August newsletter from the Bristol Softball Association Chairman

August 2009

AGM

Date: Monday 2nd November 2009 7.30p.m.

Venue: Racks Wine Bar,Clifton Hotel, St Pauls Road, Clifton. BS8 1LX. www.racks-bristol.co.uk.

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE….

End of Season Charity Match and 2009 Awards Ceremony

BSA have organised an end of season charity match and BBQ to be held at the Cricket Club on Wednesday 2nd September. All Stars v Div 1 Champions – All Stars to be made up of the MVP’s from each division plus selected players. Proceeds to go to a charity of Div 1 team’s choosing. Tickets will be £5 each and are available from Robyn or Saghi on game nights until Wednesday 26th August. Please support it.

First Aid Kits

BSA are looking to provide a comprehensive first aid kit to be held at Watsons but must stress that each team should have their own basic supply with them. There seem to have been a number of accidents this year – so please make sure you have your own first aid kit. We are currently compiling a list of suggested contents for the first aid kit. If teams have their own it’s more than likely that they will be kept properly stocked. More details will be available prior to the start of next season.

Hydration and sunscreen

During our long, hot summer (we hope) it is vitally important that all players keep themselves well hydrated with water – beer is tempting but will dehydrate you rather than help. Please make sure you have plenty of water with you both in league games and especially at tournaments. It is also important to slip, slap, slop. Slip on a TShirt, slap on a hat, slop on plenty of sunscreen.

Bristol Wrec Tournament 22/23 August.

This year there are a record number of entries and the bearded one is going to have 9 diamonds on the go. The usual fantastic camping, partying, softballing and recovering will take place.

A big thank you:

Mention must be made of the hard work and commitment given by the coaches, helpers, trainers and mentors who regularly make themselves available on Monday evenings and league nights helping with the new teams. It has been a great success. Thank you.

Also thank you to all the Committee members for their hard work during the season. If any of you wish to join the Committee, nominations should be made to the General Secretary prior to the AGM.

If you feel you have something to add, why not join us and make it happen?

Tournament Success for Bristol:

Bristol has been well represented at tournaments around the UK. Bristol Bluebirds have been very successful at the single sex nationals. Splitters, Creamers and Sliders all played at Manchester.

Once again Bristol umpires have had a major presence at almost every tournament in the country. We hope many of you will take advantage of the umpire courses on offer next year. It won’t cost you anything and you might even learn something!

Bristol Evening Post:

We have the fantastic opportunity to see Softball reported in our local paper on Tuesday nights with league write-ups and pictures together with results. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/softball. Many thanks to Sarah Pritchard-Williams. If you would like to write a match report for the BEPP please submit it through your Div Rep. Also take your camera's to the game and capture any magic moments and team photos.

Softball on the BBC:

Follow this link which will take you to Mike Bushell’s report on softball filmed at last year’s European Championships. Link: Nothing Soft About Softball.

Softball Clothing:

Primate8 has a great range of clothing and they also provide BASU with their snazzy new shirts. There is a link to their site from the BSA website.

Bristol Softball Contacts:

If you want to get in touch with a Committee member, please use the link on the contacts page.

British Softball Federation (BSF):

www.baseballsoftballuk.com This is to keep up to date with national/international news – lots of info on softball and baseball.

Budding Authors:

Do you seek fame and glory? Have you got anything interesting to say about softball? If you would like to submit an article for our e-news, please send it to me, Chris Moon. Use the link on the contacts page to Chairman.

Old Kit:

(That’s not me….)

If you have an old glove or bat that you no longer need, Jo Stretton will put it to good use in the beginners kit bag. All donations gratefully accepted.

AGM