Tactical changes cost softball team
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 14, 2017 16:50
The coach introduced pitcher, Romeo Tshelametsi replacing Kagiso Mogale and Botswana lost the match 7-1. To add salt to injury, Maforaga became the first coach to be expelled from a game after he disagreed with the home plate’s umpire call. At the time of going to press, Botswana was tied with Denmark in position four in Pool B. The top four teams from each pool advance to the Championship round.
Venezuela, Japan and New Zealand were all tied at the top. Botswana Softball Association (BSA) public relations officer, Kelebogile Seitei said the pitching department has been top notch and Mogale was leading the pack with 42 strike outs.
“The teams we have played have been tough opponents except Turkey. If you look at the scoreline in the three games (excluding Japan and Turkey), it was the pitcher’s game and the difference between a winner and loser was sometimes determined by a single fielding error or single clean hit,” she said.
Seitei said the team has impressed and even spectators have commented on the fielding and have singled out not only Mogale, but also the defence of Moses Kgosimore and Brian De Koker. “The team has been impressive given the little time we had to assemble and prepare it for the World Championships,” she said.
Meanwhile, the team’s manager, Gloria Gaosikelwe told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the coach will not face further sanction following his dismissal.
“He was found not guilty. Apparently his ejection was because the plate umpire felt the coach was not protecting him from our players more especially our catcher who was continuously complaining to the umpire that he was speaking Spanish with the opponents,” Gaosikelwe said.