New Zealand Softball looses great servant of the game

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Received: 3/28/06 3:50:56 AM 
From:  Vance <vance(at)vanf-graphics.co.nz>     
Subject:  New Zealand Softball looses great servant of the game
 
   

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New Zealand Softball looses great servant of the game
Tuesday March 28th 2006

New Zealand Softball officials, players and supporters have been
saddenedby the news today of the passing of Don Freeman.

Don served the game at all levels from club and provincial through
tonational. He was the backbone behind the Northcote softball
club, formerpresident of North Harbour Softball Association,
manager of the worldchampionship winning Black Sox from 1993-96
and a New Zealand Softballcouncil member for 14 years.

As a player Don took to the diamonds in Auckland before crossing
theHarbour bridge in 1975 and linking up with Northcote. From
1980 Don actedfirst as vice president and then president of the
North Harbour SoftballAssociation and remained working for the
association for over 25 years.Don’s final term as president ended
just last year.

Former North Harbour Softball president and current New Zealand
Softballpresident Bob Leveloff describes Don as a person who
loved the game ofsoftball and the people involved. 

“He loved the game, he would spend so much time down at the diamond,
anywork that had to be done Don was there doing it or organising
it. Don wasthe man in the background always doing everything
to make sure things ransmoothly,” said Leveloff.

The commitment and dedication to the game shown by Don is irreplaceableand
Leveloff says he will be sorely missed at the softball diamondsaround
the country.

The softball grounds and facilities at Rosedale Park, North Harbour
are atestament to Don’s commitment to the sport as he was part
of the teamthat worked to have the softball diamonds installed
and the clubroomsbuilt. 

Don was a life member of the Northcote Softball Club, the North
HarbourSoftball Association and New Zealand Softball.

New Zealand Softball chief executive Dale Eagar was full of admirationtoday
for Don commitment and service to the game.

“I count myself lucky in that all the time I have been involved
at anational level in softball from 1983 onwards that I have
had a guy likeDon Freeman to bounce ideas off. Don was the epitome
of the committedvolunteer administrator he left no stone unturned
to ensure the people hewas working for got the best deal from
the game,” said Eagar. 

Don is survived by his wife Faye, sons Grant and Brent and his
extendedfamily. 


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:vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz 

 

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