THE 17th edition of the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL), branded the Florida Cup, is set to get underway on Friday in Fort Lauderdale.
The three-day tournament, which culminates on Sunday, features teams from the hosts, Guyana, New York and Canada and will be played in the usual three categories – All Stars Open, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50.

All three categories have been divided into groups of two. The All Stars Group ‘A’ will see Hurricanes CC, Orlando All Stars and Shattaz All Stars battling, while Combines All Stars, SOFL All Stars and Titans All Stars contest Group ‘B’.
The three teams in the Masters Group ‘A’ are SSSCA Masters, Canadian Legends and Orlando Masters while Group ‘B’ comprises SFSCL Masters, USA Masters and SCC Masters.

Legends Group ‘A’ is made up of Orlando Legends, Marine Legends and Shaw Realty Legends, while NYSCL Legends, Regal NY Hustlers and Trophy Stall Legends battle in Group ‘B.’
According to the organisers, the teams will play across their zone in the preliminary round.
In the playoffs, the top two teams from each zone will play each other and the winners for each zone will advance to the finals.

A significant development in this year’s tournament, sees Over-50 Legends defending champions Guyana’s Regal joining forces with New York Hustlers to form Regal NY Hustlers.
The 2022 Legends final, featuring Regal and Toronto Blizzards, will be fondly remembered for the brutal knock of 62 by the left-handed Eric Thomas, who plundered the Canadian bowlers in a masterful display of power-hitting.

Thomas took a special liking for former Canadian World Cup player Desmond Chumney, blasting him for six sixes in his lone over. Thomas was eventually bowled by Rabindra Parasnauth for 63 off a mere 14 deliveries which included nine huge sixes and a four.
Thomas will however be missing from this year’s tournament after passing away last November, following a motor accident in August.

The 2022 tournament will also be sadly remembered for the unfortunate passing of stalwart softball administrator and player Lakhram “Mike” Singh, of Mike’s Pharmacy fame, who, after collapsing at the ground on the opening day of the tournament, died later the same night.

Meanwhile, the 2024 edition of the Florida Cup will be livestreamed, courtesy of Guyana TV Network and FL Sport.
Among the main sponsors are Kushara Collections and Soflo Environmental and LLC, who are honoured to be sponsors of this event. (Frederick Halley)