Australian players arrive to play at the Tassie Fastpitch Classic

October 20, 2016

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ORIGINAL STORY by Brad Cole, The Advocate

Two of Australia’s finest ever softball players have returned, and brought along a few mates with them for the 2016 Tassie Fastpitch Classic, which starts Friday at Ulverstone.

Zenon Winters and Adam Folkard are back in town for a second swing at things, and will be joined by a host of national representatives who are keen to compete in the fledgling event.

The cast includes Australian players Harry Peters, Peter Wards, Lewis Weldon, Jourdyn Hollands and Chris Gillies (under 19’s), along with numerous interstate players pushing for selection.

Winters said he and Folkard are looking forward to the three-day tournament.

“After having so much fun last year, we decided to come back, along with Harry Peters, who was catching for the local Ulverstone team,” Winters said. 

“It was a great tournament and Adam’s team beat my team in the final 1-0 in extra time.

 

“We went home and told the other players how much fun it was on and off the field and this year there is about 10 Australian men’s players taking part along with 3-4 Australian women.

“It’s good to see Tasmania trying to put softball on the map and any promotion of the game is good and people on the mainland can learn a lot from it to be honest.”

Winters and Folkard, who have both recently retired from the Australian team, have also set up the A-Z Ballers Academy, and have been touring the State with their clinics that are designed for all ages.

“We have come down with our academy to help out the juniors and even the senior players,” the fast-pitching Folkard said. 

“We’ve got the really young that are learning to throw and catch up to the seniors that are playing regularly.

“We get to help people out and have a bit of fun playing as well which is always good.

“Next week we are heading to Indonesia, who are really trying to promote the game over there and spending money on juniors and senior games.”

Five men’s and five women’s teams will take part this year, with the interstate contingent spread around the five local roster teams taking part and the four teams from Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

Play commences at the Ulverstone Showgrounds at 11.30am on Friday on three diamonds, with further games at 1.30pm, 3.30pm and a twilight game at 5.30pm.

The action gets underway on Saturday from 9.00am, with the popular home run derby being staged at 7.00pm after the completion of the semi-finals.

Preliminary finals start on Sunday at 9.00am, with the women’s grand final held at 11.30am and the men’s decider at 2.00pm.

Entry on all three days is free.