Author: Colum Lavery

by Colum Lavery

Statement on COVID-19 from the Softball Ireland Board

Statement on COVID-19 from the Softball Ireland Board

 

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

 

Immediate Release

 

 

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

 

Softball Ireland is continuing 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 implement the utmost precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

After recent conversations by our Medical Committee with other sporting NGBs, Softball Ireland is instructing its regions and national teams to suspend all training sessions and upcoming competitions until the end of April. We understand that this decision results in a significant amount of inconvenience and disappointment to our members, volunteers and supporters.

 

This decision has been undertaken with consideration for our members, their families and friends, as well as the general population.

 

We find ourselves in a dynamic and rapidly changing situation, and will make any necessary changes to optimise the season, if possible, for our members. It is likely that the suspension will continue into May and June, but we will monitor the situation and update the membership accordingly.

 

Lastly, we encourage our members to be aware of the significant amount of misinformation being disseminated on social media, and only take advice from recognised authorities. Remember that avoiding travel to affected areas, self-isolating as necessary, proper hand hygiene and use of social distancing are the most effective ways we have of stopping the spread of this virus.

ALSAA
by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland AGM

Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting

The Softball Ireland reconvended Annual General Meeting was held on February 15, 2020.

Presidential Elections

Colum Lavery – 17 Votes

Karey Lewis – 6 Votes

Jonathan Spielberg – 6 Votes 

Colum Lavery was deemed elected as President of Softball Ireland

Softball Ireland Baord

The Annual General Meeting ratified the appointment of the below listed Softball Ireland Board 

  • Conor Sayles – Secretary 
  • Massimo Lepri – Treasurer
  • Amanda Ní Ghabhann – Softball Leinster Rep
  • Reginald Clark – Softball Ulster Rep
  • Melanie Cunningham – Fastptich Ireland Rep
  • Declan Carty – Ordinary Member
  • Andrew Craven – Ordinary Member
  • Jordan Sylver – Ordinary Member

The Softball Ireland AGM Minutes will be circulated shortly.

by Colum Lavery

AGM & Presidential Debate

The reconvened Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held at ALSAA Sports Centre, Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Co.Dublin, K67 YV06 on Saturday February 15, 2020 at 12.00pm.  The previously published the AGENDA and supporting documentation for the meeting may be found by clicking here. 

The AGM will be immediately followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider proposed amendments to the Consitution. These include the enactment of recommendations arising from the recent independent panel, as well as issues and clarifications which arose previously during the presidential election campaign period. Questions or comments are welcome to secretary@softball.ie.

A further review of Softball Ireland’s governance to conform with the Governance Code will be conducted in the coming months which will result in further proposed consitutional amendments at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Proposed Amendments to Softball Ireland Constitution may be downloaded by clicking here

Presidential Candidate Town Hall Details

A Presidential Candidates Town Hall Debate will be held on Wednesday February 12th at 7.15pm in Sportsco, Ringsend.

The debate will be held in lieu of candidate statements and Q+A session at the AGM. The depate will be streamed LIVE on Facebook for those of who who cannot make it person. Questions can be submiotted in advance to secretary@softball.ie or asked on the night. 

by Colum Lavery

2020 Tournament Calendar

Softball Ireland have published the provisional 2020 tournament calendar on its website.

The calender currently outlines the 2020 Softball Ireland, Softball Leinster and Softball Ulster calendar of events. Any clubs wishing to host a tournament during 2020 will shortly receive a link with an application form for tournament approval.

The calender will be updated throughout the season as additional club tournaments are announced and the Softball Leinster dates are confirmed.

Softball Ireland 2020 Tournament Schedule

Baden Sports
by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Announce Baden as Official Slowpitch Ball Partner

Baden Sports
Baden Sports

Softball Ireland have announced Baden as the official Softball Ireland slowpitch ball partner for the 2020 season. The partnership will see Baden Balls made available to Softball Ireland clubs at a promotional cost and will be the official ball for the Brian Walshe Cup, Irish Open Softball Tournament and the National Club Championship game. In addition, the ball will be used by the Slowpitch National Teams in their preparations for international tournaments.

