Softball: Calf injury could hamstring Black Sox's pitching

3.00pm


The Black Sox may be without star pitcher Marty Grant for tomorrow's world series opener against Samoa in Christchurch.

The Nelson-based player limped from the field yesterday after straining a calf muscle at training. Grant received intensive treatment for the injury throughout the night and was to be assessed by the team's medical staff today.

A despondent Grant said last night that it was a freak accident. He was going for a light jog during the team's warm-up when he felt the calf muscle tear.

"It's devastating. I blew a calf muscle and I couldn't walk. It felt like I'd been shot in the back of the calf."

Black Sox coach Don Tricker said Grant's injury was a serious blow to the team's chances of recording a world series three-peat.

Tricker said the double world champion hurler was a key member of the team and its chances would be diminished if he was forced out of the tournament.

"Everyone is important in our squad but Marty was going to spearhead our pitching staff," Tricker said this morning. "It's really complicated things.

"We have to get an update this morning to see how he is. We'll be in a better position to know later on today.

"Once we understand what's going on and how quickly he'll recover, we'll be able to factor in all the information and make a decision."

Tricker said they would have to make a call on Grant before the final team registration tomorrow. However, Grant would stay in the squad if there was a chance he could play later in the 10-day tournament.

To compound matters, Grant is the second member of the squad's pitching staff to be injured. Michael Gaiger aggravated a groin injury during a lead-up game against Canterbury last week.

Tricker said the Black Sox had last week used Auckland pitcher Thomas Cameron to help out at training. Cameron would be an obvious backup option if either Grant or Gaiger did not recover from their injuries.

"Cameron's not with us right now but we'll bring him in if Marty or Michael don't recover."

Fortunately, Black Sox third pitcher Jimmy Wana has been in good form and, more importantly, is fully fit. First baseman Jarrad Martin and outfielder Karl Gollan are also more than useful part-time pitchers.

The last-minute injury was a cruel blow for Grant who had worked hard to prepare for his third world series. He overcame a serious back injury last year and battled through a foot injury this season to stay in contention for the Black Sox.

- NZPA