THIS week’s Tryout Tuesday saw me pick up the bat and go swinging, as I headed out to Le Rocquier and gave the sport of softball a try with many of the Jersey Softball Association’s (JSA) Summer League players.
First founded in 1993, the JSA has a long history of bringing this sport to local players and audiences, organising matches on the Island for over 30 years.
The local organisation has done a stellar job in growing the game to new heights since bringing over the sport all those years ago, with there now being over a whopping 300 members across 25 teams, who compete in either the Summer, Corporate or Indoor leagues.
With all this experience under their belt, who better was there to help guide me in my introduction to softball? Let’s jump in.
Let’s find out more
Softball is derived from – and holds many similarities to –the game of baseball, but it’s played with a larger ball and on a smaller field. Additionally, pitchers are only able to throw underhand to the batters, with the ball usually released below the belt line.
The sport itself has two distinct disciplines – slow-pitch softball and fast-pitch softball. The former is commonly played at a recreational level, as it’s well known to be the most popular and easily accessible format of the game, with the slower pitch making it easier to hit the ball and get involved in the game.
Then, there’s fast-pitch, which, as the name implies, is a faster, more competitive version of the game, with it being the format played at the Olympic Games, as well as college and international competitions. Although it wasn’t included in Paris 2024’s programme, it’s set to return for LA 2028.
Speed of play certainly picks up in this format, as pitchers throw the ball with a windmill-type movement at speeds of up to 79.4mph for women.
Leah Tackling, media officer for the JSA and one of the league’s more experienced players, gave her thoughts on the game. “Softball is a fun, exciting game that has a bit of everything for everyone – there’s a bit of bat and ball, catching, hand-to-eye coordination… there are so many different aspects to the game,” she said.
“Although it may look like a simple game, it is a real challenge – it’s not easy to get good at softball. However, this is a sport where you’re always trying to better yourself to help the team, and you really do get addicted to improving in all the different aspects.”
Tackling went on to describe the sport’s local community, adding: “We have such a friendly, tight-knit community in Jersey, with everyone super-keen to keep growing the sport.
“With all the different aspects there are to the game, softball really does attract a huge variety of people, of all backgrounds. Whether they’re former athletes who’ve played sports like cricket or rugby, or someone who has never played a sport before, there’s always a spot for them in softball.
“You get to meet loads of new people through softball, as the sport has a great social aspect. Many of the teams do loads together, going on trips or organising socials.”
When speaking about the community, Tackling has plenty of experience, as they were a “huge help” while she got herself accustomed to the Island after moving over from New York.
“The community was so helpful when I came over – everyone was just so welcoming and supportive. As soon as I met everyone, I got involved and it’s become almost a second family,” added the Media Officer.
Softball’s accessible and inclusive nature certainly helps draw people from all walks of life, with its “less intensive” nature enabling everyone to play the game, with players aged from 16 years old to 50-plus.
As mentioned earlier, softball has come on leaps and bounds since the JSA was founded and is now being in an “exciting” place.
“Softball is in a really good place locally – it’s definitely grown since I’ve been playing,” Tackling said. “When I started, there weren’t enough teams for two divisions in the Summer League. Now, we have 14 teams across two divisions.
“The past two years have been very exciting for the sport, with the introduction of our youth league. This provides a stronger pathway for young talent to filter into our summer league and, if you invest in the grassroots and youth sections of the sport, it’s bound to grow tenfold, so, it’s very exciting to see how that will play out.”
With that growth, the quality and standard of play has certainly improved with it. Tackling said: “The standard over here is pretty good. For instance, if you look at the opening day of our Summer League this past weekend, there were several games in which where there was only one run in it – showing just how competitive it’s become.
“Our teams certainly hold their own when they travel over to compete abroad – for instance, Bean Machine won the Solent Lastball tournament last year – topping 15 other sides – while both our single-sex teams won the national championships in their chosen grades.”
This standard looks only set to rise, as there will be an all-Jersey team competing in the National Softball League for the first time ever this season, with their first fixtures of the season taking place this Saturday, so watch this space.
When asked why people should give the sport a go, Tackling replied: “Just do it! It’s always exciting to try new things and meet new people, and softball is such a great sport with a welcoming and inclusive community.
“Softball can bring so many benefits to one’s life, Many have come up to me over the years and said how much it’s benefited their lives. It’s great for your mental and physical health, and it has a great balance of having a social side while still holding that competitive edge.
“All you have to do is contact us at the JSA, and we’ll contact all the teams and see which are in need. Then, you’re more than welcome to join in with one of our training nights, either on a Tuesday or Thursday evening down at Le Rocquier.”
Time to step up to the plate
Now, it was time to put my skills to the test, as I made my way to Le Rocquier and joined in one of the JSA’s training nights. With my experience in cricket – albeit several years ago – and many other sports, I thought I had what it took to really make an impression.
That was easier said than done however, but I was keen to make an impression, especially since I’d seen some of the local talent in action at last year’s tournament. After taking a few photos, I was ready to dive straight in, with Paul Otter leading the session.From a spectator’s standpoint it looked easy enough – throw, catch, pretty simple stuff, right
However, catching with the glove adds another element – it felt so strange, so much so, I may have dropped a couple.
The aspect I joined in drilling was all about tagging runners on the bases, with a focus on staying strong, especially with someone running at you full pelt.
I entered this segment a bit confused, especially with this being a completely new experience for me – but, Paul helped explain everything about the positioning in great detail, and by the end of it I was pretty confident – I even got used to the glove.
After that, it was time to see if I had what it took when it mattered, as everyone gathered together to play a game.
With my history of batting in cricket, I was sure I was about to smash it, as my team were batting first. When Paul asked me how many I thought I was going to hit, I replied: “All of them.”
Let’s just say he disagreed with my statement, as he explained that, with all the different elements and the new technique, most newcomers fail to hit the ball once. He was being truthful so I wouldn’t be discouraged, but now I was driven to make contact.
Seeing my teammates smash balls out of the park built up anticipation for me, and I was very motivated as I stepped up to the plate.
As the ball came at me, although I talked a good game I was fully expecting to miss – so, when I heard the ball crack against the bat and make contact, I was completely shocked – it may not have gone far, but it was enough for me to lose my cool and celebrate my minor achievement.
To add to that, I made it all the way round the bases – who knew, perhaps I was a natural?
After a short fielding spell that saw me pick up just one ball that came my way, I was back up to bat – could I improve on my first hit?
Once again, I connected– though, this time I decided to be a bit more calm about it – and made it all the way round yet again, which felt great. That closed of the session rather fittingly, I’d say – might as well finish on a high.
Everyone at Le Rocquier was incredibly welcoming from the off, and were already keen to get me involved in the league by the end of my first-ever session, showing just how quickly you can settle in. Who knows, I might make an appearance in the league in the near future.
If you’re interested in trying out this exciting sport, please visit jerseysoftball.com
