Softball: Diamond life for Auckland players

By JULIE ASH

The tension is beginning to build in the Hale household ahead of this weekend's national provincial league finals.

Black Sox outfielder Donny Hale is the captain of the Auckland men's team, his partner, Sina Hunkin, is an outfielder in the Auckland women's side. Both are hoping to defend their national titles at North Harbour's Rosedale Park.

"Donny gives me plenty of advice, especially on my hitting, and I'd be silly not to listen as he is one of the better hitters in the world," Hunkin said.

But it is not only Hunkin that Hale will be supporting in the Auckland women's team. His sister Carina, a member of the White Sox, is one of the team's pitchers.

"Softball is a big part of our lives, most definitely," Hunkin said.

"We pretty much eat, drink and breathe it."

Joining the Auckland men in the top four playoffs are Wellington, Hutt Valley and Canterbury.

Hale sees Wellington as the biggest threat. They have Black Sox players Jimmy Wana, Thomas Makea, Bevin Martin, Jarrad Martin and Stacy McLean. "They have a lot of Black Sox players and their hitting lineup is quite similar to ours," said Hale, who has played softball as long as he can remember.

"They have a lot of power so I pretty much fear those guys really. But in saying that on any given day any of the teams can upset each other."

Hale said his team were feeling "pretty confident" following their results last weekend, where they beat the Central Vikings 11-1 and 10-0 and Hutt Valley 3-2 and 7-5.

"I think we are peaking at the right time. Everyone is starting to really hit the ball."

The men lost twice during the round robin at the hands of Canterbury and Wellington.

The women went one better losing just one game - against Wellington last weekend.

It was their last in the round robin and because they had already secured first place, many of their top players were rested.

The Auckland women will also be joined in the top four by Wellington, Hutt Valley and Canterbury.

"I would say the top four teams are all pretty close but I think that we have the team to do it," Hunkin said. "We have probably got the strongest pitchers in the league with Michelle Kingi and Carina [Hale] and we have the hitters to do it as well.

"Wellington look as if they will be our toughest opposition."

While there will be plenty of celebrations in the Hale household should both teams succeed, the Black Sox outfielder is aware of another challenge fast approaching.

Next month the Black Sox line up in the world championships at Christchurch, where they are aiming to become the first team in history to win three consecutive world titles.

"As it gets closer the nerves start tingling a little bit," said Hale.

"It will definitely be harder this time round. We have played Australia and Japan in a couple of series here and Australia have improved a lot and they will probably be one of the dark horses.

"Japan have improved a lot as well. I also play over in the States and I have seen a lot of the Canadians and the American boys and everyone seems to be stepping up from the last series.

"I'd say Japan will be our biggest threat."

Hale was part of the world champion team in 2000 and said that the win in South Africa feels just like yesterday.

"I was speaking with [Black Sox star infielder] Mark Sorenson the other day and he was saying when you win it four years comes around quickly. When you lose it it takes a long time to come around.

"But it is great that we are playing at home. To play in front of our family, friends and fans is awesome, but it will bring a lot of pressure."

Hale is looking forward to catching up with several of his Black Sox team-mates this weekend.

"We give each other a bit of a ribbing out there. But what happens on the diamond stays on the diamond."