League champions to be decided! - AU women

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 2/18/07 9:54:46 PM 
From:  "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au> 


  
Subject:  League champions to be decided!  


Media Release

19 February 2007





League champions to be decided!



The final round of the National Women’s SoftballLeague hits off
this week at Blacktown Olympic Park in Sydney from 23-25February
2007. 

 

With the QAS Heatwave in top position with 28 points from 14wins
and one loss, it is still hard to predict a winner leading into
the fourthand final round.  This uncertainty is due to the capabilities
of the NSWISFirestars who are the defending champions and the
nature of their demolition ofthe QAS Heatwave in the Grand Final
of round one in Brisbane. 

 

A three way tie between the VIS Titans, NSWIS Firestars andthe
WAIS Coastals means every game is crucial in the first two days
of theevent.  

 

With six teams competing since Round 1 in November 2006, thestandard
of softball has intensified giving selectors a hard task as Australia
beginstheir run towards the 2008 Olympic Games.  

 

Australian Open Women’s Head Coach, Fabian Barlow, isconfident
that the players will continue to take to the challenge in the
finalround saying that “Australian selection is up for grabs
and the standardof the games will continue to rise and bring
out the best in athletes.” 

 

The competition heated up after the remaining games in Round3
were played at the Gilley’s Shield in January, with the VIS Titanswinning
three from three including a strong win over QAS Heatwave. 

 

The Diamonds, who currently sit in fifth place, have pickedup
three-time Olympian pitchers Tanya Harding, Melanie Roche and
BrookeWilkins. 

 

Batting has dominated the rounds and selectors will bekeeping
a watchful eye on the pitchers and catchers. 

 

“The ability of a combined performance from thepitchers and catchers
to either stick to the game plans or adjust game plansaccording
to the hitters strengths and weaknesses will be watched with
interest,”said Mr Barlow. 

 

QAS Heatwave will need to compensate for their loss ofexperienced
pitcher Kelly Hardie who has a minor injury. Both QAS pitchersJocelyn
McCallum and Sandra Avery have been impressive throughout thecompetition
and will be tested by their rivals. 

 

Zara Mee will lead the pitching for NSWIS and with the homeground
advantage, anything is possible. 

 

With the final round there will be a step up in theintensity
and any team could well emerge as the 2007 National League championsto
hold the Audrey McLaughlin Cup, as well as the Blacktown Mayor’s
Cup. 

 

 

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

 

Fabian Barlow, Head Coach, Australian Open Women’steam

State Academy andInstitute of Sport Head Coaches

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

DiAnne Lilburn

National Communications Coordinator

Softball Australia

Suite 4, Ground Floor

38-40 Prospect Street

Box Hill, Victoria 3128

 

T: +61 3 9890 8200

F: +61 3 9890 8295

M: +61 (0) 405 509 674

 

For more information visitwww.softball.org.au

 

_____________________________________________________________________________
Did you know that Australia is the world's number one softball
nation?  
World number three - Open Women'steam (Aussie Spirit), Silver
Medallist (Athens, 2004), BronzeMedallists (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta
1996). 
World number one - Under 19 Men'steam (Aussie Colts), three consecutive
World Championship titles. 
World number three - Open Men'steam (Aussie Steelers) and Under
19 Women's team (Aussie Pride).

 

 

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