FOLLOWING an absence of indoor presentations over the past few years, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year saw a welcome return when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) staged its 2023 awards ceremony and dinner recently at the Windies Restaurant in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.
Unlike last year, when Mercenary completely dominated Division A, their supremacy was dented somewhat in 2023 as Better Hope emerged winners of the Norman Sue sponsored T-10 tournament while Berbice Vipers took top honours in the T20 playoffs, both defeating the defending champions.

Mercenary had to settle for the Regular season crown and the T-15 title, beating Canadian Legends in the final.
Division B saw Leguan Warriors making ash of the opposition, completing a clean sweep of all the titles: Regular season, Playoffs, T-10 and T-15.
OSCL President, Guyana-born Shiv Persaud, addressing the awardees and special invitees, reminded them that “softball cricket is unique to our Guyanese heritage and sports culture. We have seen the ability of the sport to unite and bring people together. We encourage our members to introduce the sport to Canada-born players or second generation as many of those who introduced and developed the game in Canada is now playing at the Over 40, 50 and 60 Divisions.”
According to Persaud, “the OSCL will continue to work diligently to preserve, grow and promote softball cricket in Canada. However, we need all the support we can get from our members to ensure more participation.”

Persaud pointed out that the OSCL is grateful for the support from sponsors who make it possible to continue to operate and welcomes the opportunity to partner with new sponsors who are looking to play a vital role in the preservation, growth and promotion of softball cricket and by extension our rich Guyanese heritage and sporting culture.
The OSCL President said the successful event was beyond expectation and he looks forward to building on this positive momentum going forward.
The T-20 tournament was held in honour of past President, Kenny Girdharry, likewise the T-15 for another past President, Albert Ramcharran and the T-10 for the late stalwart executive Vish Jadunauth. Apart from Norman Sue Bakery, the other sponsors included Trophy Stall and the Girdharry family.

The top run scorer in Division A was Ravain Yusuf of Berbice Vipers (275 runs) while the bowler with the most wickets (14) was Davendra Ramkissoon of Better Hope. Krishna Deosarran of Leguan Warriors led Division B with 317 runs while the top bowlers in Division B were Monty Dass of Ramblers and Kenny Ramsawak of Essequibo who took 19 wickets each.
“Making a difference awards,”compliments of the OSCL, in recognition and appreciation for supporting and sponsoring the organization went to Norman Sue Bakery, Trophy Stall and the Girdharry family.

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA), Albert Ramcharran and Terry Mathura; Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) – Kim Sue, Orin O’Neill, Amit Bacchus and Azeem Khan; Trophy Stall – Victor Sunich; Norman Sue Bakery – Kim Sue, Natasha Sue, Nadia Sue, Nashenka Sue and their family. (Frederick Halley)