By JONATHAN BURROWS
Tribune Sports Reporter
jburrows@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Softball Federation is looking to use the upcoming Under-18 Women’s Softball Pan American Championship as a measure of the country’s standing in international softball, while addressing a shortage of pitching talent and working to strengthen the sport’s development programme at home.
The girls are set to compete in the championship in San Salvador, El Salvador, November 21-28, joining a record field of 18 national teams in the 24-year history of the competition.
The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2028 WBSC Under-18 Women’s Softball World Cup and will give The Bahamas an opportunity to test itself against some of the strongest teams in the region.
Bahamas Softball Association president Marvin Woods announced the team’s participation at a press conference in the foyer of Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, emphasising the importance of returning to consistent international competition.
“I’m here this morning to proudly announce the participation of the Bahamas Under-18 Women’s National Softball Team in the upcoming WBSC Americas Women’s Pan American Championship in El Salvador,” Woods said.
Woods said 16 players would travel to El Salvador for the tournament, with the federation planning to release the full team and coaching staff in the coming weeks.
The players have been building towards the international assignment for several years, with the federation arranging tournaments in the United States to keep the group together and provide regular competition.
The championship will feature four of the world’s top six ranked teams, including the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil and Peru are also among the top 20 ranked sides entered, underlining the level of competition awaiting the Bahamian team.
The Bahamas will be among 18 countries competing in an event that has attracted its largest field since the championship began 24 years ago. The 2026 edition will also be the first time the competition has been staged in Central America.
Puerto Rico enters as defending champions after winning the continental title in Colombia in 2024, with Canada finishing second and Mexico third.
Woods said international participation would give the players the chance to experience different standards of competition while developing as athletes and individuals.
He also noted that the championship would serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Under 18 Women’s Softball World Cup and the Under 18 Pan American Games, giving the team further incentive to perform well.
Coach Shane Albury, who spoke on behalf of the head coach, said the competition would give the federation a clearer picture of where the country stands in the international game.
“These championships serve as a litmus test to see where The Bahamas stands in the region in softball,” Albury said.
“Most of the players on the team have actually been playing together for roughly three years, as we’ve been sending teams throughout the United States to participate in tournaments to keep the team together,” Albury added said.
Albury said the team’s participation would help the federation identify areas that require attention as it works to make The Bahamas more competitive internationally.
The championship will be particularly important because the competition will be played in the quick pitch format, which is not as widely played locally as slow pitch and modified softball.
The difference presents a challenge for the national team, as players must adjust to the demands and pace of a format that requires a different approach to pitching, hitting and defensive play.
“Fast pitch softball is not played widely in The Bahamas at the moment. We have slow pitch and modified softball, so we have to continue working to develop fast pitch and give our players more opportunities to compete in that format,” said Woods.
The final team would include players who have been exposed to high school and college softball in the United States as well as local players, giving the coaching staff a group with experience in organised competition.
However, the championship will provide a different test, with the players facing international opposition in a format that is not as common in the domestic game.
The Bahamas has traditionally placed greater emphasis on slow pitch and modified softball, leaving quick pitch development as an area requiring further investment. The shortage of pitchers is among the concerns facing the sport, with the federation seeking to improve the development of players capable of competing at the international level.
The federation’s wider plans include expanding development opportunities, improving the structure of local competition and encouraging greater participation across the islands. Officials also want to strengthen the pathway from junior national teams to the senior programme so that young players can continue progressing through the system.
Woods appealed to corporate Bahamas to support the team, stressing that the federation could not meet the financial demands of international competition on its own. He said backing from sponsors would help the players gain the exposure needed to develop and represent the country at a higher level.
The championship is also expected to help the federation assess the progress of its younger players and identify what is needed to improve the standard of softball at home.
Woods said the development of the sport would require continued investment and a stronger domestic structure, with the federation looking to increase participation and provide more opportunities for players to develop their skills.
“We want to develop stronger leagues throughout the islands and give the island associations more opportunities to participate. We have to continue building the game at home if we want to develop players who can represent The Bahamas at a higher level,” he said.
Officials also discussed the need to expand the game beyond New Providence and improve opportunities for young athletes through coaching, development programmes and increased competition.
Albury noted that the final 16-member squad has not yet been confirmed, with a month remaining before the team travels to El Salvador and the possibility of injuries or other changes before departure.
However, he said the federation has a pool of players available to draw from as preparations continue, giving the coaching staff options as they finalise the roster for the championship.