Softball tourney set Sunday at Aboitiz Field

CEBU, Philippines - The second competition of the Cebu Slow Pitch Softball Tournament Series will be staged earlier than expected as it is set this Sunday at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Mandaue City.

The success of the first edition and the craving of the softball enthusiasts, who participated during the inaugural staging, paved the way for the staging of this Sunday’s tournament instead of having this summer yet.

Four teams will be vying for the title — host Team Fastball, Richard Sharpe’s Jokers Arms composed of American, Canadian and European expats, Bandidos which manned by young businessmen and executives headed by Marko Sarmiento and the Rebels, a local team of former baseball players.

Teams will be playing a double-elimination format in which a team who loses twice is eliminated from the tournament.

“We are glad that new teams are forming to join in on the fun that our tournament brings. These type of activities beat the monotonous life of hanging out at malls on weekends,” said Jesse Bernad, Fastball’s owner and general manager.

The first game is set to start at 8:30 a.m.

“This event is actually a tune-up for the bigger tournament,” said Bernad.

The bigger event is the Fastball Summer Softball League 2010 on April 18 to May 30.

Fastball Sportsventure, creators of the first batting cages in Cebu and major proponent of baseball and softball is promoting this event among the young and middle-aged adults with the aim of reviving the glory days in the diamond.

Helping out Fastball on this Sunday’s battle include the Visayan Electric Company, Unionbank of the Philippines, Beer Below Zero and The Jokers Arms – English Pub, Restaurant and Been Garden. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)