Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

DINTHILL, EXCELSIOR and Merl Grove walked away with the top prizes at the Singer/Jamaica Amateur Softball Association (JASA) school leagues presentation ceremony at Lecture Hall, Heart Trust/NTA Garmex Academy last week.

Dinthill, who ended the season unbeaten, won the Boys' Open crown, beating Excelsior 15-5 in the final played at Up Park Camp.

Excelsior and Merl Grove shared the girls' title after their final was interrupted by bad light at St. Hugh's in May. The score was 10-10.

MOST DISCIPLINED TEAM

The boys of Dinthill Technical in St. Catherine were also voted the most disciplined team in the Open league while beaten semi-finalists Wolmer's Girls collected that award for the senior girls' league. Queen's were the most disciplined Junior League girls' school.

Dinthill girls were voted the most improved team in the senior girls' league while Holy Trinity walked away with that honour in the Junior League. Clan Carthy won the boys' award.

In the junior girls' league, unbeaten Pembroke Hall collected the winners' prize for their 7-6 victory over Dinthill Technical at Up Park Camp in July.

All the winners and runners-up collected trophies and medals for their efforts.

Arnold Foote, commissioner of the JASA, told the players that although softball was not among one of the most popular sports in Jamaica, there were benefits to be gained and urged more schools to take part.

"It opens doors to future education," Foote said. "You have the ability to get a scholarship to have a school pay for your tuition.

NO LIMIT

"Softball is one of the most played sports in the world. Your future in softball is as long as you want it. There is no limit to what softball can bring to you," he continued.

The commissioner also told the audience that 2005 was going to be softball's year in Jamaica. You are going to see over the next 12 months, softball on the top of list of sports," he said.

Nariesha Murray, brand manager appliances at Singer, said her company was happy to be a part of the competition. She also told the players to continue to fight for what they want.

Twelve schools took part in the competitions. In the senior girls league it was Excelsior, Dinthill, Holy Childhood, Meadowbrook, Merl Grove, St. Hugh's and Wolmer's while Boys' Open featured Clan Carthy, Dinthill Technical, Excelsior, Holy Trinity and Kingston Technical.

In junior girls, Dinthill, Holy Trinity, Meadowbrook, Queen's and Pembroke Hall took part.