SHANE HURNDELL While uncertainty surrounds the venue for this year's Junior Women's Softball World Championship, the hard work continues for Hawke's Bay contenders Melanie Gettins and Liani Samuel. Late last year Kutno, in Poland, was named as the venue for the tournament but since then organisers have struck difficulties and withdrawntheir venue. A replacement venue has yet to be announced by the International Softball Federation. "Obviously the venue matter is out of our hands ... all we can do is keep the girls working hard so they leave no stone unturned in their quest to make the team," said Gettins father Kevin. He has coached the pair in many Bay age group teams over the years, including last year's national title-winning under-19 team. Both catcher Gettins and outfielder Samuel toured Canada with the Junior White Sox earlier this year and are in a 31-strong extended training squad. Gettins, 17, has been named as a utility player in a Junior White Sox trial team to play in the Christchurch-hosted Jetstar tournament on February 3 and 4. The Canterbury Red Hawks and a Queensland Development team will also play in the tournament. Included in the trial team are several players who haven't represented the New Zealand under-19 side in the past. Junior White Sox coach Lynda O'Cain said it was a deliberate attempt from the selectors to have a look at as many players as possible. After the Jetstar tournament O'Cain will name the final Junior White Sox team to compete in the World Championship. This team will have a training camp during Easter. Both Gettins and Samuel will be in action for their respective Dodgers and Fast Pitch clubs at Akina Park, Hastings tomorrow night. Dodgers will meet Taradale and Fast Pitch will take on Diamonds. After these games the pre-Christmas mid-week premier men's final between Maraenui Pumas and Dodgers, which was postponed because of wet weather, will be played. In last night's Hawke's Bay premier men's matches at Akina Park, Hastings, Fastpitch beat Maraenui Pumas 6-0 and Scarfe Builders Tamatea beat Marist 15-5. For Fastpitch, former Junior Back Sox outfielder Rongo Rapaea and Giovani Matairangi both hit home runs, and Jesse Little and Joe O'Leary hit home runs for Marist.
