BVI Softball Association President Neville ‘Sheep” Smith has announced the start of three new junior and youth softball leagues, scheduled to commence on November 22, 2008.

There will be three leagues, namely Junior Men (19 and under on December 31, 2008), Junior Women (19 and under on December 31, 2008 with a minimum age of 14) and Youth Boys (16 and under on December 31, 2008 with a minimum age of 12)

Fast pitch softball will be played by all teams, which will be draw from throughout the islands.  There will be four Junior Men’s teams, six Junior Women’s teams and six Youth Boys teams, all with 15 players and at least two coaches per team.

The regular season will be 10 weeks, followed by playoff and championships games in February 2009, leading straight into the adult leagues at that time.

Games will start on November 22, then break for Christmas, then 5 weeks commencing January 10.  Playoffs are scheduled for February 14 and 21 with the Championship Game on February 28, to coincide with the opening of Senior Fast Pitch Softball League.  Games will be played Saturday and Sunday afternoon and training sessions for each team will occur during evening throughout the week.

A number of coaches have already been identified and the equipment for the teams has been sourced.  BVI Softball Association is very grateful to governing body of softball, the International Softball Federation, which has donated 10 starter kits for our teams to use.  At the championship games this coming Friday August 8, coaches will be nominated for each district and equipment provided to them so that training can be undertaken prior to the commencement of the Leagues. In addition members of the organizing committee will be at the diamond throughout the evening of August 8 to distribute Registration Forms to interested players and parents.

Each team will have a sponsor and be provided with a complete set of equipment and uniform.  Working closely with the BVI Olympic Committee, all aspects are well under way and a number of clinics have been arranged over the forthcoming months.

One of the ancillary objectives of the leagues will be to take softball back to the villages, so it is planned that games will be played in Road Town, Baughers Bay, Greenland, Capoons Bay, Sea Cows Bay and Virgin Gorda.  This presents something of a challenge for Softball to have all the diamonds ready for play by November.  At this time the BVI Softball Association plans to work closely with Government and the Recreation Trust to meet this objective.

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