The match-ups are all set and the play-offs in the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) will swing into action tonight, over at the Bankers Field.

Pennant winners in the women's division the Proper Care Lady Sharks are hoping to sweep the league, but they will have to get pass the Sigma Wildcats before setting their eyes on the championships.

The Wildcats who finished fourth in the league are no strangers to the play-offs. In fact, Arthur Johnson said the Wildcats play their best ball during play-offs and championships.

"The play-offs is going to be an exciting one as all the teams are equally matched on both offense and defense," said Johnson. "The Proper Care Sharks have a very cohesive team and one of the most powerful on offense. However, if the Wildcats sharpen up on defense they can be a team to reckon with. You can never sleep on former champions and both teams are playing very well. This is the best of five series and anything can happen.

"The Sigma Brackets will lean on their experience pitcher in their series with the Lady Hitters. The Brackets is another good team; they play good defense so the Hitters will have to be on their toes. This is another good match-up with the teams and their series starts tomorrow (Saturday)."

The Brackets were the pennant runners-up, followed by the Lady Hitters and the Sigma Wildcats. In the men's division, the Arnette Hitmen won pennant and the Andre Gardenier Construction Buccaneers was the runners-up. The Mighty Mights and Rams were the third and fourth place teams, respectively.

The first series in the men's division will feature the Hitmen and the Miller Rams. That game will start at 7 p.m. The Brackets and Lady Hitters' game will follow.

Johnson said: "Pitching will be key in the two series with the men. There is a lot of firepower in the Hitters. That team also plays great defense and rally behind their pitcher. I think the edge for that team will be Alcott Forbes having won the pennant over the Buccaneers. On the other hand, the Buccaneers also have very good pitching, and they are stack with four or so national team players, so whoever jumps out first in this series will set the pace.

"The Mighty Mitts and 'Chicken' Albury have something new up his sleeves. That team will be behind the good pitching of their young players like Cardinal Gilbert. If an upset happens, I won't be surprised. The Miller Rams is a very young aggressive team with lot of potential. They can be explosive too. Their only downfall is the mental errors consistently made in their games."

A best of five series is set for the first round of play. The two teams advancing to the finals, in both divisions, will play a best of seven series.

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