CALL it the final opportunity for national provincial age group glory and Hawke's Bay under-19 softballer Xavier Herrick gives you the thumbs up.
"It's the last chance for six of us and it's also the last tournament for our coach Paul Woon before he retires from all coaching here in the Bay at the end of the summer. We want to give him a winning farewell and it's really good it's here in the Bay ... we've got to capitalise on what is a big advantage and go out with a bang," Herrick said as he pondered the 12-team national under-19 boys softball tournament which begins at Akina Park, Hastings, tomorrow and continues until Sunday.
Second baseman and No 3 batter Herrick, 18, like pitcher and No 4 batter Adam Woon and centre outfielder Dallas Brown have played for coach Woon since under-13 level. This will be Herrick's third under-19 tournament.
"Wellington will be the big one for us in pool play ... they pipped us 6-5 in the semifinals last year. Beating them, gaining tournament team selection and finishing among the top 10 batters are my other goals," Herrick added.
One of the Junior Black Sox pitchers at last year's Junior World Series in the United States, Adam Woon, will be playing at his fourth under-19 tournament. He had offers to play in the United States and Australia but said the chance to finish national age group play on home soil was too good to turn down.