The inaugural FASTBALL 45 competition is drawing near with 4 female and male Auckland teams scheduled to battle out over three weekends in November.

 

Mt Albert Ramblers, Auckland United, Howick and Auckland Marist will compete in the male competition while Mt Albert Ramblers, Hollywood Fish Farm Waitakere Bears, Howick and ISA New Zealand Otahuhu in the women.

 

The product was initially piloted and captured by SKY Sport at the TAB Challenge Cup last February. 6 months later FASTBALL 45 is now a TV product with the plan to form a national competition next season.

 

FASTBALL 45 is innovative and dynamic with modifications to provide a higher paced and intense version of softball. The concept is designed to enhance the best parts of the game with higher frequency. To achieve this state of play traditional rules have been broken and radicalised to; increase the amount of ball in play, increase double plays, scoring opportunities and the points system itself.

 

Games have been allocated a 5 camera operation, full commentary team, and a great opportunity to promote FASTBALL 45 with a made for television approach. Discussions are underway to mic up an infield player and 3rd base coach to talk directly with commentary throughout an innings with the possibility of a base camera on the safe base, and a drone camera.     

 

It is our hope that in due course Clubs and Associations will take up the initiative to implement their own FASTBALL 45 tournaments and leagues. In doing so we can increase more strategic thinking within softball itself and entice more membership to our great game.

 

To view the rules and the three round game schedule checkout the Softball New Zealand website here

 

 

 

 

Glen Roff - Softball Manager

Softball New Zealand

m: 021537082 | p: 04 5600389