Christchurch Welcomes Softballers to the World Vintage Carnival, April 2012
June 10, 2011
Christchurch, NZ
Vintage Softball Carnival, Christchurch, New Zealand April 2012 
Newsletter: June 2011
It is all on in New Zealand’s largest South Island city that is on a strong road to recovery after a February earthquake.
The Softball fraternity of Canterbury are waiting to welcome teams from New Zealand, Australia and all parts of the Softball world. Recovery of Softball in the region will be encouraged by the interest from overseas teams in joining in a celebration of the great game of Softball at the Mainland Softball Park Complex between April 7th and 14th, 2012.
Why not help Softball Canterbury to get their lives and their sport back to normal and be part of the remarkable recovery of a city and its people. The Ballpark is ready; the accommodation is ready; the people are excited and Christchurch City is looking forward to hosting all their Softball visitors, their families, friends and supporters.
A Mayoral Welcome:
“The people of Christchurch are looking forward to hosting the teams for the World Vintage Softball Carnival in 2012. We are an extremely friendly bunch in this city and even though you will be here to participate in a major sporting tournament, you can be rest assured you will be shown a good time when you are not out on the softball pitch.
Our lives changed dramatically on 22 February following the devastating earthquake that rocked our city, taking the lives of 181 loved ones. There is a hollowness and a sadness that envelops the city – views of stunning heritage buildings and tree-lined streets are now interrupted by cordons, cranes, demolition trucks, dust and rubble.
But the people of Christchurch are strong and resilient with a “never say dieâ€Â attitude to life and living. This community has stood together and continues to have hope and excitement about the future.
We are now in the rebuilding stage and we are currently developing plans to rebuild the Central City. Our services are being restored and every day there are noticeable changes in the city landscape … roads are returning to normal, cordons are being lifted and people are trying to get on with fixing their homes.
I see an exciting opportunity for this city and a unique challenge that we will all relish and rise to. Positive progress is being made in rebuilding this city and it will be more beautiful and stronger than ever. I can promise you, it will be the safest city in the world to live in, to play in and to visit.
When the World Vintage Softball Carnival takes place in 2012 our city will welcome you all with open arms and provide everyone who comes to this event with an unforgettable experience.â€Â
Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker.
Check out the comments in red bold italics drawn from blogs to the Sydney Morning Herald in an article about Christchurch and its position as a gateway to the Southern Alps. Thanks to all contributors who gave true and honest assessments of Christchurch after the quake and what it has to offer.
Chairman’s Invitation and Welcome
“On behalf of the Canterbury Softball family, I extend an invitation to softballers worldwide to attend our hosting of the Vintage Softball Carnival in Christchurch New Zealand in April 2012. We are excited at the opportunity to showcase our sport, city and country to locals and international visitors alike. We urge the US, Canadian, Australian, Asian and European softball fraternity to join with our Kiwi teams in a celebration of senior softball. I am extremely confident the Canterbury softball family will rise to the challenge of ensuring your softball experience in Christchurch in April 2012 exceeds your expectations.â€Â
Les Butts, Chairman of the Board of Canterbury Softball
Les has been a member of the CSA Executive for 24 years. Les has also served as a Board Member of Softball New Zealand and was Chairman of the inaugural CSA Board. He has a vast amount of softball knowledge, whether it be marking diamonds at Hagley Park or completing a draw for the 2004 World Championships.
Welcome to Fellow Softballers
“On behalf of the Canterbury Softball Association it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Vintage Softball 2012. The softball facilities at Mainland Foundation Ballpark in Christchurch are the best in New Zealand. It includes 2 fully fenced international diamonds, 14 grass diamonds, full hot and cold catering and lounge bar. We were hosts to the 2004 Men’s World Fastpitch Championship and have hosted in excess of 150 international, national and local tournament events over the last twenty years.
Our aim is to make this the best softball experience for you. Our volunteers and staff are very excited about hosting you at the Vintage Softball Games - we know you will enjoy your time with us.â€Â
Cheryl Kemp, Chief Executive Officer
Cheryl has been involved with softball for 40 years having coached and played at club, regional and New Zealand level, having pitched for New Zealand for 13 years and played provincial softball for nearly 20. She also had the distinction of being the first woman appointed to coach the New Zealand women and is now an outstanding administrator regularly promoting and developing her sport.
Cheryl is a unique, talented and honoured individual - being the only person in the Softball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
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The Carnival is divided into two Sections-Fastpitch and Slowpitch with the following age groups:
Fastpitch: Mens and Womens 35 up 45 up 55 up
Slowpitch: Mens, Womens and Co-ed 35 up 50 up 65 up.
Teams will also be graded into Competitive, Semi-Competitive and Social with the 1st days play being grading games.
Every team will play 2 grading games, 6 round robin games and a final all over 4 days of competitive friendly softball.
Individuals and groups of players are welcome and will be fittedinto compatible teams. Teams that are short of players will be topped up from a players pool that will be established from next month.
Umpires and scorers will be welcome and will be able to join the large number of local umpires and scorers who are keen to take part in an exciting International Softball Carnival.
All Softball lovers will be welcomed by Softball Canterbury, by the city and by the people of Christchurch. The earthquake is over, the after-shocks are few and getting weaker and the Softballers are ready to host visitors in their beautiful city and at their great facility.
