Cardinals Softball Club

(From the Programme for the Chameleons Tour of New Zealand 1982)
CARDINALS
A MAJOR PLACE IN NEW ZEALAND SOFTBALL
Qantel Cardinals are a Club with a fine history and record in Men’s Softball in New Zealand.
The Club was originally known as Taita Demons back in 1949 but in 1951 they became THE “CARDINALS”.
First national success came in 1954 when in Invercargill, Cardinals captured the John Lennon Trophy, as National Inter-Club Men’s Champions. The team in those days featured among them several sets of brothers, notably the Baldwins Kevin and Lester, the Douglas’s Jim, Alex and Bill and the Smith’s Trevor and Ross. Others including Maurice Mudgway, Bill Littler who won the John Lennon in his 40’s, Les Leeney and Jimmy Evans were among that early side.
Bill Douglas captained the North Island and Hutt Valley then and with Ross Smith as pitcher Cardinals were quite formidable, winning the John Lennon again in 1956 over Miramar.
Throughout the years in Hutt Valley Softball their has always been rivalry between Cardinals and Railways for the Championship and in the mid 60’s with Cardinals Club rebuilding Railways dominated.
But the nurturing of young players proved invaluable as youngsters Dave Sorenson,
Wayne Lamb, Basil McLean and John Dawson, Len Barlow, Terry Nunns and Terry Bell all later New Zealand representatives, came through to push Cardinals, back into the forecourt of Club Softball.
In 1971, 72, 73 Camerons Cardinals, as they were known stormed away with the John Lennon and struck again in 1975. Second generation players like Wayne and Alan Baldwin came through to the team with others as they dominated Hutt Valley Softball and won 2 Qantel National Knockouts,
The present team sees some Survivors from the successful mid 70’s team including Dave Sorenson, Les Whakataka, Basil McLean and John Taylor now joined by young stars Jimmy Cotter, Alan Taylor and Steven Schultz.
Jimmy Cotter has developed into one of the Worlds best batters since coming to the Club.
The Junior Section and other teams still provide the strong Club foundation that has backed the Major A Men’s team to its successes.
Administratively the Club has only ever had 5 Presidents. Kevin & Lester Baldwin being President for 27 years between them. In this area the Club has always had a go-ahead attitude which brings them to the Chameleons tour, the latest venture for the Club.