Softball all set to mark its 70-year anniversary

SOFTBALL in the island is celebrating its 70th birthday this year. The Guernsey Softball Association was created in 1936 and to mark this milestone, it is holding an anniversary dinner on Sunday 27 August at St Pierre Park. The night coincides with the annual men's open fastpitch tournament at Beau Sejour and it will take the form of a reunion.

'We don't want anyone to miss out,' said GSA president Paul Vaudin.

'We've done our utmost to contact as many people as we can. Anyone who has played softball here, we would like them to attend the 70th anniversary.

'It's an open invite.'

Vaudin is currently researching the origins of Guernsey softball, but the early days have not been that well documented. What is known is that baseball was introduced to these shores when Canadian Duncan MacMillan moved here in 1935.

Guernsey people took to the new sport and the Big Nine Baseball Club was formed. A year later, the switch was made from baseball to softball and the GSA was born.

It is one of the oldest and longest running softball associations to be found. Matches took place between the island team and United States Navy and Air Force sides from as early as 1946.

The island has enjoyed numerous games with European outfits, travelling to Paris to take on the Franco-Americans and to tournaments in Prague, Czech Republic.

For the reunion night, Vaudin is asking softballers for any memorabilia that can be displayed.

'I've personally got some old bats, gloves and uniforms.

'We're collating it all for one night. These are special items for these people and they are more than old equipment.

'It's for the current players to see the stars of yesteryear.'

Softball has played an integral part in the island's sporting life over its 70 years. It was traditionally the summer sport for footballers, with the likes of Rovers, St Martin's, Vale Rec and Bels among others having a fastpitch team.

Nowadays, only Rangers remain from the footballing connection as fastpitch has been gradually replaced by slowpitch.

However, fastpitch is making a comeback as another team, Slattery Decor Sluggers, have entered the men's league this season.

The Jason Smith-led side is mainly made up of younger players and Vaudin believes they could cause some upsets later in the season.

The women's fastpitch tournament also returns for the 70th anniversary in August after a two-year hiatus.

The recreational slowpitch tournament is on again at the end of next month, with three teams from the Solent League - the Sharks, the Mariners and the Knicks - coming over.

But the pinnacle of the season will be the GSA's reunion dinner.

'It's going to be an informal, enjoyable evening.'