Outstanding Softball In New Zealand Finals

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 11

Outstanding Softball In New Zealand Finals

CANTERBURY men’s soft- - ball players were shown the finer points of the game during the 1965-66 New Zealand inter-club finals played at Edgar Mclntosh Park. The pitching of G. Ward (Broadway), W. Massey (Railways) and G. Tattersfield (Dodgers) was of a standard seldom seen in Christchurch. All six finalists had their outstanding hitters and the tussles between pitchers and batters, backed by brilliant fielding and catching, produced excellent softball. Broadway (Wellington) can be satisfied with its sixth tournament victory. Defeated by Ramblers (Auckland) in the first round, Broadway twice beat the defending champions. Railways (Hutt Valley), to take the John Lennon Trophy. There is no doubt that Broadway was a champion team. Against Ramblers a few mistakes occurred, and the defence was tightened considerably in the later matches. Ward lifted his standard of pitching until it was almost the equal of the legendary Massey, the greatest pitcher produced by this country. A hamstring injury prevented C. Ward from playing in two matches, but on these occasions his position at third base was ably filled by the veteran outfielder, H. Atkin. The strong hitting of P. Whiting, W. Henderson and

P. Clark, and the ability of the Ward brothers to hit safely, if less spectacularly, ensured Broadway of sufficient runs to win the trophy. Massey’s individual brilliance against Broadway was not enough to offset several bad fielding errors. In the earlier games Railways impressed as the likely winner but G. Ward and the occasional fielding lapse upset this prediction. Ramblers was the only team to defeat Broadway. Its sole New Zealand squad member, P. Rogers, was in fine form and his pitching was overcome only by the Railways and Marist (Auckland) batters. Selected for New Zealand as a third batsman, Rogers appears a certainty for the team to take part in the World Series in Mexico City in October. The Dodgers team from Dunedin performed creditably, reversing its previous loss to Avon (Christchurch) in the South Island finals and also defeating Marist. Tattersfield returned the remarkable figure of 41 strikeout in five matches including 14 against Avon and 12 against Marist. His partnership with his catcher, G. Panagatidis, was particularly effective. With more tournament experience Marist could become a threat to Broadway and Railways. The pitcher, R. Blowers, was dangerous

at times, but was not consistent. Against Ramblers Blowers and E. Kohlasse hit successive home runs off Rogers and the team’s third big hitter, P. Buffalora, pounded two off the pitching of A. Ballantyne (Avon). Although outclassed, Avon must benefit from its tournament experience. P, Campbell and J. Hooper batted effectively throughout while M. R. Napier and S. Whittington struck batting form in one or two matches. Ballanityne pitched quite well without matching the performances of the other pitchers. B. Mansfield held several fine catches at third base.