The Southampton Mustangs Baseball Club has teamed up with Sport England’s Sportivate programme to encourage local people to join a series of fun, social slowpitch softball sessions, and the club plans to enter a team in the Solent Softball League for the 2017 season.
The Sportivate program is backed by Lottery funding and gives young people in the UK the chance to discover a new sport they can enjoy by attending sessions over a six to eight-week period. In this case, the Southampton Mustangs are using Sportivate funds to embed slowpitch softball at the club, which has grown in popularity following a successful two-year run of taster sessions organised by the Mustangs and Eastleigh Borough Council.
Sport for everyone
“Softball caters for everyone,” said Mustangs Club President Ross Arieta. “Our focus will be on providing engaging sessions that teach people the fundamentals of the game, while taking into account different levels of fitness and skill.”
The Mustangs, who were BBF National Baseball Champions in 2016, will then help to further the profile of softball on the South Coast by adding a new team to the Solent Softball League, which has been running for over 20 years.
Mustangs Head Coach Alberto Rodriguez said: “It’s all about the positive role sport plays in our community. The Mustangs are a friendly, welcoming club with opportunities to join in, both on and off the field, at all levels. This is a fantastic chance for Mums, Dads, kids, couples … anyone.”
Details
Up to nine softball sessions will take place on Sundays in Eastleigh between now and the end of March. Young people can gain access to an inclusive sport at low cost, while adults who might not have time to exercise or socialise during the week can come along, learn a new sport and meet new people.
Details are:
Dates: Sundays from 29 January through 26 March 2017.
Times: 12.00-2.00 pm for outdoor sessions; 3:30-5.00 pm for indoor sessions.
Location: Toynbee School, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh SO53 2PL.
Cost: £16 for up to nine sessions (payable via Paypal or other methods -- see website).
More information: Full details can be found at www.southamptonmustangs.co.uk.