Kevin Herlihy, master of the game

[fastball]

Received: 7/6/06 4:27:21 AM 
From:  Vance <vanf(at)ihug.co.nz> 

   
Subject:  Kevin Herlihy, master of the game  
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Herlihy, master of the game. A tribute from Trevor Rowse.

   Kevin Herlihy changed the history of softball, much as BrianWareham
(Auckland) had done in the 1950s and Bill Massey (Hutt Valley)
inthe 1960s.
   Kevin went even further, winning gold medals in the worldchampionships
of 1976 and 1984 and US national titles, like his pitchingcolleagues
Michael White and Owen "The Fog" Walford.
   The big man was special. He could have won earlier worldtitles
if New Zealand had developed the batting as it had the fielding.Leading
the pitching statistics meant nothing with the teamscoreless.
   National softball history was also changed when Kevinswitched
from the champion Miramar and Wellington sides to Waikato. HuttValley
and Railways had totally dominated the domestic game for eightyears
when Massey was the champion.
   Miramar and Wellington would have had an even longer reignand
the game would have suffered. There were national titles forCambridge
and Waikato, but neither side could match the brilliance oftheir
pitcher. At some times there was not even a catcher who could
copewith the speed and control.
   If he had been in Wellington the domination would have lefteven
Hutt Valley in the cold.
   At one stage in the Waikato, a top player suffered injurieswhen
catching to Kevin, even when he was told where the ball would
bedelivered. It is not easy, or natural, to hold your glove by
your kneeswhen the ball is moving right at your throat. It took
the ever-reliableBarry Bone to keep his nerve and learn the job,
but the years withoutsomeone like his Miramar catcher Peter Priddey
were not soproductive.
   Players would return from the nationals with tales of woe,but
"I got a hit off Kevin Herlihy" was a common cry. It was abadge
of honour, even if it was sometimes a matter of the ball hittingthe
bat.
   Kevin loved the gruff US catchers, capable of telling himwhat
to do. Most of his career in New Zealand saw him making thecalls.
   "If batters concentrated on the first and secondstrikes as
much as they do the third, my life would be much harder,"Kevin
said. "Only a few manage it, but the US players are alwaysdangerous."
   He was a droll comedian, a slow mover going on the diamond,and
coming off, but once there something transformed him. The batterbecame
the adversary and he played his games of control, rising anddropping
pitches, swerving the ball near the bat and out again, varyingpace
and pitching action. It was all designed to un-nerve even the
notedhitters.
   But there was no derision, no boasting, no hint of"gotcha"
in his play. He respected the game and those who wereplaying.
   One of his complaints, and there were few, was that otherswere
given credit for good works, hospital visiting and school talks,
buthe did not. It was not his style to call the television station,
or eventhe radio. He also knew that it he had done the same feats
for the AllBlacks or the cricket team that he would have been
a hero.
   I was pleased when he told me that my articles about him hadgiven
him the greatest pleasure, even though we hardly ever talked.
Hepitched and I watched.
   The credit and the applause came from softball people allover
the world. They knew that they had seen a master craftsman inaction,
someone who worked harder and harder to be perfect. And, if theywere
batters, they mixed that with frustration. 
   Kevin Herlihy was a legend, a genius and a great competitorwho
did more than most to take New Zealand to the top of the softballworld.
   His name will live in New Zealand sporting annals as theBabe
Ruth of our game.
   Well done big fella.


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

Cheers Vance 
Softball New Zealand web master.
* Email:vanf(at)ihug.co.nz 
 

 Als Fastball List
*Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com
   fastball at pmihrm.com
NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/
NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball

2006 ISC World Tournament - Kitchener, Ontario
http://www.iscfastpitch.com/

VIA http://www.webbox.com