News

ASL

Belfast Aviators Softball Club where awarded their 2011 Support for Sport Grant to run a new Arena (indoor) Softball League. The league will be based in the newly re-furbished hall in the Shankill Leisure Centre. The ASL will run on a Saturday afternoons from 1pm-4pm and each team will play two games most weeks.
To register for the league you can either contact Neil Watson on 07817904944 or come along to the registration night in Rockies Sports Bar in the Odyssey Pavilion from Tue 16 Oct to Fri 20th Oct between 7pm and 9pm. Its only £10 for the complete league.

For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196496307075996
(source: Neil Watson)

BASIC 2011

On a nice Saturday 6th August the BASIC2011 kicked of at 9am at Shorts Recreation Club in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the 2nd time the tournament has been run by Belfast Aviators Softball Club. Castleknock Bearcats where back to try to retain their title from 2010! The tournament is starting to attract more teams from outside of Ulster as Bearcat, 2Pak and Suspects made the journey up from Dublin. There was also 3 combined teams from the Softball Ulster League teams namely - Aviators/Jets , Sliders/Braves and Brawlers/Aces. The event was supported by both Redbull who supplied each team a case of Redbull and Jim Graves of Rockies Sports Bar who is the sponsor of the Belfast Aviators & Jets teams. It was great to see a Dublin Vs Belfast final which was between 2Pak & Brawlers/Smokin' Aces. After the BASIC 2011 was over the teams headed down to Rockies Sports Bar to party the night away.

BASIC 2011 Standings:
Cup Winners - 2Pak
Plate Winners - Brawlers/Smokin Aces
Bowl Winners - Suspects
4th Place - Castleknock Bearcats
5th Place - Braves/Sliders
6th Place - Belfast Aviators/Jets

Pictures of the day here.
(source: Neil Watson)

Carrie Trundle cup

Held in Dixon park in early July

SU Start of Season tournament

Held in Dixon park in April

Start of SU League 2011

For league information follow this link

Softball Ulster umpires course 2011

Scheduled and held in March 2011

BASIC 2010

Belfast Aviators Softball Club are holding their first softball blitz on the 11th and 12th of Sept 2010 at shorts recreation club, Belfast.
The tournament is open to 8 teams (2 groups of 4). Entry fee for the competition is £50 per team. Teams should enter by Monday August 9th. Contact Neil on 07749 581972. See flyer for information here.

Softball Ulster Fancy Dress 1 day event Sat Aug 7th

Softball Ulster are holding a 1day softball competition for all its members and friends at Shorts Recreation Club from 9.30-18.00.
Entry for Softball Ulster members is free, £2 for non-members. If you want to bring friends contact umpires@softballulster.com and chair@softballulster.com
before the event. Pitchers of beer for £7 will be available in the bar on site.

There is one catch though you must come in fancy dress, you can be as simple as your favourite baseball player, or a dragon or whatever else you want to be when you grow up. Teams will be selected on the day.

Any questions contact umpires@softballuslter.com or your team captain.

Softball Ulster Introduces Softball to Cricketers in Donaghcloney

Maarten Blanken and Carrie Trundle introduced softball to Cricketers and their families in Donaghcloney on
Saturday 26th June. A quick introduction followed by a game which showed some really great potential players. Sun, BBQ
and a game of softball what more can you want on a lovely summers day. Hopefully we will be back and will see some players
develop there.

If any members of SU want to introduce softball to their work or friends, why not ask to borrow equipment. Need help coaching let us know.

Softball Ulster Pub Quiz 8th May 8pm Shorts Rec Club:

Come along and support the development of softball in Ulster. As always this will be a fun night and an opportunity for the  Local softball teams to socialise and meet those taking part in this years league. Come along with friends, bring a prize (i.e. any unwanted gifts you have stashed away in the cupboard). Entry is £5 per person. Raffle tickets will be on sale. This year the raffle will go towards supporting the Motor Nuerone Disease Association, a really worthwhile cause so come support us.

