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 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 (more recently identified as ’12” ball hitters and 11″ ball hitters’ as we have non-binary and trans players in some teams). 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 can make it please register for our taster session on 22 March!

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.

2026 events

Oxfordshire teams, this is what you have to look forward to:

  • 15 Feb, 1, 15 March pitching training (see WhatsApp community for announcements).  Further, outdoor date to be announced.
  • 22 March – Introductory session for new players.  Also sessions on 29 March, 12, 19 April 1-3 pm.
  • 12 and 19 April – Umpire training 2-5 pm
  • 12 and 19 April – Grapefruit (friendly) games for existing teams, 3-5 pm
  • 14 April: training for scoring games
  • 21 April: Pre-season captains’ meeting
  • 26 April 1-4 pm final Grapefruit game
  • 28 April league games begin!
  • 1 June 2025: League fees due: initial (or full) payment
  • 1 July 2025: League fees due in full
  • Mid-season barbeque – date to be finalised
  • 29 Aug 2026: Oxford Dino Ball tournament (see below)
  • End of season awards night – date to be finalised

Oxfordshire Softball Association presents ‘Dino Ball’: 29 August 2026Logo for the Dino Ball tournament

ENTRY IS NOW OPEN!

After a successful Dino Ball tournament in 2025 – and winning the BSF Tournament of the Year award – we’re back!

Sign up for the Oxford Softball Association ‘Dino Ball’ one day slowpitch softball tournament. Aimed at Rec and Lower Rec grade teams and we’re hoping to welcome 16 teams for a fun day of softball, and also raise money for charity.

Secure your spot by entering Dinoball 26 now!

training Sessions

Chris throwing a ball

New player taster sessions often take place in March, April and (possibly) occasionally during the summer.

See dates above.  Contact us (see info below) if you are interested.

 

New Players Welcome!

Softball Team Cheer

New players are always welcome and we run 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!

2025 NEWS

Congratulations to the Sharks who won Division 2, and to the Rebels who won Division 1 in 2025.

Post-season Captain’s meeting

There will be a captains meeting on Tuesday 21 October 2025 at the Rugby Club. Start time to be announced.

An Oxford Tournament Team for 2026

This was announced at the end of season awards party.  Read about Ox Factor here.

2025 Season awards

Chris Dore had been awarded the BSF’s Glover Cup earlier in the season.  This was recognition of outstanding long-term service to softball by an administrator or organiser.  Chris was also inaugurated into our Hall of Fame, as this was to be his final season at Oxford.

Best pitcher
BEST ROOKIES
Best batter
Best fielderS
Players’ player
  • Katie Cooper (organiser of the Oddsox, social media champion, coach, tournament volunteer, dearly appreciated by her team mates and league colleagues alike)
Umpire of the year
  • Barbara Young
Most valuable players of the Oxford Softball League 2025

After looking at batting and fielding stats, plus the views of other captains.

General news