Photo: Sharyn Smart
Softball is being revamped in an attempt to attract new players.
The Taranaki Softball Association under the watchful eye of Allan Prestney, Witt’s Kaitakawaenga – Maori and Pasifika support co-ordinator, has shortened the game and moved it indoors to get more people involved.
“With it being mainly a Saturday afternoon sport we are loosing players due to work commitments,” she said.
Mrs Prestney said that too many games get rained off between October and December and moving indoors would enable play regardless of the weather.
She encourages people to have some fun and exercise by joining a team.
“We have mixed composite teams. So it’s just about giving it a go,” she said.
Teams are generally made up of nine players but can play with a minimum of 7.
Mrs Prestney said that indoors everybody in a team was more involved because of the confined space and age was not a limitation.
Some people had returned to the game after years away. They include Angus Erueti, New Plymouth, who was talked into playing by his daughter.
“I haven’t played for 20-plus years. It’s great getting out there, joining other family members,” he said.
Teams are generally made up of nine players but they can play with a minimum of seven.
The differences between the outdoor and indoor game are the foul line is different, the ball is live off the wall or ceiling and the team bats through before changing regardless of how many outs.
Mrs Prestney said it was proving popular.
“We had about 45 people signed up last week,” she said.
Games will be held at the New Plymouth Girls High School Old Gymnasium on Thursday at 6:30pm. Participants are to make a gold coin donation.
For more information phone Whaea Allana at Kopa Manaaki 757 3100 ext 8978.
This article was published in the North Taranaki Midweek on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.