Umpires Course 8-9th May at Shorts Rec Club:

Softball Ireland and Softball Ulster will run an Umpires Course at the Shorts Rec Club 9.30-5pm on Sat and Sun 8-9th May. This is for beginner Umpires, refresher for Umpires and good rule basis for those with some knowledge of the game. Contact Carrie for more details on 07812 687875. This is supported by the
Belfast City Council and the Aviators softball Club.

Aviators Softball Club start 2nd Team

The 2010 season of Softball is soon approaching and a 5th softball team is in the making for the Softball Ulster League. The Aviators Softball Club is working hard at recruiting new players to start the - Jets. We hope to see them in the softball circles this summer.

Friendly Competition in UUJ - 7th Feb 3-5pm

On Sunday 7th February SU are holding a softball session indoors in the Ulster University Jordonstown 3G pitch from 3-5pm. This
event will consist of short timed games (approx 30 mins depending on numbers). Most oudoor rules will apply with some differences to
account for the short RF and ceiling. Only 9 fielders are required per team.  The aim is to have some fun games preseason.

All teams wanting to take part should get their captains to contact chair@softballulster.com by January 29th with numbers. So players
contact your team captains. If full teams aren't available we will combine teams but need to know numbers by 29th January. There is no
cost for 2009 season registered players.

QUB Titans reach Final of First Competition

Queens' University Softball Team reached the plate final of their first competition. After being ahead until the 5th inning they lost to the University of Limerick DT's, a team they had beaten twice over the round robin stages on Sat/Sun. See more here.

QUB Titans will take on a team from Ulster University Jordonstown in December.

Aviators and Sliders go International

Belfast Aviators Softball Club and a number of the Sliders softball team are going international this
month. They are competing in a two day 'Young Wine' tournament in the Czech Republic, in Hluk, south-east of Prague.
15 teams in the tournament which runs from 16th-18th Oct.

Latest report is that the Aviators/Sliders team got a hat trick in their first round, winning all games and placing them
top of their group. A fantastic achievement. However they lost in their playoff game and will fight it out for 5-8th place
on Sunday. However they are doing a great job, and congratulations are in order for getting thus far. Good Luck folks.

AVIATORS/SLIDERS Team came in 8th place in this competition.

Softball hits Ulster Universities

A number of events have taken place in both Queen's University and Ulster University in October.

Queen's University now boasts an Intervarsity team, after a number of events during Welcome Week. Queen's Softball
Club with the aid of Softball Ulster will hold the first leg of the Intervarsity competition in Belfast on Nov 7th and 8th
at Queen's Playing Fields on Malone Road. Come watch and support this development of Intervarsity Softball. Info here.

Softball Ulster also supported Ulster University in a cross border initiative this month. Maarten Blanken and Chris Patterson
introduced softball to over 80 children from the age 5-17 at Jordanstown.

Softball Ulster League 2009 

Final Standings:
1st - Aviators
2nd - Smokin' Aces
3rd - Brawlers
4th - Sliders

Aviators Win: After cleaning up in the second half of the Ulster league, the Aviators faced their nemesis the Smokin' Aces in the final of the league. However after falling behind by one run at the end of the first inning they evened the score in the second and streaked ahead in the third with a 4-1 lead. Excellant fielding and superb batting led them to a clear 10-1 win. Congrats. More here

The aviators fly through to the final against the Smokin' Aces after a thorough clean up of each team. More here

The sliders faced the aces last night in their first head-to-head meeting. It was a tight game from the start with the aces holding their breaths wondering what damage this team could to their nearly perfect record. The Aces took the game under control in the fifth and sixth inning. The sliders showed a triumphant attempt at a come back in the top of the seventh, it wasn't to be and the game ended in a 18-14 win to the Aces. More here

