2000 Summary

When you start the season with 4 teams and finish with 6 you know that it has been a great season. Harriers 1 narrowly won the league over the Dare Devils and take the title for the second year in a row. The two new teams, Stain Devils and Harriers 2 are now firmly established and both will be challenging for honours next season. Beavers and Greensox also had a good season.



One of the successes of the season has been the collection of player statistics for every player in the league. The statistics for nearly 800 "player games" have been amassed giving a comprehensive picture of play over the season. A highlight has been our first "home run derby" with Roger Farrell, Dare Devils and Pete Patten, Harriers 1, slugging it out, with Roger eventually victorious with 10 season home runs, including one literally "out of the ball park" and into the local golf course! Not wanting to miss out the ladies, Lesley ????, Dare Devils, hit one great home run to secure the Ladies Home Run Derby Award.



With batting statistics available the Best Female Batter was clear cut with Bela ***, Dare Devils, taking the award with a batting average of 0.64. However it took three decimal places to separate three male batters who all finished the season on 0.68. John Robson, Beavers, was successful taking the batting award with a batting average of 0.684, narrowly beating Chris Dore, Dare Devils, into a credible second on 0.682!



For the best fielding award , Pete Patten, Harriers 1, took the award sweeping away all opposition. For the ladies, Pamela ??, Dare Devils and Vikki Charles, Harriers 1, both finished the season level and share the award.



The female rookie of the year award went to Anthea Robinson, Greensox, who prior to the season had never played softball, but by the end of the season had played every game for the Greensox and several for other teams. The best male rookie award went to Anthony **, Dare Devils who contributed well with the bat and fielding throughout the season.



In the Oxfordshire Softball League, the season, Most Valuable Players are those players that have amassed the most votes from the opposition. Playing first base, Helena ???? gained four MVP nominations from the six games played and wins the Female MVP award, with Caroline Middleton, Greensox, a creditable second with three nominations. For the Male MVP award, James Cleak, Harriers 2, surprised everyone to pick up 5 nominations for the 5 games he played and win the award. The big surprise is that is his "rookie" season since school! So very well done to him for an outstanding season.



Finally, a major success for the season has been the high number of new players who came to the open day and kept coming back. Of particular note is Lewis of the Stain Devils. This player made it into the top 20 best male batters for the season with a 0.23 average. Lewis is ??? years old, so very well done to him.
Author: David Batt-Rawden