Softball Limpopo
MEDIA LIAISON AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Limpopo Softball Association Super League returns to action this Sunday with a jam-packed fixture program after a month-long recess due to the Nation Provincial Championships that were played in Cape Town.
Two venues, Seshego and Mamaolo diamonds will play host to these games.
Pitch-off for these games at is 10h00 – weather permitting.
WC, Limpopo victorious at NPC as SA prepares for World Cups
With the great memories of the 27th edition of Softball South Africa’s (SSA) National Provincial Championships (NPC) still fresh, a trawl through social media posts and conversations of wining coaches confirm that this years’ event was more of a triumph than just a miracle.
Even though on the first day of the tournament on March 29 the weather gods almost brought unwelcomed drizzles, this inter-provincial tournament turned out to be a thrilling brand of ballgame until the grand finale that was won by Limpopo and Western Cape in the men and women categories respectively.
Not a touchy-feely miracle in the biblical sense, but in the sense that Western Cape women managed to overcome so much on their way to the country’s greatest softball tournament.
As the excitement built up to the opening ceremony at Turf Hall Stadium in Cape Town, the reality sunk in that it was again the reigning champions, Limpopo Dinare whose team exuded excellence from the onset.
Beating Gauteng 10-3, Limpopo reaffirmed themselves as the undisputed kings of the game.
Quite apart from the pressure that every host province automatically has to suck it up, for Western Cape women it was a bittersweet revenge against a team that beat them during the previous competition.
For coach, Marlene Peterson and her charges, getting it wrong was not an option albeit they had a difficult path to tread.
The Falcons, as Western Cape women are affectionately known, used home ground advantage and kept morale at the highest peak.
Bar the victory, Peterson acknowledged that even though she won the 2022 installment, there is still room for improvement in her team and – in general – women softball in the country.
She said “Women softball is developing at a snail’s pace and something drastic needs to be done urgently. In some provinces it is just stagnant and the future of those provinces doesn’t look good at all.”
Despite such challenges, Western Province brought all the artillery regiments who were psychologically and physically fit for battle.
Grivonne Rhoda ably led from the mound with great aplomb, determination and sheer passion.
As the curtain came down, Rhoda was given a standing ovation as the Best Pitcher of the tournament alongside Ammarah Larney who won the Best Batter accolade while Jardine Davids won the Best Catcher award.
The tripartite alliance of Rhoda, Larney and Davids provides a glimmer of hope for Western Cape softball.
These precautious youngsters clearly sent out such a positive message about the future of women softball that they are the embodiment of a phenomenon that, from a national perspective, the 2022 NPC was a swashbuckling sporting extravaganza.
Youthful confidence and ebullience became their common denominators and now they are the standard bearers of a young brigade who want to revolutionize women softball.
Speaking highly of her charges, Peterson said she relied heavily on the trio hence their individual depth and character.
She said “When we were preparing for the NPC, more of our emphasis was on batting. As far as fielding was concerned, I knew I could rely on Grivonne, Ammarah and Jardine. With them in the infield, you are guaranteed solid defense because of their ability to read the game and always know where and how to play the ball. However, it was collective team work because every player invested a lot of energy going into this tournament. There were lots of factors involved, especially because of the pressure of playing in front of our home crowd. We are pleased that we managed to use home ground advantage and win this one.”
In the men’s category, Nakedi Raphalo successfully defended his trophy with Limpopo winning the NPC for the sixth time in succession.
For Limpopo, the 2022 installment was a moment in which heroes were born, a week in which the belligerent men from the Great North reclaimed the trophy amid scenes of unlimited ecstasy.
The triumphant Dinare demonstrated an extraordinary flair of a focused exuberance that has come down like rain on the dehydrated sporting hopes of the hinterlands.
One loss against Gauteng in the round robbing matches was an eye-opener and when they revived their hostilities in the grand finale, the battle of the titans ended 10-3 in favour of the red, blue and white unit.
Coach Nakedi Raphalo was surrounded by a well-versed brigade comprising campaigners with international caps and a few newbies who left indelible marks.
Seun Aphane and Kamogelo Makolomakwe are definitely willing to embrace a more adventurous mindset, seemingly not scared of disappointment and subconscious intimidation.
Encouraged by a fine set of progressive coaches in Raphalo and his assistant, Tumelo Mphahlele, this new breed just longs to go out and, literally, give it a go.