Speaking on the announcement, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Ransome Sporting Goods to supply Baden Balls to Softball Ireland and our clubs. Baden’s balls are of the highest quality and have been used in UK and European tournaments for the last number of years. We are confident that the partnership will benefit our members by making high quality balls available to them at a promotional cost. We look forward to working with Ransome Sporting Goods in the coming months and years.”

Alan Ransome, managing director of Ransome Sporting Goods commented ‘We are pleased to support Softball Ireland with the supply of Baden Softballs to teams and players throughout Ireland for 2020.  We pride ourselves on offering the best products with the best value and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with Softball Ireland for many years to come.’

Click Here to order your team balls for the 2020 Season 

In addition to softball’s Ransome Sporting Goods provided a range of other Softball and Baseball equipment, full details of which are available on their website.

by Colum Lavery

SI Adopts Safegaurding Policies – Immediate Effect

The independent panel report issued on Janaury 29, 2020 identified that Softball Ireland’s existing Underage Player Guidelines needed to be amended and appropriate safegaurding policies put in place.

Softball Ireland is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members. Every person associated with the organisation should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and supports the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport. Softball Ireland’s first priority is the welfare of its members, especially young people.

Softball Ireland are committed to providing an environment that will allow players and participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying, intimidation, harassment or abuse.

The Softball Ireland Board having noted the recommendation of the indpendent panel agreed that with effect from Janaury 28, 2020 that Softball Ireland will adopt the current Baseball Ireland policy as a transitional arrangement to allow a Softball Ireland specific policy to be drafted. The Softball Ireland, Board, Regional Associations, National Teams and all members (teams and individuals) are bound by the Softball Ireland Code Of Ethics & Good Practice For Children’s Sport as adopted by the Board on January 28, 2020.

The additional existing playing requirement for under 18 slowpitch players playing adult softball as set out in the Underage Player Guidelines remain in force.

Softball Ireland Board member Amanda Ní Ghabhann has agreed to draft the Softball Ireland specific policy and has a vast experience in this area from her time with Swim Ireland. 

Access the Code Of Ethics & Good Practice For Children’s Sport

Softball Ireland Underage Player Guidelines

by Colum Lavery

Report of Independent Panel

The Independent Panel, appointed to review the 2018 Men’s Slowpitch National Team accounts, and the subsequent behaviour of the Team Manager and the Softball Ireland (SI) Board, has issued its final report which is available here.

The SI Board welcomes the findings of the report, and accepts that internal controls were not effective enough to identify and address this mismanagement of funds. The Board acted promptly to revoke the suspension of Jonathan Spielberg on the advice of the panel, and has already begun to progress the recommendations.

Softball Ireland wish to thank the Independent Panel, Jonathan Spielberg, Anthony O’Grady and the Board for fully engaging in an open, transparent and constructive manner.

Click Here to Download Independent Panel Report

by Colum Lavery

Slowpitch National Team – Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest are sought from Irish eligible players who wish to be considered for the Slowpitch National Teams in 2020

Ireland will participate in two tournaments in the summer of 2020. The Men’s Slowptich European Championships will be held in the summer of 2020, most likely June, on the continent. The exact dates will be confirmed at the ESF Congress on February 8, 2020. The annual BSF World Series in London will be held at a new venue in 2020. The date for the tournament has yet to be confirmed but will most likely be the end of August/September time frame – Ireland will enter a Coed Slowpitch National Team in this tournament.  Players who are interested in representing Ireland at either of the 2020 tournaments are invited to complete the below survey which will be provided to the newly appointed Director of Slowpitch National Teams and Coaches. Please click the below link to register your interst to prepresent Ireland in 2020, players should complete the form by February 21, 2020 at which point trial dates will be announced. 

