The 43rd annual Bahamas Softball Federation's (BSF) National Round-Robin Tournament is now just a day away, and organizers are full of excitement as they anticipate what is expected to be one of the most competitive and thrilling national tournaments of all time. At least three of the country's top pitchers will go head-to-head in the men's division, and unlike years past, the battle for the women's title is expected to be at least a three-horse race.

Representing New Providence are the Commando Security Truckers in the men's division, and the Lady Stingers in the women's division. The Control Chemicals Sweepers and the Lady Wolverines will represent Grand Bahama in the men's and women's divisions respectively; Big Tuna Construction and the Tees R' Us Stitchers hail from Eleuthera; the two-time national champions 5 Star AG & Turf Bulldogs and Abaco Groceries Diamond Dollz come from Abaco; and Brokell Construction and the Sagoma Navigators will represent Andros.

The technical meeting is set for 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Banker's Field of the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex - the same venue where all of the games of the round-robin will be played this year.

"Everything is in place and we are ready to go," said BSF President Ted Miller. "From what I've seen in the ladies' division from the New Providence champions, and with Grand Bahama as the defending champions, and even the ladies out of Spanish Wells, there is going to be a lot of competition in that division. The men are always extremely competitive. You are going to see some of the top pitchers in the country go head-to-head, and that is going to create some interesting match-ups and some very competitive games."

In the men's division, the tournament features pitchers such as Lyle Sawyer from the Turf Bulldogs, Edney "The JC Heat" Bethel from Big Tuna Construction and Thomas Davis from the Truckers. It is still up in the air if Alcott Forbes, also of Big Tuna, will be allowed to play, based on the federation's rules and regulations as it relates to player movement between the islands. Regardless, there is expected to be a lot of fireworks.

The Truckers, back in the national title picture for the first time in three years, appear to have the best offense. If Forbes is allowed to play, Big Tuna will certainly have the pitching depth to take the national title, and as long as Sawyer is the on the mound, the Turf Bulldogs are indeed capable of beating anyone. Besides, as two-time defending champs, they certainly can't be counted out. The Sweepers out of Grand Bahama could provide a challenge as well.

On the women's side, notably missing is perennial champions, the Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats. They were beaten by the Lady Stingers in the semi-final round of the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) playoffs. The Stingers, who actually finished fourth in the NPSA standings this year, went the distance against the Johnson's Lady Truckers in the NPSA championship series before taking them out in five games. Their ace Thela Johnson is among the country's best female pitchers. She is a workhorse on the mound, going all five games of the NPSA championship series, and prepared to put in extra work this weekend.

"I pitched five games with a busted finger, so that alone tells me that I'm ready for the round-robin," she said. "I'm going to put on the best performance that I can, and I feel that we can go all the way."

The Lady Wolverines, out of Grand Bahama, are the defending national champions, and the Tees R' Us Stitchers from Spanish Wells, Eleuthera are expected to be tough as well. The Abaco Groceries Diamond Dollz and the Sagoma Navigators round out the five-team field.

In the first game of the tournament at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Truckers will battle Brokell Construction. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Lady Stingers will take on the Tees R' Us Stitchers In the feature game at 9 p.m. on Thursday night, Big Tuna Construction will challenge the two-time national champions Turf Bulldogs. Four more games are set for Friday. The official ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday night at the park.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian