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Guernsey Softball

From the Guernsey Softball website - click logo)

"Men's Fast Pitch Softball has been played in Guernsey for over 60 years. Our local and island squads have competed successfully at many top level competitions including the Europacup, The British Championships, U.S. Air Force tournaments as well as our own annual Guernsey Open.

We have two men's divisions, with league & K.O. cups competed for in each. The highlight of the Men's Fast Pitch calendar is the Guernsey Open Tournament which takes place annually. Although a serious competition with a very high standard of play the Guernsey Softball Association has always been congratulated for the social atmosphere of the event and our hospitality towards visiting sides. Over the years and primarily due to this tournament we have established excellent relations with U.S. Air Force teams from around Europe and although through base closures, their numbers are dwindling we still maintain an excellent competition with alternative visiting sides competing. So impressed with the standard of play and friendliness of the event, that some of the Air Force players from the past who have now settled back in the States, return to Guernsey just for this event

FASTPITCH'S BEST KEPT SECRET?

I received the following article from Bernie Lopez, a 23 year Air Force Retiree and 23 year fastpitch veteran.  It's about a well kept secret, fastpitch being played on a small English island, off the coast of France.  It's definitely worth a read, as is the website for their organization.  (See the link below) Talk about a great excuse to travel to England.   If you do peruse their website, take a look at that aerial photo of those "pitches" (fields)!  [the photos are tucked away, link through tournament info, then page 2 link at bottom]   Cheers.

-Jim Flanagan
Editor, FPW

FASTPITCH IN GUERNSEY
(courtesy of Bernie Lopez)

One of fastpitch’s best-kept secrets is an annual tournament that takes place in the Southern part of the English Channel, just off the coast of France, known as Guernsey Island.  Every year the Guernsey Softball Association (GSA) hosts a Men’s fastpitch tournament open to any team in the world, no matter what level, that’s willing to make the trek to Europe to play fastpitch.  My first Guernsey tournament was back in 1989.  Just after being stationed in Germany, I went Temporary Duty (TDY) to England and ran into an old fastpitch bud that played for RAF Alconbury.  They were headed to Guernsey and he suggested I should go with.

In Guernsey, not only did I find a beautiful Island, I also found New Zealand ballplayers, mainly pitchers, living and playing softball there.  I found good, stiff, fastpitch competition and I met players from other European countries I would have never met otherwise.  Oh yes, and the locals were very friendly people that love having visitors and showing them a good time.  It didn’t take me long to fall in love with Guernsey.

I was also fortunate enough to meet Earl Hicks, affectionately known as “Mr. Fastpitch” throughout Europe.  An Air Force Retiree, Earl coaches the American Military team out of Mildenhall Air Base.  The reason American ballplayers continue to have the opportunity to play fastpitch in Europe, even today, can solely be attributed to Mr. Hicks.  The tireless Veteran continues to take teams to compete against Europe’s finest, including playing in the fabled Tulip tournaments in Holland every year.

Over the years, fastpitch interest has dwindled in Europe just like it has here in the States.  And the Guernsey tournament has not been spared.  The annual tourney has lost a bit of it’s luster, pitchers have retired, etc.  But this year the GSA is offering prize money to attract competition.  And we’re not talking chump change!  This year’s tournament winner will earn 3,000 Pounds, (around $5,000) second place gets 1,500 Pounds, (around $2,700) and third place earns 500 Pounds (around $8,00).  Not bad for playing softball!

I still continue to fly back year after year to play fastpitch in Guernsey.  In fact since the late Eighties I’ve only missed a couple years.  I go back for various reasons, including seeing old friends, and though my better playing days are behind me, I do my best to help my old coach in anyway I can.  As a 23 year Air Force Veteran myself, I still feel a great sense of pride being able to represent my Country in Europe.  Oh yea, and the last reason I go back to Guernsey every year is because, well, it’s just plain ol’ fun.  When was the last time you returned to a tournament, year after year, simply because it was fun?  Well, maybe it’s time you discover fastpitch in Guernsey!

If you would like further info on the Guernsey tournament, please visit  www.guernseysoftball.com, or you can e-mail me at  bernraider23@hotmail.com

Bernie Lopez
Las Vegas, Nevada