Milne & Casley...Spirit "Veterans"
By Bob Otto / Yucaipa, CA

But he also had his eyes focused on a pair of 20-year-old New Zealanders who were fast making names for themselves: Daniel Milne and Rhys Casley.

However, Quick had some doubt: Does he dare trust the middle of his infield to a pair of 20-year-olds? And in the heat of the World Tournament battle, could they withstand the pressure of matching physical and mental wits with the world's best tried and proven veteran players?

Quick signs duo
But glowing Kiwi scouting reports calmed Quick's doubt. So he signed Milne, a shortstop, and Casley, a second baseman. And the two youngsters repaid his confidence in splendid style, leading the Spirit to an outstanding season. One in which they finished seventh in the 48-team ISC World Tournament, while also claiming four regular season tournament titles. 

Milne leads Spirit to tourney success
Pennsylvania-New York ISC Commissioner, Billy Smith, who also coaches the Ballston Lake, N.Y., Heflin Builders saw plenty of Milne and Casley last season. "Their 1999 season with the Spirit was impressive to say the least," said Smith. "When General Manager Bob Quick was putting together his roster he knew the best way to be highly competitive at the world class level was to stock the team with proven veterans.

"But he kept tabs on Milne and Casley in New Zealand and decided it was worth taking a shot on the keystone combination."

Smith says that one of their shining moments came in the World Tournament when the two youngsters double-jolted one of the game's all-time great pitchers.

"It was the Spirit's fifth game, and perhaps Daniel's and Rhy's finest moment of the season when they poked back-to-back home runs off Peter Meredith of Salt Lake City," said Smith, in describing the Spirit's 6-1 win over the ISC's all-time wins leader.

Milne scorched ISC pitching for a .400 batting average, 4 home runs, 7 RBI, and 9 runs scored.

"Daniel gained first-team All-World and during the course of the tournament, he was named MVP of the game three different times," said Smith.

MVP, but Milne learns "state side" manners
Leading up to the World Tournament Milne was named MVP at the Ausable Forks and Elkland tournaments. At Ausable Forks he had a .545 batting average, 4 home runs, 9 RBI, and an amazing 1.636 slugging percentage. At Elkland he drove in 7 runs, scored 9 times, smashed 2 home runs, and hit at a .417 clip.

But at Ausable the young Kiwi had to learn some "state side" manners. "We (Heflin) were playing the Spirit and Daniel hit a go-ahead home run, probably of Pricey (Steve Price), I forget who," said Smith. "Now, we really didn't know the lad, except that he's a young Kiwi. Well, he rounds second base after hitting the home run like an airplane with his arms out, also raising his hands up over his shoulders toward the sky.

"I let Daniel know he shouldn't do things like that, especially here in the states, against a Canadian pitcher...I was coaching first base and told him the next time up he'd probably be taking one in the head - that showing up a pitcher is a 'No-No'.

"I'm pretty sure words were exchanged on his way out to shortstop, and his bright redheaded complexion turned just a tad brighter," said Smith. "There was no head shot, but he knew how not to run the bases after hitting a home run. God knows he hit quite a few of them last season."

Milne rising to the top
As if he were riding a jet-fueled rocket, Milne is ascending the fastpitch softball ladder at an incredible speed. And the Spirit is grateful it's their rocket he's riding on. He led the team in hits (49), triples (6), home runs (6), RBI (33), batting average (.380), and slugging percentage, (.806).

To understand Milne's sudden North American success, one only needs to look to his homeland. "He was a member of the 17-Under and 19-Under touring New Zealand teams," said Smith. "Now he plays with perennial powerhouse, Christchurch Untied Blue Devils."

And for toppers, Milne, along with his partner Casley, are strong candidates for the New Zealand Black Sox senior national team which will be competing in the International Softball Federation World Series in South Africa.

Familiarity breeds success
Perhaps the reason for Milne's and Casley's success is their familiarity: Team mates on the New Zealand junior teams; team mates on the Black Sox senior team; and now teams mates with the Spirit. They were born on the diamond like twins in a womb. Who would dare split this shortstop-second base duo?

And where one has experienced success, the other joins. Casley, fleet-of-foot with a left-side swing, stays stride for stride with Milne. Last season he led the Spirit in doubles (8), stolen bases (8), was second in hits (42), and runs scored (33), third in home runs (5), and RBI (26). "Rhys earned Most Valuable Offensive Player at the Linden, New Jersey tournament where he batted .467 with a home run, 5 runs scored and 4 stolen bases," said Smith.

"At Ausable Forks, he joined Milne on the All-Tournament team by hitting .429 with 2 homers, 7 runs batted in and 7 runs scored," added Smith.

And at the World Tournament Casley just missed All-World honors. However, his .368 batting average, home run, and 4 RBI placed him 37th among the top 50 hitters.

Casley has great down-under season
When Casley returned to New Zealand and his Hutt Valley Untied team, which he has led in hitting for the past two seasons, his exploits, continued says Smith. "Rhys was recently named MVP of the Island Bay Classic."

And where will we find Milne and Casley in the 2000 season? Spirit will once again be embroidered across their chests. But in big, bold letters the word "Veteran" can now safely be added.