The female softball players sent home from the Bahamas in disgrace after fighting in their hotel and walking off the field are to face disciplinary action, along with their coach.

Stephanie Trott, public relations officer of the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association (BASA), told The Royal Gazette that disciplinary hearings would be held for all the players and coach Braxton Stowe would “definitely be held on a disciplinary charge”.

She alleged that Mr. Stowe instructed the team to leave the field during the opening ceremony of the English Speaking Caribbean Amateur Softball Tournament on October 29 as a “solid protest” against BASA officials — a claim he denied yesterday.

Mr. Stowe said he had not been informed of any disciplinary charges against him and that “there were two sides to every story”. Of the disciplinary action, he said: “This is the first I have heard about it.”

And of the charge that he instructed his players to leave the field, Mr. Stowe said: “That is incorrect.”

But he admitted that in hindsight walking off was not the correct action, especially after discussing the matter with Ministry of Sport permanent secretary Ellen-Kate Horton, who flew out to the Bahamas to deal with the team.

“When the permanent secretary came down we spoke with her and told the reasons [why we left the field] and we knew that was wrong,” said Mr. Stowe.

Ms Trott, who was in the Bahamas for the tournament, said it was done “out of disrespect” to BASA president Terry Richardson and general secretary Gerri Swan, who were up in the stands and had been asked to come to the field to accept a commemorative softball from the hosts.

“That was when they [players and coach] turned and walked off,” she said. “They were given instructions to leave the field by the coach.

“Four senior players left the field [initially] and the coach instructed the other players to leave.

“He was head of that contingent and therefore he is ultimately responsible for their behaviour — or lack thereof.”

But Mr. Stowe said: “It is not as it sounds.”

He added: “I don’t want to give any statements until the Minister and the permanent secretary got back with their rulings. So far all the people have heard is from their [officials'] side.

“They are trying to find anything and everything which is not important about softball in order to get at me and the team.”

Mr Stowe said there were “a lot of incidents” leading up to the team walking off the field and that it was reaction to something the officials had done.

Ms Trott said the tournament — involving Bermuda, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos — could have been a good way to get fast pitch softball back on track in Bermuda after years in the wilderness.

Instead, she said the disastrous tour — which also saw Police called out to the team hotel after two players physically fought and others verbally argued — was a “learning experience”.

“I will say that in future no team will ever go out of here again until such time as they understand what they are representing — they have to understand that this is more than just playing ball,” said Ms Trott.

“They are definitely ambassadors for Bermuda. We are looking forward to working with the Ministry and anyone who has softball at heart and wants to see the sport go forward.”

She added: “There should be no drama in softball. Tears should come only from winning or losing.”

Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney said on Friday in the House of Assembly that the team’s actions had brought “embarrassment” to the Island.

Source: The Royal Gazette