Softball: Dodgers dynasty hits new level

Four of the five-strong Hawke's Bay contingent in the Junior White Sox team. Head coach Kevin Gettins, left, Deanna Paul, Emma Houkamau and Brooke Eden. Photo / Warren Buckland

In terms of softball breeding, Brooke Eden is a thoroughbred.

The daughter of former White Sox infielder Angela Stubbs and former Hawke's Bay short stop Johnny Eden boasts all the strengths of her parents.

She has got her mother's arm and power with the bat and her dad's wheels around the bases, and familiar cheeky grin when she takes an out at her favourite position of second base.

Next month Eden, 19, will achieve a feat neither of her parents managed, playing in a World Series.

Eden is one of three Hawke's Bay players in the Junior White Sox team, who will play in their August 9-15 World Series in Oklahoma.

Her Dodgers teammates, catcher Emma Houkamau and pitcher Courtney Gettins are the others.

Add head coach Kevin Gettins and physio Deanna Paul to the mix, and it is the biggest Hawke's Bay contingent in a New Zealand World Series team at any age group.

"It's awesome to have been named in a New Zealand team at this level. Now I'm in there, I want to work hard at pushing for a regular berth in the starting line-up with the aim of gaining White Sox selection in the future," EIT travel and tourism student Eden said.

Houkamau, 18, has similar aims to Eden. After the World Series, she will start a two-year scholarship at Eastern Arizona Junior College in Thatcher and, if everything goes well, Houkamau will move on to a university.

While Eden and Houkamau will be playing at their first World Series, Gettins, 18, will be playing at her third.

She played at the 2013 Junior World Series in Canada, where the Kiwis finished fourth, and last year's World Series with the White Sox, who finished eighth in The Netherlands.

The daughter of former White Sox infielder Charmaine Gettins and a sister of White Sox catcher Melanie Gettins, Gettins, has been in the States since May playing for the Philadelphia Chaos as part of her buildup for the 18-team Junior World Series. After Oklahoma, she will start a two-year scholarship with Florida Southwestern Junior College near Miami.

Coach Gettins will be attending his third Junior World Series with the Junior White Sox.

He was assistant coach of the 2013 team and the 2011 side which finished sixth in South Africa.

His daughter and Canterbury infielder Mikayla Werahiko are the only two players returning from the 2011 team.

"Seven of our players will be eligible again in 2017. This is the youngest of the three teams I've been involved with and, while preparing in our off season is always tough, I'm thrilled with what our players have achieved through their regional coaching centres," Gettins said.

The 18 teams have been divided into two pools of five and two of four. The Junior White Sox are in the same pool as Canada, Venezuela and Chinese Taipei.

"I've heard people talking us up as medal contenders. Our first goal will be to finish among the top two in our pool so we can qualify for the top-eight playoffs.

"From experience I know there are no easy games at this level. We're not going to be medal contenders unless we reach the top eight so that's all we need to focus on for the first two days," Gettins said.