March is here, and spring comes in a day or two. Time for some fun outdoors, courtesy of the Virgin Islands Softball Federation.
Women’s fastpitch softball teams from the English-speaking Caribbean converged on the ballfield near the National Park Visitor’s Center for a five-day tournament. Teams from Aruba and Curacao, Jamaica, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands came out to play in Cruz Bay. So did the U.S. Virgin Islands National Women’s Softball Team.
Officials from the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Tourism and the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation gave words of welcome at the opening ceremony.
Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White commended Elroy Hill, his St. John deputy commissioner; who along with his crew got the ballfield in shape for tournament play in five short months. Hill is also the chairman of the local softball federation.
The crowds came in early; some stayed until dark to see three rounds of competition. Curacao took the first win against Aruba; 7-1 in seven innings.
Tourism Commissioner Joe Boschulte invited everyone to enjoy the games. “We, at the Department of Tourism, know tourism. By the time the weekend’s over, we will know sports tourism,” Boschulte said.
