The 2011 Leinster League will begin a little later than usual this year due to Easter occuring in the last week of April.  The first round of games will be held during the week beginning Monday 9th May 2011.  A full schedule will be made available in the coming weeks, once team registration is complete.

The first week of May will, however, see the first round of the Brian Walshe Cup - an all Ireland knockout competition. Softball Ireland have revised the structure this year with the winners earning the fourth spot to compete in the Softball Ireland National Cup Championship (SINCC).  The top 16 Irish teams, including two Marlay teams, will be invited to play in the Cup and will be guaranteed to play a minimum of two Cup games.  All other teams will be invited to play in the Plate/Bowl section of play.

Before all that the annual Start of Season Blitz will be held in ALSAA on Saturday 16th April.  This one day tournament is a great opportunity for players to get some game time in before the league & cup games begin.  As per last year, the Irish National Squad will run the tournament, on behalf of Softball Ireland, to aid them in fund raising for the 2011 European Championship Coed Slowpitch to be held in Bulgaria in July.