In 2005, the Patron of Army softball (Warrant Officer Class Two retired) John Eagar, RNZAC, informed Army softball that the sport was first played in the Army in 1949. Since that time, softball has begun the huge task of recording and, most importantly, preserving its history on the Army website.

Planning and preparations for the 60th Anniversary began in 2008. An anniversary committee of past and present softball members (CAPT Grant McCarroll, WO2 Dean Groves, CAPT (Rtd) Phil Packer and WO1 (Rtd) Winnie Shanley) was formed and a reunion date was set for November 2009.

The anniversary committee met on a monthly basis from March 2009 up to the event itself. CAPT Grant McCarroll, the anniversary co-ordinator, called meetings to assemble his team and discussed and planned the tasks that needed to be done.

The Anniversary Journal

It was decided that a 60th Anniversary journal would be produced to capture Army softball's history. The journal would also give a reference point to those members who do not have access to Army softball's history on the internet. During the months of July to October 2009, the journal slowly started to take shape as ex-members photographs and stories were received. WO2 Dean "Doon" Groves became the journal editor and he began writing and incorporating photographs and articles that had been written by other players and officials.

Doon recalls, "It was a massive task and I didn't realise the amount of work involved until the journal was well underway. I can see why such documents haven't been done in the past due to the amount of work involved, but I thought if it doesn't get done now, then who knows when. The journal just had to be done and I'm so glad it is finally a reality. The highlight of the journal's production was the history gathering interview I did with John Eagar down in Christchurch."

The Anniversary Welcome

On Friday 6 November 2009, past and present Army softballers converged on Upper Hutt for the reunion. A few attendees made their way from as far away as New York, the UK, Tonga, Australia (including Australian Defence Force representatives). A lot of attendees also travelled from the far ends of New Zealand.

That evening at Messines Army Centre, Trentham, CAPT Grant McCarroll welcomed the 123 attendees and opened the reunion. Chaplain Raharuhi Koia followed with an Anniversary blessing before the assembled guests got down to the business of catching up on the good old softball days with their former team mates and officials.

The attendees also received their memorabilia apparel, softball coins and the Army softball journal. The journal was put together over several months and contains collections of photographs, articles and memories of the past 60 years. The large collection of data and images were transformed into a spectacular journal thanks to the outstanding effort of WO2 Doon Groves and Ms Amy Trlin from the Defence Communications Group (Defence House). The production of the journal, a first in Army sport, was certainly a highlight of the reunion.

The reward for the organising committee was to see the expressions of utter joy and laugher displayed that evening by the attendees as they caught up with their old team mates and friends. Ka pai.

View images of the anniversary welcome.

The Anniversary Game/s

The following morning, at Davis Field, Trentham Camp, softball gloves were dusted off and bats swung as the umpire announced "play ball". A large crowd gathered in the bright sunshine to watch their old team mates "do their softball thing" on the diamond once again.

There was a combination of games played, the first being a mixed gender game of past and present softballers. Once the "unexpected" warm up was completed, the teams got down to business. Phil Packer (Hutt Valley) and Trevor Murphy (Australian Defence Force) did the umpiring throughout the day. Reg Bennett (RNZIR), who had travelled from Sydney, was on the mound to start the game. He had been playing a fair bit in Australia recently and was certainly pretty sharp as his pitches zipped into the catcher's mitt.

Those attendees who did not play in the games were well entertained by the players out on the diamond.

Team photographs were taken at the completion of all of the games to capture the moment.

A big thank you goes out to CAPT (Rtd) Phil Packer, who organised, helped umpire and conducted the Anniversary games - cheers Phil.

A BBQ lunch (cooked by WO1 Tiny Graham (SSM, TTS) and Joe and Louise Waiariki) sizzled away in front of the Pavilion.

By mid-afternoon, the attendees started to move back to their accommodation to relax and prepare for the main event, the anniversary dinner.

View images of the anniversary games.

The Anniversary Dinner

Later that evening, the attendees put on their formal attire and assembled at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club for the official dinner. CAPT Grant McCarroll welcomed the attendees and special guests COL David Russell, LT COL Bob Bulman, LT COL Stephen Piercy, Mr Gordon Forrester, Mr Don Tricker, ONZM and the Army's artist Mr Matt Gauldie.

Just before the buffet dinner was served, Chaplain and Army pitcher Raharuhi "Ra" Koia said grace, which rather fittingly had a softball theme and also had everyone laughing. The grace was as follows:

For good health, laughter and lots of fun,
For the ability to watch and play softball in the sun.

For this 60th anniversary and our tidy bearing,
For gradual loss of speed, sight and even good hearing.

We pray to you, oh Lord divine,
You who changed water into wine.

And pray for us mortal men,
Who can only change it back again.

So bless us sinners,
As we eat our dinners.

For we are grateful,
For every plateful.

Amen

Following the meal, the anniversary cake was cut by the Patron of Army softball and the youngest men's and women's team players SPR Marc Stallard and LCPL Sharna Wilson.

The guest speaker was former Black Sox head coach Mr Don Tricker, ONZM, who shared his coaching experiences and how the Army has helped build NZ's elite softball teams for the ultimate battle at world championships.

The Army artist, Matt Gauldie was commissioned to paint a 60th Anniversary painting for softball, which was on display at the dinner. The painting was of a softball scene, with action in the batters box and a number of players and officials watching from the dugout.

The remainder of the evening was spent socialising and catching up on old times. The entertainment was provided by long serving Army softball player and umpire Mr Charlie Elkington (RNZCT).

The large projector screen at the Cossie Club was used to display softball team and action photographs. A number of guests were seen standing around the screen and laughing at some of the faces they were familiar with or at memorable moments triggered by the images they saw. There is a proposal to have all of Army softball's photographs that have been collected to date put onto DVD. Click on Contact Us if you would like further details.

View images of the anniversary dinner.

The Farewell Brunch

On Sunday morning, an optional breakfast was held at the Totara Lodge, Upper Hutt. The brunch was a last chance to reflect on a fantastic softball weekend and to also bid farewell to friends until the next reunion. It was evident that the 50+ diners had thoroughly enjoyed themselves over the weekend.

The Next Reunion

A second official reunion is already being talked about and looks certain to be incorporated with the Men's World Softball Championships in North Harbour, Auckland in February 2013. The dates are unknown as yet, but will be displayed on the "Events Calendar" of this web page in due course.

If you know or have the contact details of ex-Army softball members who would like to be part of the softball contact list for our reunions, can you please pass their details onto Mr Trevor "Storky" Gilbert by using our contact form.

Army softball - what a unique sporting family (whanau)

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