VISBA elects Executive Board for Quadrennial

October 28, 2021 by
The Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association Executive Board – 2021 – 2025

The Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association concluded its annual general meeting on Wednesday, October 27 with a newly elected executive board for the 2021 – 2025 quadrennial.

The newly elected board comprises President Rhodni Skelton, Vice President Glenford “Chappy” Maduro, Secretary General Bria Smith, Assistant Secretary Darier Malone, Treasurer Joi-Ann Thomas, Assistant Treasurer Patricia Hodge , President of Softball Affairs Allen Smith, President of Baseball Affairs Josh Ridgway, Public Relations Officer Shamora Molly Penn-Maduro, Player Representative Jamal Allen, Compliance Officer Sarah Potter-Washington, Statistician Denecia Hodge.

The elections were held at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Newly elected President Skelton joyfully expressed, “With the little bit of youth that’s left in me – together we can foster the youth for years to come and I would like to work closely with the newly elected board and ensure we have something going on the field year round!”

President Ra Skelton reflected on his years and contributions to Softball in the Virgin Islands and looks forward to having “all hands on deck” to ensure things move forward swiftly.

Elected members plan to meet immediately to begin their journey with Softball – Baseball in the Virgin Islands.

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BVI Female Team bring home Kings & Queens VI Fast-pitch Softball Tournament trophy from St. Croix

January 28, 2019 by

By Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association

The BVI Women’s Softball team defeated St.Croix 10-15 in the final inning of the Kings & Queens of the Virgin Islands Fast-pitch Softball Tournament in St. Croix (Jan 18-20) to bring home the championship title and trophy. Photo: VISBA

On Sunday, January 20th the BVI Women’s Team defeated the St. Croix Women’s Team 15 – 10 in the championship game of the Kings & Queens of the Virgin Islands Fast-pitch softball tournament to bring home the trophy.

Makeda Fahie (left fielder) made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the 7th inning to preserve the victory for the British Virgin Islands. The winning pitcher was Kennisha Powell. Top hitters of the final game were Claury Scattliffe who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and 1 stolen base. Shamora Penn went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.

Both male and female Softball teams attended the Kings and Queens of the Virgin Islands tournament where all games were held at the Castle Coakley Ballpark in St. Croix, USVI Jan 18 – 20.

On Friday January 18th , both male and female teams won their games respectively. The male team defeated the St. Croix Tigers 5-4 with a walk off home run by Devon Bedford. The female team defeated Griffith Park Massive of St. Thomas with a final score 7-1. The winning pitchers were Allen “Woodrow” Smith and Che’Vaunne Richardson.

On Saturday January 19th, the Women’s team had a head to head battle to the end of the 7th inning but lost 7-6 to the St. Croix Women’s Team. The male team lost 4-0 to St. Croix LLacos in the final inning with fighting pitches from Nikos Penn.

On Sunday January 20th the male team came up short as they lost their final game of the tournament 8-7 against Griffith Park Massive of St. Thomas. Due to this losa, the male team didn’t advance to the championships but played exceptionally well.

The president of the Virgin Islands Softball–Baseball Association (VISBA) presented the Most Valuable Player Trophy to Che’Vaunne Richardson as she led the team to its victory during the tournament. Coaches Allen “Woodrow” Smith and Jeremy Penn stated “the ladies have worked extremely hard and played well to bring home the championship trophy from St. Croix.”

VISBA congratulates both teams as they continue to strive for success and thanks the BVI Olympic Committee for their continued support in ensuring the BVI Women’s team get as much exposure as possible.

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BVI Women’s Team Undefeated In Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fastpitch Tournament

October 30, 2018 by

By Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association

VISBA presents the BVIOC with the championship trophy won by they female team at the Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fastpitch
Tournament. (L-R) Mark Chapman (Treasurer, BVIOC), Kennisha Powell, Darier Malone, Bria Smith, Ephraim Penn (President, BVIOC), Denecia Hodge, Kimesha Adams, Tyalia Nibbs, Kaynesha Stoutt and Lloyd Black (Secretary General, BVIOC). Photo: VISBA

On Friday, October 19, 2018 the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball female team presented their championship trophy to Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC). Both male and female teams were invited to Anguilla to compete in the first Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fast Pitch Tournament from October 12th – 14th 2018. The teams played against Anguilla and two teams from St. Maarten for the title.

Upon completion of the tournament, the female team was victorious with an undefeated record, while the male team placed 3rd overall.

The final game ended with a competitive fight against St. Maarten Team F with a final score 4 – 3 giving the female team the title to return to the British Virgin Islands with. The team’s pitcher, Ms. Kennisha Powell was awarded Best Pitcher in the tournament. “The championship game against St. Maarten was pretty competitive as the game went extra innings
and the team did well,” said Ms Powell.

