Category: Slow Pitch

by Colum Lavery

Season Is Not Over Yet

Just because the league season is over doesn’t mean the Softball stops … we have an action packed September & October coming up, so don’t put away those gloves just yet!!!

Date What Time Where
       
September 24, 2016 SINCC Final 1000 Terenure Sports Centre
September 24, 2016 Softball Ireland Forum 1145 Terenure Sports Centre
September 24, 2016 T-Bolts Blitz 1400 ALSAA
October 1, 2016 Belfast End of Season 0900 Belfast
October 15, 2016 Masked Ball 1900 Hilton Hotel
October 29, 2016 Indoor Softball 0900 ALSAA

At the time of publishing, Softball Leinster have yet to confirm dates for the 2016 League Playoffs

by Colum Lavery

SINCC Confirmed for September 24, 2016

Softball Ireland are delighted to confirm that the Softball Ireland National Club Championship (SINCC) Game will be played on Saturday September 24, 2016 in the Terenure Sports Grounds at 1000. The game will be played between Dublin’s Dodder Dynamoes and the BSC Brawlers.
 
The SINCC will be followed by an Open Forum on the Future of Softball at 1230 and further details on this event will be sent directly to your Club Captain.
University of Limerick
by Colum Lavery

UL Campus hosts Limerick Softball Tournament

A one day tournament was held on the UL Campus, on the 21st of November in collaboration with UCD Softball Club. Five teams took part; UCD Softball, Sons of Pitches, two teams representing the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, as well as a team composed of Limerick, Tullamore Tigers and UCD Softball players.

Played out in a league format, it was Sons of Pitches who emerged victorious; overcoming an early defeat to RCSI 2 to claim wins over the remaining three teams. Unfortunately due to a serious injury incurred by a UCD Softball player, as well as the inclement conditions, the final round of fixtures were cancelled, leaving the final standings as follows;

Table
Limerick Softball Comp 2015

Jonathan Spielberg – Sons of Pitches captain, is presented with winning trophy by Noel FitzGerald – Limerick Softball Tournament Controller.

Congratulations to Sons of Pitches on the win. Thank you to UL Sport for allowing the use of their excellent facilities. Also special mentions must go to those who went to great lengths to ensure this tournament would go ahead – Senan Dormer, Jonathan Spielberg, Mark Mandarano and Aliyah Lockhat.

This tournament was important for raising awareness of our sport to a whole new batch of softballers, for some it was a first introduction to Irish softball, while to others it was their first ever tastes of competitive softball. Varsity softball will continue in the new year, and any volunteers who would like to aid in this promotion of our sport are always more than welcome. Please contact saucemonsterssoftball@gmail.com for more information.

by Colum Lavery

James O’Farrell Represents Ireland at WBSC CO-ED Slow Pitch World Cup

Ireland may have not traveled to the 2015 WBSC Co-Ed Slow Pitch World Cup, however we are delighted to be represented on the field by James O’Farrell who was selected as one of the Umpires for the event.

James is well know within Irish and European Umpiring circles and we are delighted that he was selected to the event.

Speaking on his appointment, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “James selection is an appropriate recognition of both his ability as an Umpire and time and effort he has put into developing the Co-Ed aspect of umpiring in Ireland and Europe. Softball Ireland wish James all the best and we have no doubt that he will do us proud.”

Lavery added “Softball Ireland hopes that James appointment shows our members the pathway that can exist for umpires and the opportunities available to them.”

Softball Ireland at is AGM on November 14 announced that it will fund Umpire training courses and will work with Softball Leinster and Softball Ulster to increase the pool of Umpires in Ireland.

The 2015 WBSC Co-Ed Slow Pitch World Cup takes place from November 19 – 22, 2015.

by Colum Lavery

Slowpitch Squad Head Coach Sought

Softball Ireland have opened applications for the Slowpitch National Team Head Coach, details of the application process are outlined below.

Slowpitch Head Coach – JOB DESCRIPTION

January 31, 2015

Softball Ireland encompasses both Slowpitch and Fastpitch Softball teams that compete in European and world competitions. Softball Ireland is responsible for administrating the game of softball throughout the Island of Ireland.

The Co-ed Slowpitch Head Coach is a key position within Softball Ireland reporting to the High Performance Commission and the Softball Ireland Board. The Co-ed Slowpitch Head coach will focus on the training and selection of the Slowpitch National Team to compete at the 2015 European Championships and 2015 World Series.

Objective

To select and manage an Ireland International Slowpitch Softball team to compete at the 2015 European Championships and 2015 World Series. The objective of the programme is for Ireland to win a medal at the 2015 European Championships. The Slowpitch Head Coach will have a focus on performance and key responsibilities will be:

  • Organisation of Trials, Selection Camps and all pre-tournament training sessions
  • Directing all elements of the Slowpitch programme to provide the highest possible quality experience for all Players
  • Clear and timely communication
  • Clear and defined transparent programme
  • Organisation of all Team travel logistics in a costly manner
  • Timely completion of reports to Softball Ireland
  • Ensures the programme is run to schedule and budget
  • Work closely with the Director of Fastpitch to ensure a consistent coaching approach

The ideal candidate’s will have the following skills and experience:

  • Meticulous planning and organising/attention to detail
  • Outstanding communication skills and manner
  • Team player and ability to work effectively with and alongside others
  • The ability to mentor new and existing players
  • Previous Softball Coaching experience (travel teams an asset)

Key Skills and attributes

  • Excellent coaching and leadership skills
  • Innovative and self-motivated individual able to work effectively on their own or as part of a team
  • Excellent communication skills and confident in dealing with internal and external parties in appropriate manner
  • Excellent Project Management and Organisational skills with a strong attention to detail and clerical accuracy

Application to Include

  • List of Assistant coaches and roles
  • Dedicated administrator

Applicants should note that this role is being offered on a 9 month fixed term basis.

 How to Apply:

Interested applicants should forward your Curriculum Vitae (in confidence), proposed programme and a covering letter supporting your application to Paddy Donnelly at secretary@softball.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications is 1700 on Friday February 13, 2015