As with Raiders Gold, the Blues have an incredibly large talent pool on which to call and, with Raiders Red being relegated from the division last year, we may see some of those regulars playing Division 3 ball once again. Their depth (particularly with women) makes them remarkably consistent and expect them to return in 2012 in even better form with a year of Division 3 experience under their belts. Whether the rest of the division has gotten stronger will likely dictate whether Raiders Blue do better than their 6-8 finish in 2011.
Oblivion
Regulars in Division 3 since 2009, Oblivion have produced consistent mid-table finishes in each of their campaigns, most recently finishing 7-6-1, good enough for fourth place. However, some would say the team has not lived up to its potential, especially when you look at the numbers. Oblivion’s power-punching lineup, led by Justin Kersey and Mike Plante, led Oblivion to the highest run total in the division in 2011, and the team can also play defence, as shown by Oblivion having the highest run differential in Division 3 last year. Yet despite this, the team have played little better than .500 ball. This is a team that can ignite in any game, and with a little luck maybe this is the year that Division 3 will be theirs for the taking.
Thundercats
After a controversial 2010 season which saw the club split in two, the Thundercats reunited in 2011 and enjoyed their best season to date, earning promotion from Minors Division 1 with an 11-2-1 record. The team has some stand-out talent, and in particular has speed to burn with the likes of Sam Allen, James Boardman and Joe Baddeley. Last year, the team scored 279 runs, the second highest total in the GLSML, and they have the chemistry and camaraderie which make those long rallies infectious and exciting. The big question will be whether their defence and pitching can handle the step up to the Majors. Indeed, looking around the division, it may well be the team that can most often put a top quality pitcher on the mound that will taste the most success.