ONCE the majority, all-female teams are now scarce in senior softball but the Bletchington Blue Jays will defy the trend when they embark on the 2001-02 season tomorrow.
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One of four A grade sides nominated for the season, the all-girl Blue Jays made the decision to contest the top division against three mixed teams after reviewing the talent within their ranks.
Coach Dave Savage said his side made its decision with improvement and development in mind.
"It's a decision you've got to make,’’ he said. “The men are in our sport now and if the girls want good competition that's where they have to play. We've just got to be a bit smart about how we play them."
While believing the Blue Jays will be competitive, Savage and his players know they're in for a tough year, the young side relying heavily on the input of former NSW representative Belinda Hare as catcher and steady infielder Kellie Millsteed.
Savage is hoping Hare, a member of the Castle Lakers state league side, will be available on a regular basis for the Blue Jays considering the state league season is nearing an end.
However, she will be missing from today's opening round, as will Millsteed who, along with fellow Orange players Crystal Piper and Emily Zarnow, are representing Southern Country at the NSW Championships in Sydney.
Teenagers Rebecca Savage, Joey Bray and Simone Faul will carry the majority of Blue Jays’ pitching load this season.
Blue Jays take on last year's A grade premiers Hornets in today's season opener, that side containing the experienced Louise Stephens, Grant Pickering and regional representative Carly Ball.
The other A grade match pits Cardinals Hawks against Orange United Drifters.
Cardinals, containing former NSW representative Andrew Windeat and the experienced Jackie D'Aquino and Karen and Amanda Ferguson, will start favourites.
Drifters will be led by pitcher Jody Wilson and Wellington-based Mike Williams, while the base running of the speedy Kenny Huriomi will also come in for plenty of attention.
The Orange association has boosted its numbers to 12 teams this season. Along with the four A grade sides there are four in women’s B grade and four in B grade mixed.
Juniors also start tomorrow, tee-ballers getting proceedings under way from 9am.
The major concern for the association was its inability to form an under 14 competition.
