Sunday saw Ards and North Down’s premier charity club softball tournament return to Bangor, as three North Down Softball Club composite teams competed in the Ward Park Grand Aggregate Start of Season Blitz.
The tournament began with a first-stage round robin, with the Mutineers making a strong start by winning both of their games to sail through to the playoff stage. The Regulators also secured their place in the final after overcoming the Dynamos, setting up a deciding game between the day’s top two sides.
Despite stormy weather being forecast, the worst of the conditions arrived during the lunch break, helping to minimise disruption to play. Then, with just minutes to go before the playoff, the winds eased and the skies cleared, creating the perfect setting for the final.
The deciding game delivered plenty of action across four innings, with hot bats, sharp tag plays, a few strikeouts and even an infield fly adding to the drama. After 50 minutes of competitive softball, the Mutineers emerged victorious with a 9–6 win over the Regulators, securing three points towards the Grand Aggregate standings.
The final standings were:
1st – Mutineers
2nd – Regulators
3rd – Dynamos
Match day MVP awards went to Alan McGimpsey, Luke Culbert, Tara Cornwell and Anna Devany for their standout performances throughout the tournament.
Following the softball action, players took part in several charity events. In the Wade Boggs Home Run Derby, none of the NDSC men managed to hit a home run, although excuses of headwinds and bad luck were heard around Ward Park. The ladies fared better, with Lisa Wallace scoring five points and Caz Walker adding two.
In the Mad Minute pitching competition, Simon McClean proved to be pitch perfect, landing seven strikes on target to take the honours.
North Down Softball Club would like to give special thanks to Trevor Cast for umpiring and Niamh Lennon O’Keefe for scoring on the day.
All money raised by NDSC in 2026 will be donated to the club’s designated charity, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
New players are always welcome. Search North Down Softball Club for more information, or come along to a club practice on Sundays at 2pm or Thursdays at 6:30pm.
