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It's going to be a battle of Bermuda's bat men - the island's best softball players taking on the national cricket team in a game of softball.

Dwayne 'Sluggo' Leverock is one of the few national team cricketers who play softball. The big man, who normally kits up for the Police Enforcers during league play, will be counted upon to pitch for the national team.

He said: "Our cricket skills will have to prevail over all softball skills. I think we should be able to do that in this charitable event."

Leverock said that Lionel Cann's played a bit of softball as has national team skipper Irving Romaine. Cann will probably end up playing shortstop.

"We're going to beat them," Leverock said. "I think we can beat Tuff Dogs."

Manny Faria, president of Tuff Dogs Sports Club, said the challenge was thrown out by the cricket team.

"Herbie Bascome was at the ballpark one night and told Terence Corday (of Tuff Dogs) 'we could beat you guys if we play you.'"

Faria said that Bascome might play as well to help out some of the younger guys who may not have as much softball experience, but he added that's not going to help.

"It's not going to be a problem, we're going to beat them."

He said that Romaine and U-19 World Cup hero Rodney Trott have been sledging some of the Dogs, but all in good-natured fun.

"I just hope they all can hit a slow-pitch ball. It should be a pretty good game."

The teams will play with modified league rules and each team will be allowed an unlimited amount of home runs instead of the customary of three per club because the ballpark is so small.

Faria said "It's an exhibition match and the fans will appreciate seeing the balls fly out of the park.

Lionel Cann said: "They may be softball experts, but I think we can beat them. I used to play softball a lot, Sluggo plays a bit and the rest of the boys have a natural eye for the ball.

Justin Barritt, Tuff Dogs coach, said: I think we're going to win. It's a small ballpark and both teams should benefit from having unlimited homers.

"It's a pretty simple game and they're natural athletes so it won't be too difficult for them to pick up softball."[[In-content Ad]]

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