Jersey Softball Association hosted a spectacular tournament from May 2nd to May 3rd, welcoming teams from the UK for 2 days of competitive softball.

Even though Jersey holds the crown of the ‘the sunniest place in the British Isles’, on Saturday morning the competing teams were met with a deluge of driving rain and gusty winds. As the first of the batters stood in the box and blinked through the elements, it soon became clear that no amount of soggy socks and soaking shirts would put a dampener on the players spirits.

Thankfully the grey clouds parted on Sunday in the late morning to reveal beautiful blue skies and scorching sunshine, just in time for the final games to be played. Jacksons Falcons took on the Honey Badgers Werewolves for the title of Plate Champions, with the Falcons shutting out their competition in the final innings to beat them 15-11.

In a highly competitive Trophy final, the Werewolves’ sister team, Honey Badgers Lycans, took on the CPA Global Pirates, with each team eager to win. The game went into the bottom of the seventh tied, with a score of 13-all. On the counter-attack, and with the Lycans looking for the last out to win the game, the Pirates slowly placed runners into scoring positions. As the next batter swung for the pitch and sent the ball sailing over the heads of the outfield, the Pirates realised that victory was now theirs as the winning run touched the home plate to take the final score in their favour.

After the umpire signalled ball-game, all of the competing teams gathered on the diamond to watch the winners receive their trophies from the Jersey Softball Association’s president, Ali Wade. Female MVP was awarded to Chelsey Warner, from Jacksons Phoenix, and Chris Le Lion from DMS Flyers was named Male MVP.

Despite the unsavoury weather to begin with, it was the true spirit of softball that shone through this weekend.

-office Jersey-