Mario Herbert has given his Fast Pitch premier men's softball side the "all ready' signal for the national men's interclub tournament which begins in Auckland tomorrow.
"We couldn't have asked for better rehearsals at the weekend ... I just wish I was going but work comes first," Herbert said.
The former Junior Black Sox utility and his brother Kane Herbert, who also plays for Fast Pitch, recently scored jobs in the recipe department at Heinz Wattie's. The brothers and Josh Tipoki will travel to Auckland on Friday night so they can play, if required, during Saturday's final day of the 21-team interclubs.
First baseman Herbert, who has been co-coaching the side in recent weeks with veteran pitcher Rayner Te Wake, showed his teammates what he can bring to the diamond with an automatic home run with catcher Te Rangi Chadwick on base during yesterday's 4-3 win against Harris Scrap Saints at Akina Park, Hastings. It was a match which required a tie-beaker inning and Chadwick scored the winning run.
On Saturday Fast Pitch, who are unbeaten in the post-Christmas competition, beat Napier Vikings 15-0 in five innings. Former Black Sox infielder Aaron Kuru smashed a grand slam - home run with bases loaded - and Te Wake also hit a home run.