preparation for this year's Central America and Caribbean Games (CAC) fast pitch softball tournament to be held in Puerto Rico.

The women are being put through their paces three times a week under the guidance of manager Braxton Stowe and coach Anthony Mouchette as they will face qualifying during April in Venezuela for the event at which Bermuda's famous Big Blue Machine won gold in 1978.

However, since that memorable triumph in Medellin, Colombia where the local side, coached by Winston Jones and including the likes of Sheila Basden -- also in the current squad -- Suzie Clarke and captain Rosalind Simmons, swept through undefeated, the Island has been ill-represented overseas as the sport declined in popularity.

A disappointing ninth place finish out of 10 teams at the 1990 World Championships was an indication of how far they had fallen.

Nevertheless, Stowe was confident that Bermuda will acquit itself well and go on to the `big dance' in November.

"Six teams qualify and we intend to be in that six,'' Stowe said in an interview yesterday. "If we don't qualify we'll know that are standard is not up to par and will have to take steps to improve on it.

"Things look very promising (in training), the girls are enthused and giving 110 percent. They all know what I and the association expect.'' Players such as Gaynell Pace, Nicole Jones, Beverley Burchall and Basden all have previous international experience and will be looked to for leadership as they set out on their quest for gold.

One disadvantage and the thing they will have to come to grips with is the swiftness of opposing pitchers. During the 1990 World tournament they were constantly baffled by the speed of the ball, while their opponents found the slower Bermudian deliveries much to their liking.

"They pitch at 80-90 miles per hour and then our pitching looks like change-ups to them and in the later innings they are often able to tee off on it,'' said Stowe. "Now we have a pitching machine to help us work on increasing our bat speed so that we can get around on the ball.'' Still he realises that this team as well as all others will be judged against the success enjoyed in '78. They will certainly have to pull out all the stops to stand a chance of emulating that feat.

Bermuda's entry into the event was forced by the threat of expulsion and having to reapply if they had not. This ultimatum was given as the Island had not participated over a period of several years with a host of outside nations waiting to get in.

Unlike the women, the men do not have to qualify for their finals.

Full squad: Dee Ann Martin, Beverly Burchall, Sheila Basden, Roseanne Wall (all Phillies); Deborah Deshields, Lenora Maloney, Dawnette Daniels, Rose Richardson, Antoinette Williams, Earlene Wilkinson, Gaynelle Pace, Tracy Sharrieff (Royals); Terry Lynn Paynter, Maxita Brewery, Damina Caisey (Warwick); Valerie King, Laverne Jones, Nicole Jones, Terrie Darrell, Isabel Tuzo (Social Club); Yvette Brangman, Deborah Phillip (Eaglettes); Lawanda Trott, Nakita Trott, Sherrie Manders, Selina Bean (North Village).

Also available for selection are overseas students Toni Richardson, and Stacy and Thea Furbert.