Softball in South Australia

Softball is played in South Australia.

History and governance

Softball saw a "benefit" in the bombing of Darwin and the inclusion of Australia in World War II in terms of bringing in American military personnel who brought softball with them to this state.[1] The state federation was one of the foundation federation members of the Australian Women's Softball Council in 1949.[2][3] During the 1950s and 1960s, the Northern Territory did not have a territory organisation despite the sport being played in the territory. Because of this, the national association allowed teams and players from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to align themselves with the South Australian association.[4] In 1971, there were 203 South Australian based teams affiliated with the state organisation, 312 in 1975, 353 in 1976, 209 in 1977, 397 in 1978, 532 in 1983 and 580 in 1984.[5] The state association is involved with Softball Australia's Play Ball programme and is working to increase junior participation in the sport in their state.[6]

National championships

South Australia won the Mack Gilley Shield in 1956.[2][7] Between 1957 and 1994, they did not win another championship.[7] The state hosted the Mack Gilley Shield in Adelaide in 1951, 1956, and 1962.[2]

Facilities

Adelaide was the home to Australia's third international competition ready softball diamond, complete with lights. It was built in 1984.[8]

Players

American university players

Some softball players from this state have played softball for American universities, which depleted the level of high quality players available for local, state and international competitions. They include Tracey Mosley who played for Oklahoma City University starting in 1991 and Natalie Kulas who played for Oklahoma City University starting in 1993.[9]

National team members

Players from South Australia on the national team include Vanessa Stokes.[10]

Men's softball

In 1944, the state baseball association created a men's softball competition but this league quickly folded. A second serious attempt was made to create a South Australian men's team in 1974 with support from the women's softball association. The team largely drew players from the American community who worked at the Woomera Rocket Range. They would play exhibition matches against the South Australian women's team in preparation for the national championships.[11] In 1982, there were 11 men's open teams in South Australia.[12] In 1985, Australia had an unofficial test team of all starts who played against the New Zealand national team in Melbourne. Team members from South Australia included A. Oldfather Jr, and A. Oldfather Sr.[13]

See also

References
  1. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Hits and Bunts". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 69–127.
  2. Pollard, Jack (1968). AMPOL book of Australian Sporting Records. Sydney: The Pollard Publishing Co. pp. 273–274. OCLC 71140.
  3. Vamplew, Wray; Australian Society for Sports History; Australian Sports Commission (1994). The Oxford companion to Australian sport (2 ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. pp. 388–389. ISBN 0195532872. OCLC 27509815.
  4. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Safe Hits". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 22–50.
  5. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Appendix H". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. p. 170.
  6. "Softball: Softball Australia". A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport (PDF). Australia: Australian Human Rights Commission. p. 10. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. Vamplew, Wray; Australian Society for Sports History; Australian Sports Commission (1994). The Oxford companion to Australian sport (2 ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. p. 521. ISBN 0195532872. OCLC 27509815.
  8. Department of Sport, Recreation and Tourism; Australian Sport Commission (1985). Australian Sport, a profile. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publish Service. p. 186. ISBN 0644036672.
  9. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Scholarships: Softball's "Brain Drain"". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. p. 136.
  10. "Australian Open Women's Squad 2012". Australia: Softball Australia. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  11. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Hits and Bunts". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 69–127 [123].
  12. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Hits and Bunts". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 69–127 [124].
  13. Embrey, Lynn; Australian Softball Federation (1995). "Appendix R". Batter up! : the history of softball in Australia. Bayswater, Vic.: Australian Softball Federation. pp. 214–215.
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