Author: Colum Lavery

by Colum Lavery

Suspension of Softball Activities in Leinster

Softball Ireland have been advised this afternoon of a positive COVID-19 test from a player who played in the Hippies v Dodder Premier Division game on August 4, 2020.

The Softball Ireland Medical Committee were notified of the positive case and the Committee have considered the impact of the positive result noting in particular player movement within the Softball Leinster League during the 2020 season. 

The Softball Ireland Board recognise the efforts taken by all teams to ensure a safe playing environment for all participants to date and urge clubs to continue following the Protocols available on www.softball.ie. 

The Board, having noted the recommendation of the Medical Committee, this evening AGREED that:

  • Players from Dodder Softball Club and Hippetys Softball Club cannot participate in any Softball Activities for 14 days with immediate effect.
  • Softball activities in Softball Leinster inclusive of practice are postponed from 0700 Saturday August 15, 2020 through 0700 August 23, 2020. 
  • Softball activities in Galway inclusive of practice are postponed from 0700 Saturday August 15, 2020 through 0700 August 23, 2020.

All players are reminded to follow the HSE guidance with regards to COVID-19 and monitor for symptoms. If you concerned that you may require a test, please follow the HSE process detailed on the following link: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/how-to-get-tested.html

The Softball Ireland Board appreciate the ongoing support of the Softball Leinster Committee and the impacted teams at this time.

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Slowpitch Umpiring Course – Session 3

The third part of the Softball Ireland umpiring course will be held via Zoom on August 20, 2020. The third sesseion will cover Basics of Game Management Part 2.

If you are interested in attending please contact Massimo on Finance@softball.ie to register your attendance.

If you have missed either of the first two sessions of the course, not to worry, they have been uploaded to the Softball Ireland Youtube TV Channel and can be located in the Coaching section using the below link. The videos can also be accessed via the Softball Ireland homepage.

Softball Ireland TV Link

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Face Masks on Sale

Further to the introduction of mandatory facemasks by the Irish government, Softball Ireland are looking to produce Softball Ireland branded masks to both promote OUR sport and keep members safe during these unprecedented times.

The bottle green mask with the softball Ireland logo has an adjustable fitting and is machine washable.

Protection

The mask includes:

  • High strength woven fabric
  • Inserted surgical wrap filter
  • Sterille Barrier System *EN-ISO 11607
  • Barrier against micro-organisms
  • Two inner layers of microfibres that avoid the penetration of particles and fluids
  • Made in Ireland

Cost

Masks may be purchased individually or in bulk for the following prices:

Individual Mask – €9 per mask

Team Mask Purchases (orders of 10+ mask) – €8.50 per mask

If you wish to order face masks, please complete the order form using the below link:

Order Form: https://forms.gle/y4U1U2BQtAY5rYHm9

To produce the mask our supplier will need a minimum order of 100 masks, once orders have been received, we will keep those who have placed orders updated on the status.

Let’s both promote our sport and stay safe!

by Colum Lavery

Updated Player Restrictions

August 7, 2020

Further to the announcement of revised Government advice on August 7, 2020, any Softball Ireland members who reside in Kildare, Laois or Offaly, are not permitted to attend any Softball Ireland activities until such time as the Government advice is updated.

If a member has visited any of these three counties in the last 14 days or visits (other than commuting through) the three counties during the time of the Government restrictions and experiences any symptoms related to COVID-19, they are advised not to attend Softball Ireland sanctioned activities.

Thank you for you co-operation and support during these quickly changing times.

by Colum Lavery

Champion Green, Champion Softballers

Softball Ireland have today announced an initiative to support the promotion of businesses owned by Softball Ireland members through our website and social media channels.

2020 has been a very difficult year for most small business in Ireland and in support of the national campaign to “Champion Green” we are asking the Softball Ireland community to “Shop Local, Shop Softball”.

Softball Ireland member owned small businesses are invited to send us in details of their businesses, their promotions etc and Softball Ireland will promote them to the Sofball Ireland community through our website and social media channels.

We will be creating a dedicated page on our site to allow members to check the directory of Softball Ireland member businesses.

The Softball Ireland board feel its important to encourage, Shop Local, Shop Softball, to support our community in these challenging times.

If you wish to submit your business name, logo, short explanation of what you do and contact details please send them to president@Softball.ie

by Colum Lavery

Have Your Say: CO-ED Slowpitch Development Plan Consultation

The Slowpitch Development Working Group has prepared a DRAFT development plan for co-ed slowpitch softball in Ireland.

This plan has been developed with the working party comprising of Ruth Brady, Declan Carty, Andrew Craven, Will Gilpin, Amanda Ní Ghabhann, Jay Slevin & Colum Lavery (President).  There have been two workshops to develop the DRAFT, and a third is planned for the end of August to considering member feedback.

Sofball Ireland members are invited to review the attached draft Co-ed Slowpitch Development plan and consider the below questions.