Raphalo said “It gives us great pleasure as a province to have generational mix. The players complement each other well and this a positive building block. The future looks bright and we will make sure that this legacy remains intact.”
In his post-tournament analysis, Lemo Raphasha, the head coach of the senior men said the NPC has provided national coaches with a perfect opportunity as they are preparing for World Cups later this year.
Raphasha and his men are set to jet off to New Zealand where they will participate in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s World Cup from November 26 to December 4 while the U/23 side under the guidance of Samson Rakgoale will fly to Argentina for their international assignment between 22 to 30 October in the city of Parana.
“This tournament has afforded us the opportunity to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of our players from an individual perspective. From now on, we know which areas need improvement and where we are the greatest” said Raphasha.
Softball South Africa president Mashilo Matsetela also concurred that the tournament enabled the national coaches to make up their minds as to which players will represent the country in the coming World Cups.
Matsetela noted that: “Once again, the tournament proved to be an elite place to separate performers from non-performers. We have seen the crème de la crème of South African softball on display. They put all their energies to ensure victory for their provinces and determination to impress national coaches. It was one of the greatest sporting events in the continent and as the custodians of the game in the country we are pleased with the depth of talent among players and the objective judgement of our umpires and scorers. This level of competency is part of our development agenda to ensure that softball is rated among the greatest sporting codes in the country.”
The weather condition in Cape Town at the moment is perfect for softball as the Mother City is turning out to be sunny.
Softball South Africa’s National Provincial Championships are heading to the grand finale today.
The visibility at Turf Hall stadium is going to be around 10 km i.e. 6 miles and an atmospheric pressure of 1018 mb.
With Limpopo and Kwa-Zulu Natal about the trade bats at 09h00, the temperature is going to reach 20 °c.
At the wind speed of 42 km/h, this should provide perfection for fast pitch softball and partly cloudy skies in the early afternoon should be welcomed by outfielders.
With the weather gods on softball’ side, the 0% rainfall promises a clement meteorological condition.
Limpopo softballers to ASSAULT opponents at NPC
The Limpopo softball top brass has just touched down at Cape Town International Airport ahead of the National Provincial Championships (NPC) scheduled for Turf Hall stadium from March 29 to April 1 – weather permitting.
True to is oral tradition, this tourney hall all the hallmarks of a swashbuckling sporting event.
An electrifying brand of ballgame is definitely on the cards.
The annual event is staged with great aplomb and expertise under the auspices of Softball South Africa, the custodians of the game in the country.
The Limpopo senior men are in the Mother City solidly entrenched as the reigning champions having won this tournament five times in succession.
Coach Nakedi Raphalo descended to the coastal province boasting a formidable squad of campaigners who are indispensable to both the offensive and defensive lineups.
History books confirm that no other province in South African softball has fared so well than Limpopo’s Dinare.
Not only have they won this flagship event so comprehensively, but also won the inaugural Premier League and the Gordon Monk, a pre-season competition.
The men from the Great North face a sterner opposition against arch-rivals, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng – the rest are walkovers.
ASSAULT will be the batting buzzword, a mantra that epitomised by Gordon Monk coaches Tumelo “Zane” Mphahlele and Yours Truly, Moyahabo Mabeba.
The ladies team, Dinose has a mammoth task in this tournament.
LSA Super League resumes at Seshego diamonds
The dust will hardly settle at Seshego diamonds where Limpopo Softball Association Super League resumes in earnest on Sunday.
After months of off-season recess, softballers from the north will dust off the cobwebs in an action-packed fixture program that promises to be a swashbuckling sporting extravaganza.
The opening games will feature all the 10 teams which participated in the 2019/20 season and recently-promoted Greenside Eagles and Sekhukhune-based Diphale Blues Softball Club.
Pitch-off is at 10h00.
South Africa tops Botswana to clinch African championship and qualify for WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup
South Africa became the third qualified nation for the Softball World Cup in New Zealand.
Europe's Czech Republic and Denmark were the first nations to earn berths into the top men’s softball tournament in the world.
World No. 10 South Africa defeated No.18 Botswana, 5-3, in the final of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup African Qualifier on Saturday at Crawford stadium inPretoria. As the top softball team in Africa, South Africa advances to the flagship event to be held from 26 November to 4 December in Auckland, New Zealand.