After an extremely tight game the aviators came back from and got 7 runs too make a tie in the bottom of the seventh. After two extra innings the Aviators Beat the Brawlers 17-16. Great game by both teams. More here

Although the Sliders surprised the Aviators last week with a very strong performance in a pre-league friendly, yesterdays debut game went the other way. At the bottom of the 5th the Aviators were up 15 runs, but some chill pills were taken and the sliders began to relax and came swinging back into action, scoring 10 runs in the 5th and 6th inning. Nonetheless the Aviators did not ease off and ramped up their score to 22 runs and closed the Sliders off with three quick outs in the bottom of the 7th ending the game.  More here

Sliders enter Ulster League:

The new softball team - "Sliders" - set up in Belfast and will be the fourth team to end the Ulster League since it was founded in 2008. This is great news for the league, as it is expanding the competition in the area, and is a good sign for the future of softball in the North.

Aviators Table Quiz

The Aviators Softball Club will hold a Table quiz on the 27th August at 7.30 in Shorts Recreational Club on Holywood Road to raise funds for their club. £5 per person to enter and 4 people per team. Hope to see you there. Flyer here

Belfast Brawlers do it again

The Belfast Softball Club travelling team, Belfast Brawlers have reached the Semi-Final of the Softball Ireland Bowl competition. This is the 3rd year in a row that the team have been in the semi-final of this competition having won the Bowl in 2007 and the Plate in 2008. Good Luck Brawlers.

New Team in South Belfast:

A new softball team is forming in south Belfast. A meeting is being held in the Taphouse bar in lower crescent at 7pm to discuss training venues, times and days. If you are interested in playing Softball, this is a great opportunity to get in at the start of a new team. Contact chair@softballuslter.com to find out more or come along to the Taphouse to find out more.

Softball Ulster 4th July Extravaganza:

To celebrate Independence day the softball and baseball teams in Belfast took to the fields at Shorts recreational Club for a blitz. Three teams took place the Aviators, Brawling Aces, and the sliders, a combination of baseballers and introductory league players. Many of the games were very tight but the winners of the day were the Aviators. There was a close play for the home run title of the day with Gordon (Aviators/Baseball) and William (Sliders) being tied on three going into the last game. However it was Myles Meaney of the Brawling Aces who took two home runs in the last game of the day to take the title. Thanks to everyone for taking part and making it a fun day.

Softball Ulster Pub Quiz 25th June 8pm Errigle Inn:

Come along and support the development of softball in Ulster. As always this will be a fun night and an opportunity for the  Local softball teams to socialise and meet those taking part in this years introductory league. Come along with friends, bring a prize (i.e any unwanted gifts you have stashed away in the cupboard). Entry is £5 per person. Raffle tickets will be on sale.

Softball Ireland release venue for IOST

IOST the Irish Open Softball Trophy will be held on the 15-16th August in UCC, Cork. A big journey for us Ulster folk but believe me its worth the trip, start booking your long weekend now. This is a great weekend of softball contact chair@softballulster.com for more information

Softball Ulster Introductory league 2009

After a gruelling six week battle, the Blue Jays win the Softball Ulster Introductory league final against the surprised come back of the Red Barons. Coach Maarten Blanken has for the second year running brought his team through the basics of softball to win the final of this league. The spirit amongst his team during the final, particularly when they were six runs down at the end of the first inning, is a testament to his own enjoyment of the game. The second half of the game saw a revived strength in the Blue Jays as they fought against the strong defence of the Red Barons.

Stay tuned to the leagues webpage for up-to-date info on these teams.

Wii Baseball Night

A Wii baseball competition to support Special Olympics Ireland and the Aviators Softball team will be held at Shorts Recreational Club on 9th May. For more info see flyer. To take part in the event contact president@belfastaviators.com. Supporters welcome.

