10 February 2009
Army achieved the double by winning both the men’s and women’s championships at the 2008 Inter-Services Softball Tournament.
The tournament was hosted by Navy at HMNZS Philomel in Devonport from 1 – 5 December 2008. As usual the Navy PTIs and tournament staff went out of their way to put on a fantastic tournament.
This year, the NZDF tournament welcomed back the Australian Defence Force (ADF) women’s team, who last toured here in 2006. Unfortunately, the ADF men’s team had to withdraw and was unable to accompany the women’s team.
The tournament was played in hot sunny weather, a far cry from the previous tournament in the Hutt Valley in 2007. With the perfect weather, carefully marked diamonds and all teams poised for competition, the scene was set for a big week of softball.
The Army women’s team, who finished second last year to Air Force, dominated its competition during the week and in doing so, was undefeated. The team was full of players who have played softball before and knew the game. This, combined with consistent hitting and the pitching prowess of veteran LCpl Jenni Mumm, Army was the team to beat. Army played a total of six games without defeat, which paved the way for the team to regain the Prendergast Cup as women’s champions for 2008. Pte Cherie Field was awarded the Women’s Rookie of the Tournament Award and LCPL Jenni Mumm was awarded the Women’s Top Pitcher and MVP trophies.
Overall, a fantastic team effort by the Army women’s team.
The Army men’s team went into the tournament as defending champions and faced its steepest challenge in recent years. The Navy men’s team had recently returning from a victorious tour of Australia, where they were undefeated at the ADF Softball Tournament. The Navy’s bats were ‘red hot’ as a result, and their confidence sky high.
Air Force, the Army team’s traditional rivals were expected to be as strong as always. It was not going to be easy for Army in the men’s competition. With a win and a loss on the first day, it was not until day two that the Army team found their stride, notching up two big wins over Navy and Air Force, the Army marched straight into the final. Their opponents in the final were Navy, who had played very well throughout the week. In the final, Army’s hitting power and tight pitching saw them safely home 10 – 3 to mark a triumphant week.
Sgt Trevor King was awarded the Men’s Most Runs Batted In Trophy and Capt Grant McCarroll (AGS) was awarded the Men’s Top Pitcher and Top Batter Trophies.
The tournament organisers at Navy were able to call on ex Service personnel who assisted with umpiring and scoring, plus umpires and scorers from around the Auckland area. A nice touch occurred at the tournament final function, when former Softball NZ Chief Umpire and NZDF employee Mr Bill Smith, presented ADSA Contingent Commander SQNLDR Trevor Murphy with his umpires qualification badge, which Trevor had qualified for at the tournament. It was a complete surprise to Trevor. Well done Trevor, from all of your NZDF softball mates.
Army Team Results
Women:
- Army 8 v Navy 1
- Army 6 v ADF 2
- Air Force 2 v Army 3
- Army 9 v ADF 6
- Army 9 v Navy 6
- Army 15 v Air Force 4
Men:
- Army 7 v Navy 3
- Air Force 4 v Army 3
- Army 7 v Navy 0
- Army 21 v Air Force 3
- Final - Army 10 v Navy 3
2008/09 NZDF Softball Standings
Women:
- 1st Army
- 2nd Air Force
- 3rd ADF
- 4th Navy
Men:
- 1st Army
- 2nd Navy
- 3rd Air Force
Army Softball Web Page
Army Softball has its own web page, which is linked to the main Army Website. If you are interested in Army Softball past and present, step up to the plate.
60th Anniversary of Softball in the Army
The Army Softball Committee is pleased to announce that Army Softball will celebrate 60 years of softball in the NZ Army with a reunion at Trentham Camp 6 – 7 November. Details will be displayed on the web page shortly. More to follow.