SOFTBALL NOTES

Chronicle (Levin), 17 February 1949, Page 7

SOFTBALL NOTES

"Strike One")

Wanderers Lead In Championships

(By

Athletic were severely trounced, not so' much on the ultimate score, 9 — 7, but on general match play, by Pirates, who played an extremely eonfident game on Saturday. Capitalising early on some silly mistakes, Pirates at one time" had a lead of 9 — 2. Athletic's usually strong point — hitting — was atrocious and hours of good practice would be handy in this department. There were numerous cases where double play could have halted Pirates' scoring rate, but these were not utilised. For the. winning team, their batsmen S. Bonner, Litten and Nielson, playedexcellent games, while the pitcher Slogget-catcher Gardiner combination could not be faulted. This game resulted in Athletic taking second place to Wanderers by one point. • Wanderers (8) had to bring all their experience to hold off an extremely strong challenge from Kimberley, a newly strengthened side with some of the cream of Punahau juniors. Kimberley's three outfielders did some wonderful work and it appeared as if Wyrill's pitching was meant to be hit to their safe hands. It is hoped Kimberley will be able to take a

rise out of a few more of the local teams. Wanderers in their second game of the day with Achilles rather lacked the sting of the other two games mentioned. Bad throwing and handling faults, while some big hits found gaps in the outfield, were responsible for the score — Wanderers 24, Achilles 15. Skilton and Stackhouse were good for a homer each and actually Wanderers won with still an innings to play. It was disappointing that Punahau men's team defaulted their games on Saturday, especially the second attempt to play off with Athletic. There must be plenty of young Maori boys about who would enjoy a game. Changes in Rep. Team The Wellington Association has asked for a junior team to play a curtain raiser to the North-South game in Wellington on February 26. It is now trying to arrange the senior representatives as a more even match for their juniors. If this is arranged, no time can be lost in doing a few hours' practice, particularly against a selected "B" team, and so try to find the most suitable players. The selectors have announced their modified team and I hope the coach has been instructed about practices. The team now stands at Skilton, Manuel, Morgan, Desgrand, Marshall, Fletcher, Greatbach, Rossen and Atkinson.