Annual report to VSA

Annual Report to VSA

SALE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION 1995-1996

Our softball season began in October with the all too familiar rain and the comment "it must be 5.3opm and Tuesday!" several early rounds were disrupted due to the terrible weather. Despite this 9 mixed teams continued to defy the elements and turned up to play. once the weather "settled", we had some very competitive games. One team disbanded and the other 8 soldiered on. dividing into a and b grades at the completion of one round of games. These two grades then played one round of games to determine placing's for the semi finals. Blue Jays and Black Magic were again successful on grand final evening with the B grade final ending the way the season had begun - in the rain.

The Open Women's competition on Saturday afternoons consisted of 5 teams of varying standards. It was pleasing to see the number of junior players participating and improving their skills under the guidance of the senior players. The grand final was a repeat of the last three years with Squaws defeating Musgoes. A best and fairest competition is held in the women's competition with the winner being Susan Heggie from the college team with Penny Beard. Tania Macfarlane and Jessica Chomley runners up.

Tee-ball. mod ball and junior softball remain the focus of attention and the Saturday morning competition, though slightly down on numbers, remains as enthusiastic as ever. Mod ball proved to be frustrating for the players with pitchers struggling to find the strike zone and batters waiting for ball 4. It was decided during the latter part of the season to revert to tee ball with the immediate result of more batting and fielding and greater enjoyment for all.

Three junior softball teams began the season and with some prompting, another team was formed. The standard of all games improved during the season, with at least on parent remarking on how much the skill level of the players increase from the first game of tee ball to some of the fine play experienced in the junior softball grand final. Sharp fielding and strong batting in the grand final resulted in Gladiators (the prompted team) defeating Top Shots.

Congratulations are in order to Steve Beare who gained level 2 accreditation this season. Steve is out fourth level 2 recipient in Sale and will be the third to be either transferred or move from the district!  Sale was able to fulfill all but one of our state umpiring commitments and were thankful to the Berwick-Casey association for supplying us with an additional umpire for the Under 16 championships.

The Gippsland region consists of Bairnsdale, Sale, Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland Associations and we try whenever possible to hold a regional tournament in all age groups with each association hosting one age group tournament. Sale girls were successful in winning both the u13 and u16 shields with the u13 girls also winning the Ficafolia trophy held in conjunction with the u13 regional competition at Drouin.

Unfortunately we had to withdraw from the Open Women's state championships at the last moment for which we apologise.  The teams that attended championships were u13 glrls and boys, u16 girls and boys and u19 girls. Our best result for the state championships was the u16 girls team who were runners up to Wesley College.

One highlight of the season was the attendance of a group of u13 and u16 girls at the Australian Olympic team and Chinese Taipei test matches at Altona. The girls formed an "unofficial" Australian cheer squad and gave lots of knowledgeable encouragement to the Australian players.  At the conclusion of the afternoon game, there was much autograph hunting and chatting to the players. A great day and experience for our girls and a wonderful standard of play and sportsmanship for them to aspire to in the future.

We acknowledge the valuable assistance and patience of the V.S.A. administrator, and the directors of umpiring and coaching in the answering of innumerable questions during the season and for their continuing support.

Our administrative team has worked well together, not always in agreement, but that is what a democracy is all about and all decisions were made in the best interests of the players. !t now remains to take a critical look at the past season and see which areas can be improved for the future of our game.

Bev Beard

Secretary

Sale Softball Association.

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Season Summary

Sale Softball Association Inc.

Season 1995 / 96

Grounds Rotary Reserve

Committee

President Russell Booth

Vice President

Secretary Bev Beard

Championship Secretary Tina Johnston

Treasurer Leanne Heywood

Assistant Treasurer Kim Falls

Registrar Barb Henderson

Property Officer Mary Mc Kie

Publicity Officer Shirley Redmond

Grounds Manager Bruce Garner

Umpires Committee Bev Beard, Stephen Beare

Social Committee Penny Beard, Megan Fahy, Marg Collins, Sharon Foley

Selection Committee Bev Beard, Russell Booth, Penny Beard, Bruce Garner

Registrations 301 members (90 T-ball, 107 junior, 97 senior, 7 non playing)

Membership details now on computer database.

Teams

T-Ball

Araluen

Huntsmen

Netcasters

St Thomas A

St Thomas B

STAGGS

Super Hitters

Mod Ball

Funnelwebs

Trapdoors

Hot Shots

STAAGS

White Sox

Softball (as below)

Final Ladders

Open Women

Squaws

College

Musgoes

Pink Panthers

Sling Shots

Open Mixed Twilight

Blue Jays

Isotopes

Dads Army

Black Ducks

Panthers

Condors

T.N.T

Black Magic

Redsox (withdrew mid season)

Junior Softball

Gladiators

Top Shots

STAAGS

Redbacks

Semi Finals

Open Women

Squaws d Pink Panthers 48-0

Musgoes d College 8-6

Open Mixed Twilight A

Blue Jays d Black Ducks 35-5

Isotopes d Dads Army 12-8

Open Mixed Twilight B

Black Magic d Panthers 28-13

Condors d T.N.T 18-8

Junior Softball 3rd Place

Redbacks d STAGGS 14-6

Finals

Open Women Squaws d Musgoes 31-1

Open Mixed Twilight A Blue Jays d Isotopes 7-2

Open Mixed Twilight B Black Magic d Condors 15-13

Junior Softball Gladiators d Top Shots 14-6

Best & Fairest

Open Women Susan Heggie College

Regional Championships

U13 Girls Won Won Ficafolia Trophy, Drouin host

U13 Boys

U16 Girls Won Defeated Bairnsdale in best of 3 games, Sale host

U16 Boys

Open Women

Open Men Won Defeated Latrobe Valley in best of 3 games, Traralgon host

State Championships

U13 Girls C Grade finished 3rd / 6 at Dandenong

U13 Boys A Grade finished 7th / 7 at Dandenong

U16 Girls Runners up (2nd / 5) in C Grade to Wesley College 2-15 at Albury

U16 Boys B Grade finished 3rd / 5 at Albury

U19 Girls C Grade finished 4th / 4 at Geelong

Open Women Withdrawn

Open Men Not entered

Season Highlights

Under 16 girls are runners up in C grade at Victorian State Championships, coached by Bev Beard.

An initial grant of $60,000 from Wellington Shire for the building of clubrooms has been approved with further funding from Dept. of Youth, Sport & Recreation expected.

T-ball clinics held in outlying rural areas and in the local catholic schools. Kim Falls and Barb Henderson travelled to Heyfield, Briagolong, Rosedale and Boisdale schools to promote T-ball.

Jim Gibson conducted pitching & catching clinics for junior players at Sale grounds.

Former Sale player Mark Cramp to play in the Victoria State League and the National Fastpitch Championships this season.

Notice board at grounds built and erected by Russell Booth.

Storage shed at grounds now completed.

Steve Beare gained level 2 umpire accreditation.

Life member Claude Coupe died July 17th 1996.

Monthly Association newsletter compiled by Leanne Heywood.

Development squad members - U13 Cassandra Booth, Naomi Campbell, Jess Chomley, Rebecca Duck, Bree Morgan, Anna Renou. - U16 Colleen Henderson, Carly Dean, Beth Shingles.

Fundraising Smartie drive made $1350.00

In December seven members from Sale and Bairnsdale Associations attended the Masters Games held in Melbourne.

Proposed Association name change.

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