Batter Up: The story of HV Softball
Some of the biggest names in New Zealand softball gathered on October 23 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hutt Valley Softball.
The stars of yesteryear were treated to a beautifully produced 40-minute documentary, Batter Up, telling the history of the code locally.
In many ways, it also told the social history of the Hutt Valley.
The code originated in the Ford Motor Company in Seaview, which at the time was the biggest employer in the area.
Manager Bill Wilson, a Canadian, introduced the sport to his workers. Bats, gloves and knickerbockers were smuggled in - in boxes of car parts.
Later, women working at the factory making grenades during WWII took up the game. During the war organised games between American G1s and locals attracted big crowds. At one notable game at Strand Park, an American pitcher was so dominant his teammates in the outfield played cards, knowing the locals had no chance of hitting him.
After the war, returned servicemen flocked to the game forming clubs such as the Naenae Kiwis. The formation of Railways, with many of the players working at the Woburn Workshops, created a team that dominated local and national softball.
Railways spearhead Bill Massey featured prominently in the documentary which also recognised the impact madea by Hutt Valley women such as Meryl Fergusson Naomi and Kiri Shaw, and Melisa Tupuivao.
Naomi Shaw captained the White Sox to their only World Series win, an achievement that she remains immensely proud.
Perhaps the proudest person there was 83 year-old Billy Munro, representing the Naenae Kiwis.
Wearing what he believed was the only Kiwis blazer ever made, he made sure that everyone remembered the club and its successes
The Kiwis were started by his uncle Pat Cherry from Naenae. ’’No one remembers us. They were a team that started after the war in Naenae. There were a lot of ex-servicemen and they had nothing to do other than dig their gardens.’’
Playing left outfield he recalled great battles with Railways and Cardinals, at a time when the standard of softball was high. The documentary featured a long forgotten Hutt Valley softball song, sung by Ron Clarke, a Railways stalwart of the 1950s.
Documentary maker Paul Davidson said they were delighted by the reception Batter Up received. They plan to archive the interviews and hope it will spark a greater interest in local softball history.