The Redimix Patriots look set for more glory on the diamond.
Cayman’s reigning three-time champions got off to an impressive offensive showing in the opening game of the 2014 fast pitch league. Put on by the Cayman Islands Softball Association at the Field of Dreams, Sunday’s contest between Patriots and Jose’s Escape Pirates – a rematch of last year’s finals – ended in a 15-15 tie in the seventh inning due to time constraints.
Peter Whittaker, who captains the Patriots, says the opener sets a good precedent for the coming months.
“I believe we started where we left off,” Whittaker said. “We have good chemistry, we’re hitting the ball good, seeing the ball good in the field. We just got to iron out the little things in our game. It should be a good year.”
The Patriots are virtually unchanged from last season, as Michael Carey and Bradley Robinson steady the team. Unsung veterans like Troy McCoy and Alfred Flores, along with newcomer Rob Weins, could be factors with more playing time. The Pirates also rely on experienced players like Johnny Johnson Sr., Marlon Thomas and Byron Bravo. Rookies Jordan Stubblefield and Erwin Freeland hope to translate their United States baseball backgrounds into success here.
A second men’s game took place between Pirates and Donald Watler’s Latinos, but it was paused in the fifth inning with Latinos in the lead.
On the women’s side, the reigning two-time national champion Cayman Auto Diagnostic Clinic Stingers defeated Team Xtreme in the opener.
Those results are a positive for association vice president Lori Moncrieffe.
“I feel the season started off good for both leagues,” Moncrieffe said. “I feel every team is evenly matched in both leagues, which will result in a battle all season as each team tries to win the title.”
Men’s league games continue every Sunday from 2:30 p.m., and women’s league matches are every Saturday from 6:15 p.m.
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