SOFTBALL GIVES DISPENSATION Phillips gets chance of double cap

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32737, 14 October 1971, Page 24

SOFTBALL GIVES DISPENSATION Phillips gets chance of double cap

1). Phillips, Canterbury’s only trialist for the New Zealand softball team to tour South Africa next February and play in the world championships in Manila immediately afterwards, still has a chance of becoming a double international.

The national softball association has given him special dispensation for the final trials at Trentham over Labour Day week-end. Because of his soccer com mitments—he is a member o the New Brighton team whict is attempting to gain a plact in the Rothmans Nationa League—Phillips may b< needed to play in his club’: final game of the play-of series on Labour Day. He wrote to the New Zea land Softball Association ask ing if he might be allowed t<

play on the first two days of I trials and return to Christ-1 |church for the soccer match.: After consultation with! [the convener of selectors and coach of the team (Mr A. W. J. Whelan), the national! association has agreed to Phillips’s request. On last season’s form, and with the dearth of first-class , second basemen in the I Dominion, Phillips has an ex-| . cellent chance of gaining i selection. ■ He has been training for both soccer and softball at the same time and is certain to be as fit as any player at ’ the trials. However, his ' batting might suffer from a lack of match practice. New Brighton only has to win or draw its next game, against Western Suburbs at 1 Wellington on Saturday to be assured of a place in the national league. If it does, the team’s coach, Mr M. P. Bennie, will be happy to have Phillips attend all three days of the softball trials and miss the last play-off match against Takapuna City. “If we get through next Saturday, its entirely up to him,” Mr Bennie said. “We will be happy to let him go. “We don’t want to jeopardise his softball chances—he is a free agent.” Phillips has already represented New Zealand at soccer, as goal-keeper in the 1969 World Cup team in matches against Israel.