MK SOFTBALL ARE DOUBLE AWARD WINNERS!
The British Softball Federation Annual Awards took place last month at their annual general meeting and MK Softball were thrilled to pick up two of the seven awards announced.
TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR - THE CODEBREAKERS CUP
Our annual tournament first won this award in it's debut year back in 2018, and since then it has become a huge highlight of our annual calendar, and a brilliant way of rounding off the season each year. Led expertly by Hedley Bevan, each year looks to improve on the last, and this year was no exception: It sold out in less than three minutes, and the 16 lucky teams that took part were treated to a day of '40s themed delights, from the informative and imaginative 'Sergeant Majors' Manual' (aka the Captains' Pack!) to codebreaking quizzes, World War II themed trophies, delicious catering, merchandise, and the now much-anticipated 'flight competition' (instead of a coin toss to decide home team). Plus retro fancy dress and music of course! Players this year could access BaseballSoftballUK Slowpitch Academy sessions in their breaks, and the final was streamed for the first time on BSUK TV.
On winning the award Hedley said, "I'm incredibly proud that we have won this award - It's always a fantastic day and we try to build on the theme each year. This is an event that brings the league together and I'm so grateful to everyone who volunteers to make it happen. Can't wait for Codebreakers 2024!"
The tournament was described as "an innovative tournament that keeps getting better", and credit should go to Hedley, who led the team of volunteers that delivered the tournament, which is sure to be a sell out again in 2024.
YOUTH TEAM OF THE YEAR - THE DINKY DIAMONDS
Our youth programme, the Dinky Diamonds launched last summer for 4-7year olds, and featured over-the-fence home runs (courtesy of a ball tied to a stick), learning to slide on a slip and slide, and the very popular throwing waterbombs at the coaches (thankfully during the heatwave!) - and proved so popular the sessions carried on monthly through the winter in our local Community Centre in Conniburrow. Coach Leah said of the honour "We are thrilled to be awarded Youth Team of the Year to recognise our Dinkys. We have loved seeing all the children involved get their first taste of softball, and have loved teaching them a little about the sport we love through lots of fun (& often daft!) games. We can't wait to get back out on the diamond next month and are very excited to be adding a session for 8-12year olds as well so we can hopefully inspire more mini ballers!".
Following the federation's announcement that "British Softball's youngest ever team deserves this year's Youth Team Award" we celebrated by interviewing a few Dinkys to find out what they made of it...
Why do you think the Dinky Diamonds won an award?
Because we’re a good team & we work together - Mallory, age 8 (assistant coach!)
Because they did so good sport - Lily, age 6
Because it’s good for learning how to play because you learn bit by bit - Amelie, age 7
What is your favourite thing about Dinky Diamonds?
I get to play with my friends - Caleb, age 6
I love running around the bases - Amber, age 5
When we do batting. I like the batting the ball to other children - Lily, age 6
Why should other children come and try Dinky Diamonds?
It’s amazing - Arlo, age 5
Because it’s fun - Caleb, age 5
So we win more awards - Amber, age 5
Because everyone’s welcome - Mallory, age 8
Because it’s really fun and trying new things is good - Elodie, age 5
Because it’s a good way to learn how to play softball and then at the end you can build it up and you might become a really good softball player - Amelie, age 7
Do you think the Dinky Diamonds could now beat the MK Diamonds at softball?
Yes because we’ve practiced lots - Amber, age 5
Yes, by 25million runs - Caleb, age 6
Yes because kids are better than grown ups - Elodie, age 5
No, we’re still learning - Arlo, age 5
Yes definitely because we can bat it past the grown ups - Lily, age 6
Yes because kids have more flexibility than adults! - Amelie, age 7
I’m not sure actually, we’re both really good - Mallory, age 8
A big thank you to the British Softball Federation for presenting us with these awards and congratulations to all the other award winners, which you can read about here: https://www.britishsoftball.org/news/article/bsf-announces-annual-awards-and-hall-of-fame-inductees