The DRAFT CO-ED Slowpitch Development Plan can be downloaded here

1. Do you agree with the vision statement yes/No
2. If No can you, please provide comment on what needs to be changed and or added
3. Do you agree with the six work streams required to achieve the Vision yes/No
4. If No can you, please provide comment on what is missing and or should be removed/changed
5. Is there anything missing from the tasks/programmes to be developed that you feel should be considered for inclusion in the next Draft

The final date for feedback on the plan is Monday 17th August. The Project Team will meet on the 27th August and consider what changes should be made to the Draft as a result of the feedback received. Following this meeting, a final Draft Development Plan will be provided to the Softball Ireland Board for its consideration and hopefully, approval.

Members are asked to send their feedback on the DRAFT CO-ED Slowpitch Development plan to DevSurvey@softball.ie




by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland to host on-line Introductory Umpire Course

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that an on-line Introductory Slow-pitch Umpire Course will be hosted by Paul Peake and Massimo Lepri on Thursday 23rd July at 7pm.

The course is open to all Softball Ireland members and is part of Softball Ireland’s broader committment to increasing the number of umpires across the island of Ireland. Details on furter courses together with the outcomes and umpire pathways developed following the Softball Ireland Umpires Working Group will be circulated shortly.

In odred to register your attendance for the on-line course please contact Massimo Lepri at massimo@gmail.com .




Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Symptom Screening & Contact Tracing

Effective July 20, 2020

Softball Ireland have announced the launch of its COVID-19 Symptom Screening and Contact Tracking Web-App.

In accordance with government requirements Softball is required to maintain records of all attendees at Softball training and games. Additionally, it is the recommendation of Sport Ireland that all participants certify they are not experiencing symptoms prior to training/playing.

Softball Ireland have partnered with Redicare for the use of a a GDPR compliant and secure COVID-19 online survey which will both provide a Play/No Play advice to participants and the required contact tracing functionality.

All members of Softball Ireland wishing to play softball with effect from July 20, 2020 are required to register and complete the Web App questionnaire in advance of each training/game. The questionnaire should be completed as close to the event time possible but no earlier than 6 hours in advance.

Team/Club COVID-19 Officers will be provided with team admin access in-order to use the Web App to track attendance at training and games.

For further questions on the Web-App kindly email president@softball.ie

by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Postponements Update

Further to the government announcement to extend the current phase of lockdown to May 5, 2020 and at that point, any reduction in intervention would only be a step down to the previous phase of restrictions, the Softball Ireland Board on the recommendation of the Medical Committee agreed all Softball activities remain suspended until May 31, 2020. The suspension is subject to review of the Medical Committee on May 5, 2020.

Our thoughts continue to be with all our members and their families at this time.

We would also like to thank all our members working on the frontline during this crisis

Under-22 Women's Team
by Colum Lavery

European Competitions Update

APRIL 2, 2020 – IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Softball Ireland have received confirmation this morning that due to the ongoing global crisis caused by the COVID-19 vires the WBSC Europe Softball Division has decided amend it’s 2020 tournament schedule.

WBSC Europe Softball Division has confirmend the following:

  • European softball international events for 2020 under Softball Europe have been cancelled except for;
  • European Championships which act as qualifiers for World Cups 2021- the events have now been postponed to September.

What does this mean for softball Ireland?? Softball Ireland National teams and clubs were entered in three competitions in 2020 and update on the status of these tournaments is below:

  • Women’s European Championship postponed to September 20 – 26, 2020
  • Men’s Slowpitch European Championship *CANCELLED*
  • European CO-ED Super Cup (Dodder) *CANCELLED*

The Fastpitch Ireland Board, Softball Ireland Board and Medical Committee will review Ireland’s participation in the Women’s European Championship once venue’s have been confirmed. Any decision on Ireland’s participation in the event will be athelete driven with consideration been given to the health & safety of the players and whether it is felt the athletes will have adequate time and opportunity to prepare and condition for the tournament.

The full statement from the WBSC Europe Softball Division is available HERE

by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Update From Softball Ireland Board

Update Statement on COVID-19 from the Softball Ireland Board

 Wednesday, 25 March, 2020

Immediate Release

 

Updated statement from Softball Ireland regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the impact on the upcoming season and tournaments:

Softball Ireland continues to closely monitor the coronavirus pandemic and advice from both national and international health organisations and experts.

The health and safety of the Softball Ireland community is our top priority and we want to continue to implement the utmost precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Further to the announcement of tighter restrictions by the Irish & British governments in the last 48 hours.
 
Softball Ireland wish to reconfirm that its instruction to the clubs, regions and national teams to suspend all training sessions and upcoming competitions until the end of April remains in place.
 
At this time it appears likely that the suspension may continue into May and June, however the Softball Ireland Board will continue to monitor all governmental instructions and the advice of the Softball Ireland Medical Committee on this ever changing situation and update the membership accordingly.
 
Softball Ireland would like to thank our members who in numerous different capacities are on the “front line” of this emergency.
 
Lastly, we encourage our members to continue following the advice of the HSE and to self-isolate as necessary, have proper hand hygiene and that the use of social distancing is the most effective way we have of stopping the spread of this virus.