| Friday 16th January 2009 NATIONAL LEAGUE MEDIA RELEASE National titles are not the only priority for some of the players involved in the opening round of the National Softball League which starts this weekend. At stake for the men is a place on the team that will compete in the Pacific Series in Samoa next month. The Black Sox team for that series will be confirmed after this weekend’s games in the NZCT National Softball League. The six men’s teams are playing at Rosedale Park in North Shore City and the five women’s teams are playing in Christchurch. While Samoa will be on the minds of the men’s players, they will also be thinking further ahead with the NSL providing Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase the opportunity to see the leading contenders for the team that will be vying for a fourth consecutive world championship title. “It is certainly an exciting time, and the NSL will be an opportunity for the public to see our national players in action,” Softball New Zealand General Manager Dane Dougan said. All the current Black Sox squad members are involved in the league with the defending champions the Auckland 39ers having seven internationals in their line-up for the weekend. Injury has ruled out an eighth such player with Donny Hale sidelined. The 39ers are vying for their third consecutive NSL title and on paper it will take a mammoth effort from an opponent to prevent that side from at least featuring in next month’s finals. The two teams that could perhaps provide the toughest test for that side are Hutt Valley and Wellington Lancers, who have been the beaten finalist for the past two years. Hutt Valley’s hopes will rest with its national squad members Rhys Casley, who spearheads the batting line-up, while the Manley brothers Jeremy and Regan will carry the pitching responsibilities. The Lancers also have a number of players who are expected to have key roles for the side. That team’s hopes will rest with internationals Jarrad Martin, Wayne Laulu, Aaron Neemia, Karl Gollan, Stacy McLean and the Makea brothers Thomas and Fabian. Thomas Makea and Martin are considered among the world’s best batters. The Canterbury Red Sox, who finished third in last year’s NZCT NSL, cannot be discounted. That side’s line-up includes internationals Travis Wilson, Michael Gaiger, Stephen Ratu, Gareth Cook and Daniel Milne. Cook and Milne were the leading batters for the Red Sox in last year’s league and again will be expected to provide their side with the hitting power. The good news for the Red Sox during the week was confirmation that Wilson will be available for the opening round of the league. Both Southern Pride and North Harbour are the two teams that could surprise the most. Southern Pride will be spearheaded by Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant, who has his sights set on playing in a fourth world championship. Harbour, who won the NZCT NSL title in 2006, have on its roster national representative Brad Rona along with promising players Thomas Enoka, who was a member of last year’s Junior Black Sox team that finished fourth at their world championship, and Tamihana Nau, who played for the New Zealand Raw Sox team at the 2008 Friendship Games in Sydney. “We are expecting a close competition this year,” Dougan said. “The Associations have been positive in their approach to the league, and it is certainly an exciting time for softball. “The team entries for the NSL have also increased, so that is pleasing.” The two new teams to the competition are in the men North Harbour and the Wellington Diamonds, in the women. Both teams opted out of last year’s league. Meanwhile, the women’s competition is expected to be a battle between Hutt Valley, who are vying for their third NZCT NSL title, Auckland Angels and Canterbury Red Hawks. However, it would be a brave person to discount Southern Pride and the Wellington Diamonds out from providing an upset or two over the two weekend’s of round robin games. The Auckland Angles have on its roster former White Sox pitchers Sheree Cartwright and Michal Tangaroa. Hutt Valley have in their line-up Cindy Potae, who was the top batter and most valuable player in the 2008 NZCT NSL, former international Ali Manley (nee Arnold), and Ashley Johnston who was the 2008 Softball New Zealand emerging player of the year. The test for both those side’s will come when they play tomorrow (SUBS SATURDAY) afternoon in what is a replay of the 2008 final. The Red Hawks are a young team and a lot of their hopes will rest with White Sox player Brooke Lockhart. Southern Pride’s aspirations have been bolstered with White Sox pitcher Megan Farrell. Farrell is based in Auckland, but was overlooked by that side for their team and that side’s loss is certainly the Pride’s gain. The game on Sunday between the Pride and Auckland will certainly carry some extra interest. The Wellington Diamonds have opted to go with youth this year with a number of their players just out of the age-grade tournament eligibility. A lot of the interest in that team will be in the performances of Hope Weber, who is the niece of former White Sox pitcher Gina, Brooke Cutting and Charlotte Pointon. While the series for the White Sox against Australia is a few months away, the players are aware that their performances will be coming under scrutiny not only for that series, but also their world championship which is next year. “They certainly have a lot to play for as the side looks towards their world championship in Oklahoma,” Dougan said. ‘This is a rebuilding period for the White Sox and they currently have a young and talented squad.” This year’s competition will also have a new-look to it with a majority of the players being outfitted by Auckland based clothing company SAS. “SAS Sports have come on board and done a great job in getting the uniforms ready in a short period of time,” Dougan said. This weekend is the first of three for the NZCT league. The second weekend which will be January 31 to February 1 will see the men’s games played in Christchurch and the women in Wellington. The top three teams qualify for the finals which will be played at Fraser Park in Lower Hutt on February 28. Men (Rosedale Park, North Shore City) Saturday – 11am: Wellington Lancers v Hutt Valley; Southern Pride v Canterbury Red Sox. 1pm: Southern Pride v Auckland 39ers; North Harbour v Canterbury Red Sox. 3pm: Wellington Lancers v North Harbour; Hutt Valley v Auckland 39ers. 5pm: Southern Pride v Hutt Valley; Canterbury Red Sox v Wellington Lancers. 7pm: Auckland 39ers v North Harbour. Sunday – 9am: Southern Pride v Wellington Lancers; North Harbour v Hutt Valley. 11am: Auckland 39ers v Canterbury Red Sox; Southern Pride v North Harbour. 1.00: Auckland 39ers v Wellington Lancers; Canterbury Red Sox v Hutt Valley. Women (Mainland Foundation Park, Christchurch) Saturday 11am: Wellington Diamonds v Hutt Valley. 1pm: Southern Pride v Wellington Diamonds; Hutt Valley v Auckland Angels; Canterbury Red Hawks v Auckland Angels. 3pm: Canterbury Red Hawks v Auckland Angels. 5pm: Southern Pride v Canterbury Red Hawks. Sunday – 9am: Southern Pride v Hutt Valley. 11am: Canterbury Red Hawks v Wellington Diamonds; Southern Pride v Auckland Angels. 1pm: Canterbury Red Hawks v Hutt Valley; Wellington Diamonds v Auckland Angels. | 
