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SOFTBALL COACHES REPORT FROM NEW ZEALAND
THE CANBERRA DIAMONDS HAVE BEEN IN NEW ZEALAND FOR TWO DAYS AND THIS IS OUR STORY TO DATE.
After arriving at the Canberra International Airport at 5 am on Wednesday it was the start of a very long day. Boarded our aircarft at 5.45 and after 1/2 hour delay took off to Sydney. In sydney boarded the transfer bus and headed to the Sydney International Airport. At this point in time we did not know how many delays you could have in one day. Our flight on Virgin Blue was delayed 1 hour, so it was 4.30 pm before we touched down in Auckland. We had rented a bus to drive and the rental company was a 1/2 hour late in picking our driver up. When we finally got our bus and loaded with all the luggage, we were in peek hour traffic and trying to get across the Auckland Harbour Bridge added another hour delay. This delay was enough that we had to miss our practice game against Ramblers of New Zealand. We checked into the Millennium which is New Zealands sport of excellence accomodation and i must say it is very nice.
The Diamond Girls then went shopping for there week-ends food supply, as they decided it was much easier and cheaper to cook our own food. At 10.30 everyone was exhausted and no one had any trouble getting to sleep.
Thursday first day of the tournament and we had our first game against Victoria Titans from Melbourne. We must of still been in delay mode as we went down 6-0 in a lacking display of self disciplin and the desire to win. We backed up 20 minutes later and took on last years champions WA Flames from Perth. Gretta Cecchetti pitched a two hitter and we managed to score a run in the bottom of the 7th to win 1-0. We then went to the bay for a recovery session in the cold ocean water. Back to the ballpark for a 7pm game that didn't start till 8.30. We played the hosts New Zealand and after squandering a 3-0 lead managed to score a run in the 7th and win 4-3. Late night ready for two early games on Friday.
We played the top two teams in the competition NSW Firebirds from Sydney and the Flames from Brisbane. We managed to keep the top batter off the bases but it still wasn't enough as our one error cost us 2 runs and that was the game. We managed to score three runs against the Flames but again our fielding let us down and they scored 5 runs. Right now as i write this post we are preparing for 3 games tomorrow.
In the meantime i hope you enjoy these photos of our trip so far and any comments would be appreciated.
SOFTBALL COACH'S REPORT FROM NEW ZEALAND DAY 3
IT HAS BEEN FANTASTIC SOFTBALL WEATHER VERY HOT WITH A LITTLE BREEZE AND IT COOLS DOWN AT NIGHTS.
Today the Canberra Diamonds had a very successful day as they won all 3 games by shut outs. They played two games against new comers Northern Territory Fury and won 9-0 and 11-0. The difference between the two teams was the Diamonds superior pitching. Our hitters had 16 hits and a few more were to hard for the fury defence to handle. The game against the South Australia Starz was a real pitchers battle with Vanessa Stokes Australias number 1 pitcher facing Greta Ceccetti of the Diamonds. Canberra Diamonds got 4 of their 5 hits in the first inning and took a 2-0 lead. They added one more in the 5th inning with a hit and a walk. Cecchetti was very strong strking out 7 batters and allowing only 2 hits. Diamonds have a big game tomorrow starting at 8 am againt NSW Firebirds, but no matter the outcome we will finish 3rd in the tournament of which is a great effort by our girls.Enjoy the photos and please leave any comments. Thanks for reading.
getting ready for the games
batting practice with wiffle balls
what a surprise an old umpiring friend from Canada showed up and in the middle of the game we had to have our photo taken as he was catching a plane in a half hour.
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