SOFTBALL TOUR OPENS AT ENGLISH PARK

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29726, 20 January 1962, Page 9

SOFTBALL TOUR OPENS AT ENGLISH PARK

fTHE Australian women’s softball team opens its New Zealand tour today at English Park when it plays Canterbury. Canterbury has just returned from a particularly successful New Zealand tournament at Dunedin, in which Canterbury teams took all three titles. Canterbury was unfortunate to lose the services of its vice-captain, H. Johnson, when she broke an ankle in a New Zealand trial game, and she will be greatly missed. The injury possibly deprived her of a place in the New Zealand team, Canterbury’s attack will be spearheaded by B. Makineon, who has been chosen as the only South Island player to represent New Zealand. She has represented Canterbury, and the South Island, on many occasions, and pitches a well-controlled delivery. The battery will be completed by N. Beale, who has a good understanding with her pitcher, and who allowed a minimum of passed balls during the recent tournament.

M. Gaskell, on first base, performed very well at Dunedin, her stretching and fielding placing her in the top class. She is considered unlucky not to have gained New Zealand honours. J. Batie, in the absence of T. Tuhou, will play in the pivot position, second base, and on recent performanaces her alert fielding should prove valuable M. Hapuka will play on third base in place of the injured H. Johnson, and with her solid, and at times brilliant, displays at the tournament, should be an able substitute. L. Parish is an alert and safe short stop. ’’he outfield of E. Brown, C. MulHaby, and J. Hudson has proved a very reliable one, and few hits managed to penetrate this safe trio. The utilities, M. Wright and E. Law, are both capable, as they proved at the tournament, and could step in wherever needed. Mr D. Bell coached the team admirably. The Australian team appears to be a very strong ore. The pitchers are said to be much faster than the New Zealanders, and most of the players seem very versatile.

The Australian team is:— C. Phillips, captain, who has played since 1947 at third base, second base, and short stop. She has represented Victoria 15 times, and has also represented the State at

i cricket and baseball. E. McKenzie represented ; Victoria eight times. She ; started playing in 1954. has j played on first and outfield. . An Australian baseball rep- . resentative and also a State cricketer. M. Dodds has been playing since 1952, in outfield, catcher, third, and second base posi- ■ tions. She has represented Queensland six times and is a Queensland basketball representative.

E. Robinson has represented Queensland six times as a pitcher and outfielder. She started playing in 1951. M. Allsop, who started her career in 1948, has played on third base, short stop, pitcher, and outfield, and has been a Victorian representative six times. J. de Lacy started playing in 1955 and has represented Victoria five times as a utility player. She is also a State basketball and athletic representative. R. Gherardin has played at third, short stop, apd catcher since 1954, and has played for Victoria four times.

M. Swain, a Victorian representative, has played since 1959 at outfield and first base, and has represented her State at basketball and tennis. M. Scott, five times a Victorian representative, has played since 1949. She also plays basketball, badminton, and athletics.

N. Whittingham, a physical education instructor, has played catcher, third base, and outfield since 1953. She has represented South Australia five times, and is a State hockey player. F. Ireland, a Western Australian representative eight times, has played second and

third base, pitcher, short stop, and outfield since 1952. She is a State and Australian cricket representative who toured New Zealand in 1948. G. Amor has caught and played first base since 1952. She is also a. South Australian hockey player. H. Slemering, a pitcher since 1950, has; played for Victoria eight times; she is also interested in athletics and tennis. M. Nelson, a catcher and fielder, has played for Victoria twice, and Western Australia four times. She is a State hockey and basketball player. E. Hardwick has played since 1949 in the outfield and short stop positions. A Victorian representative eight times, die is also a State basketball player.