Strong S.I. softball entry

Press, 26 November 1981, Page 36

Strong S.I. softball entry

The South Island men’s softball tournament for the Jefferies Cup in Christchurch next week has already attracted one of its best entries with nine provincial teams confirmed. Among those fighting for South Island softball supremacy will be the present Jefferies Cup holder, Nelson, and other leading sides of recent years such as Canterbury, Southland, and Otago. Also confirmed are the slightly lesser lights, South Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, Marlborough, North Otago,

and even the West Coast which was a late defector when the tournament was last contested in Christchurch two years ago. Mr Dale Eagar, the president of the Canterbury Softball Association, is still waiting to hear from South Otago and Central Otago, but obviously believes that the entries are already ample. The 1979 tournament attracted only seven starters and it could be a good omen for the home side that it won handsomely on that occasion.

It is expected, and hoped, that Otago will field a stronger combination than that thrashed by Canterbury in a double-header at Mosgiel last Sunday. Papanui Domain, with as yet the only skin diamond in Christchurch, is the venue for the 1981 tournament to be contested over the week-end of December 5 and 6. Mr Eagar said that there would be two sections with roundrobins in each and then cross-overs to produce the finalists.