It has not quite hit a home run, but Otago Softball may have at least got on base this season.
After falling on hard times, there is a feeling things are heading in the right direction, despite the men's premier competition consisting of just two teams for the second year in a row.
Youth numbers in the sport had risen, which had been a focus over the winter. A lot of work had been done to establish pathways, with an eye to getting the players to carry on through the grades and creating a stronger premier competition in the coming years.
''[It's] looking really positive,'' Otago Softball development manager Doug Hill said.
''After last season, this season was really about consolidating and starting afresh.''
Both the under-13 and under-15 grades had doubled their numbers, and most of the city's secondary schools were likely to field teams. The aim now was to retain those players in the sport.
At the higher level, the Saints and Ellis Park clubs both had teams in the senior reserve grade and Hill expected them to step up next season.
''The Saints and Ellis Park are clubs that have got two young teams that have gotten much stronger with experience and, easily enough, they'll step up next year and [the premier grade] will be back to four teams straight away. I don't think there's any question about that at all.''
In the meantime, that leaves the Dodgers and Cardinals clubs to contest this year's premier grade. They will play games against each other every week, alongside alternating in playing one of the six competitive senior reserve teams creating a double-header each week.
Hill said the senior reserve competition had several ''decent'' teams, with former premier players in the grade.
The Dodgers look to have a strong team. Young lead pitcher Nelson Yorston is set to take another step up, and there are quality batters in Cam and Matt Watts, alongside Hoani Iva-Keen, who returns from Christchurch.
The Cardinals have two talented pitchers in Mitchell Finnie and Grant Phillips, with Finnie also being one of the better batters in the city. Catcher Will Bathgate will be a valuable addition to the side, as is fellow youngster Jackson Lobb.
The competition starts on Saturday, running through to March 18, with a break from December 17 to January 21.
