CLUB HISTORY

Tom Voyle formed the Cambridge Softball Club in 1950. Softball was played at Cambridge High School (is now known as the Cambridge Middle School) and relocated to the present grounds (Tom Voyle Park) when the High School was relocated to its present site. In 1960 two council flats were shifted to Tom Voyle Park to form the clubrooms, and in 1970 a block extension was added because of the growing numbers enjoying the sport. These buildings are still standing and being used by the Cambridge Softball Club. Tom Voyle ran the club for many years, and softball was very strong in all the schools where Tom was heavily involved in promoting the sport. Tournaments were held at the grounds and up to 60 teams at a time would participate. In 1964 one of Tom Voyles proudest moments was managing the New Zealand Men's Softball Team in Mexico where they won their first World Series. Also in 1964 Gaye Bezzant of Cambridge made the New Zealand Woman's Softball Team and went to Australia for the World Series. In 1970 saw the arrival of legendary softballer Kevin Herlihy to the club. In the mid-seventies, Cambridge boasted up to 14 teams men and women. In 1976 Kevin Herlihy and Carl Mossman represented New Zealand in the World Series in the Hutt Valley. Kevin became legendary for pitching the 21 innings in the final against the United States. In 1979 Cambridge Bluestreaks won the New Zealand Men's National Final in Invercargill. In 1980 and 1984 Bruce McIntosh and Kevin Herlihy were both selected for the New Zealand Men's Softball Team for World Series events. In 2006 Courtney Maihi who played for the Cambridge Women's team represented Waikato and went on to be selected to play for the New Zealand Woman's Whitesox, and now is currently playing in the United States under a scholarship. Throughout Cambridge Softballs history there have been numerous players who have represented the Waikato in Mens, Women, and Junior Softball. Cambridge is still the only Club in the Waikato who have its own clubrooms and playing fields. Life Members are Tom Voyle, Carl Mossman, Bruce McIntosh, Grant Calvert, Gladys and Eric Tomlinson, Gaye King, Dale Gerrand.