NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2023

August 2023 - Kia Ora members.

Month #8, winter is on the downward slope, soon to give way to the colours of spring and the sounds of softball trainings on the parks around the city.

New concepts are on the horizon for softball, so watch out for details as they are determined and implemented.

The International programme is in full swing, watch for details, reports and updates on our Facebook page.

Mt Albert Ramblers Annual General Meeting is this month, to which you are all invited to attend.

We are seeking nominations for members to join the Executive Committee for the next season. Check out below.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

50 CLUB - The 50 Club's winners for July were:

Winners were very spread around this month. Congratulations to the following.

Debs White, Jodie Lamb, Dion Nukunuku, Tommy Vodanovich, Bobby Nepia, Aaron Thompson, Brent Kinghorn, Grant Riley, Margaret Walker, Noel Callaghan, Bevan Hunt, Deidre Opie, Stu Kinghorn and Glenda Lamb.

With 2 each for Lance Roberts, Kaylene Tribe and Greg Carr,

Janette McLeod and Kaylene Tribe lead the race for the most meat packs won this year, both have won 6 meat packs each.

We have 2 numbers still available for the months of August through to December, being 31 + 37

If you would like to be part of the “50 Club” please contact Club Administrator - ramblerssoftball@xtra.co.nz.

For just $20 per month you could be in the weekly Friday night draw for 5 meat packs.

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The date for the Clubs AGM has been set for Sunday August 27th 2023 at 11am, Mt Albert Ramblers Clubrooms.

Why not give some thought to putting your name forward for one of the positions on the Executive Committee.

Nomination forms are available on the Ramblers website, at the Club Bar or by contacting the Administrator.

YOU and YOUR IDEAS ARE NEEDED and WELCOMED.

Meetings held by ZOOM so no need to leave the comfort of your home.

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Auckland Softball Association have organised Coaches Clinics, one a month for the next 2 months. These are to be held at Ramblers Clubrooms on Sundays from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

Consider attending.

New Coach? Rep Coach? Mom Coach? Dad Coach?

Auckland Softball is excited to arrange and present monthly coaches clinics for ALL COACHING LEVELS. This is an opportunity to ask questions, learn, and interact with coaches from all over Tāmaki Makaurau!

When: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Aug 20, Sep 17

Where: Warren Freer Club Room

If you plan on attending please register below:

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/235524

If you have any questions please reach out to pitching@softballauckland.org.nz

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URGENTLY REQUIRE PLAYING UNIFORMS TO BE RETURNED to ready for next season.

- TO ALL PLAYERS ( except Premier Men and Women)

If you have not returned your playing top to your Team Manager or Ramblers Club, these must urgently be returned, otherwise you could incur an invoice for replacement top.

These are very slowly being returned either to the Club or to Glenda Lamb's mail box. If you still have yours please return to avoid a $60 invoice.

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Club Team Trainings - will be advised once Management have been appointed to teams and training schedules are compiled.

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CLUB PLAYING FEES - - to be set once receive fee structure from ASA.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Do you recognise these two fine gentlemen of the sport in their younger days??

In case you don't.

Marist captain-coach the late Eric Kohlhase pushes United shortstop Stu Kinghorn (current Life Member Ramblers Softball Club) out of the road to steal third base in first innings of their game at Spalding Park.

SPOTLIGHT ON ............................

SPOTLIGHT ON ……………………………JESSIE JACKSON

The August spotlight has beamed down on the youngest candidate featured in this section to date.

A mere 14 years of age, Jessie Jackson has experience beyond her years.

Daughter of Ramblers stalwarts, Andi Griffiths and Carl Jackson, Jessie has softball experience and knowledge to draw inspiration from.

Jessie played for Ramblers Under 15 boys’ team last season, where she acquitted herself admirably against the boys’ teams. She was awarded Most Versatile Player for her team as well as the Clubs Most Promising Junior Player, at the Clubs Prizegiving for the 2022/23 softball year.

Jessie was selected and played for Auckland Softball Association’s Under 15 Girls team that attended the Cameron Duncan Tournament and then travelled to Hastings with the team for the Under 15 Girls North Island Championships.

To cap off a great season for Jessie, she has been named in the Softball New Zealand Developing Sox team to travel to Japan in October this year, to compete at the Under 15 Women’s Softball World Cup.

I’m sure Jessie will perform to the best of her ability at the World Cup and into the future.

A very talented young lady whose future on the softball diamond looks as bright as the spotlight that has shone down on her today.

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER

CONGRATULATIONS to the below on being awarded the following Auckland Softball awards at the recent AGM ceremony.

FLOYD NOLA -

Ben Davis Memorial Cup [Overall Softballer of the Year]

Senior Male Sportsperson of the Year

GABREYL TAHI TAHI -

Dick Brockliss [Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year

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CONGRATULATIONS - to our own Glenda Lamb, Jodie Lamb and Megan Earley for receiving VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION Certificates from Albert Eden Local Board, presented recently.

NEWS UPDATE

2023/2024 REGISTRATIONS

Registrations for all grades are now open.

Current players have received an invitation to re-register for the upcoming season. Forms are available on Ramblers website.

Registrations link - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/237420

******************************************************************************************COACHES AND MANAGERs

As the new season approaches, please turn your thoughts to Team Management roles for Mt Albert Ramblers teams, Under 6 through to Premiers. male and female.