Belfast Softball Club Open Day

Belfast softball club invite all interested in playing softball this summer to their club open day at Henry Jones Playing Fields, on Sunday the 29th March 2009 from 2-4pm. All you need is some trainers, a great opportunity to learn a new sport and meet some great people on sunny summer evenings. For more information see here or contact Karen at president@belfastsoftballclub.com. No cost.

Indoor Softball comes to Belfast

Softball Ulster will run an indoor adult softball competition in Ulster University on the 22nd March 2009 (12.30-17.30). This event will introduce the indoor softball game to the Belfast teams, and is open for entry by teams or individuals. A team is of 8 players, 3 of which must be female. It will be a fun event to open the softball season. Cost: Team (of 8) £35. Individuals £4. 

Anyone interested in taking part should contact the chairperson at chair@softballulster.com. As always no experience necessary.
Indoor report here.

Softball Ireland release 2009 dates

See www.softball.ie for the initial event dates for season 2009. IOST and more... also see our events page.

Umpiring Course in Belfast

An umpiring course will be held by the IUA in Shorts recreational club on the 25-16th October. Anyone interested in taking part should contact the chairperson at chair@softballulster.com .

Softball Ulster Competitions Commission.

Softball Ulster is setting up a committee to deal with the organisation and implementation of the Belfast centralised Ulster League. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday the 14th October. Any member interested in taking part should contact Maarten Blanken via chair@softballulster.com .

Softball Ulster AGM.

The softball season has come to an end and the 2008 AGM will be held on Fri Oct 10th at 7.15 at the Shorts Recreational Club. Afterwards members are invited to join in some end of season celebrations and the awards ceremony in the bar and BEYOND! Relevant documentation for the AGM can be found here, and an agenda has been sent to all members. Contact chair@softballulster.com for more info.

Schrader Electronics, Belfast Brawlers bring home SI plate

On Sunday 5th October the Belfast Brawlers, made up off the Belfast Softball Club members, played in the Semi-final and final of the Softball Ireland Plate competition. They had been competing in this competition over the summer and on returning the Bowl they won through luck in 2007, they made it through to the final stages of the Plate through their own merit. Despite playing with only nine players they defeated the Castleknock wildcats in a splendid display of batting power. This was the first time they had managed to beat this team whom in the past have been somewhat of a nemesis. The final score was something of a reverse to previous games against this team:34-13. In the final against UCD, the Brawlers sped ahead but in the fifth inning UCD came back fighting and some doosies in the fielding let them creep back to 16-15 in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. The mighty Chris Patterson however ended the game with a sigh of relief from all (brawlers and support) by catching a fly ball in left field. (see more here)

The Aces clip the Aviators wings.

The final of the softball season in Belfast saw similar weather to its opening - thunder, lightning and almost tropic rain. However in true softball spirit the two teams - the Smokin' Aces & Aviators battled the elements of the day and played through 5 innings until the rain and darkness got the best of them, and the spectators. The aviators had some great hits in the top of the first and got 3 runs in past the Aces however their pitching let them down and the Aces got 6 runs in without touching a ball. The game continued very much on the same line with the Aviators superb batting keeping them in the game until the 4th inning. However the keen eye of the Aces let them streak ahead of the Aviators to an 8 run lead at the end of the 5th. The short nights didn't help and the Aviators took the top of the 6th to see if they could make a come back on the Aces but it was not to be, the Aces held it together and got three quick outs ending the game. Well done to the Smokin' Aces, who are the first winners of the competitive Softball league in Ulster. We hope there is many more to come. Well done and thank you from the Softball Ulster committee to the other two participating teams - the Aviators and Brawlers.  

Round 2 of the Softball league ends.

