Category: News

by Jonathan Spielberg

Notice of AGM

Softball Ireland gives notice to our SI Members that the Softball Ireland AGM has been scheduled for Saturday the 18th of January 2025. The location and time to be determined. Constitutional Amendment motions must be received six weeks prior to the AGM on the 7th of December 2024. Please note that nominations for open board positions must be received 24 days prior to the AGM date. This date is the 25th of December 2024. 🎄

Open SI Board positions are:

  • Softball Ireland President (three-year term)
  • Ordinary Members (3 Open Positions) (one-year term)

The nominating process should be done by sending an email in support of a nominee and another email seconding that nomination to the secretary@softball.ie and should conform to sections 7, 8 and 9 of our constitution.

All supporting papers will be sent out to club contacts no later than the 8th of January 2025, 10 days prior to the AGM as is set out in our constitution. These documents will include but are not limited to:

  • AGM Agenda
  • The updated list of the fully paid-up Teams who can attend
  • The list of the Board Members appointed
  • The President’s report for the past year which includes SI competition results.
  • The Treasurer’s report (which will include the forecast budget of the following year) and the auditor’s report.
  • The SI Committees Reports – (Currently there is only a Development and Competitions committees)
  • The list of candidates nominated for election to be held at the AGM as well as their manifestos.
  • Any relevant papers for constitutional amendments and other decisions to be made during the AGM.

Jonathan Spielberg
Softball Ireland Secretary

by Jonathan Spielberg

IOST is in the books

With the Irish Open Softball Tournament (IOST) last month, and SINCC this Sunday the 29th of September in Galway for the first time; that will wrap up the SI competitions for 2024. Declan Carty the SI competitions officer has done an extraordinary amount of work over the course of the year, sometimes on his own and SI would like to thank him for all his hard work and effort.

IOST was a tough one this year, with only 12 teams competing (possibly too many people were at Stradbally for Electric Picnic?) Belfast Softball Club took home the top prize for the second year in a row and we would like to congratulate them on another fine finish. It was an all-Ulster final with the Belfast Cubs playing the BSC Real McCoys whose bats were just too hot to handle.

Softball Ireland has been made aware of a number of issues concerning the venue and the board has prioritised some solutions for future tournaments. If you could help us out with anything we may have missed and let us know what we can do to improve IOST, both as a tournament and one of the largest social events for SI members for the year, then if you could fill out this questionnaire it would be a great help. Thanks!

by Jonathan Spielberg

A Call for SI Presidential Candidates

After over a decade of service to the Softball Ireland Board, Colum Lavery’s final term will conclude at the next Annual General Meeting and he will be stepping down as Softball Ireland’s President. His shoes will be difficult to fill, and the current board would like to make the transition as smooth as possible for whomever would like to raise their hand and volunteer to run for the next President of Softball Ireland. To facilitate this we are putting out an open call for potential candidates to sit down and discuss the role with Colum who is happy to share his thoughts of how to best meet the requirements of this crucial role.

Please be assured that this is completely confidential and does not require the member to actually run for the position but will be helpful to gain useful knowledge on what is required. The nomination process is still many months away and SI will adhere to that process as what is outlined in our constitution. Saying that, we hope this generous offer to Softball Ireland members who are giving serious consideration to running for President will be for the overall betterment of the sport is taken up. Please contact president@softball.ie if you have any questions or would like to register your interest.

by Colum Lavery

COED Slowpitch European Championship Roster Announced

Softball Ireland Slowpitch National Team Head Coach Peter Mullen has announced an 18 player roster for the COED European Championships in July 2024.

COED Slowpitch Roster  
NormaMcIntyre
HazelKilduff
EimearLinehan
JenniferÓ Buachalla
AbigailMcConnell
Mary CarrollSmith
KatieDoyle
MerilinNeiland
JulieTrundle
BrianHehir
ChristopherBarr
DarrylDolan
KenMcCarthy
EricKelly
NiallLavery
PearseNewman
SimonLewis
GaryO’Shea

Three squad alternates have also been nominated; Serena Costelloe, Sal Rizo and Phil Wallace. 

Speaking on the announcement of the roster, Peter Mullen said

Over the last four weeks, the 28-player squad has trained together regularly. All the players should be commended for the effort and work they put in, to ensure the coaches had difficult decisions to make. After careful consideration, this panel of 18 players was selected, which the coaches feel will best help them compete as a unit at the championships.

We would like to congratulate all players selected and look forward to working with them over the next 12 weeks.

by Jonathan Spielberg

Slowpitch National Team Squad Announced

Sixty-one players registered to try out for the National Slowpitch Squads in February, and 58 attended over the three trial sessions. It was great to see both new and familiar faces representing the breadth of softball on the island. The coaching team was impressed with the level of commitment and the effort people made to travel to the sessions. They were also encouraged by the passion and potential demonstrated by the group of players.

