Softball: Black Sox hopefuls get chance to shine

Softballers aiming to represent New Zealand at the World Series in Canada in July have a chance to impress at the national women's interprovincial championships that start today in Lower Hutt.

Black Sox coach Mike Walsh and his selection panel will be watching closely.

"It is only three months before we name the team for the World Series, so this is an important event for those looking to make the team," Walsh said. "While we have been working with a training squad, it is not a closed shop and everyone will have a chance to impress."

One player Walsh will be particularly interested in is United States-based Wellington pitcher Ali Arnold, who has come to New Zealand for the tournament in a bid to make the Black Sox team.

The selectors would have liked Arnold, 17, daughter of former New Zealand pitcher Graham Arnold, to play a full season here, but that was not practicable with her at senior high school in Illinois.

"I talked to Graham about Ali early last year and in June went to watch her play in a couple of tournaments," Walsh said. "But it was important that we see her play here.

"While Ali may well force her way into the Black Sox, there is also next year's junior world series - which she is also available for - to look at."

Arnold adds further depth to defending champions Wellington, who were already strong with internationals Ruta Lealamanua, Api Stone O'Kane, Amy Stead and sisters Togi and Upu Lote.

Wellington's biggest threat is likely to come from a Canterbury team boasting Kim Dermott and Char Pouaka, arguably the two best-performed New Zealanders in the recent series against Australia.

Auckland will be well served on the pitching mound by international Pip McKenzie, while rising star Michelle Kingi will prove a handful for opposition batters.

Hosts Hutt Valley will have two teams in the championships. The top team, coached by Terry Gaiger, includes Black Sox representatives Cindy Potae, Melisa Upu and Zavana Aranga, along with former international pitchers Margaret Edwards and Lisa Rhind.

Hutt's second string, the Hutt Valley Region, includes players from Hutt Valley, Hawkes Bay, Waikato, Canterbury and North Harbour.

Naomi Shaw, who controversially missed out on the Hutt Valley coaching job, will coach a Central Region team that includes former internationals Kiri Shaw and Donna Pewhairangi.

The tournament starts at noon with Hutt Valley playing Central in a game Shaw would love to win given the coaching controversy, and Hutt Valley Region playing Auckland.

- NZPA