Men Disappoint: Few Upheld Their Softball Reputations At First Representative Trial

Chronicle (Levin), 15 December 1949, Page 8

Men Disappoint: Few Upheld Their Softball Reputations At First Representative Trial

"Strike One")

(By

oome soitbail reputations came out rather shattered from the first representative trial games last weekend. Of the men tnaksts seen the only members to play up to their past games Marshall ray' Ram0na' Hohipua' B- Hakaraia, Thompson and I The weekend, however, was a memorable one for all softball players. in this district as a very large gathering of trialists ior the association's first fixture on January 29 was present, Jf p following of the trials was also very encouraging, and the sport has the appearance of beeoming most popular as the rules of the game become known.

Apart from the players • mentioned above, Ovhers I considei are capable but were unable. to make a reasonable showing on the day were Taratoa, V. Bonner Judd, Fletcher, Desgrand anc Skilton. - ' Taking the position overall, mj team to play Wellington would be Catcher: T. Gray; first base: Hohipua; pitcher: Bonner (L Skilton is not availabie) ; seconc base: Desgrand; .third base: Ramona; short s.op: Rose; outfielders: Thompson, Judd, B. Hakaraia and Fletcher as reserve outfieldei and pitcher, and Marshall as reserve infielder. The unluckj; playets would be Atkinson,. Ryan, Morgan and S. Bonner. In respect of the women's representative trials there were nc surprises in fonn, although P Warren is 'developing inco a verj steady pitcher. The rep tean should come from these players: S. McMilian, P. Warren, N. Harris, N. Honore, R. Remini, M. Cri'bb. M. Enoka, E. and P. Ransfield, R. Polloch, M. Warren, C. Williams. J. Bagrie and R. Hakaraia. /. game is proposed for January 2 L against Wellington. Saturday's Games. A very interesting and exciting game at Kimberley resulted in a win for Raukawa, who 1'owered Kimberley's colours for the firsi time this season, the score being 17—10. This makes a very interesting position in the competition now with three teams and 2 possible fourch (Wanderers had yet to play their game at the time of writing) with eight points eaeh. These are Raukawa, Kimberley and Pirates. There are twc games -to be played to finish ofi the first round. Raukawa's good win can be credited to the first innings, when nerves played a big part in Kimberley allowing their opponents to get nine runs in, but for all that credit must go to Kimberley for their uphill fight and when one considers the remarkable fitness of Raukawa nlayers the score on 'their part eould have been greater. Judd and Thompson both took wonderful catches m the outfield, although both were guilty of a relatively easy one

poppmg out of their hands. For j Raukawa, Taratoa was responsible for three home runs, two of which were from fielding errors by Taurine, who appears to me to be out i of his place in the outfield. La ■ Greea would make a better fiel'der and Taurine should come insMe. The game was played in a grand spirit and there ' was not one appeal, an example of good sportsmanship. Athletic accounted for Achilles quite reasonably, although 18 — 8 was a few runs in Athletic's favour more than the run .of play suggested. Fletcher, Desgrand and Morgan were responsible for some g:od hits that brought men home at the right times. Fletcher's pitching has improved considerably and with Greatba.tch as catcher, the combination worked well. The tendency for all Athletic players is to make their hits "fly balls" or likely catches, when a well directed • low hit is much safer. Wonderful catches by G..

Fraser, of Athletic, were the surprise of the game. He caught eight Achilles players out during the game. For Achilles, Hodges, Musgrove and Ramona are good softball players, especially the lat:.er, and I will be disappointed if he fails to make a representative side 'this season. In the Punahau-Pirates game, won 13—5 by the latter, there was a further _ example of points being flattering to the game. Pima- , hau badly wants hitters in their team and praetice alone will bring them.. P. King and Taueki apPear players of promise and as usual Harris was a tower of strength to his side. Pirates is a team which is eombining well this season and what I like about them is that players like Gardiner. V. Bonner, M. Taylor, P. and T. Doolsy are not afraid to run round after hits and back up. Bonner is about the best in the district for this type of play. Women's Grade Points. Punahau women members should have a heart to heart talk with the two or three members who let them down last Saturday and especially when two games had been arranged for them. With one day of games to go the championship points are in a very interesting stage for four teams and not quite so interesting for the others. Raukawa leads with eigh't points, Wanderers Ladies and Achilles have six points each. Wanderers Stars four points, and .Kimberley B and Punahau have yet to score. With the Raukawa and Wanderers women's . game to take place next Saturday at Otaki, the result will be awaited eagerly. Visit By N.Z. Association. Two members from the New Zealand Council called a't Camoridge Park on Saturday and were asked for criticisms of our softball and umpiring. Although not wishing to condemn on suc-h a short observation, both members, Messrs Pringle and Headifen, considered that our umpiring and players' knowledge of rules could be improved. Commenting on the play, Mr. Pringle said that too many batters he had notieed were inclined to hit "fly balls" (balls likely to

be caught), the fault bemg, the dropping of the back shoulder of the batter when attempting to hit and thus getting under the ball instead of over it. This is a small matter but the fault could make a big difference. Mr. Headifen suggested that more teams could invite Wellington teams up for friendly games and those clubs could impart their superror knowledge to the local teams. He mentioned that there were several teams willing to trayel at any -time. As I mentfoned in the introducferon- there is heartening indication af a greater public interest in softball in this district and I bhink it would be to the benefit of the sport if players approaehed soectators and offered their serfice in explaining some of the 3ner points and the rules of tl^ ;ame. The first to appreciate tfiis vouid be the spectator and it is, vfter all, their support which is acking in the game at present.