Mr. Penn encouraged the team to stick together and continue to prepare themselves for other competitions. He further explained that it is the BVIOC’s goal to work with the teams to have this completed well.

“While the team missed this cycle of the 2018 CAC Games held in Barranquilla, Columbia there are high hopes that they will continue to work hard to the qualify for the 2022 CAC Games in Panama City, Panama,” said Mr. Penn.  “We recognise  that it is very hard to keep a team sport going but we encourage the players to stay focused as the Olympic Committee fully supports the work done thus far.”

Mr. Penn also encouraged the involvement of youths and stressed the importance of having a program implemented as
soon as possible under the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association (VISBA) since softball is now in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the World Baseball Softball Confederation has made major changes in age brackets which everyone must adhere to.

The new competitions are 12 and under (mixed), 15 and under, 18 and Under, 23 and under, Open Male, and Open
Female and the VI must make the necessary changes with the youths in order to participate and to be competitive.

VISBA is in the midst of planning local activities and is hopeful that softball lovers will continue to exercise a bit of patience. In the meantime, the association plans to support other islands and tournaments.

“Although it has been an extremely tough year the team is excited about getting things in full motion,” said Terrence Chinnery, President, VISBA.

Team VI Returns with championship trophy from Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fast Pitch
Tournament. Photo: VISBA

The 15 player team included Che’Vaunne Richardson, Claury Scatliffe, Darier Malone, Denecia Hodge, Bria Smith, Kennisha Powell, Deja Adams, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Tyalia Nibbs, Shaika Jeffers, Kimesha Adams, Makeda Fahie, Rogelle Edmonson and Shanika Forbes. Terrence Chinnery (President of VISBA) and the coaching team of Allen Smith and Jeremy
Penn accompanied the team.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Softball-Baseball Tagged With: , , ,

Virgin Islands Softball –Baseball Association Represented In Anguilla Tournament and WBSC & ECASC Meetings in Cartagena, Columbia

October 12, 2018 by

By VI Softball-Baseball Association

(L-R) Shamora Penn, VISBA Public Relations Officer and Glenford Maduro, chief umpire, representing the Virgin Islands Softball-
Baseball Association at the World Baseball Softball Confederation of the Americas and
the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Meetings in Cartagena,
Columbia.

Despite the difficulties being faced by many Virgin Islanders, softball players and enthusiasts are excited about being back on the ball field as they travel to Anguilla this weekend for the first ‘Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st’ Fast Pitch tournament.

The Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association (VISBA) has been invited to compete in Anguilla’s ‘Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st’ Fast Pitch tournament from October 12th through 14th 2018. The female and male national teams of the VI will be competing for the title against Anguilla, Saba and St. Maarten.

Both teams have been practicing weekly at the E. Walwyn Brewley Softball Park, which, while thankful to have been able use the pitch despite its current condition, players hope to see a few changes soon.

The female players are Che’Vaunne Richardson, Claury Scatliffe, Darier Malone, Denecia Hodge, Bria Smith, Kennisha Powell, Deja Adams, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Tyalia Nibbs, Shaika Jeffers, Kimesha Adams, Makeda Fahie, Rogelle Edmonson and Shanika Forbes.

The team will be accompanied by Terrence Chinnery (President of VISBA) and coaches  Allen Smith and Jeremy Penn.

The male players are Travis Malone, Devon Bedford , Michael Clyne , Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith Jr, Jamal A. Allen , Sheldon C. John, Allen Woodrow Smith , Nikos Penn, Rico Penn, Sirron Scattliffe, Yervis Dandradix Rodriguez Baez, Junior Javier Rodriguez Baez and Kyle Callwood.

Concurrent with the tournament, Shamora Penn, VISBA Public Relations Officer and Glenford Maduro, chief umpire and an appointed director of umpires for English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC),  will be representing VISBA at the World Baseball Softball Confederation of the Americas and ECASC meetings in Cartagena, Columbia.

VISBA is in the midst of planning a few activities for the VI and hopes that softball lovers will continue to exercise patience during this time. In the meanwhile, VISBA will support other islands’ and tournaments.  Although it has been an extremely tough year, the team is excited about getting things in full motion.

The trip to Anguilla has been made possible through sponsorship from the BVI Olympic Committee, Riteway Supermarket, , Cre8tive Arts, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Khoy’s Mailing Service, Neville Smith, Clive Williams and Quarry Group.

 

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National Softball Team selected for IX Women’s Pan-American Championship

July 20, 2017 by

By Virgin Islands Softball/Baseball Association

A team of qualified female athletes has been selected to represent the Virgin Islands in the IX Women’s Pan American Softball Championship from August 4 through August 13, 2017 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

15 from the pre-selected 31 female athletes will compete against 20 countries at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.

Trainer, Allen Smith “Woodrow” said that the team experienced a few setbacks due to a number of unforeseen injuries but stated that he is confident that the selected team will represent the Virgin Islands to the best of its ability.