South Africa finished the round robin in second place, with two wins against Kenya and two losses against Botswana, who reached the final after going undefeated in the double round robin.
However, on the final day South Africa topped Kenya, 20-0, in three innings, in the semifinal.
And the host team grabbed the continental title and the only available spot in the World Cup with a magnificent victory.
The upcoming World Cup will be South Africa’s eleventh presence in the top men’s softball tournament.
The African champions made their debut in the World Cup on 1968, when the second edition of the tournament was played in Oklahoma City.
Their highest finish has been seventh place (Manila 1971).
South Africa joins No.4 Czech Republic and No. 9 Denmark as the only qualified nations for the 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup.
The field of teams will be completed by the top four nations from the Americas, the top two from Asia, two from Oceania and a Wild Card.
Softball battle lines are drawn as SA and Botswana exchange bats
South Africa and Botswana revive their softball rivalries today at Crafford Stadium in Pretoria in a game that has all the hallmarks of an exciting ballgame.
The two southern African softball powerhouses trade bats as part of their qualifications for the World Baseball Softball Confederation World Cup to be played in New Zealand later this year.
Kenya is also thrown into the mix here in the capital city of South Africa to test their strength but all eyes are on South Africa and Botswana, the cross-border sworn enemies.
Botswana will go into this game full of pomp and zeal after beating SA 2-0 in an emotion-charged encounter yesterday.
Botswana remains the team to beat, relying heavily on their blitzkrieg pitching that left South African batters puzzled.
The three-match series will warp-up tomorrow when one nation should emerge as the African champions to represent the continent in New Zealand.
Fortune favours Limpopo at Gordon Monk softball tourney
The Gordon Monk Softball Tournament gets underway this weekend at Kempton Park’s Red Sox diamond, providing the perfect platform for softballers to dust off the cobwebs.
The three-day event pitches off on Friday afternoon with the grand finals envisaged for Sunday.
The yearly showpiece is one of the celebrated competitions on Softball South Africa’s calendar of events, a precursor to the National Provincial Championships (NPC) which is an annual tradition practiced in March.
Limpopo will be the team to beat, facing a stern opposition from teams who have in recent years being terrorised by the belligerent men from the Great North.
Under the tutelage of coach, Nakedi Raphalo, the Limpopo side stands a greater chance of conquering this competition with relative ease.
The coach has inherited a competitive squad that was assembled by now national coach Malemola Raphasha and the team has been unstoppable on its winning streak.
The return from injury of talismanic pace pitcher, Tidima Kekana should add more gravity into a lineup of players who are indispensible to both the batting and the fielding setups.
The bulk of the squad comprises players who are already in the national team, a factor that confirms that Limpopo is the largest hatchery of talent to the national course.
Raphalo intends to use this tournament as a springboard to launch his mission to reclaim the NPC title and cement himself among the greatest coaches of the modern ballgame.
“My approach is to use this tournament to assess players and identify key positions that should be looked into before the NPC. We are also going to use these games to give our ace pitcher Tidima more game time as he just returned from injury” Raphalo said.
Moyahabo Mabeba is Limpopo Softball Association Head of Marketing and Publicity
Galaxy of softball stars at Heroes Tournament
Six softball teams from Capricorn Districts are billed to trade bats in the annual Lebowakgomo Wild Beasts Heroes Tournament, a one-day event that will take the domestic game to new heights of thrills and excitement.
Flagship tournaments like these often transform upstarts to superstars, writes MOYAHABO MABEBA
WILD BEASTS
The home side will have plenty to prove in front of their home fans.
Notwithstanding territorial advantage, Beasts are still vulnerable to outside onslaught.
Frankly speaking, the once-aristocrats of Great North Softball Association have lost a bit of luster and the club’s ancestors could be wrestling in their graves.
It is incumbent upon Nkomori Chepape and Co to ensure that the club’s noble reputation remains intact.
Chepape, a South African catcher-cum-third baseman, is the pinup boy whose influence in the team could add some livening drama.
Another national player in Mandla Matswinyane, is indispensible to both the batting and fielding setups and could rise to the occasion when needed the most.
Those who underestimate Beasts will do so at their own peril – they can be treacherous, especially when cornered.
Their veterans, who have stood the test of time as players, will be in the dugouts barking instructions and this could change the complexion of the tournament.
