Softballers upset about ending of world series

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34072, 9 February 1976, Page 26

Softballers upset about ending of world series

(From TIM DUNBAR i LOWER 111 IT. W hen the fourth world softball series was abandoned last evening officials decided that three nations—Canada. United States, and New Zealand would share the International Softball Federation's trophy hut none of the three teams is happy about ii.

New Zealand was due to play Canada in the third semi-final at S p.m. |on Saturday to decide iwho would join the [United States in the final yesterday afternoon, but ■continuously heavy rain for 36 hours forced an un p reced enl ed cancellation of the series at 9 jo’clock last evening.

“After an inspection of the .ground at 8 p.m. the commitdee found the ground unplay(able.” said the tournament [organiser (Mr Kevin Baldiwin). “The International I Softball Federation was ini formed and it. was decided ■ that the fourth world series ■is finished off today.”

The Canadians were particularly unhappy about the decision. Their manager (Mr Joe Patterson) summed up the views of the team with considerable passion. not even pausing for a breath.

j “We won,” said Mr PaiterIson vehemently, and there were the score sheets showling that Canada, the defendling champion, had beaten | the Americans twice in three | marches and New Zealand once in two to support him. I “Read the records and tell tne that we didn’t deserve to win. We got more runs than anyone for and against—you name it. “We should have had the chance of getting a result. And even without playing, at the very least we should have

I shared the trophy with the United States. ! “It's not sour grapes but Ithere was definitely some [politics involved and I wish Ithere had been someone with a pair of nuts to make a I decision.” > No-one would envy the [position of the organising | committee but there were imany disgruntled people at ithe Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday evening when {the New Zealand-Canada (game was first postponed who (thought it should have been {played. The rain appeared to !be set in and the general {opinion was that conditions I could hardly be expected to! ; improve on the diamond and ■ outfield during yesterday. ■ The manager of the United; {States team'(Mr Rocco San-, itilli), which has won the! {series twice, was not at first; {prepared to comment on the | controversial decision. I Finally he said that he (would rather have played the ‘final “then there wouldn’t be; [any problems. We'll accept lit, but we are not really! ! happy.”

■ Allan Russell, at 23 one of • the youngest members in the I New Zealand side, summed iup the feelings of the New (Zealand camp when he said {with feeling: “I only wish we (could have played Canada. We would have beaten them. It’s piss poor that it ended this way.” As the rain continued throughout, yesterday it was obvious long before the decision was announced that a cancellation of the final was very much on the cards, but the tournament committee delayed its decision for several hours.

At the presentation buffet dinner, which started as scheduled at 6 p.m., it was soon evident that players did not expect to compete last night. Several were supping alcohol without inhibitions and had obviously been informed that the tournament was ail over. When the decision was finally announced teams that would not have been involved in the uncompleted matches participated in popular performances on the dance floor.

Hie first to get involved were the bottom-placed South Africans, who had everyone in the Lower Hutt Horticultural Hall clapping their hands as their cheerleader, Pete Evans, the son of the manager. Pat Evans,

stood on a chair and sang pieces of “Singing in the Rain.”

Special awards announced at the dinner were. —

Top batter. Basil McLean (New Zealand), who has announced his retirement; top pitcher, Ty Stofflet (United States); most stolen bases, Nip Napier (South

most valuable player. Stof-| flet; most runs batted in. Bob: | Burrows (Canada). 14 runs. New Zealand bad made certain of at least third place: in the ill-fated tournament when it beat Japan, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon in the, second semi-final, but its bat-j ting was dangerously uncon-1 vincing. Certainly, none of Nev. Zealand’s critics could com ! plain about the start though.. In the first innings, two run.-j were scored from three good: hits Carl Mossman, lead-off batter for only the second time, singled, advanced to) third on a beautiful double! by the ever-reliable Basil McLean, and came home on a fielder’s choice. Canterbury’s popular cap-;] tain, Bryan Mountford, then;; came up with a one-base hit! — rhe fourth time he has hit !l

i safely in as many match:- ■ {the series — to bring horn. McLean aftei two succe--i\. baiters bad failed, bin thi was to be the last score <> the game. Canda- enthu-ia-tic ba-< of supporter.- wa- strangel' j.-übdued in the earliet gam on Saturday a- it- team IoIto the United States. 0-1 Th. American- went straight mt (the final. t They had twice bee (beaten convincingly bv th ’Canadian side previously it the tournament, but tin dime the American- both >ut batted and out-pitched ’ ’■ : opposition. ' One hit decided the mate — a huge hit from the bi; American out-fielder. Car Walker, which cleared tin ’fence at centre-field ant .bounced underneath th< iscoreboard tn the top ol th ’sixth innings.