The Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association closed its 2009 softball season on a very high note. The players, spectators and fans witnessed the most spectacular, keen contested, championship playoff series ever.
This year's softball season was well attended by the fans and spectators alike. The championship games brought people by the droves to watch softball at its best; there were persons standing around the fences to ensure that they didn’t miss a stupendous play and during all of the games the bleachers were jammed packed.
By Writer For BGDSA
The Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association closed its 2009 softball season on a very high note. The players, spectators and fans witnessed the most spectacular, keen contested, championship playoff series ever.
This year's softball season was well attended by the fans and spectators alike. The championship games brought people by the droves to watch softball at its best; there were persons standing around the fences to ensure that they didn’t miss a stupendous play and during all of the games the bleachers were jammed packed.
It was predicted by many people that since the two best top men teams in the league were squaring off in the championship series, and knowing that both ball clubs have dynamism, their championship series was expected to go down to the wire. So said, so done!
Police Chiefs went into the championship playoff with the men's best overall record; but they were still considerate as the under dogs. On the other hand, Defence Force Floaters placed second in the men's overall standing but because of them capturing the men's
title for seventeen consecutive years, and with a wealth of experience under their belts, some were still expecting them to capture their eighteen (18) consecutive title. However, when the dust was cleared in game number 7, Police Chiefs came out as the victors while it was a doomed day for Defence Force Floaters. The Floaters prestigious crown which they held for so many years was suddenly swept from them just by a wink of an eye.
At the conclusion of the seventh game everyone was stunned to see that Defence Force Floaters winning streak come to a halt so quickly. The championship series left everyone saying that this was the most unbelievable title series they have ever seen.
In Game #1, Defence Force Floaters came from behind and nipped Police Chiefs 30-29 in a hair- raising and a nail- biting encounter. Reynaldo Russell was the hero for Defence Force Floaters, he had a perfect five for five day at the plate, scored four runs, picked up five RBI and he had four home runs. Dwayne Dean did the damage for Police Chiefs, he had a perfect plate appearances, as he went 5 for 5, scored four runs, picked up two RBI and had one home-run.
In Game #2, Police Chiefs routed Defence Force Floaters 19-9 to tie their series 1-1 in a lopsided affair. Police Chiefs came out with fire in their eyes and bats, as they smoked-out Defence Force Floaters 19-9. Alcott Forbes swung the hot bat for the Police Chiefs with a perfect 4 for 4 appearance, he scored four runs and picked up 5 RBI. Remone Storr was the potent batter for his team, he had a 4 for 3 day at the plate; scored two runs and picked up one RBI
In Game #3 of the series, Police Chiefs clobbered Defence Force Floaters 25-12 to take a 2-1 lead. Van Johnson, Godfrey Willie and Marvin Wood had four hits a piece. Willie scored two runs and picked up six RBI, he also had two home runs. Dwayne Mackey, Philip Culmer and Thomas Williams had three hits each. Mackey scored three runs and picked up four RBI.
In Game No.4, Defence Force Floaters gave Police Chiefs a taste of their own medicine by defeating them with an identical 19-9 score as in game #2 of their series; they also tied the series 2-2. Philip Culmer swung the hot bat for the Floaters, he went 5 for 4 plate appearances, he scored four runs and picked up three RBI. Van Johnson assisted his team by having a perfect three-for-three day at the plate, he scored one run and picked up two RBI.
In Game #5, Police Chiefs out-hit Defence Force Floaters 20-12 to take a 3-2 lead in the playoff series. Police Chiefs came out with their bats fully loaded and they went to work from the onset of the game. Alcott Forbes, Derek Sands and Marvin Wood were the sluggers of the game, they all had three hits each. Wood scored two runs and picked up two RBI. Dencil Clarke was the striker for Defence Force Floaters, he had a four-for-three day plate appearances, he scored three runs and picked one RBI.
In Game #6, Defence Force Floaters refused to lie down and play dead, the Floaters secured the victory by edging-out Police Chiefs 10-9 in a squeezer, and to tie the game, once again 3-3, for a dead lock for the third time in their series. Keith Moss, Terrance Culmer and Brad Smith had three hits each for the Floaters. Darren Mortimer did the damage for Police Chiefs with his perfect three-for-three day and he scored one run.
In Game #7, Police Chiefs came out stroking from the top of the first inning by scoring four runs; in the bottom half, Defence Force Floaters knowing that it was show-time, had to come tougher than the Law Enforcement Officers; therefore, they came out blasting with six tallies to take an early 6-5 lead. In the Top of the second inning, Police Chiefs refused to give up, they smashed three runs and in the bottom half, they were able to quiet Defence Force Floaters bats to one run. In the top of the third inning Police Chiefs was allowed to score one run and they kept the Defence Force Floaters to one run in the bottom half. In the top of the fourth inning, Police Chiefs scored one and Defence Force Floaters tried to make their move by scoring four runs to take a 11-10 lead in the bottom half of the fourth inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Police Chiefs came up with four runs while Defence Force Floaters was able to sneak one run in the bottom half. In the top of the sixth inning, Police Chiefs went on a hit-parade by scoring eight more runs while keeping Defence Force Floaters to only one run in the bottom half. In the top of the seventh inning, Police Chiefs ended Defence Force Floaters streak of seventeen consecutive victories and dethroning them with a 27-15 score, damaging the Defence Force Floaters. Police Chiefs gave the Floaters a taste of their own medicine by cracking seventeen (17) home runs which helped them to subjugate the soldiers.
The Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the championship games were Godfrey Willie and Darren Mortimer.
The league executives extend congratulation to the 2009 champions, Police Chiefs. They also congratulated the 2009 Runners-up, Defence Force Floaters for a job well done and wished them all success for the 2010 softball season.
