Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association
Obituaries
Paul Magan, 1990
Paul arrived to one of Greerton's softball trainings with his brother Peter in the mid 1970s. The team trained at Greenpark school in Greerton back then and it wasn’t long before Paul aged 15 wanted to pitch. The coach of the time LARRY ROBERTSON (Tippee) was catching Paul as he was the only one to hold him.
During this time they had to move to Morland Fox park, home of the Greerton rugby club as Paul was breaking too many windows at the school. Larry controlled Paul's pitching talent and so the legacy began. As PAUL'S pitching got stronger, the Greerton team got better. Taking on the local big shots such as Cadets and Arataki Dodgers (Dean Dormer was their pitcher ), they weren’t to keen on us new boys. During the following seasons GREERTON with help of Paul and some other top local talent, Greerton won the local competition more than once.
Paul, Tony Green, Barney Sowerby, Kevin Bruce, and a couple others went on to represent Tauranga and Bay of Plenty. Paul was the number one pitcher in all the top games. The following year, Greerton won again giving them the right to complete in the NZ club champs for the John Lennon trophy and again Paul was on fire.
Soon, it was time for him to move to bigger softball challenges.Larry put the feelers out for Paul to go further afield. Paul played for Hutt Valley, a very strong National side in those days and this led to a NZ World Series team to USA. With his team mate Steve Schultz they decided to play pro in the USA. First for PENN CORP, then Bakersfield and Sioux City, IOWA .They where living the softball dream.
During this time the pair went on a hunting trip, on the way home they had a car accident and they both died at the scene. That was October 10th. 1990. PAUL was 31…. GREERTON and Tauranga softball has a special place for Paul. He was a talented player and a top bloke.
The Tauranga Evergreens now play for the Paul Magan Memorial Trophy against the first team on the first day of the Evergreens Tournament as a mark of respect to Paul. It was first played for in 1993 . Paul, brother Peter and Mum OLIVE will always be in our thoughts in Tauranga Softball. RIP PAUL .
Kevin Bruce, 2015
Jason Seeling, 2019
Janeece Zeinert, 2020
Passed away peacefully at home on Friday 3 April 2020. Loving and loved wife for 34 years of Patrick, mother and mother-in-law to Kate and Matt, Stacey and Kane, Natalie, Matthew and Hannah, and Nathan, doting Gran to Liam and Thomas. Leaves a huge gap in Team Zeinert.
Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association
play@softballwbop.org.nz
Carlton Reserve Ballpark
412 Ngatai Rd, Otumoetai, Tauranga
Postal Address: 6 Worsley Way, Bellevue, Tauranga. 3110.