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Baseball in Canada looms for Black Sox softballer Cole Evans

February 18, 2016

Auckland, NZ - Baseball in Canada looms for Black Sox softballer Cole Evans


Kat Grooby

Black Sox softballer Cole Evans is off to Canada to play a season of baseball.

ORIGINAL STORY by Tony Smith

One of New Zealand softball's brighest prospects is calling timeout on his Black Sox career for a crack at baseball in Canada.

Cole Evans, 17, who made his world championships debut last year, will leave for Vancouver on February 28 for a six-month stint in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League (BCPBL).

The teenage shortstop, who created a New Zealand softball record in 2015 by becoming the first male to win MVP (most valuable player) awards at the national under-17, under-19 and senior tournaments in the same season, said he will join the North Delta Blue Jays club.

He has withdrawn from the Auckland team which will defend their National Fastpitch Championship softball title in Christchurch this week and also made himself unavailable for the Junior Black Sox for the world under-19 softball championships in Michigan in July.

READ MORE: 
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Evans will also not be part of any Black Sox tour this winter.

"Softball will always be in the blood, but I'm just going to play baseball and see what comes of it," he said.

"I've got a return ticket to come back in August, and I'm going to live with my aunty [former New Zealand women's softball international Jan Kinghorn],who lives over there [n Vancouver]. She jacked up for me to play a bit of baseball."

Evans said while it would be good to get an American college scholarship or a professional contract, he was initially just looking forward to playing a different sport.

"I'm just going to try something new, it'll be a whole new exerience to see if I enjoy it and if it's something I can do."

The North Delta Blue Jays play in the 13-team BCPBL travelling league, which operates junior and premier divisions. Two former Blue Jays, Jeff Francis and Justin Morneau had decade-long Major League Baseball careers. 

Mourneau, a first baseman, was a four-time All Star and won the American League MVP award in 2006. Francis, a left-handed pitcher, appeared on six MLB teams, including the New York Yankees, and pitched for the Colorado Rockies during the 2007 World Series.

Evans said it was "a huge decision" to go to Canada and miss a second under-19 world championship experience with the Junior Black. "I would have been in line for a tour with them and a world series, and the Black Sox have got another tour later this year.

"But I just want to try a new adventure in a sport where no-one knows you. I'll be starting afresh, and that's the thing that's the most exciting."

Evans' family is steeped in softball. His grandfather Stu Kinghorn played for New Zealand as did his aunt Jan Kinghorn. His dad, Clive Evans, represented Great Britain at a world championships.

He is missing a chance to play with older brother Rhys for Auckland at this week's NFC.

"Auckland softball has been a massive part of my life, growing up, in the age-group teams. And going to my first NFC last year was a cool experience, geting to play with and against the best dudes around the country. 

"I'm giving that up to try something completely new."

Evans, who hopes to play in the infield in Canada, has only played "two or three games of baseball" with a friend's club team in Auckland and a school side.

He "sent a bit of footage, with some of my at-bats" to the North Delta Blue Jays and the club made him do some sprint tests before confirming his place on their roster.

While Evans is aware no New Zealander has yet played major league baseball - former Black Sox infielder Travis Wilson and Aucklander Scott Campbell made it to the triple-A second tier - he is not getting too far ahead of himself as he approaches his rookie year.

He said reaction to his code switch had largely been positive from the softball fraternity.

Auckland softball player-coach and Black Sox captain Nathan Nukunuku said Evans "goes with our blessing".

Nukunuku, who has mentored Evans at their Ramblers club, said many people in Auckland softball believed the 17-year-old had the tools to successfully make the switch "to at least a decent level".

"It wasn't an easy decision for him, he's a softballer through and through, and he's one who will never forget his roots.

"But it's definitely the time to give it a go [in baseball]."

 - Stuff

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