BASEBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1939, Page 6

BASEBALL

TOURNAMENT AT WELLINGTON.

WAIRARAPA’S INITIAL APPEARANCE.

The • first inter-provincial baseball tournament was held in Wellington on Saturday, when Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Wanganui and Wairarapa were represented. Play was held at the Winter Showgrounds and though the early morning was fine and clear a cold southerly sprang up by the time the first' games were held. The early afternoon was wet, but no rain fell while the final game was being played. Detailed results were as follow:— First Round. Wellington beat Wanganui, 13/4. Canterbury beat Wairarapa, 16/2. Auckland, a bye. Second Round. Canterbury beat Auckland, 6/4. Wanganui beat Wairarapa ,11/4. Wellington, a bye. Final. Canterbury beat Wellington, 9/7. Wairarapa v. Canterbury. The Wairarapa team was: L. Allen (C and capt.j,*D. Handy (P), W. Wickens (Ist), C. Allen (2nd), M. Curtin; (3), J. Bevan (S.S.), J; Pauling (L.F.), J. Hemi (C.F.), J. Claridge (S.F.), B. Ford (R.F.).

Canterbury fielded a particularly strong team including several American players headed by Elder Toronto, one of New Zealand’s best players. Their pitcher, R. Evans, was the star man of the day and pitched fast balls with either hand. At first, Wairarapa was demoralised by this fast pitching and smart base fielding. In fact, no runs were scored for the first four innings. The local team, though, fielded exceptionally well and except for a bad lapse in the fourth innings when Canterbury scored 8 runs, did extremely well to keep the score down. Handy and Allen were a good combination as the “battery,” and Curtin and Herni took splendid catches in the field.

Wairarapa v. Wanganui.

The Wairarapa team lined up as follows: D. Handy (P), L. Allen (C), W. Wickens (Ist), W. Hodgetts (2nd), M. Curtin (3rd), J. Pauling (L.F.), L. Petersen (S.F.), J. Hemi (C.F.), F. Morton (R.F.), J. Bevan (S.S.) Steady drizzling’ rain was falling during the.game with added difficulties in fielding as a result. Actually both teams were evenly matched and under normal conditions it would have been a good, even game. Unfortunately in the second innings, Handy received a bad blow on the hand splitting the palm between two fingers. He had to retire and five stitches were inserted in the wound at the Wellington Hospital. Claridge went on to pitch and considering the wet state of the ball kept a good steady ball. The fielding was bad and Wairarapa players tried to hit home runs rather than play an easy ball for base runs. The game was actually called off at the end of five innings in order to allow the final game to proceed.

Canterbury v. Wellington.

The final game was well fought-off, honours going to Canterbury because of wonderful pitching by Evans and splendid base fielding.

A dinner at the Grand Hotel was given to all teams on Saturday night, Mr J. W. Heenan, C.M.G., patron of the N.Z. Easeball Council, presiding. On Sunday morning a national conference was held on interpretation of the rules and in the afternoon Wellington played Auckland at Hutt Park, winning by four runs .to 1 run. By the courtesy of the Ford Motor Co. of N.Z., Ltd., parties of visitors were shown over the Ford works at Lower Hutt and were entertained at afternoon tea in the staff dining room.