If you are available and wish to be considered for a Coaches, Managers, Scorers role, please email the Club on ramblerssoftball@xtra.co.nz to voice your interest.

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WANTED - Photos from the Past of Ramblers teams and/or players, to be used in the BLAST FROM THE PAST section.

If you have any please email to ramblerssoftball@xtra.co.nz

*****************************************************************************************fFUNDRAISING VENTURES

Watch for the fundraising ventures for our own club members who are to represent their Country, Province and families on the International scene in the near future.

August 12th - Quiz night and Auction for Jessie Jackson. See below in Photo section

September 23rd - Horse Racing night for Jessie Jackson and Max Russell. Watch for details on Facebook.

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U23 Development Opportunity

ASA are excited to offer an opportunity for athletes to participate in the U23 Classic with the Blue Sox Academy. The tournament is being hosted in Lower Hutt October 21-23 at Fraser Park.

This is open to Men's & Women's players. The cost of this tournament will be the responsibility of the players - including accomodation & travel.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/251354

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REMINDR NFS

ASA are excited to announce Remindr Sports as the new naming rights sponsor for the NFS competition! ASA are looking forward to sharing the awesome uniforms and teamwear that Remindr provides throughout season!

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THE NFS SHOWCASE 2023

The NFS Showcase is back this season with some exciting changes and registrations are now OPEN! This year there will not only be a men's competition but also a women's competition.

The Showcase will run from Saturday 2nd September over 6 weeks. The teams will be selected from a draft. Throughout the competition, players will be able to gain both individual and team points based on performance.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/251092

FORMAT:

> Open to all Northern Region Associations

> Current Premier, Reserve and top U19 & U17 rep players are welcome

> Up to six teams played over 6 weeks starting Saturday 2nd September 2023

> Thirteen players per team plus 2 marquee players allowed

> Games will be counted for NFS finals and Club National qualification

> Teams will be named after the Captains and awarded a colour for the duration and given a number for the draft

> Players register and select their position category Pitcher, Catcher, Infield, Outfield but are not restricted to playing in the category they register under during the game

> Six captains (selected by NFS coaches)

> Each team will be appointed a facilitator (Coach) to assist captain during the games with coaching etc.

THE DRAFT:

> The draft will take place on Friday September 1st (this will be the only draft)

> A rotating draft will be conducted after registrations close selection to be done by Team Captains and Facilitators

> Teams will be made up of 2 Catchers, 3 Pitchers, 5 Infielders, 3 Outfielders (team captains included in this makeup)

RULES:

> All games including the final will be 1hr 45mins or 7 innings (which ever comes first). Innings are to be completed as per SNZ time limit rule and the Official Scorer will be the sole judge of time

> No new innings are to be started within 5mins of game time

> No mercy rule to be applied but a maximum of 7 runs per innings can be scored once reached innings ends

> Pitchers are restricted to 2 innings each. If the games goes to 7 innings any of the three Pitchers can pitch this innings but must pitch the whole innings

> During the 6 weeks, teams are able to invite players from out of Auckland to join their team at their cost (MAX of 2 over the 6 weeks)

> During the tournament if a player is unavailable or injured, they can be replaced by another player from pick up pool (all un-drafted players go into the pick up pool)

GAME POINTS:

> Each inning win is worth 10 points for each player

> If the innings is tied the points carry over to the next inning

> In the 7th innings if the team at the top of the inning scores any runs regardless if the team at the bottom of the innings is still winning, the bottom is still played out to give the team the chance to get the innings win points

> Each player in the winning team gets 50 points (a rained out game that is unable to be rescheduled will be shared | 25 points per player)

> Teams will be awarded 2 points for each win and 1 point for each draw

> If there is extra innings no innings points or individual points are awarded in extra innings, only the winning game points

INDIVIDUAL POINTS:

> Batting:

Single hit +10 points

2 Base hit +20 points

3 Base hit +30 points

Home run +40 points

Base on balls + 8 points

Hit by pitch +8 points

Sacrifice fly +8 points

Sacrifice bunt +8 points

> Pitching while on the mound:

Outs +4 points

Earned runs -10 points

> Base Running:

Stolen base +10 points

Caught stealing -10 points

> MVP Points:

1st MVP +60 points

2nd MVP +40 points

AWARDS:

> Top three players with the most points will be named Champions - 1st, 2nd and 3rd

> Most Valuable Defensive player (selected by team Captains, Facilitators and Official Scorers)

> Winning team will be awarded NFS Showcase trophy

> If the Final is unable to be played due to weather the winning team will be the team on top after the round robin

Registrations close: Friday 18th August

REPRESENTATIVE SCENE

As the NZ White Sox return to Aotearoa from their campaign in Italy, it is now the turn of the 21U Blue Sox to leave our shores for North America to compete in the ISC's.

We wish them good skills for the Competition, with special mention to Ramblers players and Management, Assistant Coach Ricky Earley and Liasion Officer Megan Earley. Safe trip to you all.

SNZ Under15 girls are preparing for their campaign to Japan in October, in which Jessie Jackson is a member.

The Junior Black Sox are in preparation for their campaign to Mexico later in the year, in which Maximus Russell is representing.

Further details on these World Cups will be uploaded in future newsletters.

PHOTOS