New Members
We're always excited to welcome new members to our friendly and inclusive softball club! Learn more about our sport, our community, and how you can get involved. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our General Officers - we’d love to hear from you!
What is softball?
Softball is a bat-and-ball team sport like baseball or rounders, played with 10-12 players per team. One team bats and runs bases to score, while the other defends by catching and throwing. Teams switch roles throughout the game, ensuring everyone gets to play.
It combines batting, catching, sprinting, tactics, and teamwork - making it fun and accessible for all skill levels!
Raiders play slowpitch softball, where the ball is pitched slower and easier to hit. We also play co-ed, with equal numbers of male/non-binary (big ball) and female/non-binary (small ball) players. Everyone is welcome!
Reach out to our General Officers to learn more, we’d love to hear from you!
Training
Whether you're new or returning, our training sessions are a great way to sharpen your skills or pick up the basics. With expert coaching and a welcoming atmosphere, you'll master the rules, positions, and gameplay in no time - no experience required!
Training sessions include warm-ups, drills, and casual games to build confidence and skills. Meet friendly members, improve your game, and enjoy a post-training pub trip.
We also welcome experienced guest coaches and offer specialist sessions on hitting and pitching. Stay updated via our socials and WhatsApp group - contact our General Officers to join!
Joining a team
After learning the basics, you can try out for a league team, become a pool player for tournaments, or join other playing opportunities we create for members.
We have 5-6 teams each year, from beginner to experienced levels - everyone is welcome!
Captains select their players during training, so it's the best place to show your skills. Whether you join a team or play tournaments, we’ll provide the support you need to succeed.
For more info, speak to our General Officers!
Social life
Raiders is all about fun - on and off the pitch! We run social events year-round, giving everyone a chance to connect and be part of our community.
We welcome new ideas, so if you have a social event in mind or want to get involved, contact our General Officers
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Meet the Raiders – Our first social of the year, perfect for new and returning members to meet the team.
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London Pride – As an LGBTQIA+ club, we proudly march in the parade - one of our biggest events of the season!
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Start/End of Season Parties – Kick off the season in style and celebrate our successes at the year's biggest gatherings.
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Summer Picnics – We have summer picnics and sports days throughout the summer.
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Winter Bowling – Keep the competition going in the off-season with monthly bowling games.
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Other Socials – Post-training pub trips, a film club, team get togethers and more.
Your First Session
We know trying something new can be daunting, but we love welcoming new players - so come along!
Beginners
No experience? No problem! Our friendly coaches will teach you the basics - throwing, catching, batting, and rules - alongside other beginners.
Learn at your own pace, and when you're ready, you can join training drills and games.
Experienced Players
If you’ve played before, we’ll ask about your experience and place you in the right training drills.
What to bring
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No kit needed: we provide gloves, bats, and safety gear. After one season you will be expected to purchase your own glove.
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Wear comfy clothes for running around, plus layers for colder weather.
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Bring water, a snack, and sun protection (if needed).
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Trainers with grip, boots or cleats (no metal studs) can help on grass and muddy fields.
After Training
We often head to The Hope pub.
Join us to meet the team and ask any questions!
Questions? Contact our General Officers.
How to join
Pre-season training is completely free - we provide coaching and equipment, so you don’t have to pay until you're sure you love softball (and we’re sure you will!).
Once you decide to join, there’s an annual membership fee that covers training and club kit use. See our Membership Fees page for details.
To join, just tell a committee member and pay your fee - welcome to Raiders! 🎉
Not ready yet? Follow us on social media or join our mailing list.
Check the Contact page for details.