Softball, for those who don't know, is a bit of a mix of baseball and rounders. Obviously I can't let anyone who plays softball hear me saying that - they get really offended for some reason - but if you're new to softball, or Oxford, and like the idea of whiling away your Tuesdays meeting new people, being out in the sunshine and learning a new and easy to pick up sport, then you should pop along to Cuttleslowe Park at 6.30pm for the grapefruit games (the pre season games) before the season officially starts in Horspath on 8th May. You don't need any kit - it will all be provided. It's a great way of meeting people from all walks of life in Oxford, people that you would never have met otherwise.

It's co-ed and there is always a shortage of girls so even if you've never played before but are female, you'll most definitely get assigned to a team. There are going to be 7 teams this year playing roughly 12 matches in total. Don't worry about not knowing the rules - there's always a heap of softball enthusiasts ready to help explain the rules to you and there will be coaching sessions run by Jen the organiser all through May on Thursdays. Soon you'll be quoting the 'in field fly' rule back to the blue (umpire) along with the best of them. I don't know any other jargon to show off with right now. I do know that last year a hot air balloon landed in the field where everyone was playing but the games played on.

The grapefruit games are a great way of seeing how the sport works before leaping into an actual game. And to top it off, new grounds are being built as we speak, so there will be a brand new pavilion for the end of season do to celebrate your first season of softball with all your new friends.

See you on Tuesday!