OLD CHAMPIONS – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

THE GREAT ROSS SMITH

Ross Smith was, undoubtedly, the greatest all-rounder the game has seen, and completely dominated the N.Z. Softball scene during the 1950s & 1960s.
Over all the years Ross played at top level he was a wonderful fielder, especially as a pitcher, but also at 3rd base, shortstop, he was brilliantly quick, with a rifle arm.
During his time as a top N.Z. Pitcher in the 50s, he was continually vying with Brian Wareham, (another great player), for the top slot. He lasted longer than Brian did, and was eventually overshadowed by the great Bill Massey, but he was good enough to hold his place for Hutt Valley, and top class softball as a utility and brilliant infielder.
He was literally feared as a batter by opposing teams during his career. Wareham said that Smith was the batter he had to work hardest against. He was a tremendous hitter of the ball, and won many games with his batting and smashed untold home runs.
The writer can remember a night game at the Basin Reserve in the late 50s where, from the diamond in front of the old main grandstand, Ross belted a home run clean out of the park, and on two hops the ball landed in the doorway of the hotel on the corner of Kent Terrace, - a long way!!!
He could be crafty and bunted with great skill at times, and his speed on the bases was real fast up with the best we had.
All in all, Ross was one of the most complete players the game has ever seen. He was a living legend of the sport, and worthy by far of a place in the N.Z. Softball Hall of Fame.

ROSS SMITH'S RECORD:
1951/52 at Auckland - No. 1 pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup
1952/53 at Hutt Rec. - No. 1 pitcher for H.V in Beatty Cup
Selected for North Island as pitcher, with Brian Wareham. Beat South Island 22 – 6. No. 1 pitcher for Hutt Valley Cardinals in John Lennon.
1953/54 at Invercargill. No. 1 pitcher for H.V. In Beatty Cup Ross pitched every game, (7), for H.V. to win the Cup. Selected for North Island as No. 1 pitcher, beat South 11 – 1. No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals. In John Lennon. Pitched every game, and won the Trophy.
This tournament put Ross Smith in a class of his own. He completely dominated the opposition teams, pitched every game for the two weeks, was one of the top batters in both tournaments and won both the Beatty Cup and the John Lennon, - a marvellous performance.
1954/55 at Hastings. No. 1 pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup.
Selected in first ever trial N.Z. V Rest game as No. 1 pitcher for "The Rest", beat N.Z. 12 – 5. No.1 pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon. Selected for North Island team, played 26th March 1955 at Petone. He and Wareham were the pitchers, - beat South Island 15 – 8.
1955/56 at Wellington. No. 1 pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup. Selected for "The Rest" V N.Z. In trial game, - N.Z. won 5 – 2. No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon. Beat Miramar in final to win the trophy.
1956/57 at Christchurch. Ross not in H.V. team at Beatty Cup; Bill Massey was the pitcher. No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon Tourney at Auckland, March, 1957, (won by Miramar).
1957/58 at Auckland . No. 1 pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup, which was won by Hutt Valley. Selected for "The Rest" v N.Z., - won by N.Z. 3 – 1.
1958/59 at Hutt Valley. No. 1 Pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup, won by Auckland. Selected for North Island team, - beat South 6 – 0. No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals, in John Lennon in March of 1959 at Greymouth, - won by Broadway.
1959/60 at Otago. Ross not selected for Hutt Valley team in Beatty Cup as pitcher, this year was the start of Bill Massey's reign. Was No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon, - lost final to Railways.
1960/61 at Rotorua. No. 1 Pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon, - won by Miramar. Selected in Hutt Valley team for Beatty Cup as utility, - won by Auckland. Selected as utility in N.Z. team v Rest, - won by The Rest 6 – 5.
1961/62 at Wanganui. Selected as utility and 2nd pitcher for in Beatty Cup, - won by Hutt Valley.
1962/63 at Invercargill. Not in H.V. Beatty Cup team, - won by Hutt Valley. No. 1 pitcher for Cardinals in John Lennon, - won by Railways.
1963/64 at Hamilton. Selected as utility and 2nd pitcher for H.V. in Beatty Cup, - won by Hutt Valley. Selected for North Island as utility v South Island, - won by North 4 – 3.
1964/65 at Palmerston North. Selected as shortstop for Hutt Valley in Beatty Cup, - won by Hutt Valley. Selected for North Island as infielder v South Island, - won by North Island 1 – 0.
1965/66 at Wellington. Selected for Hutt Valley as shortstop in Beatty Cup, - won by Hutt Valley. Selected for N.Z. as utility infielder v The Rest, - won by Rest 4 – 1.
1966/67 at Christchurch. Selected as shortstop for Hutt Valley in Beatty Cup, - won by Hutt Valley.
1966 Selected for New Zealand team as Utility for 1966 World Series in Mexico, the first N.Z. team to travel overseas.
1967/68. Played his last Softball as shortstop for Broadway Club in Wellington.
Ross was a dominant figure for over 16 years in N.Z. Softball.
He represented North Island 5 times, New Zealand or Rest teams 5 times, Hutt Valley in Beatty Cup tournaments 13 times, and won 7 Beatty Cup medals. With Cardinals of H.V. 9 times in John Lennon Tournaments, and won 2 Lennon medals. Played for Hutt Valley in all types of representative games for 16 years.
Ross was the bearer of a few nicknames, “Iron Arm”, “Iron Horse”, “Lightning Smith”, but the one I remember the best was “Rocking Horse Smith”.
Ross was also a great Rugby Player, a gifted second five eight, and like lightning on the wing.
He played Club Rugby along with his brother Trevor, for Poneke, then to Taita Rugby Club, and finished his playing days with the old Hutt Club.
Ross was selected for the Senior Wellington Rep team, which had a South Island tour in the 1956 season, and was a member of the Wellington team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury that season. He played two seasons for the Senior Rep team.
A totally gifted sportsman that could have been a top player in any sport he decided to have a go at.
Ross and his wife Sylvia still live in Wainuiomata, and his health has not been the best since suffering a stroke a couple of years back. Ross has been nominated for the NZ Softball Hall of Fame.
Hats off to Ross Smith, a true Champion.

Compiled by Peter Campbell