The Consummate Softball Man A tribute from Trevor Rowse


Peter Priddey’s death today will be felt by players all over the country as he was an icon of the game.

Born in 1941, he started playing for his beloved Miramar in the 1949-50 season and graced the game ever since. Peter’s trademark was skill, matched with sporting ability and a determination to do the best he could.

He and Hutt Valley Railways’ Terry Nunns tied up the catching position in the New Zealand team for almost twenty years and there were never any real rivals. Yet he and Terry were so different, in build and in style.

The hours spent learning to slide properly, to be a dangerous batter and bunter, to protect home plate, to get the best out of his pitchers and to put something back into the club where he started, all paid off as he built not only a winning style but a huge reputation not rivalled until Mark Sorenson and Dean Rice stormed on to the scene.

One of his most avid fans is the former Miramar, Wellington and New Zealand captain Keith Gerrie, Peter’s neighbour and a coach. It was Peter’s first team and Keith’s as well.

“Only Mark Sorenson rivals Peter as the most developed softballer produced in New Zealand,” Keith said in a tribute he wrote last week. “He was also a great leader, an inspiration to any up-and-coming player.

“He had the ability to break open a game with his powerful and consistent batting and with his calling of the game as catcher. When Kevin Herlihy was developing into one of the world’s greatest pitchers, Peter was his catcher and the key person in his development.

“If our game had better media exposure, Peter could have been a serious candidate for sportsman of the year. Peter’s career was recognised following his retirement when he was made a member of the New Zealand Softball and International Softball Federation Hall of Fame’s in 1993.”

An auto electrician, Peter was a member of a talented family. His brother Harry was a top basketball player in his time, June was a promising athlete until her accidental death on a motor bike and Terry played for Miramar and Wanganui.

Sister Colleen is married to NZ Soccer’s official historian Barry Smith, who was also a softball fan and a Peter was his sporting hero.

Soccer was part of the Miramar life and in 1966 the club won the Chatham Cup, making his a double New Zealand champion.

For Peter was always a champion, in sport and in everyday life. His passing is the end of a complete chapter in the history of the game. He is survived by Cathy and the children.