Giants aim to make impact

Giants won't just be making up the numbers when they travel to Hastings tomorrow to take part in the Lion Red North Island Classic men's softball tournament.
Ten of the top club sides from all over the country have been divided into two sections with the top two in each division going through to the semi-finals.
Coach Tony Nixon said Giants were intent on making the semis, something which will probably require three wins from tomorrow's sectional games where they will meet Porirua, Auckland Marist, Waitakere Bears and Metro (Auckland).
That's a big ask when you consider all those sides will have Black Sox in their line-ups, but Nixon is confident Giants can more than hold their own.
"We have played all these teams before and coped pretty well???we don't have anything to be scared of," he said.
Nixon believes, in fact, that Giants might actually have an advantage over their rivals because of the depth they have in their pitching with Justin Karaitiana, Richard Clarke and Mark Quinn all capable of doing the business there.
"When you have to play four games in a day it's tough on the pitchers, and obviously it's good to have plenty of options in that area," he said. "We have that luxury where most of the others teams probably don't."
Giants have also opted to "import" a catcher from the Karori club. This is to give their first string choice in that crucial role, Curtis Ames, the chance to be rested in at least one of tomorrow's games. However he is sure to remain in the side because of his batting prowess.
Batting-wise Nixon is sure Giants have the firepower to measure up well, and he expects the enthusiasm of youngsters such as Blair Thompson and Ryan Shannahan to fire them up in the fielding department too.