While assessing the participants, the coaching team’s selection criteria considered technical ability, athleticism and all-round attitude. The longevity of the national squad program was also a factor, so the squad’s short-term and long-term goals were foremost in the selection process. 

We are pleased to announce the following extended squads for COED and Men’s. We want to congratulate those selected and look forward to working with them over the coming months.

Below is the list of 28 players selected for the extended COED squad. A panel of players will be selected from this squad to travel and represent Ireland at the European Championship in the Czech Republic in July.  

NameTeamNameTeam
Christopher BarrBelfast CubsMike LucasAverage Joes
Brian ConnollyDoddder DynamoesKen McCarthyDodder Dynamoes
Serena CostelloeAverage JoesAbigail McConnellGalway Tribes
Cathal CreavenGalway TribesNorma McIntyreBatPak
Wayne CullenAverage JoesLuke MolloyHippetys
Darryl DolanAverage JoesMerilin NeilandAverage Joes
Katie DoyleHippetysPearse NewmanHippetys
Brian HehirLNZ LondonJennifer Ó BuachallaBatPak
Ashleigh HowardBearcats CastleknockGary O’SheaDodder Dynamoes
Eric KellyMunsterSalvador Rizo LopezBatPak
Hazel KilduffBatPakMary Carroll SmithGalway Tribes
Niall LaveryDodder DynamoesMegan SutcliffeDublin Bay Packers
Simon LewisBearcats CastleknockJulie TrundleDublin Bay Packers
Eimear LinehanDodder DynamoesPhil WallaceBSC Brawlers

Below is the list of players selected for an extended 24-man squad for the Men’s. Although the official 2024 Men’s tournament has been cancelled, the coaching team will provide the opportunity for this squad to train together over the summer. 

NameTeamNameTeam
Christopher BarrBelfast CubsSimon LewisBearcats Castleknock
James CallowBSC BrawlerMike LucasAverage Joes
Lorcan CarbinGalway TribesAidan LynskeyAverage Joes
Jason CheungAshbourne AntlersPaddy MeehanBatPak
Brian ConnollyDodder DynamoesLuke MolloyHippetys
Cathal CreavenGalway TribesKevin MullanNewtownabbey Phoenix
Wayne CullenAverage JoesPearse NewmanHippetys
Darryl DolanAverage JoesEoin O’ConnorOaktown Brew Crew, Oakland CA
JP DolanSuffolk County Police TeamGary O’SheaDodder Dynamoes
Brian HehirLNZ LondonSalvador Rizo LopezBatPak
Eric KellyMunsterShane SheridanAverage Joes
Niall LaveryDodder DynamoesPhil WallaceBSC Brawlers

Peter Mullen
Head Coach

by Jonathan Spielberg

BWC Update

As of last week, the initial 16 team spots for the Brian Walshe Cup have been filled. We may have more spots open up the week before the tournament but we want teams to secure their attendance by paying a 50% non-refundable deposit of €75 to hold your team’s spot. Payments must be received no later than the 5th of April or teams will lose their spot. If your team no longer wants to enter they can relinquish their spot for the BWC by emailing tournaments@softball.ie.

Here’s a little history about the Brian Walshe Cup. Named after the Odd Sox Green player Brian Walshe – there is a great writeup about who Brian Walshe was which can be found here. The tournament used to be scheduled on multiple days throughout the season, usually on a bank Holiday Monday with Prem and 1st division teams potentially playing 2nd and 3rd division teams. After the first game, losing teams would be grouped into a lower division and winning teams would continue to play until an all-day final at the end of the year would determine the Brian Walshe Cup winner. There were a lot of walkovers and forfeits during the year, along with a lot of one-sided victories and with so many blitzes scheduled throughout the year, it was decided that it would be better to honour Brian Walshe by renaming one of SI’s most popular tournaments of the year – the Start of Season Blitz (SOSB) after Brian Walshe. So, the BWC SOSB continues and now just one month from today – Saturday the 20th of April 2024 the softball season will officially begin! Hope to see you there!

Don’t Forget! Send in your deposit – either by bank transfer or Revolut (bank details can be requested) to SI to hold your BWC spot or email tournaments@softball.ie if you want to let your spot go. Thanks!

by Jonathan Spielberg

News from the SI AGM

The Softball Ireland AGM was held on March 3, 2024 in ALSAA. 27 of the 44 teams that were registered with Softball Ireland in 2023 were in attendance or sent in Proxy votes for the Secretary position as well as two Constitutional amendments that were proposed. With only one person going forward, Jonathan Spielberg was confirmed as the new Softball Ireland Secretary. In addition to the secretary, Regional and Discipline representatives – Vinny McGrane for Softball Connacht Munster, Anke Klitzing for Softball Leinster, Brendan Sweeney for Softball Ulster and Melanie Cunningham for Fastpitch were all ratified by the members for the 2024 Board. Many thanks were given to outgoing Secretary Steven Trundle whose last act as Secretary was to complete the minutes of the AGM. Those minutes will be circulated after the first sitting of the new Softball Ireland board.

