Softball: Go on, have a go at softball

Central Bay Softball are holding a Have a Go Day tomorrow ahead of the upcoming softball season. Photo / File

The return of softball in Rotorua is almost complete.

A T-ball, junior and senior competition are all set to get under way on Saturday, November 15.

Central Bay Softball will also hold a Have a Go Day at 10am tomorrow at the new softball diamonds at Puketawhero Park.

It is a chance for interested players of all ages to go along and have a game. For anyone inclined, registrations will also be open for the upcoming season.

It has been a long time coming for softball fans in Rotorua, who have not had a local competition to play in for about six years.

Central Bay Softball secretary and organiser Leigh-Anne Mullins has been the driving force behind the comeback and said it would be a great day tomorrow.

"Basically we are saying to people from Rotorua and the surrounding area to come down on Saturday and have a go. Kids aged 3 to 9 can play T-ball, older children aged 10 to 16 can play junior softball and mum and dad can have a go at senior softball."

She said competitions would start on November 15 and included a T-ball competition, junior softball competition and senior competitions for men and women.

Mullins said they had already received plenty of registrations but encouraged more people to sign up tomorrow. They would sort individuals into teams.

Mullins said, at this stage, they had 10 teams entered for the senior competitions, including six women's teams and four men's teams.

Puketawhero Park, which is the home of rugby league during winter, will boast nine T-ball fields and three softball diamonds for the upcoming season.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick, Rotorua MP Todd McClay and Softball New Zealand chief executive Tony Giles will all be present at the day tomorrow.

*The Have a Go Day will run from 10am to 1pm tomorrow at Puketawhero Park. Registration costs for the season: $5 for T-ball (children aged 3 to 9), $10 for junior players (aged 10 to 16), and $20 for a senior player. Intending players will also need to purchase a softball glove before the season starts on November 15.