More Trials For Softballers

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31568, 4 January 1968, Page 10

More Trials For Softballers

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. The New Zealand versus Rest, and Possibles versus Probables men’s softball matches to be played at Hobson Park today will be further trials to select teams to meet the San Antonio side in February, the national selector (Mr A. J. N. Whelan, of Auckland) said yesterday.

Instead of putting all the top players in onj team Mr Whelan has decided on an even balance so that the respective pitchers, fielders and batters will get a true indication of their ability. During yesterday's trial matches, three 20-year-old pitchers—J. Dawson (Hutt Valley), R. J. Blowers (Auckland), and K. F. Herlihy (Wellington)—and the 31-year-old W. F. Massey (Hutt Valley), all competed in the final trial but none emerged as clearly superior. One batter however, who hit consistently was the Aucklander, E. 3. Kohlhase. In final Beatty Cup tournament matches played yesterday, Army beat Bay of Plenty, 8-6, for the Ed Barr Cup, and Canterbury defeated Manawatu, 7-6, for the Dick Headl fen Memorial Trophy. The trial teams for today's games are:—

Valley). W. Henderson (Wellington), R. Bennett (Army). B. Brewer (Wanganui), J. Walker (Southland). B. Nichols (Wellington). D. Russell (Wairarapa).

Pitcher To Retire (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. New Zealand’s top softball pitcher for the last five years, W. F. Massey (Hutt Valley), said yesterday that he would play no more at representative level after the present Beatty Cup series except if chosen for the world series in Oklahoma in October. The 31-year-old Massey said that he would now play in the outfield, or the position where his coach thought he would be best. “But 1 will be available to go to the world series in Oklahoma as a pitcher if I'm picked,” said Massey.

Hew Zealand.—K. F. Herlihy (Wellington), P. J. McKinley (Auckland), T. Nunns (Hutt Valley), J. Lowes (Wellington), M. J. Moody (Auckland), p. F. Rogers (Auckland). D. McKerchar (Wellington), E. G. Kohlhase (Auckland). M. Ciyma (Otago), G. Pankhurst (Southland).

The Rest.— W. Massey, J. Dawson (Hutt Valley), P. Prlddey (Wellington), R. Hollenbach (Wanganui). W. Baldwin (Hutt Valley). C. Ward (Wellington). S. Kinghorn (Auckland). D. Cheyne (Wellington). T. Bell, R. Strong (Hutt Valley).

Probables.— G. W. Tattersfleld (Southland), N. Perry (Auckland), M. W. Forsyth (Auckland), M. McGrath (Manawatu), C. Phillips (Wanganui), R. Seaman (Army), A. Broadhead (Wanganui). A. Leslie (Hutt Valley). D. Rikihana (Manawatu), B. Mansfield (Canterbury).

Possibles.— R. J. Blowers (Auckland). O Walford (Hawke's Bay), T. Wallbank (Waikato), D. Sorenson (Hutt