The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2016 National Round Robin Tournament is all set to get underway tonight in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

A total of four teams in both the men’s and women’s division will be vying for the championships that will be hoisted in the air on Sunday night.

The New Providence Softball Association men’s champions will take on the 5 Star AG & Turf from Abaco, the Blue Water JC Jets from Eleuthera and the Control Chemical Sweepers from Grand Bahama.

On the women’s side, the teams entered are the NPSA’s Johnson’s Lady Truckers, the Major Pains from Abaco, the Sagoma Navigators from Andros and the Folley’s Girl from Grand Bahama.

Federation president Ted Miller said a lot of excitement is brewing for all of the teams coming into New Providence to compete. Likewise, he said the two New Providence-based teams are waiting to welcome them all here.

“We know that all of the teams are eager to come in and compete and have a fun weekend,” Miller said. “It’s a time for teams and players to get reacquainted with each other after not seeing each other since last year or the last time they played in the nationals.

“Softball is going to be at its highest with some of the best pitchers facing off against each other and some of the top batters in the league will be competing. So it’s going to be very exciting.”

On the men’s side, Miller said the fans will get to see three of the top pitchers in the country in Alcott Forbes for New Providence, Lyle Sawyer from Abaco and Edney ‘the Heat’ Bethel from Eleuthera. Grand Bahama will counter with Darren Mortimer.

“We know that when you bring this type of pitching together, you can expect to see some quality games being played,” Miller said. “So whenever they face each other, we expect that the games will be very competitive.”

As for the women’s division, Miller said the Johnson’s Lady Truckers from New Providence and Grand Bahama are considered the early frontrunners. But he advised the fans not to overlook Abaco and Andros.

“I think the ladies’ division is going to be wide open,” he said. “It’s anyone’s game. It would all come down to which team wants it the most. We know that Grand Bahama and Andros are both coming off the devastation from Hurricane Matthew. But it will be good for them to get out of that environment for a while and do what they like to do best and that is play softball.”

While all four teams in both divisions have confirmed their participation, Miller said the federation would make any final adjustments when the technical meeting is held 11am today.

As for the games, Miller said they intend to host all of them in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex now that the lights have been fully restored since the passing of the category 4 hurricane.

“This will allow us to keep everybody in the same environment for the duration of the tournament,” Miller said. “However, the fields where the government league plays their games will be available for us to use if the need arises. But for right now, we will play all of our games at the Banker’s Field.”