Windsor and Maidenhead Softball League April Review

It's not long until the first pitch of the 2014 outdoor season in the Windsor and Maidenhead District Mixed Softball League and the teams are getting ready having recently made the switch from winter indoor training to the glorious outdoors.

During the winter indoor league, Chalfont were victorious, narrowly edging out BA in the final game of the season, this was after BA loomed unstoppable with their 100% record until late into the season. All three Chalfont teams will now be looking to build on this success during the outdoor season.

Despite BA's disappointment of just missing out on the indoor league title, as reigning champions of Division 1 the Jets will still be full of confidence for the coming season and their counterparts in Division 2 - the Flyers - will be looking to win a championship of their own.

Richings Park and Maidenhead both made good progress during 2013 and performed well during the indoor league so will expect to take this further during the 2014 season and launch their own title challenge.

There have been no major changes to the league structure this year with no promotion/relegation last season and no new teams added. Despite Chalfont Firebirds winning Division 2 they chose not to be promoted to avoid there being three Chalfont teams in the top division.

With no additional teams in the 2014 season, Marlow Mariners remain the league's newest team and will be looking to use the experience they gained during their first ever season last year in order to build on their solitary win and strengthen their position in the league.

For many of the clubs in the Windsor and Maidenhead league, the focus is on development and nurturing the talent that already exists. The league's focus is no different as a new development league is being set up for young players or those who are new to the game. The development league will provide the opportunity for them to be eased into the game gently and be trained by those more experienced. The development league will be played on Wednesday evenings and any new players are welcome to come along.

So with all that, let the battle commence. First pitch of the new season will be on the 6th May for Division 1 and the 8th May for teams in Division 2. Before all that however is the First Ball Tournament at Farnham Park on the 26th April where teams from within the league and beyond can practice their skills in a competitive environment.

The league committee has seen some new faces come in since the end of last season and is now under the able stewardship of Gordon 'Gordy' Morris as Chair. With a new committee full of enthusiasm and a league that is focussed on building for the future, there are exciting times ahead for the Windsor and Maidenhead District Mixed Softball League.