The Mount Gambier Softball League (MGSL) will welcome a new club this season with the addition of the Millicent Bandits softball team.
Tracy Kaigg is spearheading Millicent’s inaugural MGSL team after being approached by a Millicent Bandits Baseball Club committee member.
Kaigg said the only affiliation the softball team has with the Millicent Bandits Baseball Club is the name and community, stating it is a separate entity.
Kaigg said she had been approached by many people who would love to play softball again after the Millicent Softball Association ceased play over a decade ago.
“They have not known how to go about it though with all clubs based in the Mount,” she said.
“Being a summer sport there is not a lot of female only team sports to play and softball does not have an age limit and you do not have to have played before.
“There are teams that have mother and daughters playing together which is great to see.
“Not many sports can offer that opportunity.
“Age is no limit – there are currently a couple of over 60s that are among the best in the league.
“There are mums out there that played together or against each other in their younger years and their children have grown up spending their Saturdays watching, now those kids are playing together.”
Kaigg said she hopes that it not only provides an avenue for Millicent people to play but also helps the MGSL grow again.
“Hopefully other regions or baseball clubs will see what we are doing and start their own teams up,” she said.
“This year our goal will be to establish the club and have a lot of fun on the diamond.
“Nothing too serious but we do want to be competitive.
“We have a couple of really good players which will give us a start.”
Kaigg said she was contacted by a local business stating they would love to be involved within an hour of the team’s first Facebook post gauging interest.
“We are in the final stages of working with our local In2Trophies, Monogramming and Workwear on uniforms and we are going to use Millicent businesses as much as we can,” she said.
“We will be announcing sponsorship packages shortly.
“There is the opportunity to become a player sponsor which will cover a player’s fees and uniform.
“Hopefully all members will need to provide for themselves is a glove- everything else will be covered.”
Kaigg said player numbers were varying and have picked up in the last week.
“As with any sport you get that initial influx of numbers, then it dies down in the off season and picks back up the week the season starts,” she said.
“As a new club we cannot afford for that happen as uniforms need to be ordered so it is time for those interested to commit to playing.
“We are not limited on numbers as in the past few years clubs have submitted multiple teams.”
The club is looking for sponsorship, players and a coach all of whom can contact Kaigg via email millicentsoftball@gmail.com or through the Millicent Bandits Softball Club Facebook page.
A Mount Gambier Softball League spokesperson said they were happy for new teams to join the league provided they have gone through the correct process.
