Pitcher makes rare Nelson appearance

Doing the hard yards has paid off for Nelson softball pitcher Josh Kelly.

The 24-year-old had no inkling he would be named in the latest  Black Sox squad last week, one of six new players who has come through the Softball New Zealand pathway system. He is off to Australia on Thursday for the Canberra Skins Tournament in what has been described as a development squad.

“It is still a black shirt,” says a delighted Josh, during a break between matches against Marlborough at the Saxton Diamond last Sunday.

Josh travels to Christchurch every Saturday to play club softball for Rolleston and was given a dispensation to represent Nelson in the Seddon Shield clash at the weekend. Fortunately, it was on Sunday.

“It has been six years since I last played for Nelson,” reveals Josh, who was a Junior Black Sox before a serious injury forced him out of the game for four years.

“Back then I didn’t care about my body. I didn’t do my recovery but I have come back stronger and wiser. You have to look after your body.”

Working as a logger has helped develop that strength, while he does plenty of running and gym work as well.

Josh acknowledges he is one of the shorter elite pitchers going round.

“It would be nice to have another foot in height. You just have to use your body differently,” says the  Waimea College product.

It is no coincidence that Black Sox coach Thomas Makea also coached Josh as a junior softball international.

“Thomas rang and told me ‘just keep working and doing your own thing’.”

Josh did just that for Nelson in the opening match on his return against Marlborough, striking out 10 batters over the seven innings.

He worked his way into the game and later confirmed he probably needs to make faster starts. Nelson beat Marlborough 1-0 thanks to a fielding error.

The pitcher would have loved to have had a bat as well.

“I always want to get out there and have a whack.”

But given his importance as a pitcher, he wasn’t allowed to do that.

Nelson coach Marty Grant, the legendary Black Sox pitcher, was just glad to have Josh back for Sunday.

“We just wanted him to come and be himself and let it loose. He did a great job for us,” says Marty.

The feeling is mutual with Josh crediting Marty for helping him on the comeback trail.

“We are really proud of him in Nelson softball. It was brave of him to make a commitment to try and make it back to the top team,” enthuses Marty.

Josh came on as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the fourth innings in the second match but there was no stopping Marlborough this time with the visitors winning 11-4.

On the neighbouring diamond, the women’s two matches were also shared but Marlborough won two of the three age grade games to retain the Seddon Shield.