Category: News

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland & Baseball Ireland Announce Merger

Baseball Softball Ireland Created

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that the Board of Softball Ireland have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding with Baseball Ireland as the two federations merge into one national governing body. This important merger is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.

Once the formalities of recognition are completed with our respective international governing bodies, the new Federation, “Baseball Softball Ireland”, will be in a position to apply for recognition by Sport Ireland.

On a practical day to day basis, Softball Ireland and Baseball Ireland will continue to run our respective leagues and tournaments, however the merged body will work to identify strategic areas to develop the sport, particularly in the development of youth programmes.

Should you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Colum Lavery at president@softball.ie 

Softball Ireland would like to thank the positive contribution of both the Softball Ireland and Baseball Ireland boards in finalising the merger.

We look forward to working with our colleagues from Baseball Ireland to continue to grow our respective games in Ireland.

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland announce coaching partnership with BSUK

Softball Ireland are delighted to announce that it has entered into a coaching partnership with BaseballSoftballUK through which Softball Ireland will be able to access and utilise the Coach Education programme developed and delivered by BaseballSoftballUK to create a Softball Ireland Coach Education programme. The programme will be used as the foundation of a partnership that will see the development of Coach Education capability and capacity in Softball Ireland.

BSUK will provide an initial tutor training course for tutors identified and nominated to attend the course by Softball Ireland. This is intended to upskill tutors in Ireland to allow delivery of a Softball Ireland Coaching Education programme utilising BSUK Coach Education Programme content and resources to every club in Ireland.

Speaking on the partnership Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “Softball Ireland has identified that one of the key challenges to player retention is that we have no structured coaching programme for beginners and entry level players. Our partnership will allow us create a pathway that enables every Irish softball club to have at a minimum an activator level qualified coach by the end of the 2019 season. This is a very positive step for our sport.”

“It is intended that by the end of 2019, as the programme rolls outs further, that we will have a number of coaches qualified to the highest level that can improve players at all standards across the game. Players are more likely to stay playing if they receive structured coaching.” added Lavery

The initial tutor group will consist of a number of national team coaches and individuals identified by Regional Committees. Softball Ireland will be encouraging the nomination of female coaches.

Following the qualification of the tutors, Softball Ireland will host a number coaches courses to facilitate every team in Ireland qualifying at least one coach. Further details of the coaching programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

by Colum Lavery

Countdown to 2019 – #1

Dodder are 2018 National Champions

Our final moment of 2018 saw Dodder retain the Softball Ireland National Club Championships in September after beating Belfast Softball Club in Dublin. 

Dodder’s win sees the Leinster league continue its dominance over the tournament and Dodder will be one of Softball Ireland’s two representatives at the 2020 European Super Cup.

The full tournament report can be found by clicking here.

The Facebook live feed of the game can be viewed here.

 

by Colum Lavery

Countdown to 2019 – #3

Countdown to 2019 – #3

Ireland Coed Slowpitch Team Finish 8th at World Series 2018

As part of its preparations for the 2019 European Championships, Ireland traveled to London to play in the annual World Series tournament hosted by the BSF.

Ireland just missed out on a top 6 finish losing in the bottom of last to England in the last game of the round robin on the Saturday. 

Ireland ultimately finished the tournament in eight place and the full tournament report can be found by clicking here.

The 2019 European Coed Slowpitch Championships will be held in Budapest from July 15 – 20, 2019 at which Ireland will be hoping to reclaim a medal.

by Colum Lavery

Countdown to 2019 – #4

Countdown to 2019 – #4

Around the Regions

2018 was another busy summer in the Regions with competitive league tournaments through out.

In Leinster, Dodder regained the Premier Division title from TNT followed by their second team Dynamites winning a tightly contested Division 1 and Renegade Titans winning Division 2. Click here for details on Softball Leinster 2018 Season.

In Ulster, Brawlers from the Belfast Softball Club won their third consecutive league title, however, they didn’t have it all their own way with the Belfast Sliders pushing them all the way to the second last game of the season. Click here for details on Brawlers league win.

Congratulations to all the league winners during 2018.

by Colum Lavery

Counting down to 2019 – #6

#6 – Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament is back

After too long of a break, November saw the return of the Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament under the stewardship of its founder Julie Trundle

Softball Ireland are delighted that Julie Trundle approached Softball Ireland and volunteered to resurrect a tournament that had unfortunately dropped off the softball calendar in Ireland.

DIST was held on November 17, 2018 in a new venue in Dublin City University with 12 teams taking part with former champions Ori-ginals reclaiming their crown.

Next tournament will be held on January 26, 2019 in DCU.

Click here for a full report on DIST 2018

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Announce Launch of GRANDSLAM Supporters Club

Softball Ireland are delighted to announce the launch of the Softball Ireland GRANDSLAM Supporters Club which will be used to promote softball in Ireland and provide greatly appreciated financial support to Ireland’s National Team programmes competing in international competitions.

Team Ireland Slowpitch and Fastpitch Softball Programmes are fully self-funded by Players.

 The Irish Softball GRANDSLAM Club: What do you get? – Click here

Senior Supporter Package (Adults)

The Softball Ireland GRANDSLAM Club consists of the following 4 membership levels – select your preferred membership level now:

      

A 12-month membership packages starts from €25/US$27 for a Single Level Membership. With all Senior Packages, members will receive:

  • Membership Certificate
  • Six Softball Ireland E-Zine Annually
  • Softball Ireland T-Shirt
  • Softball Ireland Button Badge
  • Softball Ireland Car-Sticker
  • Access to Members Only Area on http://www.softball.ie/
  • Exclusive member Competitions

Want more benefits? Click more benefits to see what’s available.
Are you a member of Softball Ireland? Enjoy a 10% discount on your membership packages!

Click here to view all Softball Ireland GRANDSLAM Club Membership Levels