… Trophy Stall continues to make an input

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada – President of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Albert Ramcharran has bemoaned the non-use of the white balls at competitions organised by the

league,
In a stirring message, contained in the brochure to celebrate the OSCL’s 21st anniversary and which was delivered recently at the league’s annual presentation, dinner and dance, Ramcharran lamented the fact that the players had stymied the continuation of playing with the white balls after it was introduced in 2015.

“Last year, we introduced the white ball in our 10/10 tournament, taking into consideration that our players are required to contest at the international level with that variety and the aim was to take it another level in the 2016 season,” Ramcharran pointed out.
According to the long-standing president and founder-member, “Unfortunately, our plan was derailed at the annual general meeting and we were left with no option but to carry out the wishes of the players. We can only hope that they would have a change of heart since it will extremely difficult for us to compete with the other teams at tournaments in Guyana, Florida and New York. It’s as simple as that, unless we just want to compete for the sake of it.”
The OSCL president boasted that the league had grown from a fledgling body to one of prominence in the Greater Toronto area and continues to promote the grassroots sport despite a few obstacles.

“Despite a few naysayers, the OSCL has been making constant efforts to promote the game of softball to the best of our ability and in a very democratic way.
“While overall, the discipline could be considered quite satisfactory during the last season, a few issues still remain unsettled and worrying but the league intends to deal with them very firmly. We have no intentions of sitting idly by and letting anyone ridicule what we strove to build in 21 years,” Ramcharran asserted.
Touching on the contentious issue of pelting, Ramcharran observed that it surfaced again in the 2016 season, raising its ugly head in the Conference A final, featuring Dant and Sunshine.

“The OSCL was very saddened with the manner how the proceedings were handled and will make every effort to curb any such happenings in the future. We will once again engage the umpires prior to the start of the new season to explore and find a common ground on the contentious issue.”
The president also spoke about the recent initiative embarked on by the league to assist the needy in Guyana. He disclosed that a decision was taken to donate moneys to selected charitable organisations on a yearly basis.
The first of such donation was made during the early part of November to the Guyana Red Cross Society Children’s Convalescent Home by vice-president Terry Mathura, who was in Guyana to participate in the Guyana Softball Cup.

Ramcharran also took the opportunity to congratulate the winning and runner-up teams and all the other participating teams across all formats in our league. Special kudos were extended to Dant for their all-conquering “efforts, GTA Storm for storming to victory in the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored 15-over tournament and debutants Enterprise who played unbeaten in Conference B and subsequently emerged winners of the division.
A big ‘thank you’ was also extended to the hard-working executives for their sterling efforts in sometimes trying and demanding situations. “You have shone like beacons under the circumstances and I am extremely proud of you.”
Hearty thanks were also showered on the several sponsors, including Harri Sukhu, Norman Sue Bakery and Home Trust.

In recognition of his services to the OSCL and to the game of softball, Ramcharran was presented with a plaque, compliments of Trophy Stall (Guyana) with Roger Sunich doing the honours on behalf of his brother and proprietor Ramesh Sunich. Trophy Stall also sponsored the winning and Most Valuable Player trophies and medals for the annual Independence Cup.
Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Clarissa Riehl, in her message, described the attainment of 21 years as a remarkable achievement which could not have come to fruition without hard work and dedication. “Your devotion and hard work have not gone in vain and for this I would like to wish the Ontario Softball Cricket League continued success and many more years of existence.”

Greetings were also received from Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Eleanor McMahon, on behalf of the government of Ontario.
McMahon applauded the coaches and officials for their hard work, spirit and dedication to the sport of softball cricket. “You are helping to encourage physical activity in a welcoming environment for athletes for all ages,” she observed.
According to the minister, she has the privilege of seeing the positive impact that participation in sport can have on individuals and communities. “This league demonstrates the importance of inclusive and accessible sport opportunities for everyone.”