Fast-pitch to end season

Winners: North Qld Cfn Brad Studders, Cfn Brett Ardill, Sgt Kieron Sullivan, Cfn Ian Roberts, Sgt John Ardill, AC Tony Chave, Cfn Liam Nicholas, Flt-Lt Trevor Langford, Sgt Matt Phelan, Spr Michael Harraway.

THE ADF’s best softballers have met in Townsville for the Defence Softball National Finals, with men and women’s teams from the NT, North Qld, South Qld, NSW and a combined Vic/SA competing in fast-pitch games.

Spokesperson WO2 Vicki Scott said this year’s finals held over three days in November, were the biggest in the competition’s 19 year history, and the first time it was held outside of Sydney.

“The standard of competition was very high,” she said.

North Qld were always the favourites to win in the men’s competition, with pitcher AC Tony Chave (Who has played for Australia) playing a lead role alongside several Townsville baseballers fresh from the end of the local season.

“North Queensland came out firing in the first innings scoring seven runs, which gave them the upper hand in the game.

“Throughout the innings North Queensland continued to build on their first innings and ended up taken out the game in the fifth innings 15-2.”

The Women’s Game was contested between the NT and Qld.

“In the first innings Qld came out and scored two runs with no runs scored by NT.

“In the third innings NT pegged back one run and more runs were scored over the innings to have the score 3-3 after 5 innings.”

Scores were tied at the end of seven innings leading to a tie-breaker, which NT came out victors 9-7.

Australian Teams were selected to represent the ADF in New Zealand in 2006, and the 2006 National Championships will be held in Melbourne during November 6-11.

Interested players for ADF softball can contact Sgt Virginia Morris email Virginia.Morris@defence.gov.au.