Brothers join forces on the mound for the Black Sox

[fastball]

Received: 4/1/06 10:49:34 PM 
From:  Vance <vance(at)vanf-graphics.co.nz>    
Subject:  Brothers join forces on the mound for the Black Sox
  
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brothers join forces on the mound for the Black Sox 
Sunday April 2nd 2006

In a first for New Zealand men’s softball two brothers have been
named topitch for the New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox for
a tour of Japanlater this month.

NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase named his team today and
included inthe squad are pitching brothers Jeremy and Regan Manley.
The trip toJapan will be Jeremy’s second tour with the Black
Sox while Regan will belooking to make his debut.  

While brothers have been selected in the past for the Black Sox
they havenever both been pitchers.   

Another player selected today who will be looking to make their
debut ontour is Hutt Valley Cardinals power hitter Malcolm Namana.

Of the debutants Kohlhase says Regan Manley is a raw young talent
andwhile he may not get a lot of opportunities on the mound on
tour it willbe a chance to introduce him to international softball.

“Regan is a strapping lad and he throws the ball extremely hard,
he haspitched in North America so he is not lacking in experience
but he hasn’treally been seen at the next level,” said Kohlhase.

The pitching line up for the tour includes the two Manley brothers
alongwith Thomas Cameron and Michael Gaiger, the one notable
omission beingveteran NZCT Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant.

Kohlhase admits it was a big call to leave Grant behind for the
tour butsays it is a good chance for the veteran to rest up ready
for nextseason. 

“It would be the first time in 13 or 14 years that Marty Grant’s
namehasn’t appeared in a Black Sox touring squad. I have always
looked toMarty Grant to win the games when it really counts and
this is anopportunity for the rest of the guys to step up.”

Malcolm Namana will be looking to make his NZCT Black Sox debut
on tour.He has spent much of his career with Hutt Valley Cardinals
and as a powerhitter has learnt much of his hitting technique
from NZCT Black Soxhitting legend Mark Sorenson.

“Malcolm is an exciting prospect with the bat, we are looking
to builddepth in guys coming off the bench and hitting the ball
in the pressuresituations,” said Kohlhase.
    
In another interesting selection outfielder Donny Hale from Auckland
hasbeen selected in the infield to cover first base. Kohlhase
says firstbase is a position the selection panel are keen to
build depth in havingrelied heavily on Jarrad Martin in the position
for the pastdecade.

Instead of selecting Martin in the infield the veteran captain
has beennamed as a specialist designated player. Kohlhase says
traditionallyteams both in New Zealand and internationally have
looked for a powerhitter in the designated player position however
Kohlhase is looking foreven more from the position and sees Martin
as a hitting and pitchingoption.

The 17 man squad named today will travel to Japan at the end
of thismonth to contest the Pacific Cup series against Australia,
Samoa and thehome team. The NZCT Black Sox are the defending
champions having claimedthe title at the inaugural series held
in Rotorua last season.

“Obviously we want to win the tournament but what we have done
in namingthe squad is include players with a specific purpose
in mind,” saidKohlhase.
   
NZCT BLACK SOX SQUAD TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN:

Pitchers - Jeremy Manley (Hutt Valley), Thomas Cameron (Auckland),MichaelGaiger
(Canterbury), Regan Manley (Hawkes Bay).

Catchers – Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Stephen Ratu(Wellington).

Infield –Donny Hale (Auckland), Travis Wilson (Canterbury), Brad
Rona(North Harbour), Nathan Nukunuku, vice captain (Auckland),


Outfield - Daniel Milne (Canterbury), Thomas Makea (Wellington),
RhysCasley (Hutt Valley), Stacy McLean (Wellington), Gus Leger
(Auckland),Malcolm Namana (Hutt Valley). 

Designated Player - Jarrad Martin, captain (North Harbour).


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 

 

 Als Fastball List
*Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com
   fastball at pmihrm.com
http://www.AlsFastball.com/
NEWS: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball

Our Condo: http://www.pmihrm.com/pages/listings/richmond-hill-condo.php

VIA http://www.webbox.com