Sun 31st August saw the second, and last round of the Ulster softball league at shorts recreational club. Each team played the other two and everyone got a win in. The two teams from the Belfast softball club were the first up to play and I don't think either team expected the outcome, but the Brawlers bats were smoking and some superb catches by Myles the shortstop brought the Brawlers their first win of the league. Next up were the Smokin' Aces against the Aviators, a tight game the whole way through, but the Aces kept their cool and came away top of the league with a guaranteed place in the final on Monday night. The third game of the day was the brawlers v's the Aviators, the winner of this game would win the right to face the Aces in the final. Despite it being a close game up until the 5th inning, the Aviators creeped ahead by some awesome fielding, and the day closed with a win for the home team the Aviators. Monday night will see the Smokin' Aces and Aviators fight it out for the first ever Ulster Softball league title. May the best team win folks!!

The IOST comes to Belfast.

Last weekend the Irish Open Softball Trophy was held at Jordanstown campus. It was a great weekend and a credit to the organisers from Softball Ireland and Ulster University. Despite all the rain and injuries the show went on. The Belfast teams did extremely well, with the Smokin' Aces being the first Belfast team to reach the plate and the Aviators reaching the final of the Bowl. Well done to all the teams participating, but particularly the winners from each competition; the Stingers from London who won the Cup, the Blazzers from Dublin (Plate) and Marlay 2 from Dublin (Bowl).  Can't wait for next year.

The first round of games are over.

The Smokin' Aces showed their strength against the Aviators winning 14-9. It was a tight game up until the end of the 3rd inning with a 5-4 score to the Aces. However in the 4th inning the Aces got 7 runs in and sped ahead to top the league table. The Brawlers played the Aviators last Sunday, after the torrential Saturday rain. But in true softball spirit the sun shined on us. It was not to be for the Brawlers as their bats didn't get fired up and they lost 8-3 to the Aviators. With the league entering round 2, the Smokin' Aces are in the lead with 2 games won. See more here.

The Belfast League Begins

On Monday evening the 4th August, the first full softball game of the Ulster league kicked off. The Smokin' Aces beat the Belfast Brawlers 7-1, in what was a very close game through the first innings. After the 4th inning it was a tie with a baseball score of 1-1, but in the 5th inning the Smokin' Aces shut down the Brawlers and got 2 home. The Brawlers found the Aces defense tough to break through and let them slip 4 home in the last inning closing the game with a 6 run lead. Next week the Aces face the Aviators.

New Belfast Softball Team - The Aviators.

On Sunday 6th July 2008, the third softball team to form in Belfast held their first training session. This new team is called 'the Aviators' and is connected to Bombardier aerospace through its manager Neil Watson. This team formed as a result of the huge success of the six week summer league ran by Softball Ulster with the help of the Belfast Softball Club members. Softball Ulster wishes this team all the best and hope they will be a great addition in the Softball circles. With three teams now in Belfast,
the Brawlers, Smokin' Aces and the Aviators, we will hold a mini-competition between these teams in August/September and will establish a full summer league in Belfast in 2009.

IOST comes to Belfast.

Softball Ireland will hold their annual Irish open Softball Tournament in Belfast this year at Jordonstown university. This is a prestigious event with approximately 24 teams in total from Ireland, UK and even some international teams. In its first year running Softball Ulster are very excited to have helped Softball Ireland hold this event in Northern Ireland and we hope it helps to widen the visibility of Softball in Northern Ireland. For more details see here.

B.E.S.T Blitz returns.

Belfast Softball Club will hold their annual one day blitz on the 26th July at Henry Jones Playing Fields in Castlereagh. For more details see here or contact Lauren Patterson at mccloud22@hotmail.com.

Blue Sox Rox win the Ulster Softball Summer League

Coach Maarten Blanken led the Blue Sox Rox into victory against the Sweet Corns in the final of the Ulster Softball Summer League. More details here.

Summer League Registration Open Now

The Ulster Softball Summer League is open to anyone over the age of 18, whether you have a full team (12 people), a small group or are on your own. To register or enquire simply E-mail chair@softballulster.com, with your details (and your teams details). The cost for six weeks is £20 per person or £240 for a team, this includes insurance, use of equipment and coaching. More details here.