Saturday 25th October 2025

The Solent Softball League celebrated its 30th Anniversary this evening at the Gaiety Bar on South Parade Pier in Portsmouth. The black-tie event also saw the presentation of awards for the 2025 season as well as inductions into the SSL Hall of Fame.

The Division winners and runners up received their trophies from League Chair Matt Tebb.

Throughout the season, captains and umpires nominate the best players of the game in which they play. The players with the most votes throughout the season are awarded the MVP trophies in each division:

Jake Elmy won the Division One BBH MVP, but was not in attendance. Jim Kelly collected the Division One Winners trophy on behalf of the Itchen Knicks, but we shall be seeing more of him shortly.

The Solent League regularly sends teams to single-sex tournaments throughout the year, representing the Solent region. Each team then awards their own MVP awards, this season going to Tim Pilkie-Rodgers and Dan Gonsalves as well as Izzy Najera.

Every season, captains nominate players who have completed their first full softball season for the Rookie of the Year award. This year's winners were Emma Lucas (Solent Oddballs) and Matt Dunkelberger (Southampton Spifires), both of whom were not in attendance, and;

The 2025 inductees into the Solent Softball Hall of Fame are Greg McComish, who sadly passed away this year, and Lisa Herbert. The newly introduced Pitcher of the Year trophy was named the McComish Cup in Greg's honour and was won by Jim Kelly (Itchen Knicks).

Jim then picked up his third trophy of the evening, this time a lifetime recognition award as he heads into softball retirement. With over 22 years of softball at the highest level, and a great influence over Solent softball that will be missed.