Softball Is back!!!

With winter sports now finished or coming to an end the preparations are well under way at Launceston’s Churchill Park for the return of the softball season! The season roster starts this weekend on Saturday the 2^nd of October. The Northern Tasmanian Softball Association (NTSA) hosts two clubs currently and the Launceston Tee Ball is part of the development program providing opportunities for youngsters to get involved in the sport at an early age! The Tee ball has their registration day this Saturday at the grounds for those keen families that wish to be a part of the program. Tee ball is the pathway for juniors aged approximately 5-8 years of age that wish to gain basic skills before entering into the junior competition. The program is run by NTSA’s James North who is an experienced softballer and passionate about providing more opportunities for young children to grow and connect with in the sport.

The NTSA features a junior competition along with open women and men’s grades. The Association and clubs have campaigned heavily over the long break with the aim to grow in numbers! It’s exciting for the sport to have both clubs entering two junior and women’s teams into this season’s roster. With the national women’s team representing Australia at the recent Tokyo games and with New Zealand hosting next year’s World Championships for open men, Softball Australia and Softball Tasmania would be aiming at capitalising on the exposure created from the games to boost numbers and generate some excitement around the sport now that people have had the chance to reconnect with the sport and the athletes involved. Launceston is fortunate enough to have a nationally accredited diamond at the council owned facility which has been known to host some high level tournaments in years gone by! NTSA will be host to the Launceston Master’s in March 2022 which brings travelling teams into the North of the state over three days of competition. Launceston also has the hosting of the Under 16’s and 14’s state championship tournaments this season also which again bring players and families from around the state into the north over multiple days of competition. Game times for this season roster start at 9am for men and juniors, 11am juniors, 1pm and 3pm for open women. There are still opportunities for players to register and be involved in all grades. Plenty of action over the coming months before the short break for Christmas and then returning in January right through to March. The NTSA and clubs are recognised Ticket To Play sports so families that qualify for this program which is a great government initiative aimed at maintaining active communities. If families are interested and would like more information regarding the sport or programs available they are able to contact the Association via the web site or on social media.