Softball: Grant ruled out of Black Sox squad

Ace pitcher Marty Grant was today ruled out of the New Zealand softball squad to defend their title at the World Championships starting in Christchurch today .

Grant suffered a calf muscle tear on Tuesday in what head coach Don Tricker described as an "absolutely freakish" manner, and was assessed by the Black Sox medical staff today.

He has been replaced in the squad named today by Thomas Cameron.

Revised squad:-

Pitchers: Michael Gaiger (Hutt Valley), Jim Wana (Wellington), Thomas Cameron (Auckland).

Catchers: Bevan Martin (Wellington), Patrick Shannon (North Harbour).

Infield: Jarrad Martin (Wellington, Captain), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Dion Nukunuku (Auckland), Roman Gabriel (Auckland), Clayton Willocks (North Harbour), Mark Sorenson (Hutt Valley).

Outfield: Thomas Makea (Wellington), Donny Hale (Auckland), Stacy McLean (Wellington), Taifau Matai (Auckland), Karl Gollan (US-based).

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Grant suffered a calf muscle tear yesterday in what head coach Don Tricker described as an "absolutely freakish" manner, and was being assessed by the Black Sox medical staff today.

Tricker said the 37-year-old Nelson pitcher was very sore that night but better today.

"We've got until nine o'clock tomorrow morning pretty much on which 17 we're going to go with."

All 15 nations in the world series have to declare their final line-ups at the technical meeting.

Team management wanted to give him another day to see if the injury settled down a little bit more -- "and when he'd be ready to come back and play".

According to Tricker, Grant had been simply warming up at the Lincoln cricket academy and running at little more than a fast walk when he hurt himself.

He confirmed that Grant, who pitched a no-hitter in the 2000 world series final, was a big part of the New Zealand game plan in 2004.

"We've always talked about how we've got a pitching staff, but Marty was clearly the spearhead of that staff."

Grant suffered a calf muscle tear yesterday in what head coach Don Tricker described as an "absolutely freakish" manner, and was being assessed by the Black Sox medical staff today.

Tricker said the 37-year-old Nelson pitcher was very sore that night but better today.

"We've got until nine o'clock tomorrow morning pretty much on which 17 we're going to go with."

All 15 nations in the world series have to declare their final line-ups at the technical meeting.

Team management wanted to give him another day to see if the injury settled down a little bit more -- "and when he'd be ready to come back and play".

According to Tricker, Grant had been simply warming up at the Lincoln cricket academy and running at little more than a fast walk when he hurt himself.

He confirmed that Grant, who pitched a no-hitter in the 2000 world series final, was a big part of the New Zealand game plan in 2004.

"We've always talked about how we've got a pitching staff, but Marty was clearly the spearhead of that staff."

Tricker said the loss of Grant was a big disappointment for himself and the team. However, the squad will move forward and are looking ahead to tonight's opening game of the tournament against Samoa.

"While Marty's condition has improved greatly since Tuesday it hasn't improved to the extent that we would be confident that he would be able to pitch at any stage of this tournament," Tricker said.

While Grant won't be playing, Tricker said team management are discussing the options of retaining Grant for possible coaching and scouting roles.

Despite the setback, Tricker was pleased with Grant's replacement -- Auckland pitcher Thomas Cameron.

"He's a pitcher we were planning to build future teams around and Thomas has been the outstanding pitcher on the domestic scene for the last two years."

The 22-year-old Cameron made his debut for the Black Sox in May last year on tour in Botswana and was also named New Zealand men's pitcher of the year for the 2002/03 season.

- NZPA