Fireworks are expected as the 15th edition of the annual Phikwe Softball Extravaganza gets underway tomorrow.
The event organiser, Oeme Morupisi, told MmegiSport that it is all systems go. He said the toss for playing pools was conducted on Tuesday during a technical meeting. Three softball pitches, Mowana Ball Park, Cricket Ground and Makhubu Ball Park, all in Selebi-Phikwe's Area 2, will be used during the tournament. Mowana Ball Park is the main venue. Molapisi said he has invited a softball Masters team from South Africa, Taxas (men), which will feature in an exhibition match against Orapa Masters. Another Masters match is between women's sides, Orapa Masters and Diamonds. Police IX, meanwhile, is back after missing out last year on the registration deadline. The men’s side is under the guidance of Godson ‘Kgaola’ Motsumi after the departure of Tebogo Makacana who joined BDF IX. The women’s side go into battle without their top attacker, Onnetse Seth-Ribbin after she left for Titans. Miriam Sixpence has stamped her authority on the pitching mound with her controlling pitches. However, the team has vast experience and has played as a unit for the past seven years.
The side has adopted a semi-balanced batting system, as they do not only depend on long swings but can vary to include short games. Police softball club chairperson, Diketso Gaborone, said his two teams are always ready for the challenge. “We are going to Phikwe with confidence after our splendid performance during the Southern Zone eliminations. You will recall that both our teams won all their games and we are going all out to finish what we started,” Gaborone said. BDF women are going to Phikwe to defend their title and could cause an upset if underestimated by their opponents. BDF is a highly offensive team that can cause havoc if their batting order is given the leeway. BDF coach, Jury Manaka, said they have been working hard to correct mistakes that they made during eliminations. “The women’s team is ready to defend their title although our biggest obstacle, being Police are around in this edition.
We are ready for them,” Manaka said. BDF men last won the tournament in 2019; in 2022 they finished in position three, while in 2023 they settled for silver. Vikings are a team that has shown resilience and determination. Offensively they have proved that they are vulnerable. There are two sets of batters within their order. They have batters that can cause damage to any team. In the Northern Zone, Scramblers' and Rail Giants' men have tasted the extravaganza silverware before and they are not going to be walkovers. The two sides also have some of the top hitters. The first men’s game of the tournament will see Scramblers battling it out against Police. The hosts, Comets, kick-off the women’s campaign against Police. Meanwhile, Morupisi said the tournament, a traditional crowd-puller, has a positive impact on the economy of Selebi-Phikwe during the President’s Day Holidays. He said most accommodation facilities are fully booked.
Men Pool A: Scramblers, Police, BDF, and Rail Giants. Pool B: Rebels, Wells, Gatalamotho, and Comets.
Women Pool A: Police, Comets, Vikings, and Carats. Pool B: BDF, Titans, Scramblers, and Ghetto Yankees.
