Softballers will win—N.Z. coach

Press, 1 April 1989, Page 88

Softballers will win— N.Z. coach

By

JOHN COFFEY

Mike Walsh, the New Zealand men’s softball coach, has rejected criticisms of his team’s attitude and performance in the first test against the United States.

Although the United States began with a 4-2 victory at Lower Hutt on Thursday evening, Mr Walsh is convinced that New Zealand is capable of winning at least three of the four matches in Christchurch this weekend.

"Sure we can. Winning the first game would be an advantage to either side, but this is a fivematch series and we are by no means out of it yet,” said Mr Walsh yesterday. The world champion Americans and a New Zealand squad little changed from that which earned second ranking in Saskatoon, Canada, last August face a strenuous two days. Their Winfield Challenge series requires international softball’s two most accomplished teams to oppose each other on the Cuthbert’s Green diamond at noon and 2 p.m. today and tomorrow. The visitors warmed up with a double header at the same venue last evening. Mr Walsh conceded that some aspects of New Zealand’s first test effort needed attention at training yesterday afternoon. He denied, however, that his men were complacent, as some reports have suggested.

“I reject that,” he said. “The team was well prepared and motivated.”

Nor does Mr Walsh believe he erred tactically by starting with Jimmy Seaman, the least experienced of his three pitchers, and not replacing him

on the mound when the United States spurted to a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

“Jimmy was left on the mound not only to gain experience but also to keep us in the game, which he did. We got one run back immediately and might have had at least one more if the batters had performed well enough. The Americans did not score again until the sixth inning,” said Mr Walsh.

As proof of his faith in his squad, Mr Walsh pledged that all 15 players would be in action during the week-end. Mr Walsh has not changed an opinion voiced before the first test that neither team, and especially New Zealand, would realise its full potential until the Christchurch segment of the series.

“It’s the first time the New Zealand team has been together for eight months, and we also have three new members. It takes a little time to gel as a team and get combinations going,” he said.

“No-one let the side down at p>wer Hutt but it was surprising that our three most experienced batters didn’t get any safe hits.

“That’s not going to happen too often, and I’m not concerned about it. It’s got to be a plus that some of our supposedly lesser batters were hitting.”

Mr Walsh is convinced that New Zealand is capable of exerting pressure

on the world champion without overlooking the enormity of the task.

“We’re aware of some weaknesses, but just as aware that there aren’t too many — that is why they are world champions.

“To exploit weaknesses we have to put runners on base and make good contact with the ball. Of course, that is not easy against world-class pitching,” said Mr Walsh.

It can be no consolation to New Zealand softball supporters that two of the three “American” pitchers are expatriate New Zealanders, Peter Meredith and Steve Schultz.

Having. Meredith or Schultz on the mound in United States colours seems as incongruous as Dennis Conner being at the helm of a New Zealand America’s Cup yacht. But what more incentive does this country’s locallydeveloped softball talent need as it seeks to overturn the world rankings? Teams.— New Zealand — pitchers, Michael White, Jim Seaman, Chubb Tangaroa; catcher, Mark Sorenson (captain); infield, Murray McLean, Eddie Kohlase, Dean Rice, Simon Kerr, Kere Johanson; outfielders, Thomas Perenara, Jack Matenga, Mike Nicholls, Jason Farrow, Don Tricker, Fred Wyatt. United States — pitchers, Dave Scott, Steve Schultz, Peter Meredith; • catchers, Steve de Fazio, Tim Wahl; infield, Rick Minton, Steve Kerian, Bruce Beard, Ted Hicks; outfield, Brian Lehrman, Mitch Munthe, Brian Rothrock, Bill Boyer; utilities, Chad Corcoran, Jim Clark,