Softball: Auckland scrape up team for nationals

By Chris Rattue

Last ditch efforts to field an Auckland side in the national softball championships appeared to succeed last night.

Pitching great Steve Jackson said that Metro coach Graeme Gollan had agreed to guide the team at the interprovincials in Invercargill.

Players from the Ramblers and Metro club sides would form the nucleus of the team, although there could be some additions including from North Harbour, who have not entered a side for Invercargill.

Auckland still have time to reenter a team, and those wanting to go to Invercargill are hoping to get official sanction from the Auckland Softball Association today.

Jackson, a member of the New Zealand Softball board, said he hoped travel arrangements were still in place.

"It would be an embarrassment for New Zealand softball if Auckland did not have a side there," said Jackson.

"But it's 95 per cent certain we will have a team now.
We just need to make sure the ASA haven't cancelled the plane tickets."

Auckland will still be without top players like Dean Rice, Dion Nukunuku, Taifau Matai, Donny Hale, Roman Gabriel and Heinie Shannon, who are unavailable.

New Zealand's assistant coach Eddie Kohlhase, like Jackson a former star player with Auckland, attempted to put a side together last week but could not come up with enough players. Auckland then told NZS they were pulling out.

The Auckland team members will still have to contribute $230 to the travel costs and pay for their own meals, but ASA spokesman John Barker said cost was not the major factor in players being unavailable.

"The problems started because we could not get a coach.
When people found out it was in Invercargill they said `no thanks.'

"Nothing against Invercargill. But it is just the perception that it is a major task to get there.

"Personally I think they've got to look at where they hold the tournaments. Maybe they could rotate them around the main centres."

Jackson said Auckland would still have "a hell of a team" although they would miss players like Rice.

"Most of the players will come from what was the second Auckland side which has competed pretty well at the interprovincials."

If the Auckland campaign is sanctioned today, it still means only six sides will take part in the championship.
Hutt Valley, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago and Southland will complete the smallest men's field ever.

National chairman Dale Eagar said any Auckland complaints about the venue were unfair.

"Provinces like Southland have played a big part in the development of our sport and they deserve to hold tournaments just as much as everyone else," he said.