Softball competition in the making

It’s probably seven or eight years since the last games of softball were played in Dubbo but some of the women who played then are still keen to see it start up again.

Pat Ronneberg, a former association president, and Cushla Flynn have been canvassing possible players for the past month and the results of their efforts will be known after Sunday.

“We should know after Sunday where we stand with a new softball competition,” Ronneberg said.

“What I do know is that early indications suggest it will be a going concern.

“The best way for women to show their interest is to come up to Jubilee Oval on Sunday at 3pm and have a hit.

“It will be nothing serious, just a few games where everyone can get involved and we are especially keen to see some faces and others who have, or who have not, played softball before.

“The ideal number of women would be about 40 which would give us four teams on the diamond each week (there are nine in each team).

“We suggest that women aged 16 and over would be ideal. The main thing, however, is that they come along and see what we have to offer.

“Which ever way, we will be playing each Sunday afternoon from 3pm at Jubilee and hope to see some new faces each week.”

Already plans are afoot to have a Dubbo team compete in next year’s World Masters Games to be held in Sydney during October.

Dubbo would play in the Recreation Division, which is for players all ages, from 35 and over.

“Dubbo has played Masters softball several times in the past, in fact we won a gold medal at Coffs Harbour in a North Coast carnival when former Olympic swim star Shane Gould was the presenter, “ Cushla Flynn said.

“We also went to an Australian Masters at Newcastle and won a silver medal, and I also remember picking up a bronze medal at Taree, also in the North Coast carnival.

“Again, we are looking to pick up players from the open day at Dubbo from women who may be interested in training for the World Masters next year.”

Dubbo softball has a long history in the city with Pat Ronneberg saying the game was played at Apex and Riverbank ovals at different stages and there were something like 10 diamonds in operation in divisions for mixed as well as three women grades.

“It was big then and eventually we made our home at Jubilee with the back nets still there. We also have a lot of gear in the sheds,” she said.