After revealing it owed its creditors between $40,000 and $50,000 earlier this month, the association has begun fundraising efforts.
A meeting was held with the association’s clubs last week, when it was decided senior team fees would be increased and a levy would also be put in place.
It was something Otago Softball chairwoman Sandy Wallace had been received positively, with the clubs supportive of the fundraising effort.
"The meeting that we held with our clubs was very positive.
"We’re very grateful obviously as well that they’re all in behind us and the whole softball community is working together to pay off our creditors.
"We couldn’t have carried on doing what we’re doing if we didn’t have the full support of our clubs."
Senior and senior reserve teams will pay an extra $1000 to play this year, something Wallace hopes would be a one-off amount.
Team fees had risen from $620 to $820, while an additional levy of $800 would be charged, making for a total of $1620.
A family connection to All Black and Highlander Lima Sopoaga had enabled the association to get hold of a signed All Black jersey, Wallace said.
Sopoaga’s mother and aunt had both played softball in Otago and had been key in getting a jersey signed by all 30 All Blacks that will be auctioned.
Signs around the No1 diamond at Ellis Park were also available sold for $250 plus GST. There were 42 available, three of which had been sold.
The Labour Weekend tournament in Dunedin remains its big drive. That will involve teams travelling from out of town to compete. The event has received support from the Waterloo and Carisbrook Hotels.
Other sports are also showing their support too, with training tops from netballers Wendy Frew and Jodi Brown, as well as a signed Otago rugby jersey being donated for auction.
"All the sports are really getting in behind us as well," Wallace said.
"So it really strengthens the good Otago ethos of everybody gets in to help when it gets tough."
