Our 20th season was a good one…
Championship Division
Congratulations to champions Las Panteras, who took their title back from sister team Jaguars. This is the third time Las Panteras have won the crown, and they did so in style, remaining undefeated in regular season play (their only ‘defeat’ came from a forfeited game).
Despite losing their title, Jaguars had a strong season, losing only two games all year – one to Champions Las Panteras and a close-fought game against Aries. Jaguars played a good level of softball all year and their two defeats were by margins of only four and two runs.
Aries had an inconsistent season, playing up their potential some weeks and falling below it in others. Aries finished third for the second straight season, having lost twice to Las Panteras, once to Jaguars and once to a strong performance by Bomb Scratchers.
Spitfires looked much improved this season and continue to go from strength to strength. Giving both Jaguars and Aries close games this season, Spitfires also scored the most runs they have scored in a season. Both of Spitfires’ wins came against the Bomb Scratchers.
Put together for the 2022 season to allow Development Division players a chance to play a higher level of softball, Bomb Scratchers quickly developed into a team in their own right and put together some strong performances this year. In the space of two weeks, Bomb Scratchers defeated Aries by 15 runs and then lost narrowly to Las Panteras by 6 runs, holding the eventual League Champions to their lowest score all season.
Development Division
The 2022 season was monumental for Swindon Softball League as it saw us expand from one division, which was all the league has ever had, to two divisions. Aimed at new players, the Development Division was created to allow for a more relaxed and informal setting to learn the game of softball, whilst still allowing access to a more competitive level of softball with the Championship Division.
Four teams opened the inaugural season: Dodgers, Hawks, Hurricanes and Phoenix. All four teams finished the season and grew both in numbers and as units as the season went on. Basic fielding skills were mastered and the quality of batting was impressive.
All teams flashed potential and had strong performances each week, however it was Hawks who gelled quickest as a team and this showed, as they went undefeated until the final week of the season and with it won the first ever Development Division title.
The Dodgers also started the season strongly and fought for the title until the end of the season, while Phoenix and Hurricanes both finished the season strongly with victories.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming more new players in 2023 and growing both divisions, helping to spread the great game of softball further into Swindon and our local community.
A season summary wouldn’t be complete without any action shots. Here’s some of the play from this season’s Championship Division. If you would like to get involved in playing softball, please send us a message here. We’d love to hear from you!
