Softball champions compete in Durban
Softball champ chats to Highway Mail about his softball career.
KWAZULU-Natal Softball Association hosted the 2023 Softball South Africa National Championships at Hoy Park, Durban.
The tournament kicked off from Tuesday, March 21, and finished on Saturday, March 25.
The Highway Mail had a chance to chat to SA champ Grant Olivier about the sport. The Hillcrest resident has been playing softball since he was 13 years old.
He said he started by playing baseball when he was only five years old.
Also read: eThekwini’s softball champs crowned
“I would go along to the field to watch my older brother play and couldn’t wait to be old enough to play, too. Softball is similar to baseball, but in softball, the ball is bigger and the field is smaller,” Olivier recalls.
At the peak of his career, at the World Series in Auckland, his top-speed pitch was clocked at 134km/hr.
The experienced player has travelled to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand to play the game he loves.
“A highlight of my career would have to be when South Africa beat the United States of America 5–3 at the 2013 World Series. In that game, I hit the winning home run with two runners on base.”
He highlighted that there are some challenges, which include the lack of facilities/playing fields in the province. “Many schools see it as a minor sport and don’t offer it as an extramural, so it’s not growing in KZN as it has in Gauteng and Limpopo.
“Another challenge is also the funding. Players selected for provincial or national teams have to raise funds to pay for tours, as it is with many other sporting codes in SA,” he said.
Besides playing softball, Olivier also plays golf. Last year, he was selected to play for KZN.
“That tournament was held at the beautiful Legends Golf Course in Limpopo. My youngest daughter, who is seven years old, has shown an interest in golf and has started taking lessons.”
His oldest daughter (15) also plays softball, and in December 2022, she was named the second-top pitcher at the U17 Summer Games tournament in Pretoria.
“She has just been selected to play for the KZN ladies’ Blitz Team. Both the Blitz Team and the men’s Heat Team took part in this National Provincial Championship,” said the proud dad.
He said his future goal is to focus on coaching and helping other youngsters to learn this wonderful game.
Also read: WBHS softball team wins KZN league trophy
Olivier added that he represented South Africa for the first time at the age of 22 – his shirt number.
“I made my last international appearance in a championship which was held in December last year at the age of 42. That is my daughter’s shirt number. It started with me, and it will continue with her,” he said.
Malcolm Jenner, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Softball Association, said they are excited to host the event and are super proud of the numerous tournaments that KZN Softball has hosted successfully in the past.
“These championships see the cream of South Africa’s crop playing in the men’s and ladies’ divisions, with all provinces represented. Not only are national titles up for grabs, it is a good platform for all our U23 National Men’s and Senior National Ladies’ players, who will travel to the World Cups later this year,” said Jenner.
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