Horowhenua Softball Reps Were Badly Beaten On Scores But Not On Performance

Chronicle (Levin), 10 February 1949, Page 7

Horowhenua Softball Reps Were Badly Beaten On Scores But Not On Performance

"Strike One")

(By

Last Saturday the Horowhenua men's representative team travelled to Palmerston North to appear before the North Island selectors and play Hawke's Bay. They were badly beaten op the score, 23 — 7, but not on their performance. Hawke's Bay players made the most of their opportunities and turned on a splendid display. The third innings was Horowhenua's downfal]., the Bay scoring 14 runs, and then the def ence was. too stroiig when Horowhenua tried to rally.

In the Bay team Mildenhall held some astonishing catehes when they were batted at him on " the pitcher's plate. Actually he took six of them and; 'when moved to third base, a further two "rockets." Horowhenua also have cause to remember Ansin at first base, Wills at. short stop, who seeffied to be e very where, and Johnson, a Samoan, who was a tremendous hitter. Fcr the local team, Fletcher was easily the most outstanding and played his best game of the season. In the outfield, a new position for him, he caught a "beauty" from Johnson, while his returns to the bases could not be faulted. Later he came in as pitcher and should have been there earlier, as he did a tremendous amount of work on the diamond. , Morgan played a good game at first base and never missed a thing that came his way, while he backI ed up soundly. Manuel, at catcher, gave a sound display. While his throwing is good, he is inclined to use it unnecessarily and was responsible for giving. a run or two away. His "homer," together with ; Morgan 's, put false hopes into the 'Horowhenua supporters at an early j stage in the first innings. Marshal1' i was my next choice. He was only ! on for four innings, but it would be ! hard to find a better third base- | ma n. It was a pity that he did not ' have a longer game.

Slogget, a pitcher, was not watching the cateher's glove enough and gave far too many "walks" to the opposition. His batting was better in this game than usual. Desgrand did much work on second base, but appeared, a little frightened of an injured' foot. Normally he would have been responsible for a few more Bay victims. His throwing was rather wild at times. Bonner, at short stop, was a little slow off the mark, on occasions and let the ball pass] him. He also needs to concentrate on accurate returns. Smith, at third base, had an offday and allowed several easy balls to pass him, while he dropped a coupTe of catches. Greatbach did not have a great deal of work at

he could have taken. As with most of his colleagues, he seemed fcip either hit the ball at the pitcher dt the short stop, who appeared unable to miss. ;!-*- Rossen, at left outfield, had ap unenviable job in trying to bridge the gap between baseman and out£ field and on three occasions,; although playing very' deep, balls passed over his head — hit by the Bay big hitters. f Atkinson, who replaced Rosseri in the outfield for* the latter paift of the game, did not have the' opportunities of his predecessor, but I noticgd that he was backin^ up third base on several occasions —always a good omen in'softbaltr And for candid criticisms from my own observations, and wishing to hurt no one, I consider a new pitcher with faster and more varied pitches, and definitely more accuracy, will have to be founa; that Marshall should be left an third base; that Fletcher could come into short stop and be relief pitcher as at present; and thau Atkinson could replace Fletcher fiji the outfield. _ The team should practise at 'least once a week, and three or 'more representative games shoum be arranged before the season enus. • ~