For Auckland’s top softballers, the season is already underway with the Premier and Reserve grade competitions kicking off at Rosedale Park over the weekend.
But gone are the days of the Auckland Fastpitch Championship – this year Auckland Softball have unveiled their new competition, the Dynasty NFS, which they hope will take the sport to new heights.
“We wanted to make the competition truly regional, and not be an Auckland Softball competition
with some extra clubs included,” Auckland Softball general manager Gareth Teahan said.
With non-ASA clubs such as Northcote, Roosters and Patriots featuring in the competitions, Teahan said it will only strengthen the game in the North.
“With a greater working relationship with Harbour and Counties we are looking to make decisions for Softball that are in the best interest of softball across the region, rather than association based.”
The Dynasty NFS will still feature home and away games throughout the season but there will also be the added feature of neutral 5pm and 7pm matches played at Rosedale.
These games will be livestreamed for audiences wanting to watch some of the country’s best clubs and players square off every week. There’s also been a major move for the women’s game with women’s-distance fencing to be used in every match – regardless of venue.
“This is important for the growth of the Women’s game and also to add an extra excitement level to the games,” Teahan said.
“It will bring a new level of tactics required by coaches to manage the big hitters, and this has shown already with 2 home runs on opening day.”
Teahan added the long term plan is to reintroduce a National club competition.
“From the Dynasty NFS we want to be able to create greater exposure for our players and coaches and a level of competition that complements our Representative programmes.
“Softball is a fantastic product for livestream and we are looking now to get a number of businesses to partner with us. In return for adverts between innings, businesses will get the loyal softball community supporting them.
“In just the Opening Day, we had over 5,000 views of the livestream.”
And with tiebreakers, home runs and upsets already coming out of the first week, who wouldn’t want to watch?
(Image credit: Debbie Barker Photography)