LATEST NEWS FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Start of 2008 Season

Season starts on Tuesday 22^nd April.

Team rosters to be submitted by 8^th April to Chris or Kate.

Umpiring Responsibilities 2008

Because this year we have only 5 teams playing in Div 3, allocating umpires for Div 2 games does not work out properly for Div 3 umpires, so you will notice on the fixtures list that some umpires still have to be decided.  This will be sorted out by the time the season starts, so Div 2 teams don’t panic.  Div 1 umpires please note that you will not always be umpiring every other week – occasionally you will have a two week break, so please ensure that you check carefully when you are due to umpire.

Ground Rules

Please be advised of the following and take note:

All users of Beggars Bush should be aware that contractors are on site carrying out major earthworks. These works will continue for the next two years. These works will change location during this period so please follow the guidance that will be given to you by the college management team who will provide regular updates.

During these works no user of the facilities should enter the marked/fenced working areas for any reason. Balls that cross into the works areas will be collected by the contractors and returned to reception for collection at a later time.  Make sure your team balls are properly marked.

Please ensure that any person in your charge, or associated visitor, is aware of the above. There are to be no exceptions.  Health & Safety Inspectors will be around and will stop work for breach of any regulations and the grounds may well deny softballers access.  Please be aware.

For the forthcoming seasons it may be necessary for CC to move our pitch/playing areas at short notice so that any issues of health and safety can be dealt with.

There will be an opportunity for teams to practise pre season, please ring up Clifton College Grounds to request this, no turning up ad hoc! All captains to report in at reception so staff know who is on site.

Tel: CC 0117 923 7780.

Umpiring Courses 2008

We will be running 1 day BLU courses and a 2 day BASU course.  One day BLU course Sat 19^th April.  Two day BASU course 12/13^th April using First Ball for assessments. 

Diamond Series Tournaments 2008

Diamond Series I, II and III will be played at Farnham on 10/11 May, 7/8 June and 2/3 August respectively.  All information can be found on the website www.diamond-softball.co.uk. Entry forms email Louise at info@diamond-softball.co.uk.  Entry fee £195 per team.  Free camping, fantastic live band and plenty of other stuff going on.  If weather is bad there is a Travelodge nearby offering rooms at £29 per night.

Softball End of Season Ball 2008

Our end of season ball will be held at The Holiday Inn, Hambrook (just off M32) on Friday 26^th September.  Ticket price same as last year £29.50 for 3 course meal and disco.  We have agreed accommodation rates at £60 B&B double/twin room and £45 B&B single.  However, these rates are limited and to make sure you secure these prices, you need to book as early as possible (quoting BSA Softball Ball).  Prices at The Holiday Inn vary due to availability and season but can go to £150!  To book a room, please contact Felicity Crump either by email felicity.crump@ihg.com or direct line on 0117 910 4254 – not through the usual Reception booking.  Thanks.

Indoor Training 2008

There is a change of venue for our indoor training sessions for 2008.  We have the use of a hall at the University of the West of England (UWE) at Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay.  This hall has plenty of space and off street parking, café.  Sessions will start at 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm and run from 24^th January to 24^th April (excluding 14 and 28 Feb) on Thursday nights.  Costs expected to be between £4-£6 per person, depending on how many attend.  Sessions will provide basic fielding and batting coaching through a number of different activities.  This is all aimed at introducing new-comers to the game and for those who have already played, a chance to practice their skills before the start of the season – all in a relaxed and friendly environment.  Each session finishes with a game giving everyone a chance to put their newfound skills into practice.  David Lee and Kevin Pattenden will be running the sessions as usual along with a number of experienced players helping out.  A big thank you to them and of course to Bird for organising all this for us. The sessions are nearing their end, if any Captains are looking for players, please go along and join in. 

Euroball Tournament

A new 32-team Euroball tournament for A, B, C and D-grade teams will be run on the weekend of July 12-13 at the University of Southampton’s Wide Lane Sports Ground in Eastleigh, alongside the 2008 European Slowpitch Championships that the BSF will be hosting at the same ground.

The European Championships, where the GB Slowpitch Team will be defending the title it has won on five straight occasions, will be held from Tuesday, July 8 through Saturday, July 12. The Euroball will start on that Saturday, with a break in the schedule for all teams to watch the European Championship Final, and will finish on Sunday, July 13.

The Euroball is being organised by the Solent Softball League and will be played on eight high-quality pitches. The entry fee (cheques payable to Solent Softball League) is only £190 and free camping is available on site for all who need it. A Saturday night party with a live band and DJ will also be attended by the European Championship teams.

If you have questions about the Euroball or want more information, contact Andy Burgess on 07887-951440 or by email, andrewburgess@ntlworld.com or download an application form from the BSUK website.

Bristol Indoor Softball League

The Bristol Indoor League is resting for the summer.  Sessions will begin again around the end of November.  For more information, please visit the BISL website (on the ‘Links’ page) or contact Pete Armstrong at bisl@armstrong.co.uk.

Batting Cage

As you all know we have a wonderful batting cage and pitching machine at the grounds.  This was under-used last year, mainly due I suspect to the terrible weather.  However, this year it would be good if more use could be made of this facility.  If anybody wants to use the pitching machine and is unsure of how to go about it, you just contact me and the idea is that we arrange a time that I can come and show you how to set it up and use it properly for which you will be asked to make a contribution to the BSA of £20.  Once you have done this, any future use of the machine will cost a paltry £10 – but you still need to book a space through me!  The machine is also very good for fielding practice. However, we have been warned by the grounds that if we don’t use it, we will lose it!

Face Masks 

We used to have some face masks for catchers, but they seem to have disappeared.  We have been asked if the BSA would provide these along with the bases.  However, after consultation with numerous people, the general consensus of opinion on grounds of hygiene is that if a team feels that their catcher would like a face mask, then they should provide their own.

Banned Bats 2008

For a full list of banned bats this season please see Captains Pack where the list has been posted.

The list is the one that will be followed by the BSA and at all tournaments in the UK.

If you think there is anything that members should be aware of, that is suitable for inclusion on this page, please let me know.

To contact the Chairman, please email him on chrisjmoon@blueyonder.co.uk.