[Alsfastball] North Island Lion Red Classic Softball Tournament

[Al Doran]

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:55:16 +1300
From: SNZ Web-master <snz-webm at vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: LION RED CLASSIC TOURNAMENT



North Island Lion Red Classic Softball Tournament

Akina Park Hastings

The Tournament was a real triumph for Hawke's Bay Softball, with the 
Auckland visiting teams, containing a number of Black Sox players 
effectively delivered, a "see you next year" serve from the locals when 
none of the three visiting Auckland teams, Metro, Auckland United or 
Waitarere Bears, made it to the Trophy Section of the Tournament. Playing 
in the Plate section with the other local team Marist, they were delivered 
a further knicking, and proof that Saturday's play was no accident, when 
Napier Marist won the Plate Section.

With over $7500 in prizes, this is easily New Zealand riches softball event.

Hastings local sport hero and New Zealand softball star Thomas Makea made a 
triumphant return home to Hawke's Bay at the weekend.

The three-time world champion Black Sox outfielder captured MVP honours 
after leading his Wellington club side Porirua to victory in the final of 
the Lion Red North Island Classic at Akina Park, Hastings. With Makea on 
the pitching mound for the third time in seven matches Porirua beat hosts 
Shooters Fast Pitch 6-1 in the final to complete an unbeaten run in the 
eight-team event.

"It was my first classic for a long time and it was good to win it," said 
Makea who was one of three former Hawke's Bay players in the victorious 
Porirua team. His brother and fellow Black Sox outfielder Fabian Makea and 
former Bay pitcher Maahi Simpson were the others.

"We're looking at giving the national interclub tournament in February a 
push and this was a good buildup event for that," he said. Makea shone as a 
pitcher throughout Hawke's Bay age group representative teams but said his 
weekend's stints on the mound weren't an indication he was aiming for a 
pitching role with the Black Sox.
"I was just helping the team out," said Makea who hit a two bagger with his 
first turn at bat in the final. Gene Lutton and Makea opened the scoring in 
the first inning when they came home on a pass ball. Fast Pitch scored 
their only run in the first inning when Canadian Matt Scherr also scored on 
a pass ball.

Porirua scored another two runs in the fifth inning when Simon Rogers came 
home on an error and Alex Brewerton on a fielder's choice. Cory Mataketa 
smashed an automatic home run over the centre outfield fence in the seventh 
inning which also scored Ricky Tibbitts and ended the scoring.

Makea struck out 10 of the 25 batters he faced and conceded four hits. Fast 
Pitch hurler Jeremy Manley struck out two of the 29 batters he faced and 
conceded three hits. Makea praised all four Hawke's Bay team for their 
competitiveness in the event. Tamatea and Dodgers, like Fast Pitch, reached 
the top four and Marist won the plate section which featured three Auckland 
sides - Auckland Metro, Auckland United and Waitakere Bears.

"Considering Tamatea are a new club and they were playing without any 
invitation players they did really well," he said.

Tamatea's former Junior Black Sox catcher Grant Dean was unable to play 
yesterday after being rushed to hospital for an earlier than expected 
appendix operation. Captain Joachim Paul said Dean is likely to be 
unavailable for at least three weeks.

Marist outfielder Lachie Hook, having being dropped last season from the 
World Series Under 19 Squad, gave the selectors something to think about 
when he was named the top batter of the tournament with an average of .538 
and one home run. Matt Scher from Fastpitch was second to top batter on 
500. Coery Mataketa batted the most runners in - 10 and Dodgers Hutt 
Valley-based former Hawke's Bay pitcher Hone Mark Sinnott was the top 
pitcher of the tournament with an earned run average .169.

New Zealand Black Sox selector Eric Wilson and Central Viking Franchise 
selector Peter Flood were both in attendance for the full weekend, and 
would have gone away with a lot to think about.

Final placings

Trophy Section
1.  Porirua
2.  Shooters Fastpitch
3.  Hastings Dodgers
4.  Tamatea
Plate Section
1.  Napier Marist
2.  Metro
3.  Auckland United
4.  Waitarere Bears


Further info contact Craig Waterhouse on 027 4422935

http://www.softball.org.nz/
* Email: snz at softball.org.nz

Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
* Email: snz-webm at vanf-graphics.co.nz

  Als Fastball List
*Email: fastball at pmihrm.com
http://www.alsfastball.com/
http://www.ISCfastball.com/
NEWS: http://www.escribe.com/sports/alsfastball/
TEMP: http://www.fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball.htm