Belfast Sliders Softball Club

On Monday 14th May, Sliders took to Newforge to play the Braves.  The unusual presence of sun made batting difficult for both teams in the opening inning and after a number of walks Sliders were first to chalk up a run. 

In the second inning, the balance of the game swung in favour of the Braves following a controversial call on a play at 2nd which was then followed by some poor fielding and the Braves runs mounted up.

Team talk time from the coach and the Sliders took up the challlenge of getting infront once again and eventually the runs mounted up and the defense stood strong and prevented another influx of Braves on bases - key player of the outfield was Dan who made some impressive catches.

Being Belfast it was never going to stay sunny for long and when it rained, it rained! Poor lightening and torrential rain resulted in the game being called in the 5th.  Lessons learnt for the Sliders and they came away with another win, making them 4 - 0 so far this season.

Final Score: Braves 12 - Sliders 17

Sliders will take on the Braves @ Newforge, Monday 14th May: meeting @ 6:30pm!

Sliders took on 2 times league champions Smokin' Aces at Wedderburn on Bank holiday Monday.  Thankfully the miserable weather had cleared up by game-time.

The Sliders got off to a slow start with uncharacteristic defensive errors and the combination of 2 awarded bases (overthrows) and some good hitting ensured that the Aces finished the 1st with 1 run.  

On the batting front, Sliders are showing growing confidence and once the bats got going and Sliders began to cushion their lead they didn't look back!

Final Score 18 - 3 

1st - Suze

2nd - Marian

Short-stop - Will (John in 6th)

3rd - Jose

Catcher - Tim (Will after 6th)

Pitcher - James

Right field - Dan

Right Centre - Christina

Left Centre - John (Paul in 6th)

Left field - Emma 

Subs: Paul

Sliders took on Aviators at Shorts on a windy but dry Sunday afternoon.  Sliders went into the game positive after winning their first league game v Brawlers.  

The game started slow with Sliders taking their time to get into their stride with batting, but they showed continued solid defending across the field, particularly Suze coming in from the outfield to show a great glove at 1st.  First inning finished 0-0.  

As the game progressed the runs started to mount up in Sliders advantage, there were home runs for Will and James and Jose also had a great day at the plate.  Final Score Aviators 3 - Sliders 18 

1st - Suze

2nd - Marian

SS - Will

3rd - John (Jose in 6th/7th)

Catcher - Jose (Paul in 6th/7th)

LF - Dave

LCF - Christina

RCF - Dan (John in 6th/7th)

RF - Emma (Kerry in 6th/7th)

Subs: Kerry and Paul

Sliders took on the Brawlers at Wedderburn in their first game of the season - being a repeat of 2012 Ulster final it was expected to be a tough game.  The weather was anything but summery, and the players endured gale force wind and driving rain as they took to the field.  

The Brawlers showed their batting skills had not gone rusty over the winter period with some big hits, however Sliders remained strong on defence and eventually came away with a 14-4 win.  

Training will be running Saturday morning @ 11am (until the clocks change)! Hope to see as many there as possible...

Sunday 28th August 2011 - Biggest day so far in Sliders history: first Ulster league final! Sliders took on the Brawlers in Dixon Park, and took their first Ulster title with an 8-4 win. 

There were some great catches: Dan, Liz, John and Dave and there was growing confidence at the plate with some great hitting from Christina, Suze, Will, Tim, Jose and James.

Great play everyone!  Next stop Dublin for the SI regional finals! 

Sliders team:

James - Pitcher

John/Jose - Catcher

Tim - 1st

Marian - 2nd

Will - SS

Liz - 3rd

Dan - RF

Christina - CF

Dave - CF

Suze/Angela - LF

The normal run of the league finished with a convincing 23-7 win for the Sliders against the Aces.  The top of the table was tight with both the Sliders and Brawlers winning 8 out of 10 games, and therefore 1st and 2nd for play-offs were allocated on runs for and against.  

The play-offs were taking a double elimination format and the first game took place on 14th August at Dixon Park, Grand Parade were Sliders and the Brawlers played off for a place in the final on 28th August.  The other playoff between 3rd (Aviators) and 4th (Aces) was won by the Aviators (11-7).

Sliders were up to bat with James getting things underway then Will scored the first run to get things underway.  Sliders struggled to replicate their batting from the Aces game, but took a 4-1 league by the 3rd with Marian, John and Dan all scoring.  

James pitching was consistently impressive and he managed to strike out several key players leaving the Sliders infield with very little to do.  However, the outfield held their own against the big hitting Brawlers great catches from Dan and Jose continually shut down play!  

By the bottom of the 7th Sliders had established a 14-6 lead but were aware that solid defence was key to contain the Brawlers, a diving (falling) catch from Will got the first out and it fell to catcher John to close the game with 2 great catches! 

Next game is 28th August - FINAL  Let's Go Sliders

Sliders took to Wedderburn in their final homegame before playoffs to play the Braves.  It was very warm and sunny, despite the 7pm start.  The game had to be self-umpired due to conflicting fixtures with basically all the leagues umpires in action.  

Braves got off to a good start with a home run from ex-Slider Gareth ensured 3 Braves reached home plate, however with consistent defence the Sliders took control of the game.  Key plays in the game included a triple play instigated by Jose, a double play between 2nd and 1st and a triple from Tim.  

Sliders won 13-4  Great work everyone!

Team:

Catcher: Jenny

1st Base: Tim

2nd Base: Marian

3rd Base: Casey

Pitcher: William

Shortstop: Jose

Right field: Angela

Centre field: John

Centre field: Liz

Left field: Dan

Extra hitters: Conor and Christina

Subs: Kerry

On Monday 18th July, Sliders took on Brawlers at Henry Jones.  It was an important game, as despite both teams having already qualified for the playoffs a win would help cement a top of the league position!

The weather at Henry Jones for once was pleasent and the Sliders took the field confident of getting the job done.  There was some brillant hits, but once again an all round solid defense proven was key.  

The game finished 13-18. Well done

Team:-

Pitcher: Dan

1st Base: Tim

2nd Base: Marian

3rd Base: Casey

Shortstop: Will

Catcher: John

Right field: Dave

Centre field: Christina

Centre field: Jose

Left field: Angela

Sub: Conor