harbouring dreams of qualifying for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and re-establishing the Island as a legitimate power in the region.

Six teams will qualify for the finals, to be held in Puerto Rico in November and team manager/coach Braxton Stowe is optimistic about his team's chances, with play set to start on Thursday.

"The girls are confident and I'm confident that we'll be there (in Puerto Rico),'' said Stowe yesterday. "I just hope we're not over-confident.

"I feel right now that they're ready. It's all up to them to perform.'' Since January the squad have undergone intense training under the guidance of Stowe and assistant Anthony Mouchette.

The local men's team have provided opposition during that time, which Stowe is thankful for and hopes will place them in good stead for what they will face in Venezuela.

"They have been giving good performances against the men,'' said Stowe.

"They're hitting the ball well and getting the head of the bat around against faster pitching.

"Right now I would say that offence is our main asset, as we have depth right down to the number nine hitter.

"Also the defence is fairly sound and right now the pitching is probably the best it could ever be, and if I use it correctly we could be on top.'' Questions had surrounded the strength of local pitching against opposition used to facing pitches thrown in the 80 mph zone. Bermuda's top hurlers do not come close to matching that velocity and Stowe will have to perform a juggling act, bringing in relievers as the games progress, so as to keep opposing hitters off balance.

Veteran Beverley Burchall is looked at as the side's best starting pitcher and will likely find relief in the form of Dawnette Daniels, Laverne Jones, Yvette Brangman and Suzie Clark.

Offensively Lenora Maloney, Terry Lynn Paynter, Gaynelle Pace can provide power at the plate and will be counted on to drive the bulk of the team's runs.

The team arrive in the South American nation tomorrow after spending tonight in New York.

Tour party: Dee Ann Martin, Beverley Burchall, Roseanne Wall, Deborah DeShields, Lenora Maloney, Dawnette Daniels, Rose Richardson, Antoinette Williams, Earlene Wilkinson, Gaynelle Pace, Tracy Sharrieff, Terry Lynn Paynter, Valerie King, Laverne Jones, Nicole Jones, Yvette Brangman, Deborah Phillip, Suzie Clarke, Damina Caisey, Nakita Trott, Braxton Stowe (manager/coach), Anthony Mouchette (coach), Sheila Basden (chaperone), Eva Jean Smith (physio).