Softball: Players touch base through technology

The Southern Pride has relied on modern technology rather than gloves and bats for team training sessions in preparation for the finals of the national league in Hutt Valley today.

The Southern Pride plays Auckland at 11am today and, if it wins that game, it will face Hutt Valley in the final at 3pm.

The side, coached by Dunedin's Kath McGilbert, comes from all over New Zealand.

There are three players each from Marlborough, Southland and Auckland, two from Canterbury, and one each from Nelson and Dunedin.

The Southern Pride can be drawn from all parts of the South Island, outside Canterbury, and draft players can be picked if not selected by their home provinces.

The Dunedin player is Kate Brewerton, an outfielder and designated runner.

McGilbert said the spread-out nature of the team meant team training sessions were impossible.

They used the internet and emails to keep in touch and work out strategies, and players had had to work on their skills in their own training.

McGilbert said not being able to train together was something the team had to adjust to, and it had worked out fine.

The team has suffered a couple of major injury blows, with shortstop Anthea Stringer tearing her hamstring, and third base Betsy Bishop breaking a foot.

Eileen Eriha, from Marlborough, and Shar Mitchell, from Canterbury, have been brought into the team.

The Southern Pride finished fourth last year in the five-team competition.

The side's top pitcher, Aucklander Megan Farrell, has had a quality season, and will be looking to dominate her former team this morning.

Auckland and the Pride have shared the two games they have played, with Auckland winning the first match 2-0 but the Pride successful 4-2 in the second game.

The Pride had lost to Hutt Valley by the mercy rule in both its games so far but Farrell did not play a major part in either of these games, McGilbert said.