Softball: Veteran returns for another season

New Zealand pitcher Marty Grant has shelved plans to retire from international softball.

Grant had said in March that he thought he could no longer handle the physical demands of the international game.

But after a winter's rest he has changed his mind and decided to return to the mound for another season.

He is a late addition to the Black Sox train-on squad, who are to have their first training camp next weekend as they prepare for the Pacific Cup series in Rotorua in February.

"The Black Sox team is very hard to leave behind and it will be nice to play some games in New Zealand," said Grant, 38.

"The Pacific Cup series looks like a really exciting tournament and if I am good enough to make the team I would love to be part of it."

Grant made his debut for the Black Sox in 1990 and was with the team as they claimed three consecutive world titles in 1996, 2000 and this year.

He said he had a lot of fitness work to do but was looking forward to the challenge.

The train-on squad

* Pitchers: Michael Gaiger (Auckland), Thomas Cameron (Auckland), Derrek Coleman (North Harbour), Tane Richardson (Hutt Valley), Marty Grant (Nelson).

* Catchers: Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Lyndon Andrews (Auckland), Bevan Martin (Wellington).

* Infielders: Jarrad Martin (Wellington), Chris Eden-Huria (Wellington), Dion Nukunuku (Auckland), Craig Wallace (Wellington), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Roman Gabriel (Auckland).

* Outfielders: Stacy McLean (Wellington), Thomas Makea (Wellington), Rhys Casley (Hutt Valley), Donny Hale (Auckland), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Taifau Matai (Auckland).

* Utilities: Penese Iosefo (Canterbury), Jonathan Munden (Auckland), David Butler (Manawatu).

- NZPA