This year the Bristol Main Tournament is to become one of the favoured locations to be given the NSL (National Softball League) approval. This means that the NSL will stage one of their three major championships at the Bristol Main Softball Tournament taking the place of the A grade section.

This is a great opportunity for everyone to watch the sport being played at the highest level and by the most exciting players in the country.

The NSL will feature the top 16 teams in the UK and Ireland (and Zambesi Warriors A team).

There are three venues hosting the NSL road show this year - Canterbury, Bristol & Windsor. There will be four next year.

All of the current GB team players and the Irish national squad players will feature in each event but only the Bristol Final will be filmed.

In addition, the Bristol Main Tournament is set to become one of the best tournaments to attend anywhere in the country as a venue.

The tournament structure will be NSL / Gold / Silver with 32 teams in total playing over eight diamonds.

The dates for the tournament this year will be July 4 and 5, 2009, and will be held at the Clifton College Sports Grounds, the Bristol Softball Association's normal venue.

The grounds have had quite a lot of work done to them over the year and the BSA are on track to have some fantastic pitches to play on.

As it is Independence Day weekend there will be a Barndance / Hoedown in the evening in the clubhouse with a three man band called the Black Velvet Band playing from 8.30pm.

All of the four main pitches will have fences fitted for the visit of the NSL.

The top eight teams in the NSL after three events will qualify for the Premier National Championships the next eight will contest the "A" Nationals.

NSL has secured sponsorship of Covee sports - the biggest baseball/softball equipment supplier in Europe.