KEY POINTS:
Auckland softball is on the verge of proving that diamonds are not forever.
And one of this country's greatest softballers is urging the game's bosses to "think outside the square" and not give up on finding the sport a new home venue.
The five-person Auckland softball board is
pushing for the Norana Park diamonds - formerly known as Lion Red Ballpark - to be sold. The sale money, expected to be well over a million dollars, would be invested and administered by a trust, to be used cautiously over time to foster softball.
The Mangere ballpark - the home of Auckland softball since 1980 - is long past its glory days and would need a major investment to return it to top-class standard. Under the proposal, Rosedale Park in Albany would be consolidated as the region's number one ballpark and there are no proposals to build a new Auckland venue.
Auckland clubs would host matches at their own venues, a move which would help regenerate the game in many opinions.
The ASA vote on whether to sell - clubs, life members, the board, scorers and umpires have voting rights - will be held on August 24.
A group within the game opposes the rush to sell, wants alternatives involving the Manukau City Council given more serious consideration, and is even pushing for a change to the current voting system by which a 60 per cent result would see the ground sold.
Brian Hooper, one of those opposed to an immediate decision to sell, believes such a potentially divisive issue should require a 95 per cent vote.
He said the status of Auckland softball meant it should have a home venue. And in these times of struggling real estate sales and wobbly investment results, he doubts figures put forward that claim the sale could net softball $100,000 to $200,000 a year through interest payments.
His group also believes a more dedicated effort in seeking grants can sustain Norana Park and the game but, more than anything, it believes not enough information and clear options have been provided.
"Purchasing the ground was the biggest decision Auckland softball made, but selling it would be even bigger," said Hooper, the president of Waitakere Bears.
"As far as I know, they're not making dirt anymore. Once we sell this ground, Auckland will have lost a home base forever."
Among those supporting the sale is Taifau Matai, the big batting outfielder who won three world series with New Zealand teams.
But he is urging Auckland not to give up on finding a new home base.
"Norana Park is too isolated - compared with other parks around the world it doesn't stack up for a number of reasons," says Matai.
"Even the diamond was unpredictable - I've seen guys take ground balls with their heads instead of their glove. I was one of them.
"It hasn't been good for Auckland softball. The location wasn't central enough, the seating inadequate, the car parking below par.
"But I think they need to look outside the square and maybe link with other sports to find a way of providing a venue.
"It's a great idea to sell if the proceeds are used to set up a more appropriate venue for internationals and representative fixtures."
Which is a very big if.
Softball has fallen on hard times, although there were encouraging signs in numbers last season. Auckland's battles have included a former chairman being convicted of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the association.
Norana Park is now freehold but has slipped off the sporting radar radar. It is in disrepair and a constant vandalism target, costing up to $40,000 a year to maintain.
The land - with houses and a hamburger pattie factory on it - was bought in 1970. The board now sees it as a meal ticket for the future.
Board member Matthew Boyd, a corporate executive who is also on the New Zealand Softball board, is adamant the sale needs to take place and says the money will help a blue-collar sport sustain itself.
"It could cost $2 million to bring the park right up to international standard," he said. "And it might cost $400,00 to $600,000 to get it to a reasonable state. Even if it only cost $200,000 to do, that is money we don't have.
"The board is very sceptical that there are enough grants out there ... all we would be doing is treading water anyway.
"The park needs a lot of money spent on it to be useful to us, and we don't want to lumber the clubs and players with the costs. The game is desperate for funds."
Conclusion: softball looks almost certain to follow league and cricket who have made similar divestment-investment moves.
