December2012

ACT wins 12th John Reid Shield in style

December 10, 2012

Canberra, AU

ACT wins 12th John Reid Shield in style

10 December 2012

While the performances during the week suggested that ACT would not be challenged for the 2013 John Reid Shield, the weight of expectation of never winning on home soil and the potential record breaking 12th title were never far from the ACT players' minds.  However, the ACT team dominated the final to the delight of the home crowd, defeating a tough NSW line-up 7 to 2.

 

The young NSW side were the surprise package of the John Reid Shield and undoubtedly the semi-final clash against WA Blaze was the best game of the championship.  NSW were down to their last three outs of the competition when they sparked a spirited fight back to claim victory over WA 6 to 4.  This set up NSW’s first John Reid Shield final since 1999.

 

The final was played in hot conditions and ACT were the first to score in the bottom of the 2nd innings with 3 runs.  A solo home run by NSW hitter, James Toddhunter provided some resistance to the classy ACT team before they ran away with the game scoring again in the 3rd and 4th innings.  NSW put another run on the board in the top of the 5th innings with another solo home run, this time to Laurie Peters.   That was the end of the scoring for the game with ACT winning 7 runs to 2.  It was the good hitting and great defence that proved the difference in the end for the ACT team who now become the most successful men’s State side in the championships 30 year history.

 

After the final pitch was thrown this week and ACT were crowned champions, there came an end of an era for two softball greats and certain future Hall of Fame inductees.  ACT Captain, Jeff Goolagong, announced his retirement from the ACT team and eventually softball, pending his selection in the Aussie Steelers.  Goolagong was coaxed out of retirement last year, but a young family and work have forced him to reassess his softball future and ensures that he leaves his ACT representative days a champion.  Another Aussie great, Victorian Captain, Kris Kiefel announced his retirement on Friday from his beloved team.  Both players leave indelible marks on men’s softball in Australia.
 

As in all Australian Championships, the winners were crowned as were a number of individual awards.  These awards are judged on statistics.  The individual award winners were:

  • Best Batter – Jeff Goolagong (ACT)

  • Best Pitcher – Andrew Kirkpatrick (ACT)

  • Rosemary Adey Rookie of the Year – Nathan Shanahan (VIC)

  • Player of the Grand Final – Adam Folkard (ACT)

  • Most Valuable Player – Jeff Goolagong (ACT)


Softball Australia would like to thank Softball ACT and their volunteers for all their hard work as well as the statisticians and umpires for their work during the week.


For full results click here

OUR SPONSORS

TRENDING NOW
@alsfastball
FRIENDS OF AL'S FASTBALL
AU Sable AFP Fastpitch Fastpitch West International Softball Congress Men’s Fastpitch SA North American Fastpitch Association Ontario Amateur Softball Association

Ontario Masters Fastball sports betting site betway Shooters Fastpitch League Softball Canada Softball New Zealand WBSC