SOFTBALL DRIVE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 6

SOFTBALL DRIVE

Gubs Urge Reforms Concern at the slow progress of eoftbaSS In Canterbury and the apparent lack of drive and initiative at the administrative level was expressed by delegates from sdx dubs at a special meeting convened by Mr G. T. Senior, a former member of the executive of the Canterbury Softball Association. Mr Senior tofld delegates that it was not the purpose of the meeting to level derogatory criticism at the executive of the Softball Association but rather to formulate ideas how the game could be improved competitively and administratively. A 13-point plan was drawn up by the meeting for submission to the executive with the recommendation that all points be discussed and implemented at the comiflg annual meeting. One of the most revolutionary steps advocated was the formation of a management committee to handle all matters relating to the conducting and arranging of competition games. This would enable the executive to devote more time to general administration, control of finance and planning. It was also recommended that a public relations committee be formed to create greater public interest in the sport and that the publishing of the weekly draw in the newspapers would help toward this end. Other points of the plan were designed to overcome the numerous complaints from players that they were not getting enough softball at club level. It was recommended that representative fixtures be drastically reduced and that where representative games interfere with normal championship play, double headers be played and. Sunday be used as an extra playing day. Competing for the Jeffrey's Cup on a tournament rather than a challenge basis was also advocated as was the introduction of a separate night competition for senior men’s teams. Further combined dub meetings wilfl be held during the off season to co-ordinate future planning.