SPIDERS
As reigning LSA Super League champions, the Ga-Mashashane-based outfit will be oozing buoyancy when they travel to Lebowakgomo and will certainly saunter onto the pitch chock-full of pomp and zeal.
Youthful confidence and ebullience have become their common denominator and are now the standard bearers of a young brigade determined to change the all-to-stodgy approach of Limpopo softball.
The precautious youngsters send out a positive message about the future of provincial softball and are the embodiment of a phenomenon that from a Limpopo perspective, should make this tournament more electrifying.
Their rapid rise and the impression they made in the recent season is the stuff of sporting legend.
The rise and rise of pace pitcher Lucas Lamola has been one of the unqualified success stories of domestic softball in recent time.
With all due respect, credit goes to Peter Sekhaolelo who has revolutionised the club into a reckonable force.
RAIDERS
The Seshego-based outfit has been decimated by the mass exodus of their key players who have chosen to play for their village clubs.
However, the arrival of guest players could salvage the sinking sink and offer much-need momentum on the field of play.
Mohale Manamela has been the symbolic heart of Raiders’ offensive and defensive agendas and will be carrying a huge burden on match day.
The team under the tutelage of Moyahabo Mabeba provides a generational mix of veterans and greenhorns who often complement each other and this weekend they could rise to the occasion.
REBELS
Will be home considering their proximity to the tournament venue.
One of the remarkable hatcheries of softball talent, Rebels could introduce novices from relative obscurity.
Sello “Manganga” Molongoane, a national second base maestro, is expected to leader the warriors from the front with international experience.
They have displayed mediocrity in their 2020/21 league campaign but this year-end tourney could be their moment of redemption.
GIANT KILLERS
Like Rebels, Killers are also home – the trip from Seleteng to Lebowakgomo is just a heartbeat.
Killers looked like they were at the end of their tether following the unprecedented exodus of key players.
They are also on a journey of redemption and are bringing youngsters who are swelling through the ranks.
“Baankgama” will heavily rely on the Raiders trio of Tumelo “Zane” Mphahlele, P**e Mphahlele and Rocky Mamgoane.
SHARKS
On paper, the minnows from Solomondale are seen as less of a threat.
Apart from national pitcher, Peter “For Life” Manaka who deserted Raiders, there is little depth in the squad.
Though they have nothing to lose, they are a surprise package capable of causing major upset should they be underestimated.
Playing in the lower tier of the provincial league, they are a closed book to Super League campaigners.
Sharks remain dangerous like of the marauders of the deep, turbulent blue sea.
Wild Beasts heroes to be commemorated
The stage is set for the 2021 edition of the Lebowakgomo Wild Beasts Heroes Tournament scheduled for December 26 at the Baroka Village – weather permitting.
The one-day tourney takes place in honour of the fallen Wild Beasts heroes, chairman, Polelo Masola, secretary Tlankie Muroa, internationally-acclaimed utility Thabo Tawana, talismanic shortstop, Koketso Matlala, deft pitcher Brightly Sebopa, resolute catchers Victor Chuene and Stan Masemeng, Moss Mabitsela, Zathu Masekela and Frans Masekwameng.
The competition, which features six clubs from Capricorn District, has all the hallmarks of a swashbuckling sporting extravaganza on the Day of Goodwill.
For the record, they are hosts Wild Beasts, neighbours Seleteng Giant Killers, Mamaolo Rebels, Seshego Raiders, minnows Sebayeng Sharks and reigning Limpopo Softball Association Super League champions, Naledi Spiders.
Due to the global pandemic regulations, only a limited number of tickets will be sold at R10.
The launching of Mopani District Softball today is one of the success stories of the current regime.
Indeed, softball in Limpopo is growing by leaps and bounds and this means we are on the right track to take the sports to greater echelons.
When the softball fraternity of Mopani sat and decided on the leaders to guide them to the Promised Land, they elected the following:
Chairman : Lenny Vuma
Deputy Chairman : Jonas Moatli
Secretary : Lazarus Letsoalo
Treasurer : Mahlatse Sebelemetsa
Tournaments Director : Amos Ngobe
Development Officer : Oubaas Mamogale
Additional Members : Thembi Vuma and Dan Makhura
Fellow members of Capricorn District Softball, allow me to rise on a point of order and reprimand you for your hesitance to launch your regional structure.
