Annual Report to VSA

Annual Report to VSA - 2008 / 2009 Season

Season 2008/2009 was a milestone one for our Association as it marked the 40th anniversary of a formal softball organisation in the Wellington Shire area. On the back of this, this season also celebrated the 21st anniversary of the Open Mixed Twilight competition as well as the 10th anniversary of the Slowpitch Corporate Challenge competition.

With this in mind, along with the uncertain future of our two remaining competitions at the end of last season, the executive committee decided to it was necessary to repeat the promotional flyer maildrop of six years ago. This time around though post office boxes were also included, making this the largest flyer distribution ever undertaken. Over 11,500 double sided flyers, promoting the association and the two competitions, were distributed in Sale, Longford, Stratford, Rosedale, Maffra, Tinamba, Heyfield & surrounding areas.

Come'n'try days were held preseason to both competitions, with a good turnout and a better than average retention rate going on to play in competitions. The distribution certainly proved worthwhile as our registration figures show that of the total number of players participating, remarkably approximately half of these players are new to the association or to the sport. Hopefully the majority will make a return to the sport next season.

The Open Mixed Twilight competition was thankful for the efforts of Bruce Garner & Keith Butterwick in securing players from the winter baseball competition, enabling new team Rays to be formed and a new line up for Mariners. Unfortunately Yeerungs could not find the players for this season, resulting in a four team competition with an early & late game scheduled every Tuesday. Rays and Mariners were likely grand finalists with One Moment Plz being an outside contender, with only a win separating second & third places at the seasons end. The team umpiring roster proved a success with all teams meeting their obligations.

The playoff for third place between the longest serving team of the twilight competition TNT, now in its eighteenth season, and One Moment Plz was a game of high intensity from the first pitch and was to become the game of the finals. The game, played to good spirit, was in the balance to the final innings with One Moment Plz victorious 12-10.

In the grand final Rays, with a mixture of youth & experience, got the early jump on Mariners and went on to build a commanding lead by the end of two innings. Mariners were unable to close the gap, with Rays winning convincingly 24-6. Thanks to Jean Marriot & Bev Beard for umpiring the finals series.

To coincide with the pre season flyer and the 10th anniversary, the Slowpitch Corporate Challenge was offered for the first time as a full sixteen week season beginning in October. With only two teams playing a best of five finals series last season, two new teams were needed for a regular competition. Thanks to be efforts of Water Rats players Samantha Matthews & Karlee Blake a third team, Weir Services, was formed. With the competition about to begin, thankfully with a little prompting due to lack of female players, Schlumberger became team number four.

Experienced campaigners Water Rats & FCC Jiggles were destined to play off in the grand final, with the competition suffering with the withdrawal mid way through the season of the Schlumberger team. Weir Services, to their credit, played out the whole season & were given a chance of playing in the grand final with a semi final playoff with the second finishing team. In a surprising & disappointing end to the season, Water Rats forfeited the semi final, giving Weir Services the chance to play FCC Jiggles in the grand final.

The experienced FCC Jiggles overpowered Weir Services and with solid batting built a match winning lead after just two innings. The game was played out to time with first time Slowpitch Corporate Challenge winners FCC Jiggles defeating Weir Services 21-1.

Following the success of the Bairnsdale team winning the B grade Open Women's State Championships last year, the team was promoted to A grade in the 2009 championships. Wellington players involved were Rawinia Te Maru and Leanne Heywood, with Marg Collins scoring with help from Jan Te Maru.

After winning three out of four preliminary games, the team faced the undefeated Waverley in the grand final. The powerhouse Waverley line up proved too strong, with Bairnsdale runners up 11-0. Thanks to Jean Marriott for giving our players/officials the opportunity to be involved in a Victorian State Championship.

Gippy Girls, after a quiet twelve months, are hoping to make a return to competition next season.

The short term success of the flyer maildrops was proven with the number of new faces to the association this season. The effects over the long term will become evident with the beginning of the upcoming season and whether the new players return and hopefully even better with a friend or two. The association will need to be flexible to meet the needs of these new/potential players, which may involve combining the remaining competitions, or creating new open women's or open men's competitions to suit. We certainly will need to work more closely with the Sale Baseball Club in providing a good off season sport for their players & player's partners. Whatever it takes, the executive committee will be open to ideas to keep the sport alive in this area.

Ross Game

President

Wellington Softball Association

Season Summary