By WO2 Dean "Doon"Groves

The 2007 NZDF Inter-Services Softball Tournament was held at one of New Zealand’s premier ballparks last month.

The tournament, hosted by Trentham for the first time in 10 years, was played at Fraser Park in Avalon from 30 October to 1 November.

The Army women’s team and the Air Force men’s team both came to the competition as defending champions for the last five and three years respectively, adding extra incentive for the three participating Defence teams and the NZ Fire Service.

With umpire and scorer support from former service personnel, local officials and the teams at the ready the scene was set at Fraser Park for the games to begin. Early points would be crucial as rain was forecast for the final days play.

Both Army team’s began comprehensively, winning their opening two games. This laid a solid foundation for the second round robin where victories would count for double points as is standard in NZ club softball competitions.

The second day of play started much the same for the Army men, winning against the Air Force 13-3. However, on the diamond opposite, the Army women dropped their second match of the day against their Air Force equivalent.

Early victories count for little unless you come home with the trophy however and coach of the Men’s army team, WO1 Wayne Small, was focused on the end result.

“The way points are allocated in the round robin you can drop a game and still win the tournament, however we wanted to go through unbeaten just to make sure.”

WO1 Small said the competition was historically an Air Force v Army affair and this year was no different as both teams lined up in the final match.

The slogan ‘Three Services as One’ was temporarily put aside for the next 7 innings as both teams took to each other in search of success. In uncharacteristic cold and wet conditions, it was the Air Force women who triumphed over the Army in a close final 8 – 4. The Army men were also locked in a tight game until the 5th inning before they ran away 10 – 3.

The titles would change hands at Trentham in 2007.

At the end of tournament play, a nice touch was witnessed as Air Force and Army players combined to perform the haka to those who were leaving the sport and service. Te Uru Cribb, Dana Arcus, Gavin Kotua and Graham Chard stood on home plate as the haka was directed toward them. At its end, all in attendance filed through shaking hands, giving hongi and hugging their NZDF softball comrades.

The unsung heroes of the tournament were undoubtedly the team strappers, who worked tirelessly night and day to keep the players on the diamond. The term ‘high maintenance’ in softball is associated with the men, who seem to have a mortgage on the massage tables.

The Tournament Prize giving was attended by the Chief of Navy, Chairman NZDF Sport Council, CO TRSB and NZ Softball legend Mr Mark Sorenson.

The next tournament is scheduled for Oct/Nov 2008 at HMNZS Philomel, in Auckland.

Individual Trophies

Top RBI’s Women Kahla Tuffey (Air) 6
Top RBI’s Men Rob MacKenzie (Air) 11
Most Stolen Bases Women Toni Samuels (Navy) 4
Most Stolen Bases Men Andrew Chambers (Army) 5
Top Batter Women Hayley Ireland (Air) .667
Top Batter Men Grant McCarroll (Army) .636
Top Pitcher Women Jenny Mumm (Army)
Top Pitcher Men Grant McCarroll (Army)
Women’s Rookie of the Tournament Kahla Tuffey (Air)
Men’s Rookie of the Tournament Randall Bartholomew (Navy)
Personality of the Tournament Queenie (Navy)
MVP Women Sue Harrison (Army) and Shar Carson (Air)
MVP Men Grant McCarroll (Army)

Black Sox Trophy

Outstanding dedication and commitment to NZDF Softball Dean Groves (Army)

Team Trophies

Prendergast Cup Women’s Champion Air Force
Lauthala Bay Trophy Men’s Champion Army
Dale Tamehana Trophy Top Aggregate Runs Men/Women: Air Force 98 runs

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