I rise again on a point of exigency as chief administrator-cum-coach of Seshego Raiders, Provincial Head of Marketing and Publicity and Public Relations Officer of Capricorn Sport Confederation.
Your consistent failure to launch this structure will have dire consequences as young athletes may be disadvantaged to participate in the upcoming league season.
This really angers me to a point to vomiting in utter disgust.
Let me remind you that Capricorn District in the regional hatchery of talent in the entire Limpopo Province where great athletes are discovered, groomed and represent the district, the province and nation on international stardom.
I don’t want to call you by names but ask you while I’m on bended knees to ensure that this district is launched as in pronto!
Kea tlwala mos?
Sekhukhune district softball elects new leadership
Today’s election of new officer bearers to run the affairs of softball in the Sekhukhune District presents an overwhelming atmosphere of euphoria.
Limpopo Softball Association is pleased with the re-launching of district structures to ensure that the Ball Game is entrenched in all the five regions of the province.
Not only is Sekhukhune prosperous in terms of mining industry, the region is also home of softball and a significant hatchery of talent for the province.
At an elective summit held at Ga-Kgwete Tribal Authority, teams have installed Sam Mpheti as the regional chairman, deputised by Keletso Mashabela.
The structure is completed by Secretary Mogau Makofane, Rodney Moraswi (Treasurer), David Selelepoo (Tournaments Director), Mighty Maake (Technical) and Mpho Mametja as Compliance Officer.
Philemon Phakwago, Frans Mohubedu and Harington Kgalabothwane are the additional members.
Among other teams at the regional elective congress were Motlolo Roots, Bakgautswana, Diphale, Blues, Mohlaletse, Apel Mafians and Nchabeleng.
The election processes were monitored by LSA deputy chairman, Benny Boshomane and Moyahabo Mabeba, Head of Marketing and Publicity.
New leaders for Capricorn sport elected
Capricorn District Sport Confederation has a new leadership deployed to take regional sport to greater heights.
The new sheriffs in town replace the previous regime of Kataka Maponyane and Company who steered the ship until today’s elective conference held in Polokwane.
Mpho Moretsele was elected as the chairperson to lead the seven-member executive committee for the next four years.
He will be deputised by Molatelo Mahapa and Pat Semomo who are first and second deputy chairpersons.
Rose Mamabolo is the new secretary general while Asiti Pheeha will be her deputy.
The confederation’s finances will be handled by treasurer Connie Rasebotsa while Moyahabo Mabeba was elected as the Public Relations Officer.
These men and women will be in office for the next coming four years.
The new executive committee is yet to meet in the next coming two weeks to map a way forward to develop sport in the district distinguished as the sporting hub of the province.
Master plan to revive Limpopo softball
Softball in Limpopo is on its way to redemption following a strategic meeting held in Polokwane on Saturday where a high-powered team of strategists mapped a way forward to return softball to its former glory.
Limpopo Softball Association, the provincial governing structure, has provided glimmer of hope for softballers who have been deprived of action-filled games.
Grassroots development will henceforth be the buzzword as the association seeks to introduce youngsters to the game at a tender age.
Although the revolution is not yet televised, there is an overwhelming aura of euphoria that softball will again be the Number One Ballgame in the Great North.
Softball Masters to trade bats as they walk down memory lane
IF YOU want to know who the living ancestors of softball are, look no further than Crawford stadium in Pretoria where the 2021 Softball South Africa Masters Tournament pitches off from September 22nd to 25th.
The games will commence with round robin encounters all the way to the championship play-offs.
The golden oldies tourney will be played under strict Covid-19 protocols as the global pandemic rages on.
Bar the Covid-19 restrictions, the four-day razzmatazz will transport you back to the days when softball was a matter of life and death during club and school competitions – the post-apartheid school sport era.
Majority of the players who will be on display this long weekend are now retired veterans who are coaches, administrators and match officials.
The list of the players to watch reads like a history book of “Who’s Who of the Ballgame” but in picking the “Greatest Of All Time”, remains a great deal of debate.
The Masters Tournament is a direct opposite of the action-packed National Provincial Championships where Limpopo has deeply entrenched its dominance in recent years.
This tournament should be a fair representation of South Africa’s historical relationships to softball greatness in celebrating the living legends.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
LADIES
Battswood Legends & Masters
Cardinals Softball Club, Ma Young, Phillies, Redz, Royals and The Untouchables.
