Islandsun Newspaper - British Virgin Islands

February 14 2003

Softball Association extends league registration deadline
BY DEAN GREENAWAY

A disappointing turnout at last Thursday's general meeting at the Sports Division conference room forced BVI Amateur Softball Association officials to extended its 2004 league registration deadline to Feb. 16, after only three teams submitted rosters.

"I'm still trying to find out what happened after the big meeting we had where over 30 people showed up," association president Neville Smith said, adding he was extremely disappointed with the turnout. "I really don't know what happened because everything was well advertised and when I met people, I told them of the meeting."

Smith said he expected six male and six female teams to register, but only defending champions Quails and the Hawks were the two female teams submitting rosters while the Blue Chips were the lone men's team to register. "I was thrown for a curve ball. I really don't know what happened. Maybe people had other things to do," the beleaguered president said. "The only manager that called because of an emergency was the Pirates manager."

One player from the Braves showed and promised to submit a roster Smith said, while another Byrds' player showed without a roster. The Astros also had a representative but nor roster was presented and no one from the defending champion Blue Wings attended. By extending the registration deadline to Feb. 16, Smith said there'll be a $50 fine for those who do not bring in their rosters on time. Rosters will not be accepted after Feb. 20. "We have to really be serious about this league," Smith said.

During their mid January meeting where the association's development plans were outlined, Smith announced that the league is scheduled to open on March 5, adding that the league however, would not begin until improvements including bathrooms on the Old Recreation Grounds where games are played were completed. Work was expected to begin during the week according to Smith. "Until we see work starting on the field, we are not going to change the opening date," Smith stated. "Right now, I'll say we'll have our league opening activities on March 5-7."