Softball Australia launches Summer Slam series

Fast-paced and plenty of action. In a world first, the Summer Slam — Fully Loaded Softball competition is set to revolutionise the sport.

L-R Leading Travelodge Aussie Spirit players Stacey McManus, Taylah Tsitsikronis, Tarni Stepto, Stacey Porter (Travelodge Aussie Spirit Captain), Ellen Roberts and Kaia Parnaby at the launch of the new Summer Slam- Fully Loaded Softball competition. Picture: Wendell Teodoro

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Softball Australia has ushered in a brand new era for the sport with the launch of a new world-first competition.

Held at Blacktown International Sportspark and broadcast live in prime time by Fox Sports in February, The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball competition is set to do for the sport what the Big Bash has done for cricket.

The event will feature six franchised teams made up of the best open women’s players from Australia, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Italy going head-to-head in a shorter, more action-packed format.

The clubs that will be part of the Summer slam comp include the best female players from Australia and three other countries. Pictured: North Shore plays Campbelltown in the Under 19 NSW Softball Championships in Rooty Hill. Picture: Joel Carrett

Matches will consist of just three innings with a reduced home run fence distance, bases loaded from the start and no warm-up pitches between innings. Softball Australia chief executive David Pryles said the tournament will revolutionise the sport of softball.

“This innovative event is the biggest statement we’re going to make in our sport’s history,” Mr Pryles said.

“Softball is a great sport to watch and the shorter format will appeal to a whole new generation of people who want to enter our game.

“With the games being broadcast live on Fox Sports as well, there will be more eyeballs on softball than ever before and it will really put the game on the map and make us more relevant from the top down.”

The general public are now able to vote for the names and logos of the Summer Slam’s six franchise teams at the competition’s website: fullyloadedsoftball.com.au

Porter said the competition will improve the talent of players across the world. Picture: Russell Shakespeare