MEN
Best Batters, Flames, Moletlane Texas, Northern Bulls, Pirates, Diphala, Free State Masters, Limpopo Red Ants, Jumpers and Tshwane University of Technology.
New dawn for Limpopo softball
After a season filled with extraordinary challenges and Covid-19 disruptions, many in the softball fraternity are using this break as an opportunity to reflect on the previous season.
As the global pandemic almost brought the world to a standstill, there have certainly been numerous curveballs for the softball community.
But against this backdrop, Limpopo Softball Association managed to complete a successful season of high octane drama.
The provincial executive – a makeshift structure for that matter – had to navigate through tumultuous storms to ensure that the last fixture program is staged.
And indeed, there were scenes on unconfined delirium on the field of play staged Sunday after Sunday.
The grand finale at Seshego ballpark between champions Naledi Spiders and runners up Moletlane Texas was a great moment that will linger in the record books of provincial softball.
The triumphant Spiders demonstrated an extraordinary flair of a focused exuberance that has came down like rain of the dehydrated sporting hopes of the hinterlands.
However, to see the standard of softball in the Waterberg district taking such a huge knock was a course for concern.
Not even the prophets of dooms have predicted that the once-mighty Mahwelereng Spikes will degenerate to basement occupiers.
How the mighty have fallen…
Needless to say, Spikes alias “The Snakes” need an urgent resuscitation from the Intensive Care Unit they find themselves in.
Following the recent election of the new executive, there is now a glimmer of hope on the softball landscape.
The onus lies in the first-ever woman-led provincial governing body to take the ballgame to greater heights.
Let’s play ball, pitch!
LSA AGM to elect new office
AS Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) goes to its elective conference this weekend, a woman of substance and pedigree stands to take the leadership reigns.
The Annual General Meeting will be at Limpopo Academy of Sport on Saturday at 10:00.
Mokgadi Moswazi is on the brink of being elected as the federation’s chairperson, deputised by renowned legend, Benny Boshomane.
After the unceremonious collapse of the Phuti Kgomo regime, softball in Limpopo had to operate under a makeshift structure to navigate through turbulent storms.
The upcoming election processes pave way for women to reinvent themselves against the backdrop of Women’s Month celebrations as the curtain comes down this weekend.
Rebotile Makgati’s name has been bandied about to assume the position of Treasurer while Azwindini Mahadulula and Ignatius Nkune will bolster to association as a additional members.
Simon “Pepe” Muroa is destined to assume the administrative responsibility as the Secretary after handling the previous league season under difficult conditions.
The position of Development Manager is heading towards the direction of Thabo Mulaudzi while there is a huge vacancy to fill in the Tournaments Director position.
The AGM will be attended by the association’s members in good standing. – MOYAHABO MABEBA
Spiders crowned softball kings and queens
NALEDI Spiders produced a classical brand of ballgame to win the Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) Super League in both the men and women divisions on Saturday at Seshego diamonds.
Spiders “Ladies In red” narrowly beat Mankweng Pioneers 10-9 while their men handed Moletlane Texas 2-0 drubbing to be crowned the LSA 2020/21 kings and queens.
Congratulations are in order for Peter “Kelly” Sekhaolelo, the brain and driving force behind Spiders transformation agenda.
Sekhaolelo has always been the glue that binds the club, and his cheerful post-match celebration was justifiable.
The team from rural Ga-Mashashane has been in tiptop form since the commencement of the elite provincial league and on Saturday they were adequately rewarded with gold medals and a floating trophy.
Both the men and women sides finished the season comfortably at the top of the long standings to book their grand finale berth.
In what was dubbed “The Final Before The Final”, Texas put on a brave performance to beat star-studded Seshego Raiders with a slender 4-3 score line in the last inning of the game.
Although Raiders were firm favourites to march to the grand finale given their avalanche of veterans, Texas managed to stage a last-minute comeback to march the finals.
In the final encounter of pitchers, Spiders’ Lucas Lamola led from the mound with fiery missiles while Texas relied heavily on the puzzling changeups from the flexible arm of Kagiso “Seun” Aphane.
The emergence of these young pitchers sends out such a positive message about the future of domestic softball –
Both Lamola and Aphane are the embodiment of a phenomenon that, from a Limpopo perspective, the game’s pitching is still intact.