This year the freshly minted London Softball League is hosting a shorter, novel season as we welcome the majority of our teams back after missing last season due to the pandemic. League divisions have been temporarily redrawn (with no promotion or relegation) to ensure balanced competition with one eye on reducing travel commitments where possible.
Report from Red and White Grades (usually ‘Majors’).
In Division A of the Red Grade, LSLs very own ‘Evil Empire’, The Mescalitos, have a perfect record of 6 wins and are averaging an eye watering 23 runs per game. Hot in their heels is The Muppets, with 3 wins out of 4 and with games in hand. If Muppets hope to catch them, they will likely need to beat Mescis on the final game of the season and hope somebody else does them a favour. Stranger things have happened. Don’t sleep on the (wily) Coyotes either who can beat anybody in the division and also have multiple games in hand.
In Division B of the Red Grade, Meteors Black are necking the Blue Pills as they chase their first top-flight title since 2004. They have a perfect record of 5 wins at the halfway point. Determined to make them take the Red Pill are LSLs perennial Final Boss: MI6, who are lurking in 2nd place with a game in hand. Base Invaders inaugural season in the giddy heights of Red Grade is so far going to plan with a pleasingly symmetrical .500 record after 6 games.
In Division A of White Grade, the curiously monikered Soft Boiled are running away with it with 5 wins out of 5. Only the Pimlico Pirates have managed to put up any real resistance so far, losing by a single run on Opening Day. London Raiders Gold are currently in 2nd place and will be plotting their revenge when they meet Soft Boiled again at the end of the month. If you want value for money then buy a ticket to see The Mob, currently in 3rd place and averaging 20.4 runs for and 15.2 runs against per game. I had no idea that Wandsworth had such high altitude.
In Division B of White Grade, flashing the leather and leading with 5 wins out of 6 are the Oddsox. The seasoned campaigners boast the tightest D in all of LSL so far with a measly 34 runs conceded (or 5.6 per game). But somebody stop the trophy engraver! The Finsbury Dazzlers are only a win behind them with a game in hand and they already have a win against Oddsox. They also have the advantage of 4 home games in a row to finish the season including two Monday games following tournaments. What does all this mean? No idea. But as Rowdy Roddy Piper once famously said: “Just when they think they know the answers, I change the questions.” Finally, a shout-out to Game of Throws. Firstly, for the courage it takes to wear those purple jerseys. But mainly for a sterling first half of the season that included the scalps of the Dazzlers as well as a tough Swinging Chargers side. Salut!