Other highlights from the AGM included an update from Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery and a Medical update from Dr. Melanie Cunningham. The AGM agreed to delay the approval of the Financial Statements to help clarify some questions raised on the reporting format following the implementation of a new accounting software. Emailed questions from the membership will be answered and SI will be looking for an approval of the accounts electronically in the coming weeks.

The most exciting news for Softball Ireland Members was the IOST announcement for the 17th and 18th of August in MTU Cork. This being the third year held there and Declan Carty, the Competitions Officer for SI, worked hard to secure the venue and organise accommodation. More details about the IOST will be released soon.

by Colum Lavery

Brian Walshe Cup 2024 Now Open for Registration

There are still some indoor tournaments to be played, DIST in DCU on the 24th of Feb, Katie Long in Galway on 2nd of March and The Womens indoors in Belfast on 9th of March but with longer hours and warmer days it means it’s nearly time to move outdoors.

Hippetys Quadrangular will be the first outdoor blitz of the year on the 6th of April followed by the first team Blitz the Brian Walshe Cup in ALSAA on Saturday the 20th of April. This is the best time to get the whole team together and show what you have before the Leagues start.

Registration for the BWC is now open and you can register your team here

https://forms.gle/Y5yQTNfwkJxdEPgt6

Big Thanks goes to Declan Carty who has been arranging this and our other Blitz and keeping track of all tournaments under Softball Ireland.

by Colum Lavery

Aideen Teo Confirmed As Slowpitch National Team Manager

Softball Ireland are pleased to announce the appointment of Aideen Teo as Slowpitch National Team Manager. Having recently joined the sport in 2022, Aideen is already well known among the community. She is currently on the Castleknock and Packers softball club boards, is a proud Black Panda in the All Girls league, and most recently was part of a team that represented Ireland at the Gay Games in Mexico last year.

As well as an obivous passion for the sport, Aideen brings significant professional skills and experience to the role including people management, organisation and planning. The Slowpitch coaching team are delighted with Aideen’s appointment and look forward to working closely with her to support the national squads.

by Colum Lavery

Slowpitch National Team Open Trials – Dates Confirmed

Ireland’s Slowpitch National Team’s Head Coach has announced three dates for Open Trials for the National Team Programme.

The Slowpitch National Squad coaching team will be hosting three Open Trials for players
interested in joining the Co-Ed, and Men’s National Squads. Both teams will be competing in International tournaments this summer. The details for the trials are:

Saturday, 10 February 2024
1100-1400 in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Saturday, 17 February 2024
1430-1730 in University Limerick, Limerick

Sunday, 25 February 2024
1100-1400 in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Any players over the age of 18 with a valid Irish Passport are welcome to try out, on any or all of the three dates. In order to register, please complete the registration link or email spcoach@softball.ie
To offset the costs of renting the facilities, players wil be asked to contribute €10 per person on the day.

by Colum Lavery

Slowpitch National Team Manager Vacancy

Irish Slowpitch Softball National Team Manager Position

Softball Ireland are seeking to appoint a Slowpitch National Team Manager for the 2024 international season. The Slowpitch National Softball Team Manager is a member of the voluntary group that includes the Head Coach, Assistant Coaches and team medical personnel. The Team Manager will report to the Slowpitch National Softball Team Head Coach.

Primary Duties Include

  • Acting as the centre for communications to and from players and staff of the Slowpitch Softball National Team.
  • Organising the logistics of the Slowpitch National Team trials and training in Ireland, in collaboration with the coaching team.
  • Setting and managing the Slowpitch Softball National Team’s budget for overseas competitions, signatory on the Slowpitch Softball National Team’s Bank Account and providing post-competition accounts. Both the budget and accounts are to be submitted to the Softball Ireland Treasurer for approval.
  • Organising logistics for overseas competitions (flights, accommodation, meals, local transport, laundry etc).
  • Organising the Slowpitch Softball National Team’s uniforms, clothing and equipment (with support from the other National Team Managers as appropriate).
  • Managing all aspects of the Slowpitch Softball National Team’s logistics for training and competitions in collaboration with the coaching team
  • Co-ordinating & managing the Board quarterly update reports & post tournament reports and submitting to Softball Ireland.


If you have any questions on the role, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Mullen at spcoach@softball.ie

Applicants are asked to submit their applications to spcoach@softball.ie by January 31, 2024.