The Tribune

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, Bahamas: Aruba carted off the title in the 1st English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation’s Women’s Championship and Qualifier for the World Games in Cali, Colombia in July with a 13-5 victory over The Bahamas.

Aruba followed up an extra inning victory, 12-4, and a 1-run victory, 8-7 over the Bahamas with a 13-5 victory in the championship game to finished the tournament with a 7-0 record. The Bahamas finished overall 5-3 followed by the Turks & Caicos Islands at 1-6, and Jamaica at 1-5.

Other eligible affiliates of ECASC that did not participate in the event were the Cayman Islands, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands.

Don Porter, President of the International Softball Federation was on hand for the opening of the championships and the II General Assembly, where he encouraged the new confederation to continue to organise and develop the game in the English Caribbean as he thanked the members of ECASC for a job well done and also with the preparations to hold the championship in the Bahamas.

“Baseball/Softball has entered a pact to promote their return to Olympic competition both and are looking forward to an early return”, said Porter, who also spoke about the ISF’s effort to return men’s softball to the Pan American Games and the Commonwealth Games, and a planned umpiring clinic

Also in attendance for the Assembly and competition was J. H. EndY Croes, vice president of CONPASA), the Confederation of the Pan American Softball Associations, (Caribbean Region), vice president of ECASC, and President of the Aruba Softball Federation.

President for the ECASC, and the Bahamas Softball Federation, Burkett Dorsette, noted in his report that the Training/Development Camp planned by Softball Canada for coaches and pitchers will be rescheduled as this date was not conducive to the trainers, something Porter noted requires timely notice as clinicians would need enough advance time to be ready, especially for those who have jobs.

“We were able to host this event with the support of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas 
Telecommunications Co, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and Sigma Management Co, and we thank them immensely for their support.

Outstanding performances in the championships were awarded to co-MVPs, Shavelle Taylor - .692 ba, 9 hits and All-Tournament Utility Player, Bahamas; and Riangella Flanegin - Aruba, 4 Home Runs, 13 rbis and All-Tournament Shortstop.

The Outstanding Pitcher was Sulivienda Hooi with a 2-0 record and a 0.00 era; and Outstanding Batter was Shavelle Taylor. Linda Brown of Aruba led in strikeouts with nine.

The ECASC is looking forward to it new competiton, a juniors event, to be announced soon by the Directors.

Photos in website daily

ARUBA’S Gold Medal Team that captured the 1st English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation’s Women’s Championship played in Freeport, Bahamas. The eam will represent the Caribbean region in the upcoming World Games in Cali, Colombia in July.

THE Bahamas Team during the Opening Ceremony

FIRST Pitch. On hand for the Opening Ceremony of the ECASC 1st Women’s Championships and the throwing of the first pitch were, from left to right: Churchill Tener-Knowles, ISF Hall of Famer and past president of the Bahamas Softball Federation; Godfrey Been, vice president, ECASC and president the Turks & Caicos Islands Softball Association; J. H. Endy Croes, president of the Aruba Softball Federation and vice president of ECASC and CONPASA; Don Porter, ISF president; Government Senator, the Honourable Taneisha Tynes; Burkett Dorsette, president of ECASC and the Bahamas Softball Federation; Government Senator, the Hon Julian Russell; Mrs. Geneva Rutherford, Community Relations, Grand Bahama Port Authority; Mrs. Shelly rolle, Bahamas Telecommunications Co., and Gregory Christie, ISF Hall of Famer, past president the Bahamas Softball Federation, and vice president, ECASC. Photo by Eugene Thompson.

BRASHANTE Darius, the young catcher for The Bahamas is called out at third base during the championship game.