Otago Softball has overcome trying circumstances to ressurect its top club competition.
Its premier men's grade will return to four teams this year, after having just two the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, it will also field five women's only teams, which will play in the senior reserve grade and also contest a women's trophy between them.
Having had a tough past two months, as the association looks to turn around a dire financial situation, the news will be especially welcomed by the region's top players.
Both Ellis Park and Old Boys would step up to the premier men's grade this year, joining Dodgers and Cardinals.
Otago softball chairwoman Sandy Wallace said it was exciting times for the sport and the community was looking forward to opening day on October 7.
''I just think there's a lot of hard work, there's a lot of good young kids around there and the clubs are working hard around there.
''The clubs are working hard to make sure that they can get back to the premier ranks. Ellis Park are back and Old Boys are back, Dodgers and Cardinals were there last year.
''So it's great to see our old clubs, Ellis Park being one of them, getting back to the premier ranks.''
She said there had been a discussion as to whether to have an all-women's competition at Monday's clubs meeting.
However, it had been decided to hold off and have the teams play in the senior reserve grade, with the option of creating a new competition after Christmas or next season.
Either way, she felt it was not far off.
A key reason for the boost in women's numbers had been the Hancock Park competition folding, which resulted in two teams coming across.
It was a positive time for the women's game in the region. Otago fielded its first open women's representative team in seven years last season.
The members of that team were spread around the teams in this year's club competition.
The association had been working hard to get ready for the season, which began on October 7. There had been increases in numbers in both the competitive and non-competitive senior reserve grades too, with four and 10 teams respectively.
Wallace said fundraising efforts were also going well and preparations were going well for the Labour weekend fundraising tournament, although the first focus was opening day.
