Rosters set for New Zealand National Championships

Most of the six men’s squads have filled their rosters from within their own ranks with few resorting to the draft.

Former Black Sox pitcher Campbell Gibson (Auckland) will be throwing for Counties Manukau-Waikato, to former Canterbury catcher Clayton Ellis.

Ex-Black Sox hurler Regan Manley returns to help Canterbury chase a third consecutive NFC title and North Harbour have bolstered their lineup with Auckland club players Rueben Topia and Kallan Compain.

National Fastpitch Championship squads:

Auckland:

Pitchers: Heinie Shannon, Bayley Hoani, Tane Richardson. Catcher: Matthew Oxley. Infielders: Thomas Enoka, Cole Evans, Isaac Fletcher, Nathan Nukunuku, Alfons Oveinikovas, Aaron Thompson. Outfielders-utilities: Ben Enoka, Campbell Enoka, Bernard Hale, Donny Hale, Joshua Niu.

Canterbury:

Pitchers: Regan Manley, Ethan Johnston, Ben Watts. Catchers: Stephen Ratu, Ihaka Davies. Infielders: Callum Bishop, Luke Bowers, Tyron Bartorillo, Frank Pointon, Josh Harbrow. Outfielders: Gareth Cook, Aiden Cocker, Bailey Hamilton, Josh Thomson, Anthony Stuart.

Counties Manukau-Waikato:

Pitchers: Hone-Mark Sinnott, Campbell Gibson (Auckland), Andy Lee. Catcher: Clayton Ellis (Canterbury).

Infielders: Brodie Boyce-Faiva, Matthew Hicks, Jamie Tanielu, Carlaus Te Kawa, Gerard Long, Mike Setafano. Outfielders: Chris Doack, Jason Duncan, Matthew Hicks, Jason Sienars, Aaron Wairoa, Fabian Makea (Wellington).

Hutt Valley:

Pitchers: Nik Hayes, Brad Worsley, Campbell Ngarimu. Catchers: Cory Timu, Craig Wallace. Infielders: E J Albright, Tyson Byrne, Joel Evans, Michael Foote, Jason Tanirau. Outfielders: Scott Cartwright, Axton Daniels, Callum Gates, Bronson Marino, Geoff Packer.

North Harbour:

Pitchers: Blake Radford, Shohei Saito (Japan). Catcher: Connor Peden. Infielders: Brad Rona, Pita Rona, Callum Ryan, Darryn Tapsell, Kurtis Tompkins, Corey Wilson, Rueben Topia (Auckland). Outfielders-utilities: Vincent Harris, Hohepa Monk, Te Ate Walker, Kalllan Compain (Auckland).

Southern Pride:

Pitchers: Kurt Schollum, Nick de Boo, Jeff Farion (Auckland). Catchers: Ryan Schollum, Brayden Reynolds, Cameron Watts. Infielders-outfielders: Jonathan Campbell, Timothy Campbell, Hoani Iva-Keen, Kyle Marfell, Matt Telfer, Matt Watts, Tyler Bird, Daniel Perry, Maddix Rice (Auckland).

Wellington:

Pitchers: Joel Harris, Josh Pettet, Jovaan Hanley. Catchers: Conrad Bain, Campbell Gaunt. Infielders: Jack Fletcher, Josh Gettins, Gene Lutton, Dante Matakatea, Jerome Raemaki, Johnson Rauhihi. Outfielders: Wayne Laulu, Campbell Makea, Daniel Tarapi. One to be added.

Editor’s note: Who will win the National title? Share your top three picks, in order, in the comments section below. And if you wish, tell us why you think so. Who are the top pitchers in the tournament? What hitters will make the difference for their team?

Click here to view the New Zealand Black Sox National team page with photos.