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Speedboat, Floodlights unstoppable in 2017 as Softball cricket continued to expand
By Zaheer Mohamed
Despite losing of one of its seasoned players in the latter part of 2017 in tragic circumstances, Softball cricket enjoyed yet another successful year which saw its expansion with the addition of the prestigious Prime Minister’s T20 Cup.
Speedboat players celebrate following their success in the Guyana Softball Cup 7.
Speedboat announced themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the Open division by being triumphant in two international tournaments – The Prime Minister’s T20 Cup and the Guyana Softball Cup 7.
The West Demerara based Speedboat team and Floodlights (Masters) of Georgetown became the first teams to retain their titles in a major tournament, Guyana Softball Cup 7. Regal, the first team to win the both the Open and Masters Categories in the same competition, repeated the feat last year when took both categories in the Florida Cup which was played in March in Ft. Lauderdale, USA.
Floodlights Masters also gave Guyanese fans much to cheer about on foreign soil when they defeated New York Hustlers to win the Orlando Cup in March and went on to capture the Independence Cup in New York in July where they overcame fellow Guyanese side, Regal Masters in the final.
They also played in the Toronto Cup in August but were knocked out at the semi final stage. With success in the Guyana Softball Cup 7, Floodlights won three major titles in the calendar year.
Prime Minister’s T20 Cup
This tournament which was organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc., and was held in October was the first major tournament held. It was played in the Open and Masters Divisions at several venues in Georgetown and concluded at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
It attracted several top teams from the United States of America and Guyana and saw lighted bails being used for the first time in a softball competition.
In the Masters final Regal Masters defeated New York Hustlers while Speedboat got the better of Regal Allstars in the Open final. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had stated that the tournament was the beginning of greater things to come as they will work together with all stakeholders of softball cricket to promote the sport.
SVC International Softball Cup
This tournament was sponsored by Sawh Volt Comm of New York in November and was contested at Hydronie Sports Club ground, East Bank Essequibo. Regal Allstars defeated SVC Allstars of New York in the final to lift the championship trophy.
Floodlights after retaining their title in the Guyana Softball Cup.
Guyana Softball Cup 7
Speedboat and Floodlights retained the Open and Masters titles respectively when this tournament, organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association concluded in November at DCC.
Speedboat beat Boots XI while Floodlights got the better of Regal Masters. Karibee Girls of Berbice defeated Trophy Stall Angels by 12 runs in the Female final.
Passing of Wolf’s Warriors Captain Amrit Rai
The fraternity suffered the loss of one of its most decorated players in December following an incident that took place at Met-en-Meer Zorg. Rai was among those attending to Premnauth Basdeo who was chopped on the head by an ex-policeman. Following the chopping, the ex-policeman drove his mini bus into the crowd hitting Rai and several others who were rendering assistance.
Rai, one of the finest batsmen of his era led Wolf’s Warriors to several major titles including the “Guyana Softball Cup 4” in November 2014. His last major tournament was the inaugural Prime Minister’s Cup where he represented SVC Allstars of New York.
This sport continues to make strides in Guyana and with the success gained last year, administrators will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that 2018 trumps last year. Players and fans can look forward to an exciting year of competitions.
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