[Alsfastball] Black Sox hurler back on the mound

[Al Doran]

Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2004 14:38:06 +1300
From: SNZ Web-master <snz-webm at vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: Black Sox hurler back on the mound


Black Sox hurler back on the mound

Sunday November 7th

A winter of reflection has seen New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox 
pitcher Marty Grant pull the plug on thoughts of retirement.

In March of this year after pitching his club side Poneke Kilbirnie to the 
national club title an emotional Grant said after the game that his playing 
days were over.

At the time Grant says he thought he could no longer handle the demands of 
the international game physically. However after spending the past winter 
exploring other sporting options he has changed his mind and after 
discussions with his friends and family has decided to return to the mound 
for another season.

Following the decision to come out of retirement Grant has been a late 
addition to the Black Sox train on squad which will have their first 
training camp next weekend as the build up for the Evodrive Pacific Cup 
Series in February 2005.

“The Black Sox team is very hard to leave behind and it will be nice to 
play some games in New Zealand. The Pacific Cup Series looks like a really 
exciting tournament and if I am good enough to make the team I would love 
to be part of it,” said Grant.

The 38-year-old pitcher debuted for the Black Sox in 1990 and has been with 
the team as they have created history in claiming three consecutive world 
titles in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Looking back at the most recent world championships where the Black Sox 
claimed their third world title Grant admits there is a case of unfinished 
business for him after an injury two days out from the start of the 
tournament resulted in him being replaced in the team.

Grant who will turn out for his club side PK later this month only decided 
to come out of retirement earlier this month and he says he has a lot of 
work to do fitness wise but he is looking forward to the challenge.

Black Sox train on squad ­

Pitchers: Michael Gaiger (Auckland), Thomas Cameron (Auckland), Derrek 
Coleman (North Harbour), Tane Richardson (Hutt Valley), Marty Grant (Nelson).

Catchers: Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Lyndon Andrews (Auckland), Bevan 
Martin (Wellington).

Infielders: Jarrad Martin (Wellington), Chris Eden-Huria (Wellington), Dion 
Nukunuku (Auckland), Craig Wallace (Wellington), Brad Rona (North Harbour), 
, Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Roman Gabriel (Auckland).

Outfielders: Stacy McLean (Wellington), Thomas Makea (Wellington), Rhys 
Casley (Hutt Valley), Donny Hale (Auckland), Fabian Makea (Wellington), 
Taifau Matai (Auckland).

Utilities: Penese Iosefo (Canterbury), Jonathan Munden (Auckland), David 
Butler (Manawatu).

From: SNZ Web-master <snz-webm at vanf-graphics.co.nz>

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