White Sox women want more games against boys

Coach Kevin Gettins wants the New Zealand White Sox women’s softball team to play in the national under-19 boys championship every year after a successful debut in Hastings.

The White Sox competed in the boys’ tournament for the first time last week, finishing with a one-win seven-loss record.

Gettins, who had pushed hard for the women to be admitted, said the experiment was worthwhile regardless of the results.

‘‘We ticked a few boxes in terms of things we wanted. The boys obviously play a faster game and are stronger and they put us under pressure, and that’s what we wanted. We got a lot out of it.’’

The White Sox pitchers pitched off the women’s mark (13.1m or 43 feet) and the hitters faced pitchers throwing from the standard male distance (14m or 46 feet).

Gettins is keen for the White Sox to enter next year’s tournament, saying it was ‘‘a costeffective way to replicate’’ top international softball.

‘‘It’s not about beating the boys; it’s about getting exposed to a higher level.’’

The White Sox were ‘‘extremely nervous’’ at the start of the tournament but were ‘‘more relaxed and comfortable’’ after their opening day games against Canterbury and Counties.

Their only win came against Tairawhiti from Gisborne (8-1), but they had several close games.

‘‘We blew a couple of leads. We were up against Southland 4-0 and lost 9-6 and we led Counties 6-0 and lost 8-7 in the tiebreaker,’’ Gettins said.

It took them a while to adjust to the faster tempo with the boys showing more aggression on the base paths and a desire to stretch out multiple base hits.