Softball: Coach urges hardball approach

New Zealand coach Mike Walsh wants aggressive, attacking softball when the White Sox take on a New Zealand Selection in a four-game series today and tomorrow.

The teams will play twice each day at Wellington's Hataitai Park, with performances crucial to the selection of the team for July's world series in Canada.

Walsh said an attacking attitude both on offence and defence is something he and assistant coach Dean Rice have been working on with the top players, and it looks to be paying off.

"We want them to be aggressive when it comes to base-running, sliding, opportunities to steal bases - attack the game every chance they get," he said.

"Most of them are really starting to take to it. We want this series to be as competitive as possible. We want to see good softball from both sides."

Although the New Zealand Selection is being coached by national under-19 women's coaches Nardi Leonard and Lynda O'Cain, Walsh and Rice have had input into their preparation.

Rice attended training yesterday to spell out to the players what the selectors were looking for.

"Even if the 12 we have named in the White Sox team play well enough to retain their places, that still leaves five other spots to be filled for the world series, so the opportunity is there," Walsh said.

The White Sox will also compete at the South Pacific Classic in Perth in April as part of their preparation for the world series.

That side, likely to be a shadow world series team, will be named after next month's open women's club championships in Auckland.

White Sox - Pitchers: Philippa McKenzie (Auckland), Michelle Kingi (Auckland); Catcher: Cindy Potae (Hutt Valley); Infielders: Fiona Timu (Auckland, captain), Upu Lote (Wellington), Char Pouaka (Canterbury), Rhonda Hira (Canterbury), Api Stone-O'Kane (Wellington); Outfielders: Mel Hulme (Canterbury), Kim Dermott (Canterbury), Kalala Faalogo (Auckland), Melisa Upu (Hutt Valley).

New Zealand Selection - Pitchers: Ruta Lealamanua (Wellington), Sheree Cartwright (Canterbury); Catchers: Togi Lote (Wellington), Jorja Bell (Auckland); Infielders: Tessa Wallace (Auckland), Nadia Mauriohooho (Hutt Valley), Casey Roper (Auckland), Amy Stead (Wellington), Wendy Telfer (Southland); Outfielders: Nicole Stevenson (Wellington), Rebecca Brunton (Wellington), Zavana Aranga (Hutt Valley), Rachel Armon (Canterbury).

- NZPA