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1 December 2013–
Thank you to all the teams who took part in our annual Doreen Hutchings Tournament, and to all the supporters who came along to watch two days of exciting softball. Special acknowledgement of Doreen’s family, especially Don Hutchings. Congratulations to winners, Magpies. Winner Western Magpies Runner Up Waitakere Bears Most Valuable Player Kaleo Eldredge – Western Magpies Top Pitcher Megan Farrell (0.55) – Waitakere Bears Top Batter Kaleo Eldredge (0.667) – Western Magpies Most Home Runs Kaleo Eldredge (1) – Western Magpies Most RBIs Katy Heatherington – Western Magpies Most Stolen Bases Jamie Ann Dick (4) – Howick
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28 November 2013 –
The ASB Young Sportsperson of the Year awards reward and recognise students who have performed with distinction in the regular senior secondary school sports competition organised through College Sport. At the awards dinner tonight, the female softballer award was conferred on Tyneesha Houkamau. This was a fitting end to Tyneesha’s involvement in school sport, and especially softball. Congratulations Tyneesha. 12 November 2013 –
The Marist Softball Club welcomes softball legend Paul Algar who will be with us this year and hopefully for the ensuing years. Paul is available to assist our club members in the art of pitching and any matters of softball. Paul had played on many NZ national teams over the years with the highlight being winning the ISF World Champs Gold medal in 2000. Paul was afforded the ultimate recognition in the USA with his induction in the ISC Hall of Fame. Below is a shortened version of his citation: Paul Algar – ISC Hall of Fame – Player – 2012 Originally from New Zealand, Paul Algar made his ISC debut in 1982 as a seventeen year old pitcher with Hubbard Construction of Bishop CA and has carved a sterling career spanning 25 ISC World Tournaments. Paul was named ISC All-World on five occasions, four as a member of the Madison WI Farm Tavern for whom he led his team-mates to two world championships, in 1997 and 1999. Paul entered the 2011 world tournament with 39 career wins, two shy of Todd Martin and Doug Middleton who are tied for 5th at 41 career wins each. Paul has pitched five no-hitters including a pair of perfect games in 1999 and 2003. The Early Years Before Paul came along, his older brother Loren was already an established pitcher, and his dad, Ray, was a pretty fair first baseman on the ball diamonds of Wellington and Melrose. Father and brother had set a path that young Paul eagerly followed. And one that ultimately landed him a seat in the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame. “Watching my brother pitch, I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” said Algar, 47, adding that Loren is 11 years older. “I would practise on the sidelines while Loren pitched.”… And Paul practised and practised, and practised some more, says his dad, Ray. “Ever since he was a kid, he practised hard by himself,” Ray Algar said. “He would gather a whole bunch of balls and throw at targets on a wall. He would spend two to three hours and then come home for a soft drink and then back to his pitching.” For several years, Ray travelled to the US to watch his sons play in some of America’s finest teams. He followed Loren and Paul’s exploits from California to Florida and throughout the Midwest. For Paul, coming to the US as a teenager opened up a whole new world of fastball adventures. He’s played for some of the finest teams ever assembled in the history of the sport. Some of those teams include the Farm Tavern of Madison, WI; Green Bay All-Car; New York Heflin Builders; Hubbard Construction (Calif.); Aurora All-Steel, and Tommy’s Angels of Oshkosh, WI. Paul was asked by Bob Otto: Q: What has the sport both taught you and given you? A: Play hard between the lines, but be the same person off the field as on, and not have a big ego. When I’m pitching, I love it when thousands are watching; it helps me focus more. I (enjoy) having people come up to me at tournaments and talk. It’s such a good time. 12 November 2013 –
The Marist Softball Club extends our sympathy to Anne and children and Apa, Eddie and children and the extended Fatialofa family on the passing of rugby legend Peter Fatialofa. Whilst Peter’s name was synonymous with rugby, Peter was a keen follower and member of the Marist Softball Club. The Fatialofa name adorns the archives of our club with Rita and Apa excelling in the 80 and 90s. Peter followed closely the softball career of his brother Apa and when the Diamond Club started a few months ago, Peter and Apa were the first to join. Peter’s contribution to the sporting world was immense as was his contribution to Samoa. He was a made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996 for his services to rugby. May he rest in peace. |
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