Welcome

Welcome to the home of softball in Oxfordshire and the Oxford Softball League. Here you will find details of how to join a team, how to get in touch to find out about introductory training, as well as details (coming soon) of the season schedule and league table.

Softball has been played in Oxford since at least the early 1980s which led to the founding of the Oxfordshire Softball Association (OSA) in 1990. The Oxford Softball League plays most of its games on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground, Horspath Road, Oxford OX4 2RR.

Visit our Facebook page for regular announcements and details of events, training, and games.

Softball in Oxford

Currently, the Oxford Softball League is for mixed (co-ed) slowpitch softball; however, there are opportunities for ‘single sex’ tournaments and many of our players play fastpitch softball. Slowpitch softball is a social team sport, played by teams made up of 5 men and 5 women. The ball is thrown (pitched) underarm and hit by the batter towards the fielders on the defensive team, who wear gloves on their non-throwing hands to catch the ball. Its closest comparable sport is baseball. Despite its name, the ball is hard, but larger than a baseball. Find out more on our About softball page.

 

Looking to play?

If you’re new to the sport or the league and would like to attend an introductory session, please head over to our new players page. We’d also love to hear from you if you’ve played before and are simply looking for a team.

The 2023 Softball Season

The league is due to begin competitive games in early May 2023.  Prior to that we have:

  • Sundays 5, 12, 26 March Taster Sessions.
  • Sunday 23 and 30th April Grapefruit/friendly games
  • Game nights from early May onwards: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Our League Games

From early May we begin competitive games, and we are finalising the format of that right now.  But – one way or another – your team will play all other teams at least once. League games continue to be at Horspath Sports Ground each Tuesday and Thursday (see schedule when it is updated).  Registration links are emailed around to captains.  If you’re new, and want to get in on the action, please register as a new player first.

training Sessions

Chris throwing a ball

New player taster session on Sundays 5, 12 and 26 March 2023.  At Greyfriars School, Florence Park Oxford.  More details…

 

New Players Welcome!

Softball Team Cheer

New players are always welcome and we will be running occasional training sessions, leading up to a series of pre-season sessions throughout March, and possibly April, which offer an ideal opportunity to get involved. If you are interested in registering for such events, please let us know:

Register your interest here or go straight to the link advertised above.

These sessions are completely free of charge and all equipment is provided – all you have to do is turn up and give it a go!

No experience is necessary but if you have played before that’s an added bonus. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ softball player – players in our league range in experience (from complete beginners to those that play at the highest national level), age (from 14 to 60+), fitness levels and nationality.

However, being a co-ed league makes us extremely sociable – you will find most players in the onsite bar after games, there are social events throughout the year and some even play weekend tournaments together.

So, whether you are…

Looking for a new sport to try
Looking for a way to meet new people
An experienced player looking to join the league
A player who hasn’t played for a while and wants to return to softball

…Oxford Softball is the place for you!

2023 NEWS

Batting helmets are encouraged for team play, and are mandatory for under-18 year old players when batting and baserunning (so don’t take it off when you reach first base!).  U18s playing in the infield should wear a gum shield (mouth protector), and – if playing at catcher, first base or third base – should wear a catcher’s mask or faceguard.  Teams should look at buying helmets with built-in faceguards this year as these will be compulsory for U18s in 2024 (next season).  Please see the explanatory document from the BSF.

2022 OLD nEWS HIGHLIGHTS

[9 July 2022] Great barbecue last night. Big thanks to Anna and everyone else who helped to make it a success.  The new league tables (round robin, division 1, division 2) are up on the website. Points have been carried over, but there’s everything to play for in the last few games.

New bases for all!

[9 July 2022] We’ve got some great news: we’ve finally managed to get some professional-standard Hollywood bases, like those here (safety base, 2nd-3rd bases). The good news is that you won’t need to look after your ragged bases over the years: they will be provided by the league. BUT there’s no room in the kit store! So,

  • the next time you are the home team and have to provide the bases…
  • please do so with your old bases for the last time
  • after the game, feel free to put your bats, balls, first aid kits etc back in the kit store but
  • take your old bases away that evening

AUGUST BANK HOL TOURNAMENT AT OXFORD!

[2 July 2022] Please register to get your team entered. More…

AGM 9TH aUGUST 2022

[2 July 2022] Our AGM is on 9th of August at the rugby club, as originally advertised. Please attend – it’s usually very short. PLEASE think of whether you could run for an exec position. We will be seeking a new Chair at the very least. And please put yourself forward to volunteer for one of the sections (from rules to fixtures/stats to social: we need a bit of help in each.)

Other news

[2 July 2022] Barbecue is THURSDAY (not Tuesday) next week. Bring your own food to cook. (We will provide some plates, salad, sauces etc.)  Rookie/newer players are encouraged to join in with the training session planned for Thursday, 7pm  There is a pitch booked for a scratch game if you would like to play. Please tell your captain if you’d like to play so that they can arrange something. Otherwise come along to eat and drink!