Friday 16th July was the inaugural Area 3 Softball event organised by Godalming Round Table.

All Tables in Area 3 were asked to put forward a team of nine for a fun evening of Softball, with a BBQ and a few drinks, at the Guildford Rugby Club.

Unfortunately, Woking were only able to muster a pitiful three players (poor show) and so would have to rely on joining another team to make up the numbers.

Despite the inclement weather, Paul Freeman, Lee Jeff and Neil Kirby rocked up at Guildford Rugby club full of enthusiasm, which was buoyed further when we found out that the local Fire Brigade had turned up in force and were already trying to drink the bar dry.

 Pleasantries were exchanged and the first drinks rapidly consumed while Matthew Emms tried to explain the running order for the night and the rules of softball. 

 

The Woking contingent combined with Godalming and Guildford for the first match to take on the Fire Brigade Ladies team, whilst Haslemere, Horley and Leatherhead took on the mighty Fire Brigade mens team. 

As we made for the playing field and the pitches were marked up, the nine a side rule was the first to be ignored with both teams fielding approximately fifteen players.  The Fire Brigade Ladies elected to bat first, so the Tablers spread themselves around the field and waited for the game to start before realising that we needed to have someone on each base, a backstop and a bowler.  Once the volunteers for these positions had been nominated and forced into position the game kicked off with a long looping delivery way over the backstops head that resulted in an immediate change of bowler.  The second ball was smashed straight up into the air, and with strong shouts of mine, at least three eager Tablers converged into position under the ball, which was duly dropped and the batter made it to second base.  The ladies batted well and managed to score 5 including a great home run.  Once all of the Ladies had their turn with the bat, the teams changed over and the Tablers prepared to bat.  First up was Paul Freeman, who set the marker with a smashed drive straight through the rugby posts for a home run.  The next two guys made a base hit and then up stepped the nine year old son of Jason from Godalming.  The bat was bigger than he was, and the first two balls were a swing and miss, but with a tremendous swing on the final ball contact was made and the ball flew 20 yards straight up the middle of the field.  Off he went like lightning, and with fumbles in the field managed to complete a home run before the Ladies could do anything about it.  The Tablers continued to show no mercy or chivalry and clocked up an impressive score of 9 by the time everyone had a turn to bat.   Chivalry did make an appearance however, when the offers to exchange shirts after the game were respectfully declined by the Tablers.

The other match was a closely fought contest with the Firemen coming out the eventual winners with some impressive hitting.

We all retired to the clubhouse for the BBQ and some more drinks.  The food was excellent, the atmosphere jovial, the drinks were flowing and the raffle entertaining, especially when one of the Firemen decided to wear the toddler sized “My Dad’s A Tabler” T-shirt he had just won.  How he got it on I don’t know, but I don’t think it will be coming off again in one piece!

So now that we were stuffed full of Burgers, Chicken and Sausages and refreshed with another couple of pints the final game of the night got underway.  Due to the failing light this was to be a no-holds barred, all in match between the Tablers and the Fire Brigade.

The Fire Brigade took to the field in force, and when the first Tabler stood forward to bat there looked to be about 37 people fielding.  The Tablers started well with a couple of home runs and the next few guys getting round for a score.  There was some concern when one of the Firemen, after sprinting 20 yards chasing a line drive, performed a one footed slide, followed by a backflip and double twist, then remained prone on the floor.  A call went out for first aiders, but fortunately the injury appeared to be a minor strain and the Fireman was soon back up on his feet.  The remaining Tablers each took their turn to bat, but with some poor hitting and great fielding, the runs dried up.  The Tablers inability to hit the ball appeared to be directly proportional to the amount of beer consumed!

The sides changed places, and the Area 3 Chairman, Lee Jeff, took on the bowling duties.  The cunning “Titanic style” plan by the Fire Brigade to send the women and children in to bat first was working well with the runs mounting up – thanks to some appalling fielding and dropped catches by the Tablers.  Then in the murky gloom, the big guns came to the plate and, with a series of home runs, doused any hope the Tablers had of winning. 

With the light now completely gone, the last Fireman stepped up to bat and promptly smashed the ball deep onto the Rugby pitch bringing home the loaded bases for a well deserved win.

We all gathered for the presentation of the winning trophy (a case of beer) and applaud what had been a great evening of fun, with the promise to do it again next year.

Everyone then retired to the bar for more drinks and to re-tell stories of home runs hit, missed chances, dropped catches, past sporting endeavours and plans for the upcoming National Sporting Weekend.

All in all, a great Table event, many thanks to Matthew and the Godalming Tablers for organising!