Softball: National League on the move

New Zealand's premier domestic softball competition has been moved from its regular spot on the playing calendar.

New Zealand Softball (NZS) today announced changes to the 2005/06 season with the national league running from November 19 to December 18.

In the 2004/05 season, the league ran from March to April.

NZS boss Dale Eagar said a heavily congested sporting calendar in March prompted the change with Super 12 rugby, domestic netball and the Black Caps playing the tail-end of their international cricket season all happening in Autumn.

The move was also designed to help avoid clashing with the national club softball championships in March.

The National League will now start on November 19 with three weekends of round robin play ahead of the finals series to be held in Wellington from December 17-18.

The league will have a one week break in the first week of December to allow time for a potential Black Sox tournament.

Eager hoped the new time frame would allow for greater exposure.

"We are looking for a window of opportunity in the sporting calendar where we are not competing with other major events," he said.

- NZPA