Softball numbers booming again
The Manawatu¯ club softball competition’s recent boom has continued this year.
After a false start due to poor weather last weekend, the club season starts at Colquhoun Park today and numbers are up again from last season.
There are 23 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions, up from 20 last year and a huge increase from about three years ago when there were only eight teams.
Even a couple of sides from outside the province have joined.
There are five army teams from Linton and the growth of the men’s reserve grade is a promising sign as more people join the sport.
There are five teams in the premier men’s grade, then 12 teams in the reserve grade, making
it the first time in years Manawatu¯ has had 18 men’s teams.
In the premier grade is defending champions Blue Sox, the team they beat in last year’s final the Linton Sentinels, Dodgers Black, Huia Chiefs and Raiders.
The men’s reserve grade has been split into two sections.
In section one is Linton Thunder, Blue Sox Hit Men, Huia Warriors, Cowboys, new team Levin United and Linton BBS.
In section two is Feilding Top
Guns, Raiders, another new team in Wanganui Braves, Blue Sox Rookies, newcomers Dodgers Grey and Linton Mustangs.
There are six teams in the women’s grade. There are last year’s champions Bramac Aces, the beaten finalists Huia Tigers, Blue Sox, Storm (a Linton team), SBC Feilding, Score-a-bull and new team the Rangitikei Rebels.
Blue Sox B beat Linton Mustangs in last year’s reserve grade final.