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“Progress has been incredible-in parts you wouldn’t know there has been an earthquake at all. Shops, restaurants and cafes are re-opening. The Casino is going to open again soon. All good-a great city and I will be back.â€Â Sydney Morning Herald Blog.
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A great program of play and social activities has been arranged for teams, officials and supporters. Details of the Opening Function to be held at the Ballpark and the Nga Hau E Wha National Marae and the fun Closing Hoe Down Prize-Giving at the Ballpark are available on the website. Check out the program here….
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“Christchurch is open. We were able to move around most of the city (not some parts of the CBD) and enjoy some decent dining and good drinking. Still plenty to do and places to go-it is a great centre for day trips. And the people are amazing-friendly and so positive.â€Â Sydney Morning Herald Blog.
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Accommodation Packages are in place and prices for a full weeks accommodation, softball, functions, trophies, give-aways and fun and friendship start from NZ$1,095 per person (share quad)-all in good quality, secure accommodation. With the New Zealand dollar quite a bit lower than overseas currencies (click here for online currency convertors), the Vintage Softball Carnival in Christchurch represents excellent value. Check out the Carnival Packages and prices here……
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“According to expert seismologists it's a once in two-thousand years kind of event. In terms of relative risk, you are probably thousands of times as likely to die driving to Sydney airport than you are of a quake in New Zealand.â€Â Sydney Morning Herald Blog
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Early Bird Entry-Get your entry in before 31st July and you and your team will receive the following:
-A Welcome Pack of local beer, wine and juices plus a selection of nibbles delivered to your accommodation upon your arrival.
-A 5% discount on your Accommodation Packages for those teams taking a full package.
Inclusion in the draw for one of the following Early Bird prizes-
-A dinner for your team at a selected local restaurant.
-A Christchurch Carnival cap for all members of your team.
-A Sheep Farm Half Day Tour for all members of your team.
-A Half Day Tour to Orana Wildlife Park for all members of your team.
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“Just arrived back from a family holiday. We had an amazing time. Great accommodation, friendly down to earth people and soooo cheap with our dollar! Definitely a thumbs up destination from all of our well-travelled family - and that is saying something.â€Â Sydney Morning Herald Blog
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Welcome to the well-known and well enjoyed, Tui Brewery(www.tui.co.nz)
who will be the official beer of the Carnival and who will be offering their great brew at our functions and at the Ballpark. We are organising a Big Night Out with the brewery that will be staged at one of their bars and will feature an evening of great fun and friendship in congenial surroundings and enjoying one of New Zealand’s very best beers.
The involvement of Tui will lift the enjoyment of all who take part and enjoy a cold beer on a warm day (or any other day). Tui will have a strong presence at the Ballpark where various outlets will offer not only great beer but also a selection of wine, soft drinks and continuous food service.
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“Just back from 2 weeks over there, flying in and out of Christchurch. Everything was fine. They've done an amazing job to tidy things up so well. And people, with the exchange rate at the moment, it's like everything’s on sale. Just go.â€Â Sydney Morning Herald Blog.
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Christchurch offers a wide range of attractions for visitors and is also a great centre for day trips to some of the attractive parts of the South Island. The organisers are putting together a range of excursions and activities that teams and individuals may care to consider:
-Day trip to delightful Akaroa, a French settlement on Banks Peninsular offering cruising, dolphin spotting and a relaxed laid back experience.
-Day trip to Hamner Springs in the foothills of the Alps offering jet-boating, hot springs, horse trekking, bungy, arts and crafts and excellent bars and restaurants.
-Day trip to the coastal village of Kaikoura considered to be the whale-watching centre of the world offering cruising, kayaking, whale-watching and some of the best seafood imaginable.
-Tranz Alpine Rail excursion travelling through Canterbury and the Southern Alps by train (reputed to be one of the world’s leading train routes) before enjoying a relaxing coach trip back to your accommodation.
-Golf-enjoy one of the outstanding golf courses in and around Christchurch-maybe Clearwater which is the host course for the New Zealand Open and is situated only 20 minutes from all Carnival accommodation.
Christchurch is open for business and the attractions are as they have always been-magnificent, relaxing (except if you go jet-boating or choose to bungy), fun and more fun.
Full details to follow soon.
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"We have certainly dropped in visitor numbers in the Canterbury region but Christchurch is open for business with the major infrastructure back up and running" said Tim Hunter. "All of the local day trip options from Christchurch like Akaroa and whale watching are all also operating.â€Â Tourism Chief in Canterbury.
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So why not join us?
It is an easy way to do your bit to help the people of Christchurch and to be part of a historic recovery-come along, stay in great accommodation, play some fun softball, enjoy some great functions, do a bit of touring and watch a wonderful city on its way back to where it was-recommended as one of the great destinations in the world. Softball Canterbury, Christchurch City and the people of Canterbury are looking forward to seeing you.
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How Do We Enter?
Entry forms are on the website at www.vintagesoftball.com andare available on-line or by downloading and printing a manual form that can then be completed and faxed to +64 9 4256956 or mailed to:
PO Box 78, Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand.
Want More Information and Brochures
If you need more information about the Carnival, about Christchurch, about New Zealand, how to get here or need a supply of brochures please let us know.