The selected players are Che’Vaunne Richanna Richardson, Claury Scatliffe, Darier Dee Malone, Denecia Hodge, Donniesha George, Javlyn Frett, Jelisa Potter, Kaynesha Stoutt, Khiayah Doward, Khyra Powell, Kimesha Adams, Makeda Çhärü Kâlā Fahie, Shamora Molly Penn, Shanika Forbes and Monet Daly.

Public Relations Officer for the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association, Ms. Shamora Penn expressed gratitude to the BVI Olympic Committee who played a vital role in ensuring that the Territory has representation in the tournament. “The Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association is extremely proud of its athletes who worked day in and day out in preparing for this Championship. However, I must express gratitude to the BVI Olympic Committee for their undying support, contribution and motivation,” said Ms. Penn.

The WBSC Americas Softball announced that 20 countries will compete in the IX Women’s Softball Pan American Championship. Those countries include Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States and Venezuela.

The last time a Pan American Championship registered this amount of teams was Maracay 2009, also with 20 countries.

The Pan American Championship is the qualifying event for two continental multi-sport games — the Pan American Games Lima 2019, and the Central American and Caribbean Games Barranquilla 2018 — and the 2018 WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship.

The top five teams in Santo Domingo will join Peru to compete in the Softball event in Lima 2019.

The top five countries from the Central American and Caribbean region, and the best ranked by the English Caribbean region (ECASC), along with Colombia, will play Softball in Barranquilla 2018.

Five teams will also qualify for the 2018 WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship, to be held in Chiba, Japan.

All games of the IX Women’s Pan American Championship will be streamed through Internet TV at https://www.internetv.tv/.

The public is strongly encouraged to support the Women’s Softball Team as the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association formerly known as the British Virgin Islands Amateur Softball Association continues to develop softball-baseball in the Virgin Islands among all sections of the community and Virgin Islands’ citizens.

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Narrow win for Mobsters

April 13, 2017 by

By Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association

Photo: VISBA

Photo: VISBA

Mobsters defeated Pirates 17-16 in the Harriette Skelton Fast Pitch Softball League game played on April 12, 2017. Mobsters had 17 runs, 10 hits, 7 errors and left 8 runners on base. Pirates had 16 runs, 14 hits, 3 errors and left 6 runners on base.

The winning Pitcher was Sirron Scatliffe and the loser was Allison Leonard.

Otis Claxton of Mobsters went 3-4 with 2 triples, 2 runs scored and 3 runs batted in, Ra Skelton went 2-4 with 2 triples, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in and Sirron Scatliffe went 2-5 with a triple, a home run, 2 runs scored and 7 runs batted in.

Nikos Penn of Pirates went 3-5 with a double, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in, Rico Penn went 3-5 with 2 triples, a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in and Jaimi Geek’dUp Potter went 3-5 with a triple, 2 runs scored and a run batted in.

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2017 Industrial Softball League set to start April 11

April 10, 2017 by

Source: Department of Youth Affairs and Sports

Sports Officer for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and President of Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association pictured with the 2016 DYAS Industrial Softball League Champions. Photo: DYAS/Terrence Chinnery)

Sports Officer for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and President of Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association pictured with the 2016 DYAS Industrial Softball League Champions. Photo: DYAS/Terrence Chinnery

Fourteen teams representing both public and private organisations will compete in the 2017 Industrial Softball League Championships on April 11. The league is a collaborative effort of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association, formerly known as the British Virgin Islands Amateur Softball Association.

Director for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye explained that the league is being held as part of the department’s mission to develop recreational spaces and opportunities for leisure and competitive sport.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “As the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, it is our role to use sports as a tool for national development and to foster wider community involvement. We are happy to see so many teams registered and look forward to an exciting event.”

Sports Officer, Ms. Sharlene Hill explained that every year, the department focuses on a sport and allows for public and private organisations to form a team and compete.

Ms. Hill said, “Teams have taken the league to an entirely different level through strategic recruitment this year. As such, I think it is safe to say that we will be having a short, sweet and competitive league to look forward to.”

The league is divided into two divisions. Division A consists of the teams: Financial Services Commission (Regulators); Public Works Department (Pavers); DYAS After-School Programme (Rookies); Social Security Board, and Town and Country Planning (Sandflies); Fire and Rescue Department, and Primary and Secondary Physical Education Instructors (Ensport).

Division B consists of the teams: Health Services Authority (Medics), TMF BVI Limited (Bombers), Road Town Wholesale (Vipers), Caribbean Insurers Limited (Desperados), local banks (Loan Rangers), Department of Motor Vehicles and CITCO BVI Limited (Mixers).

The teams consist of both male and female players. A minimum of three female players must be on the field at all times and the males must bat from their non-dominant side.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to ‘Creating a Culture of Excellence’ through the development and promotion of sports.
For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at 468-4949.

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