The Belfast Sliders had an all-day home advantage as the Softball Ulster Carrie Trundle Cup took place at their home grounds at Dixon Playing Fields on Saturday 2nd June 2018. Despite a weather warning for rain and thunderstorms, the weather held out and we had sunshine all day. All clubs in Ulster participated this year, with Belfast Softball, Belfast Angels, Bangor Bucs and Belfast Cubs all sending contingents to Dixon Park.
After a scratchy win against last season's runners up the big hitting league champions the Brawlers were next up for Sliders at a scorching Dixon Park. The Brawlers are undefeated since 2015 and last week scored 70 so Sliders knew they had a game on their hands. There was only one change to last weeks line up – Andrew coming in at catcher with Tim moving to 3rd in place of the unavailable Dave.
Sliders welcomed the Cubs to their new grounds at Dixon Playing Fields last night looking to get the new season underway with a win. It was a battle of last year's third and second placed teams with Sliders looking to end a 4 game losing streak against the guys in purple. Unlike last time out, Sliders had a full roster plus subs with Laura and Emma D making their debuts in the outfield whilst the Cubs were playing shorthanded.
For the 2018 season the Belfast Sliders are pleased to announce that their new home grounds will be based at Dixon Playing Fields, Grand Parade in South Belfast. Many Softball Ulster members will remember Dixon Playing Fields being the frequent location for Softball Ulster tournaments in previous seasons. If you are unsure where the playing fields are, we have provided a map below for you to follow. Many thanks to the Sirocco Works Football Club for helping us find a new home and hosting us at Dixon Playing Fields.
The Belfast Sliders travelled to Rathmore Grammar School on Saturday 28th April 2018 to attend their first tournament of the season, organised by Softball Ulster. One of five teams, the Sliders faced off against Belfast Softball Club, Belfast Angels, Bangor Buccaneers, and the Sons of Pitches (from Dublin) to rank third in the round-robin stage and third equal (along with the Belfast Angels) in the finals. The overall winners on the day were Belfast Softball Club who beat the Sons of Pitches to take home the trophy for the second year in a row.
Training for the 2018 softball season has started! Join us from 6.30pm on Thursday evenings at the PEC Playing Fields (on Stranmillis Embankment) for pre-season training. The first training session took place on Thursday 29th March and will take place every week from now until the end of the season. If you are new to softball and interested in joining us, why not come along to one of our training sessions and learn the basics of the game. For additional information don't hesitate to email us at secretary@softballulster.com.
An up and down season for the Sliders ended on a high with Kirsty being voted as Female MVP at the Softball Ulster awards night and Tim receiving the Best Umpire award.
Congratulations to Kirsty Briggs and Timothy Rankin who won at the Softball Ulster Awards on 4th November. Kirsty took home Most Valuable Female Player 2017 (alongside Vik Scott of the Cubs and Elaine Barr of the Brawlers) while Timothy took home Umpire of the Year 2017. Well done to both for representing the Belfast Sliders at the regional level!
Last night saw the Belfast Sliders Softball Club have their (almost) end of season dinner and awards ceremony in Scalini (Belfast). The night was well attended by the team, along with future Sliders Finn and Andres.
Last Sunday the Belfast Sliders travelled to Donaghadee Rugby Club to face off against the Bangor Buccaneers in the final league game of the 2017 season. Everything was to play for as a win for the Sliders would keep the Smokin’ Aces at fourth in the league table, securing a second year at third place for the visiting team. With only nine players making it to Donaghadee, the prospects of a win looked bleak until the Bucs themselves arrived with only nine players – evening up the chances of a win.
