A packed Kudawecha Ball Park for yesterday's title game.

ARUBA SHOWS THEY LOVE SOFTBALL
2011-07-04

NOORD, ARUBA -- The 5th Champ of Champs men’s modified pitch softball tournament ended here yesterday.

Aruba Softball Federation President Endy Croes was optimistic that the 2011 edition of the annual event would draw twelve teams. He was wrong. It drew sixteen.

If the fact that nine of them were from the host country doesn’t prove the sport is popular on the island, wait until next year when the total from Aruba alone will surely be in double digits.

The island’s population is 120,000, and further proof of softball enjoying a resurgence there is the fact that it is one of the three most popular sports in the country.

Since this was an international tournament (teams from six other countries also played), additional evidence of the enthusiasm for softball by the people of Aruba is seen in the interest there was for the modified pitch event.

Consider:

• A jam-packed stadium that turned into a festival-type atmosphere when Tsunami, the most popular band on the island, played following yesterday’s title game
• Both across the street as well as just over the left-centerfield wall, people were seen watching the games from chairs on nearby rooftops
• Cars would park outside the fence in foul territory adjacent to left field to watch the 5th Champ of Champs games from the hood or the roof of their vehicle
• It was “standing room only” beyond the bleachers as fans watched the games down the left and right field lines
• A minimum of one game each day was being broadcast live on the radio (including all three yesterday on the final day of the tournament)

Of course, the competition has to be good to keep people coming back. But once the games are over the players don’t go home. Members of the (Champ of Champs tournament host) Royal Power team pitch in to help, taking on roles ranging from driving to field maintenance and even the concession stand.

Still not convinced of the passion for the sport there? One volunteer said that she assists because of her love of softball as well as the feeling of community that it brings.

Even the governor is a softball person, and attended the Opening Ceremonies of the 5th Champ of Champs tournament.

All signs indicate that the sport will keep right on growing there. The Aruba Softball Federation just had their first season of (age) 13-17 female fast pitch softball.

The future for softball in Aruba is as bright as the sun that shines over the country’s picturesque beaches.