Cap tip Dave BlackburnNew Zealand teenager Pita Rona has secured a seven year deal with Major League Baseball franchise the Baltimore Orioles. The Auckland youngster, who has represented New Zealand in softball, switched codes late last year to focus his attention on baseball. Rona was picked up after scouts from the franchise came to New Zealand this week to look at the … [Read more...]
Conflict with baseball blights New Zealand Black Sox softball year
Cap tip Blair Setford: Softball hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2011. By Tony Smith, Stuff.NZ The fallout over Softball New Zealand's call to sack Black Sox manager Doug Golightly overshadowed the national men's team's tournament victory in Canberra and successful winter tour of North America and the most encouraging performance by a New Zealand women's … [Read more...]
Bright Future for Talented Aussie Teen
Cap tip Blair Setford: MOUNT Isa softballer Jayson Morgan made 2011 a year to remember. The talented 16-year-old began the year by being part of the Queensland U17 team who won the inaugural Australian Under 17 Boys Softball Championships in Adelaide. Queensland assistant coach Lexie Pearce said the efforts of Morgan along with fellow Mount Isa softballers Matthew Hovi … [Read more...]
Young Kiwis see opportunity in Baseball
Cap tip Blair Setford. By Ross Karl Major league scouts are in town The lure of Major League Baseball isn't just catching the eye of Black Sox defectors. Young softballers have the chance to trial in front of Baltimore Orioles scouts in January and they're more than willing to take it up. Toronto Blue Jays signing Scott Campbell's one step from Major League … [Read more...]
You’re out, Black Sox manager told
Cap tip Blair Setford. By TONY SMITH A senior Black Sox member believes sacked manager Doug Golightly has been made a scapegoat by Softball New Zealand and says his stance on baseball was supported by the team's leadership group. Fairfax has confirmed Golightly's contract was terminated after a disciplinary hearing on Thursday evening. Softball New Zealand general … [Read more...]
Black Sox Rona’s decide future is with baseball for now
Cap tip Blair Setford.By Ashlee Tulloch The Blacksox will be without vice captain Brad Rona and son Pita for the foreseeable future. The pair decided their future is in baseball after a crisis meeting with Blacksox management tonight. After an hour and a half of deliberating a decision was made. “In the interest of both Brad and his son Pita and us, that Brad and Pita … [Read more...]
New Zealand Black Sox sacking likely over law flouting
Cap tip Jason Gerbes. By Jim Kayes Three Black Sox, including vice captain Brad Rona, face the sack when they meet with coach Eddie Kohlhase in Auckland tonight after they ignored a directive not to play baseball. The likely decision to drop the experienced Rona, along with his son Pita and Ben Enoka, will send shock waves through the sport but Black Sox officials say … [Read more...]