Giants will be at full strength for what will be a busy weekend for them in inter-club men's softball play.
They will take on Miramar in an Inter-City series match at Haitaitai Park, Wellington tomorrow and Hutt City United in Inter-City and Hutt Valley premier league matches at South Park, Masterton
on Sunday.
Coach Tony Nixon says having a full squad of players at his disposal could well have an important bearing on the outcome of the three games.
"We've had a little bit of a run where two or three players have been unavailable and our consistency has probably suffered to some extent," Nixon said.
"It's good to have everybody back on deck."
That Miramar will pose formidable opposition for Giants is evidenced by their record in Inter-City games. They are at the top of the points table with seven wins from as many matches, a situation which is hardly surprising considering they have a good handful of past or present Black Sox in their line-up.
Giants can take confidence though from their only meeting with Miramar to date this season. It came at the Kapiti club's tournament and with pitcher Ritchie Clarke giving up no safe hits Giants battled their way to a 1-0 win.
Nixon says it will take another all-round performance of that magnitude to topple Miramar again.
"Obviously we can't afford to be weak in any area of the game, everything has to go as planned," he said. "They (Miramar) will pounce on any errors, we know that."
Hutt City United are also likely to give every bit as good as they receive. They too have a number of Black Sox in their side, including pitcher Regan Manley, and past clashes with Giants have usually been closely-contested affairs.
Nixon is optimistic, however, that playing at home will prove to be a winning advantage for Giants and he is looking for a big and vocal crowd to assist them along the way.
"Softball is a sport where spectators can get quite close to the action and there's no doubt that players respond to positive support," Nixon said. "And it can be quite intimidating for the opposition too."
Sunday's matches are due to start at 12 noon and 2pm.
