Otago softball has had to fill a ''big hole'' at short notice ahead of Sunday's Bates Shield game.
The province's men's team was left without a coach after Aran Bailey was killed in a car crash last week.
Tom Snow has stepped into the head coach's role, with Jamie Robinson set to be his assistant. Both were Dodgers men and had played for Otago in the past.
Otago Softball Association chairwoman Sandy Wallace said it was a ''big hole to fill'', but she was pleased to announce the appointments.
The team will play Southland for the Bates Shield at 3pm on the No 1 diamond at Ellis Park. It will have a warm-up game against the same opponent beginning at 1pm.
The Otago women's team - coached by Marg Daniels - will also host home games ''for the first time in a long time''.
It will play Southland on the No 1 diamond at 11am, before moving to the No 6 diamond for a second match at 1.30pm.
Last Saturday a minute's silence was held for Bailey before Dodgers' game against Ellis Park. The softball community gathered in numbers on the No 1 diamond for the memorial and Wallace was happy with how it went.
''It was a great turnout,'' she said.
''[Wife Carla] and the family were very grateful and appreciative of what the Dodgers club did to recognise Aran's sudden passing.''
