Sofball: BVI women’s national team heads to regional tournament

A member of the BVI women’s softball national team. * Photo credit: CM Farrington

(JTV News) — Members of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) women’s softball national team are scheduled to depart the territory on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands where they will participate in the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Women’s Fast Pitch Qualifying Championship.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation-sanctioned event takes place from March 1-5 at the National Park Ball Field, St. John, with six teams: Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, St.Maarten, and the BVI.

The winning team will automatically qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador in June 2023.

According to a press release, the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association (VISBA) distributed official letters on February 3, 2023, congratulating its players for making the 2022-2024 women’s national team.

The press release further stated: “The selection process for the 2022-2024 Women’s Softball National Team consisted of members from the VISBA’s executive body identifying 33 elite female players to invite for tryouts. Of the 33 identified players, 24 players were selected to make up the 2022-2024 national team roster.

“To meet the 16-player roster requirements for the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Championship in St. John, USVI, from March 1-5, the team was grouped into Team A and Team B – to give the coaches a competitive selection pool of athletes playing in various positions in preparation for upcoming competitions.

“Team A consists of Akira Phillip, Bria Smith, Claury Scatliffe, Dariér Malone, Javlyn Frett, Jelisa Potter, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Kennisha Powell, Kimiya Matthias, Lil-Makeda Fahie, Marisa Malone, Melanie Stoutt, Shauliqua Fahie, Sheniqua Fahie-Johnson and Thea Cooke.

“Team B consists of Bianca Brewley, Chandni Wattley, Che’Vaunne Richardson, Kiara Woodley, Kimmesha Adams, Shaika Jeffers, Shanika Forbes, and Tyalia Nibbs.

“In the event of a player from Team A not being able to attend the event due to an injury, lack of commitment to practices, a suspension or any other reason, a player from Team B will move up to Team A for the qualifying tournament and other games in the future.

“After every tournament, the teams will return to one group, and players will work towards making the official roster for that specific tournament. ”

The coaching staff will include Head Coach/Manager Neville “Sheep” Smith; Assistant Manager/Pitching Coach, Allen “Woodrow” Smith; and Assistant Coaches and Trainers, Shamouri Robinson and Demoi Hodge, the press release stated.

“Chief Umpire and Vice President for VISBA, Glenford “Chappy” Maduro, will represent the Virgin Islands as the only certified BVI umpire. At the same time, President of VISBA, Rhodni Skelton, will attend ECASC executive meetings on February 28, 2023,” the release further stated.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
Curacao vs Aruba – 12 p.m.
Jamaica vs BVI – 3 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies – 6 p.m.
St. Maarten vs USVI – 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2
Curacao vs Jamaica – 10 a.m.
BVI vs St. Maarten – 1 p.m.
Aruba vs St. Maarten – 4 p.m.
Aruba vs USVI – 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3
St. Maarten vs Jamaica – 11 a.m.
BVI vs Aruba – 2 p.m.
USVI vs BVI – 5 p.m.
USVI vs Curacao – 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4
BVI vs Curacao – 11 a.m.
Curacao vs St. Maarten – 2 p.m.
Jamaica vs Aruba – 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5
4th vs 3rd – 1 p.m.
2nd vs 1st – 4 p.m.
CLOSING CEREMONIES