Softball Australia unveiled The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball a new, innovative softball tournament to be played at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, from 4-6 February. The six-franchises event will be live broadcasted in primetime by FOX SPORTS Australia. The announcement generated big headlines and media coverage Down Under.
The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball will offer shorter games, more action, less downtime and more runs scored.
New rules will be introduced for tournament with the entire format of the new game designed to put more pressure on players to perform right from the very first pitch.
Among the most important innovations, the games will last three innings, with no warm up pitches between innings. Each frame will start with runners on base, and the home run fence distance will be reduced to increase the number of homeruns and runs scored in the game.
Further strengthening the reach of The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball, Softball Australia also announced a broadcast partnership with FOX SPORTS Australia which will see the event broadcast live in primetime from 5:00pm – 10:00pm (AEDT) each day of the event.
“The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball will reshape the landscape of the game in Australia and provide an edge of your seat experience for spectators and fans as well as a high-pressure environment for our talented players,” David Pryles, Softball Australia CEO said.
“Held in the world class 2000 Olympic Softball venue, Blacktown International Sportspark, The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball will draw new audiences to the sport, and fuel the passion that many past and present players have for this great game,” Pryles continued.
The high performance event, for open women’s players, will feature six franchised teams made up of Australia’s elite women’s softball representatives who will be joined by international players from several of the world’s top 12 ranked teams.
The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball will be held immediately following the Asia Pacific Cup (which will also be held at Blacktown International Sportspark) providing greater incentive for softball fans across the country to travel to Sydney in late January/ early February 2019 to witness top international softball.
