Jane Earnshaw and Mike Nichols induction into ISF Hall of Fame

Seeing is believing, but for former softball internationals Jane Earnshaw and Mike Nichols news of their induction into the International Softball Federation’s Hall of Fame was unexpected.

“It was disbelief, the next thing was to check the calendar just to make sure it wasn’t 1April,” Earnshaw said.

Nichols was equally as surprised.

“I knew I had been nominated, but that was a few months ago,” Nichols said.

“I then got a text from a friend congratulating me. I had to ask why.”

Their induction into the Hall of Fame is recognition for their involvement in the game, which saw both players win world championship medals. Earnshaw joins her national team mates Robyn Storer, Cheryl Kemp, Lesley Monk, coach Ed Dolejs, assistant coach Colin Ward and manager of that side Lyndsey Leask while Nichols joins his world championship winning team-mate Kevin Herlihy, coach Mike Walsh and the side’s manager Lester Baldwin in the ISF Hall of Fame.

Earnshaw, who made her New Zealand debut in 1982, and was a member of the team that won the world championship in Taipei that same year.

“That is obviously a highlight for me,” she said.

Four years later, Earnshaw was a member of the women’s team that attempted to defend its world title in Auckland which is also a highlight for the Canterbury representative.

“(Just) the crowds and support that went with playing at home,” she said.

For Nichols the success of the 1984 team is something special, especially the three-run home run he hit in the semifinal game against the United States. When Nichols stepped up the batters box in that game, the USA were ahead 3-0 one hit later and it was 3-all.

“I wasn’t batting very well up until the play-offs and then played well there on in,” Nichols said.

“It all came together for and happened the way you want it, the way you dream about it, I suppose.”

“All the practice and there it is.”

While softball was a family sport for the Nichols – his uncle is former international Barry and his father Ron “Digger” played – the same can not be said for Earnshaw.

“I was away on holiday when a friend signed me up for a schoolgirls team, which just so happened to be coached by Gavin Britt,” Earnshaw said.

“The senior team was coached by Lyndsey Leask.”

Although it is a number of years since the two have played at a national level, there has still been some recent involvement in the game for both Nichols and Earnshaw.

Nichols with his daughters Breana and Abby, while Ernshaw has played for a slow pitch work team which included her 1982 national team-mate Penny Salton.

“A couple of years back a few of us old girls got back together and played reserve grade, but we could never quite get Cheryl (Kemp, who was the pitcher in the 1982 side) to come and wind her arm over for us,” Earnshaw said.

“Finally our bodies said enough.”

Earnshaw and Nichols induction into the Hall of Fame brings the number of New Zealanders acknowledged to 25. The past recipients are: Lester Baldwin (d), Dennis Cheyne, Ed Dolejs, Merrell Fergusson, Kevin Herlihy MBE, Cheryl Kemp, Lyndsey Leask QSM, Marilyn Marshall, Lesley Monk, Terry Nunns, Paul Rogers, David Sorenson, Robyn Storer, Ray Weaver (d), Owen Walford, Mike Walsh, Colin Ward, Marie Ward, Peter Priddey (d), Charlie Phillips (d), George Vincent QSM (d), Alf Whelan MBE (d), Tom Voyle MBE (d).