[Alsfastball] Comeback complete for Cartwright

[Al Doran]

Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 23:20:21 +1200
From: SNZ Web-master <snz-webm at vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: Comeback complete for Cartwright



Comeback complete for Cartwright
Saturday August 27th 2005

The international softball comeback of Sheree Cartwright was completed 
tonight with her naming as the 2004/05 Softballer of the Year at the sports 
annual awards dinner in Lower Hutt.

Cartwright was a dominating force in the women’s game during the 2004/05 
season winning re selection for the New Zealand Community Trust White Sox 
earlier this year for the home international series and tours of Australia 
and North America.

On the domestic scene Cartwright was part of the victorious Southland side 
at the National Provincial Championships where she was named the tournament 
MVP while also picking up the same award at the National Club Championships.

White Sox coach Mike Walsh says Cartwright has had a great season and is a 
real asset to the team both on the mound and with the bat where she has 
been one of the sides leading hitters.

While recognising that performances for the White Sox when they toured to 
North America in July were out of the qualification period for this award, 
Walsh stated that Cartwright further demonstrated her claim for the 
accolade. Even when not named to pitch a game Cartwright was often included 
in the team line up as the designated player allowing Walsh to utilise her 
power hitting talent.

“For the White Sox she was our outstanding performer at the Canada Cup 
tournament, she was selected in the All Stars tournament team and she was 
by far our top hitter with an average over 400,” said Walsh.

Along with being named Softball of the Year Cartwright also picked up 
awards for the Female Player of the Year and the Female Pitcher of the Year.

Walsh says Cartwright may have been in and out of the White Sox side in 
recent seasons but over the past year she has won her way back into the 
team due to her commitment and motivation.

“While she has had a great season we are not even close to seeing the best 
of her, she is only 23-years-old and I look forward to seeing even greater 
things from her in the future,” said Walsh.

Others recognised at the awards ceremony tonight were New Zealand Community 
Trust Black Sox outfielder Thomas Makea who was named Male Player of the 
Year and Marty Grant picked up the award for Male Pitcher of the Year.

Junior Black Sox captain Jonathan Munden was named the Emerging Male Player 
of the Year while Ngamoko Hiku won the award for Emerging Female Player of 
the Year.

Victorious Wellington National League coach Wayne Saunders was named coach 
of the year while Southland’s Rex Capil won the award for administrator of 
the year. Selection for official duties at the Athens Olympics last year 
saw Russell Moffat named scorer of the year and Wayne Saunders of Hutt 
Valley honoured as umpire of the year.

Also as part of the awards night there were two more inductions made into 
the Softball New Zealand Hall of Fame with legendary White Sox pitcher Gina 
Weber inducted along with world champion Black Sox infielder Kere Johanson.

Weber represented New Zealand in international softball for 18 years 
attending four world championships and one Olympic Games. She was part of 
the world championship winning White Sox side of 1982 while she also 
claimed a bronze in 1986 and silver in 1990. Weber was made a Member of the 
New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001.

Johanson debuted for the Black Son in 1988 and continued his international 
career through until 2000. During his time on the diamond Johanson attend 
four world championships coming away with silver medals in 1998 and 1992 
and gold in 1996 and 2000.

As part of the awards dinner service to the sport was also honoured with 
Maureen Sorenson and Kevin Baldwin both receiving Distinguished Service 
Awards.

Sorenson has been an Executive Member of the Hutt Valley Softball 
Association for the past 40 years holding the position of president for 
five years and vice president for eight years.

During her time with Hutt Valley Sorenson has filled many roles from scorer 
to manager to tournament organiser. She also served as the Junior White Sox 
manager for three years.

Like Sorenson Kevin Baldwin has also been a strong contributor to the game 
of softball for a number of years. Baldwin has been involved with Hutt 
Valley Softball for over 50 years as a player, coach, manager and 
administrator.

He was part of the organising team for the 1976 Men’s World Championships 
in Lower Hutt, is a life member of the Hutt Valley Softball Association and 
the Cardinals Softball Club and served on the New Zealand Softball 
Association for seven years.

Softball New Zealand chief executive Dale Eagar says the sport of softball 
wouldn’t survive without volunteers such as Sorenson and Baldwin and the 
Distinguished Service Award is the perfect way to recognise such dedication.


2004/05 Softball New Zealand Award Winners ­

SOFTBALLER OF THE YEAR: SHEREE CARTWRIGHT (Southland).

Emerging Female Player of the Year: Ngamoko Hiku (North Harbour)
Emerging Male Player of the Year: Jonathan Munden (Auckland)

Female Player of Year: Sheree Cartwright (Southland)
Male Player of the Year: Thomas Makea (Wellington)

Female Pitcher of Year: Sheree Cartwright (Southland)
Male Pitcher of the Year: Marty Grant (Wellington)

Coach of Year: Wayne Saunders (Wellington)
Umpire of Year: Wayne Saunders (Hutt Valley)
Scorer of the Year: Russell Moffat (Canterbury)
Administrator of the Year: Rex Capil (Southland)
Personality of the Year: Danny Paranihi (Hutt Valley) and Colin Ward 
(Wellington)

Hall of Fame Inductees: Gina Weber and Kere Johansen

Distinguished Service Award: Maureen Sorenson (Hutt Valley) and Kevin 
Baldwin (Hutt Valley).



By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
*  mailto:kelly.mitchell at xtra.co.nz

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


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

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