Softball’s Olympic future a boost for sport, say players

This was the fourth annual women’s-only tournament and this year saw six teams competing on Friday evening and all day on Saturday in games limited to 50 minutes each, with a bit longer for the final.

While the local leagues feature mixed and men-only squads, this event is the only one that is ‘ladies only’.

Base Invaders’ team captain Kirstie Marquis welcomed the fact that the sport is set for an Olympic return in 2028, although it will not quite the same version that was being played at the weekend.

‘It’s going to be fast-pitch, not the slow-pitch that we play here,’ she said.

‘But it’s good news. In the future it could get more kids involved.’

She took up the sport because her uncle played and in the mixed league she plays for Tomahawks.

But the annual tournament just for the women allowed them to play in positions that were often taken by men in the mixed teams, such as short-stop and pitcher.

Pitch Perfect went into the competition as reigning champions three years running and captain Sophie Warren said she enjoyed playing because of the social aspect of the game.

‘I hope it being in the Olympics encourages more to come forward,’ she said.

The tournament was founded by island team coach Ryan de Jersey.

‘It’s good to get the girls involved in the sport,’ he said.

‘This is to give them their own little thing and to build up their confidence.’

Pitch Perfect made it four in a row at the end of a largely wet day, beating Base Invaders in the final.