Botswana, SA await softball toss
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday January 18, 2019 11:30
The two sides are through to the world championships following last week’s qualifiers in Pretoria. Botswana is assured of a tough draw after their second place finish during the qualifiers.
“Normally, a toss for world championships is done three months before the competition. We expect it to be done in March, which is three months before June,” Botswana Softball Association (BSA) public relations officer, Kelebogile Seitei said.
Botswana senior men’s team finished second behind South Africa during the qualifiers after going down 4-2 in the final to the hosts. Seitei said finishing second is a disadvantage as it automatically puts Botswana in the group of death.
This group includes countries like Japan and New Zealand. She said Botswana does not have an advantage of seeding. Nevertheless, Seitei said they are going all out and need to ensure a better finish than what was achieved during the last appearance.
“We have to at least make it to the second round stage. The quality of players we have has shown us that we are capable of competing with the world’s best. We no longer go there to make up the numbers,” she said.
Seitei said they have identified gaps they have to close in the next five months before heading to Czech Republic for the competition. She said they can no longer use lack of money or time as an excuse, because they would never have enough of those.
Reacting to finishing second, senior men’s coach, Pako Maforaga said even if other countries had not pulled out, they would have reached the final. Only three countries; Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa turned up for the qualifiers. “Sometimes people have to lose to see the seriousness of this business. South Africa has a good pitcher and on his day he has always given us a hard time,” he said.
Maforaga said 90% of the team that played in the qualifiers would be retained.
“If you cannot handle pressure at this level, going forward we cannot think that we would do better. The sooner we make changes and bring one or two players who have the ability to handle the pressure, the better. We may not make changes, but we have not shut out players back home,” Maforaga said.
He said national team players are those who excel at club level. Maforaga added that it was high time they do away with trials as they rattle some players.
The 16-team field for the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship 2019 is now complete, with South Africa and Botswana earning the right to represent Africa.
The top men’s softball event this year will be held in Prague and Havlickucv Brod, Czech Republic, from June 13-23, and would feature 12 of the top 13 teams in the world.
Countries that have qualified:
Africa: South Africa, Botswana.
Americas: Canada, Argentina, United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba (wild card).
Asia: Japan, Philippines, Singapore.
Europe: Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands.
Oceania: New Zealand, Australia.