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| London Indoor Softball League finds new home |
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Indoor Softball has been played in London for almost 15 years. Its original home was a warehouse in Enfield and it has since moved countless times to different venues across the city including a court in the middle of Spitalfield's outdoor market, caverns near Liverpool Street and a school in Vauxhall.
In 2007 BSUK took over the running of the London Indoor Softball League and established the new league in Brixton Recreation Centre.
Outgrowing Brixton Rec Centre
The Brixton venue appeared to be ideal: two courts side by side, three hard walls for each court and a shared wall of netting, sprung wooden floors and close to a tube station. But the court had a metal panelled ceiling with exposed lighting that has loosened over time. Moreover, the ever-popular Indoor League has grown to such a size that a larger facility was needed to accommodate players and spectators on the sidelines.
Venue Search
The search for a new venue then began. BSUK staff members made calls to literally hundreds of venues across London, only to come up without a single one that could provide two courts for five hours each Saturday.
But at the eleventh hour Matt Davies of Clapham Thunder passed on the suggestion of Play on Sports (PoS) in Canary Wharf. On contacting them, BSUK was told that the Indoor League could have two courts each Saturday, and as they more regularly hosted indoor cricket, they had no concerns about possible damage.
After a site visit, it was decided to run the remainder of the spring league at this site.
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Adaptation
PoS is essentially a large warehouse with six separate tension-netted courts that stand alone. Over the first two weeks of play, the League has operated across two courts of different sizes and may retain this going forward as there is a split so far from players as to which version is preferable.
The new venue has also meant some changes. The playing surface is essentially carpet over concrete, so sliding is not advised. And the stand alone, fully netted courts means that the ceiling is now in play, which is a much-welcomed added dimension.
Feedback so far has been largely positive, although the vagaries of the Jubilee and DLR lines have been the biggest obstacle. So far, no teams, although a couple individual players, have been lost in the move.
The management at PoS have been very helpful, offering to paint bases and provide storage and BSUK has now trialled their electronic scoreboards, which will mean the scores are projected above the court as the teams play.
Additionally, results get uploaded to their website which means live league tables.
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Indoor Tournament
With six courts, the new venue also offers the possibility of reviving the London Indoor Softball Tournament that ran in the Westway Centre a few years ago. BSUK will continue to seek feedback on the site in the coming weeks.
As a final point, PoS also provides an option for teams that want to arrange indoor pre-season training, with courts available most evenings.
To view the venue beyond the pictures in this article, go to www.playonsports.co.uk.
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