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Metro Softball Club - Est 1957

 

In the Beginning

The consensus is that it all just sort of happened (in 1957/58).  Neil Bricknell and Arthur Brear were playing football at Metro but softball elsewhere. Metro was a sports club that also catered for netball and cricket so “why not softball?”

 

A group got together at Burt Miles’ place and decided to form a softball branch of the sports club.

Burt (Bert) Miles

Two teams were entered, one being made up of current players who were entered in the second grade. Most of the third grade side were members of Burt’s football team.

The second grade team had Ray Leonard pitching to Ian Harvey, Arthur Brear on 1st, Neil Bricknell at second base, Don Williams at shortstop, with Warren Garner, Graeme Hodder and Euan Clarke in the outfield.

Arthur was also reserve catcher to Ian. 

A 500 pound ($1000) loan from the sports club saw them outfitted in a uniform of red and black halves made by Bev Williams.

The second division team won their league in their second season and started the 1959/60 season with a 24-14 win against Henderson Bears. Second game v Eden, another win 26-16. That’s it, says Auckland Softball, you’re promoted to Major B.

First opponent is City Newton where they cop a right thrashing (No one can remember the score – funny??) Johnny Anslow was selected for Auckland U18.

Administratively it was fairly informal after the first meeting, they just carried on and played ball. Not until the second year did they have an AGM and form a committee to run the sport.

An advertisement in the local paper for players had an excellent response and saw the sport really take off. This expansion, especially on the junior side, was not without controversy. Every kid joining softball was given a free glove much to the displeasure of Mr Rollinson on the sports club. His son played cricket.

The earliest records found cover the 1961/62 season following the AGM on 5 October. At that meeting Bill Forbes was elected Chairman and Gear Steward, Don Williams (Secretary), Tony Reilly (Treasurer). Mrs Mary Dormer, Dene Dormer, Warren Garner and Barry Leather made up the committee.

Tony Reilly was given authority to spend 5 pounds on uniforms and Don Williams was allowed to buy the material. The uniform was to be white with half inch wide stripes of red and black on both pants and tunics. A red belt and red and black hooped socks completed the ensemble.

Subs were set:

9th grade was 5 shillings (50c) plus one shilling (10c) per game Coach Tony Reilly

7th Grade was 7/6 (75c) plus one shilling (10c) per game Coach Bill Forbes

5th Grade was 10 shillings ($1) plus one shilling (10c) per game Coach Warren Garner

3rd Intermediate grade was one guinea ($2.10) plus two shillings (20c) per game Coach Don Williams

School members paid one pound ($2.00) plus two shillings (20c) each Saturday

Major B paid 4 pounds ($8.00) plus 2/6 (25c) each Saturday Coach Mrs Mary Dormer

On 10 November ten pairs of knickers were purchased for 5 shillings (50c) a pair

Mrs Forbes, Mrs Johnson and Arthur Brear were co-opted for ground duties required at Cornwall Park and the two ladies also ran the canteen. The sports club allowed softball to have their own accounts and gave then 50 pounds ($100).

Discussion started on a new building and at the end of the month softball wrote to football accepting full responsibility for ground maintenance.

Prizegiving was held on 12 May at cost of 5 shillings (50c)

Annual Park rental was 10 pounds ($20)