Junior Angels, Dragons and Hawks wanted for Mackay softball season

Mackay Softball is gearing up for the new season. Clubs have announced their sign-on dates and there is a summer camp for juniors coming up.

Former Mackay player Riley James was part of the Australian Steelers squad that won the world softball title in New Zealand last month.

Mackay Softball is putting on its May Day carnival this year and hopes to field A and B grade men’s and women’s teams.

The carnival is set down for April 29-May 1 at the softball grounds at Theon Hansen Park, Beaconsfield.

The intention is to run six teams in the A grade men’s and women’s competitions according to the association’s social media posts.

But numbers for B grade will depend on the response for A grade entries.

Calls have gone out on social media for expressions of interest in fielding a team.

Current Queensland junior reps James Allen and Jaxon Maluga training at the Mackay Softball grounds at Theo Hansen Park, Beaconsfield, in February 2022. Picture: Lillian Watkins

SUMMER CAMP

Meanwhile, Mackay Softball will run a two-day summer camp for aspiring juniors at Beaconsfield next week to encourage interest in their game.

The softball grounds at Theon Hansen Park, Beaconsfield Rd, will serve as the host venue for the camp for primary school-aged children.

It will run from 9am-2pm on Thursday and Friday, January 12-13.

Organisers say for working parents unable to collect their child at 2pm, they will be supervised until 5pm.

Participants will be taught throwing, fielding, catching, pitching, base running and batting on the first day.

On the second day, they will continue to learn skills than put it to good use in a practice game.

This camp is free to juniors and they will receive morning tea and lunch.

But children are asked to take a water bottle, sunscreen and hat.

To register first; contact Nat Dillon on 0439 730 502.

New players who register will receive a glove for them to keep, organisers said.

All clubs will be having sign-ons in the next few months with the junior season due to start in March.