Left: World champion New Zealand batter Stephen Ratu was in deadly form in his side’s 111 defeat of Victoria.By Glen Atwell
INTERNATIONAL men’s softball was in full swing at Sweeney Reserve on Monday night.
Team South Africa and current world champion New Zealand travelled to Berwick to play the Victorian team as practice for next week’s Softball Commonwealth Championship at Altona.
Casey mayor Cr Kevin Bradford welcomed the visiting sides and a crowd of more than 500 quickly swelled around the diamond.
Berwick brothers Chris and Brad Jones from the Casey Softball Association were part of the Victorian side given the chance to compete with the world’s best male softballers.
Playing South Africa in the first match, the Victorian side was beaten 04, but the result was hardly relevant, according to Casey Softball Association president Chris Jones.
“It was like Berwick Football Club playing against Essendon, it was the experience that counted,” he said.
But South African coach Gary Carlson said the standard of the Victorian side was very high.
“The quality was great, it is good for us to get some serious practice before the championships next week,’ he said.
Carlson said after arriving in Australia last week that the side was still getting used the unpredictable weather.
“Yesterday (Sunday) it was very hot, yet today (Monday) it is fairly cool, it is taking some time to get used to,” he said.
With the New Zealand side closely watching the game between South Africa and Victoria, Carlson said his players were keen to impress.
“They are a bit nervous with the world champions watching from the sidelines. It is putting the pressure on,” he said.
Chris Jones, 23, a Berwick plumber, had the job on first base against South Africa and said the match had been a great experience.
“It was my first men’s game against an international side and to play the world champions was terrific,” he said.
The Victorians lost 111 in the second game against New Zealand, but Chris said it was a competitive match.
“We were happy to get a run on the board,” he said.
Chris’s brother, 20yearold Brad, was given the opportunity to pitch against the South Africans and managed to strike out a couple of batters.
Brad is about to start work at Pakenham Secondary College, where he will train to become an outdoor education coordinator.
The international experience has given the Jones brothers a real buzz.
“It was good fun, hopefully I can make it into the Australian side one day,” Chris said.
