Passing of kevin Herlihy MBE
July 6, 2006
New Zealand
Obituary
It is with a feeling of deep regret and sorrow that notice is given todayof the passing of Kevin Herlihy MBE in Waikato Hospital. Kevinsuffered a major heart attack just over a week ago and underwent surgeryas a result of this. Sadly Kevin was not able to recover and hepassed away during the night.
On behalf of all softballers - within New Zealand and around the World -condolences are extended to Sandra, Michelle and Chris. Details ofKevin's funeral service are - Monday 10 July at 11.00am, at St Mary'sCathedral, Hamilton East. A contact address for messages to thefamily will be circulated once this is confirmed. For those wishingto have a message passed on to the family until those details areavailable please make contact with Softball New Zealand atmailto:snz@softball.org.nz
Softball remembers one of the sport’s greats
Thursday July 6th 2006
Kevin Herlihy, a man who was recognised during his playing days as one ofthe best softball pitchers in the world passed away last night in WaikatoHospital following a heart attack.
Herlihy was a pitching legend with an international playing career thatstretched three decades culminating in 1984 when he captained the NewZealand team to the world title. He also won world championship gold in1976 when New Zealand shared the title with USA and Canada and won goldagain in 1996 as pitching coach with the title winning New Zealand team.
He began his international softball career as a teenager with the NewZealand team in 1966 at the inaugural men’s world championships. Heremained on the mound dominating the best hitters in the world through tohis retirement in 1984.
Following his playing career Herlihy was a selector with the New Zealandmen’s team during the early 1990’s, pitching coach with the Black Sox in1996 and attended the 2000 Olympics with the White Sox.
Former Black Sox coach Mike Walsh remembers Herlihy as not only a greatsoftball player but also as a true friend.
“In 1984 when we won he was captain and all the guys in the team showedimmense respect for him. I always remember after the final I took thematch ball and had all the guys sign it and I presented it to Kevin andall the guys in the team stood as one when I made the presentation,” saidWalsh.
Looking back Walsh says what made Herlihy such a great pitcher was hiswork ethic and his desire to always strive to improve.
“I rate Kevin along with Michael White as two of the best pitchers NewZealand has ever produced. In the early days the New Zealand team didn’thave the big hitting skills but he kept New Zealand in every game. NewZealand was a tough team to beat because of his outstandingpitching.”
New Zealand Softball chief executive Dale Eagar describes Herlihy as atrue sporting legend and one of the faces of the sport recognised aroundthe world.
“In terms of pitching ability he was the best in world and he wasacknowledged as such by all those who played against him. As a man he wasone of the funniest guys you could ever meet. He was a personality in hisown right and a very talented sportsman,” said Eagar.
Herlihy was born and raised in Wellington and played for the provincebefore moving to the Waikato in the 1970’s.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and theInternational Softball Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Softball New ZealandHall of fame in 1995.
Herlihy passed away aged 58 leaving behind his wife Sandra and childrenMichelle and Chris.
By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
* mailto:kelly.mitchell@xtra.co.nz
http://www.softball.org.nz/
*mailto:snz@softball.org.nz
Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
* mailto:vanf@ihug.co.nz
