Softball tourists face hard games

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 10

Softball tourists face hard games

Christchurch has a softball treat in store next week when the Australian women’s team plays Canterbury and New Zealand on succeeding days at English Park. Australia last toured New Zealand in 1962, and Canterbury was the only provincial side to beat the visitors.

Since 1962, Australian and New Zealand teams have contested two world

series. In 1965, at the initial tournament in Melbourne, Australia won the world title. It defended its title in Japan in 1970, but Japan, the United States and the Philippines proved too strong.

A number of the Australians will be visiting Christchurch for the second time. They include Misses M. Short and M. Edwards, the manager and coach respectively. These two softball enthusiasts have been at the helm for six tours, and a great deal of credit for Australia’s success during this time is due to their unstinted efforts.

Players who have appeared in Christchurch before include E. McKenzie, the captain and first base, M. Nelson, the vice-captain and catcher, N. Allsop, second base, M. Swann, outfield, and J. Fellows, utility. All these players have represented Australia at both world tournaments.

A player who will be touring New Zealand for the first time who has also participated in the two world series is N. Menner, catcher and outfielder. T. Banitska, pitcher, D. Hutchinson, outfielder, R. Boyd, short stop and outfielder, and J. Phelps, catcher, all played in die last tournament- in

Japan. Representing Australia for the first time are J. Foot, third base and outfield, J. Maher, pitcher, who at 16, is the baby of the team; B. Casper, third base; P. Young, outfield; and L. Edwards, pitcher. Miss A. McLauchlin has held the position of assistant coach at the last two world series.

Canterbury, which is at present playing in the New Zealand tournament at Lower Hutt should form a competent unit.

The New Zealand team, which will be selected after the inter-provincial tournament, will be trying hard to beat Australia. Australia beat New Zealand, 5-2, in Osaka and New Zealand will be keen to turn the tables.

Australia will play Canterbury next Tuesday and New Zealand the next day.