National selectors casting critical eye over tournament - NZ

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 3/15/07 3:09:52 AM 
From:  Vance <vanf(at)ihug.co.nz> 

 
Subject:  National selectors casting critical eye over tournament
 


National selectors casting 
critical eye over tournament 

 
Thursday March 15th 2007
 
Strong performances on the softball diamonds of Canterbury FoundationPark,
Christchurch next week could be just the ticket for some to booktheir
spot in the New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox team.
 
The NZCT Men’s Open Club Championships will be the last chance
to pushfor higher honours before NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase
and hisselection panel name their squad to travel to Canada in
June and July.
 
Coach Kohlhase says while a core of the squad is already penciled
inthere are also a number of athletes that can force their way
into theselection frame with strong performances in Christchurch.
 
“Pitching is still a high consideration for us (the selection
panel). Acouple of young guys such as Penese Iosefo and Vaero
Hagai have put theirhands up in recent weeks in the NZCT National
League. Now it is time forsome other guys to step up and lead
their club teams through to the finalday in next week’s tournament,”
said Kohlhase. 
 
In recent seasons Kohlhase and his selection panel have been
looking tobuild depth at the international level but the upcoming
tour to Canadawill be more about results than development.  
 
“We will be going with our best 17 athletes to Canada. The tour
will be atest for our squad as we look to see where one of our
main oppositionCanada are placed two years out from the world
champs,” said Kohlhase.
 
Going into the NZCT Men’s Open Club Championships next week Hut
CityUnited carry the tag of defending champs. Key to the Hutt
side’s chancesof defending the title will be the performance
of pitching brothersJeremy and Regan Manley. The pair were strong
for Hutt City United in thetitle win last season and if they
can repeat it next week they may justbe what Kohlhase is looking
for with Canada in mind. 
 
One side who has strengthened their ranks in their quest for
the openclub title is Porirua. For the tournament Porirua have
picked up theservices of NZCT Black Sox internationals Jarrad
Martin and Brad Rona.Combine them with fellow NZCT Black Sox
training squad members ThomasMakea, Fabian Makea, Corey Matakatea
and Tane Richardson who are allregular members of the Porirua
team and they make for an impressivelineup. 
 
 
Another team who can not be discounted is Mt Albert Ramblers
who last wonthe title in 2005. Ramblers have depth on the pitching
mound in the formof NZCT Black Sox pitcher Thomas Cameron and
Australian internationalAndrew Kirkpatrick. Along with those
two Ramblers also have a raft ofinternationals in their ranks
that provide experience, power hitting andtight defence. 
 
Any hopes for a home side to take the title are likely to rest
withRichmond Keas and Parklands Christchurch United. Both sides
have tastedsuccess this season in club tournaments against the
top North Islandsides so they know how to win. PCU’s victory
in the recent Dean SchickTournament over a number of the teams
featuring this week may justprovide the edge they need. The key
to any success next week by either ofthe local teams, may be
whether they can deliver consistently top classsoftball over
the five days of the tournament.  
 
There will be 24 teams contesting the 2006/07 NZCT Men’s Open
ClubChampionships at Canterbury Foundation Ballpark, Christchurch.
Thetournament starts on Wednesday March 21st with the 24 teamssplit
into four pools for round robin play. Following round robin gamesthe
top two teams from each pool will continue the battle for the
titlein the top eight playoffs before the championship final
on Sunday March25th.    



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:vanf(at)ihug.co.nz 

 

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