SOFTBALL THRIVING IN BVI
2008-09-05

The sport of softball takes significant steps in its growth throughout the British Virgin Islands when three new junior and youth softball leagues start on November 22. The announcement was made last month by Neville Smith, the president of the British Virgin Islands Softball Association.

Helped by ten “starter kits” sent by the International Softball Federation prior to the announcement in August, the BVISA is giving a re-birth to junior softball in their part of the world, and down the road hopes to “take the game to an even younger start level as there is so much need and demand for it,” according to Mark Chapman, a member of the BVI Olympic Committee.

Before things get rolling in November, there will be a six-week camp prior to the start of the league that will have teams of 15-20 players each and consist of women (14-19 years old), men (ages 16-19), and boys (12-15 years old).

The season will culminate with a championship game at the end of February, coinciding with the opening of the senior fast pitch league.

In light of last month’s announcement of a Youth World Cup for August 2009, ISF President Don Porter reacted to the goings-on in the British Virgin Islands by saying, “It’s encouraging to hear of the BVISA’s activity with their new leagues. This testifies further to the popularity of our sport with today’s young athletes. I wish President Smith and all the others there taking part in these efforts great success for their upcoming season and hope that softball registrations will continue to climb throughout the British Virgin Islands because of the exposure these new leagues will bring to our sport there.”

Softball was first introduced to the British Virgin Islands in 1952 and the first league was held in 1953. Two years later the national softball association was formed. There has been an international presence as well. In 1988 their national team was one of 14 countries to compete in the ISF VII Men’s World Championship, and in 1999 E. Walwyn Brewley was elected to the ISF Hall of Fame in the Administrator category.