The 16th edition of the tournament is set for Selebi-Phikwe over the President’s Day holiday. The much-anticipated tournament will end on Sunday, with only the top two teams from each bracket earning the right to travel to Selebi-Phikwe for the finals. The northern zone qualifiers were held last weekend in Orapa. Titans go into the match with revenge in mind after losing to Vikings in the league final. On the other hand, Vikings won the league unbeaten. Titans coach, Disang Selemogwe describes the game as a do-or-die affair. “Vikings have the best pitcher in the country in Gothatamang Sixpence, an advantage on its own. But I believe that we are ready for the eliminations and we will qualify,” he said.
He said at the moment, they have not recruited any new player though Lereng Mokgotle has left the club. Vikings catcher, Keamogetse ‘Smally’ Nkoane said they have prepared well for the competition. “Our three pitchers and batters are ready. The team is looking forward to the eliminations. We have been doing well and we expect an interesting match against Titans. I cannot say anything about the outcome of the game but we are going to qualify,” Nkoane said. Another team that is expected to cause havoc is the defending champions, BDF IX who beat Titans in last year’s edition to bring the title to SSKB barracks. BDF are a force to reckon with as they finished the league in the second spot. Meanwhile, the champions of the Phikwe Softball Extravaganza, in both the men and women's section, will walk away with P40,000, with the runners-up pocketing P30,000 whilst bronze medallists take home P20,000. There are cash prizes up to position eight. The most valuable player (MVP) for both men and women will be rewarded with P1,500 each, the Slugger takes home P1,000 each whilst P1,000 also goes to Best Pitcher and Best Catcher. There is another P1,000 prize win for the Young Player of the Tournament (18 to 21 years).
