Softball: Samoa prove to be diamonds in the rough

By JULIE ASH

Samoa are determined not to be one hit wonders and plan to compete in future world championships.

Competing in their first world series, Samoa have been one of the standouts and go into today's playoffs with every chance of a top four spot.

But with the sport barely existent in Samoa, the question is whether they will be around in four years' time when the next world series is held on the other side of the world.

"After the World Cup we will reassess things," said Samoan coach Mike Forsyth.

"This is not just a oncer; this is going to continue on with men and women. We are definitely going to go to as many world championships as we can."

He said the game used to be played in Samoa but was now only really dabbled in at schools.

"We have been to Samoa three of four times and held some coaching clinics.

"We took some gear, a batting machine and are trying to promote the game in Samoa."

Samoa qualified for this tournament after Papua New Guinea pulled out.

What will make it difficult for them next time is that they will more than likely have to play New Zealand and Australia for one of the two Oceania spots.

"It will be difficult," Forsyth said. "But it is no different to these world championships where we are in a very difficult pool."

Samoan's inclusion in the event is all thanks to their Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who decided his country should try to put a team together for the world champs.

"Samoans have always got a passion for sport and he decided that we'd have a team because we have a lot of young Samoan talent in New Zealand. We thought it was a good opportunity for some of our young people to play in a world cup," said Forsyth.

The Samoan Government gave some funding and with plenty of fund-raising in Auckland, the team made it to Christchurch.

In Forsyth, they landed a pretty good coach.

A former Black Sox selector, he played for New Zealand in the 1968 and 1976 world championships.

In 1976 he was part of the team who finished in a three-way tie with the US and Canada in the Hutt Valley.

He has also coached Auckland to two national titles and has a long involvement with the Marist club.

"I have certainly been around," he said.

"But it has always been a dream of mine to coach Samoa."

Loaded with New Zealand-based players, it was always expected Samoa would perform well.

With the slick Heine Shannon as their No 1 pitcher, combined with capable batters Aaron Neemia, Jeremy Stanley, Gus Leger, Dwayne Gerard and Wayne Laulu, the team boast plenty of strength.

But knocking off the likes of Canada, Venezuela and South Africa, who are among the top teams in the world, caught the softball world by surprise.

"We just want to have a good showing and represent out families and country with pride," said captain, former All Black Stanley.

For the 17 players who have captured the hearts of the Christchurch crowd, leaving the tournament ranked in the top four would be a dream come true.

"Things are going well for us at the moment but like I said to them the other day our first aim is to make the top four," Forsyth said.

"We don't plan ahead, we just take each game as it comes and enjoy ourselves.

"We always had confidence in ourselves. We play with passion and we play with pride and we are very determined."