The Mount Gambier Softball League is sending a team to Berri for the Masters Championships this weekend.
Leanne Little has marshalled the more seasoned troops of the current Mount Gambier Softball League for a tournament in Berri, the first Masters appearance for the Mount league in a number of years.
Although limited information is known about potential opposition, the team remains unfazed as they look to have fun, band together and get a few wins on the board in division one of the competition.
Little’s right hand is consummate helper ‘Saintly’ Jasmine Disselbach, having taken on the team manager role, she may be counting her lucky stars that everyone in the team should know better than her as most are double her age.
MGSL life members Di Humphries and Carol Whan are joining the motley crew as statisticians but also recruiters for the team’s umpire, securing the services of Jacqui Crafter.
Chrystal Lock from Millicent Bandits has put her hand up to be co-assistant coach alongside Wanderers’ Little, both putting their faith into Warriors veteran Leyna Bruggemann to front for technical nous.
In a fabulous turn of events, nearly all the teams from the regular season are represented; Demons more recently were lucky to have anyone close to 30 in their team so they were let off the hook for being too young therefore ineligible.
Concordes White stalwarts Kylie Cook, Sam Brown and Kate Altswager bring experience, long ball hitting and willingness to play various positions in the field but also put their bodies on the line for the team; line drives and laughs added by Concordes United’s Bec White.
Although incredibly patient, White would still be relieved at the late Masters addition of her former teammate in Warriors Jarvo Queale so Bruggemann will have someone to squabble with, Queale (the reigning walks champion for her regular side) undoubtedly packing her earplugs to wear at third to block the various offensive noises she hears when her old friend is pitching.
Speaking of pitching, another Warriors teammate Teresa Hatch will zing down a few strikes when needed.
She swings the bat hard and covers the diamond in either infield or outfield.
Bandits MVP and team leader Chantel Macdonald has been chomping at the bit training the house down week in week out in the lead up to the tournament.
She also facilitated a team training in Millicent followed by a great lunch at the Grand Hotel.
When Macdonald finds her groove, her pitching can hold the best hitters, but she is also versatile in the field.
Another of her Bandits teammates Bek Millowick has also shown a willingness to cover multiple positions on the right side of the diamond, both hitting the ball well in the lead up to Berri.
Some other very handy players round out the team from Wanderers including Tracey Anderson who has found her RBI form in recent game play at training and solid at second base in the field.
The league speedster Fiona Finch may have to cool her jets depending on Masters baserunning etiquette but she is keen to get out on the diamond and win.
Wanderers legend and 2022-23 MGSL best and fairest Rej Smith rounds out the side, setting a high standard for commitment, inclusion and happiness – very rare not to see a smile on the face of Smith.
She will be one of the mainstay pitchers of the team, backed up by Little, both incredibly consistent hitters for their regular team.
Natural onfield leadership from Lock lifts everyone, she just needs to stay in one piece so she and Brown can share the duties of the most important position on the diamond, catcher.