Register Expression of Interest to Represent National Slowpitch National Teams

by Colum Lavery

Director of Slowpitch National Teams Position

Softball Ireland are seeking applications for the voluntary position of Director of Slowpitch National Teams. 

The newly created position will report directly to the Softball Ireland board and provide oversight for all Slowpitch National Teams operations including, but not limited to, programme finances, personnel (hiring, evaluations) and programme operations, team logistics (scheduling, programme needs). The Director will oversee, coordinate and evaluate all coaches and players and is responsible for overall team operations, while reporting directly to the Board of Softball Ireland. The Head Coaches of the programme will report directly to the Director of Slowpitch National Teams.

The job specification for the position is available below and candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitate to the Softball Ireland Secretary, Conor Sayles (secretary@softball.ie) by 5pm on Friday February 14, 2020.

Click Here To Download Director of Slowpitch National Teams Job Specification.

ALSAA
by Colum Lavery

Annual General Meeting – Feb. 15, 2020

The reconvned Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held in ALSAA on Saturday February 15, 2020 at 12 noon. The documentation for the Annual General Meeting, previously circulate in November 2019 is reposted for members information. There has been no changes to the documents previously circulated which may be viewed by clicking here.

Annual General Meeting Documentation

To Softball Ireland Membership

Acting in accordance with the Constitution, the 2019 Annual General Meeting Pack is attached as follows (please click links for papers):

by Colum Lavery

Board Meeting Summary of Decisions & Actions

The Softball Ireland Board held its latest meeting on the evening of Monday January 13, 2020

Attendees:

Colum Lavery (President), Conor Sayles (Secretary), Massimo Lepri (Treasurer)

Reginald Clark (Softball Ulster), Amanda Ní Ghabhann (Softball Leinster)

Declan Carty (Ordinary Member), Andrew Craven (Ordinary Member), Jordan Sylver (Ordinary Member)

Apologies:

Melanie Cunningham (Fastpitch Ireland),

The below is a list of key decisions/actions of the Board taken at its Monday January 13, 2020 meeting

Confirmation of Decisions & Actions Since Last Meeting

  1. The Board confirmed and ratified its decision to further postpone the Annual General Meeting to February 15, 2020 and the Extraordinary General Meeting to February 15, 2020. The Board noted that the decision to postpone was based on the recommendation of the independent panel and noted that the final report of the panel would be available before the end of January 2020.

Softball Ireland Umpires Working Group Report

The Board recalled that in response to growing concerns at the quality and quantity of umpires in the regions, the outgoing Softball Ireland setup a working group in September 2019 chaired by the Softball Ireland Secretary to assess the current state of play and recommend actions to move forward. The board noted the detailed report and recommendations and APPROVED the implementation of the reports recommendations in 2020. The Board further APPROVED that the report and recommendations would be circulated to the Softball Ireland Members. The full report can be viewed by clicking here.

Regional Association Reports

  1. Softball Leinster
    • Update noted
    • Recruitment event to be held in March 2020 – date TBC
    • SL SINCC proposal at AGM to be revisited
  2. Softball Ulster
    • Update noted
    • SU Dates noted
  3. Fastpitch Ireland
    • Report noted
    • Day 3 of Fastpitch League to be held on February 1, 2020
    • International Tournament dates noted

National Slowpitch Team Director Role

The Board had previously agreed to create the position of National Slowpitch Team Director (title may change) to lead all Slowpitch Natioal team programmes. The final draft of the job specification was presented to the board for review and comment. The Board agreed that final comments would be submitted to Colum and the final job specification would be reviewed and circulated to members before the end of January.

International Tournaments

The Board noted that currently no hosts for the Men’s Slowptich European Championships in June or Clubs Super Cup in August had been confirmed. Colum on behalf of Softball Ireland was working closely with the ESF to ensure that these tournaments were progressing and that relevant parties were being kept appraised of the situation.