NZCT Black Sox V Canada International Series
June 14th – June 16th
Orillia, Ontario
NZCT Black Sox prepared for pressure test
Thursday May 31st
It may have been over three years since the two teams last met on the
softball diamond but the atmosphere will be electric when the New
Zealand Community Trust Black Sox face Canada on their home turf next
month.
The NZCT Black Sox fly out next week bound for Canada and a 12 day
tour that will consist of four warm up games and six internationals.
NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase says such a short tour is unheard
of and something the team has never done before. However he says it
will be an ideal chance to set the framework for the 2009 World
Championships which will also be held in Canada.
"Six internationals spaced over three days with two double headers
each day against one of the best sides in the world. It will be a test
of our team and give us a good indication of where we are at," said
Kohlhase.
Going into the tour the NZCT Black Sox hold the title of three time
world champions having defeated Canada in the final of the 2004 World
Championships to stay on top of the world.
Since that world championship victory in 2004 the Black Sox selection
panel have increased the talent pool utilising up to 35 players on
various tours in recent years. However there will be no experimenting
on this tour.
"We are going there to win an international series and for the first
time during this programme we have picked what we believe to be our
best 17 athletes.
"The athletes understand that while they are the 17 going a number in
the extended squad could well consider themselves unlucky to miss
selection. This will be a test of the squad and the depth of the
squad," said Kohlhase.
Given that the world champs are just two years away Kohlhase says the
tour will be a great chance to gauge where the team is at and
understand the environment the team will be faced with in 2009 when
they attempt to claim their fourth consecutive world title.
Due to the timing of the tour which sees the NZCT Black Sox taking to
the diamond in their off season Kohlhase says he will be calling on
all his players to stand up and perform.
"Traveling to Canada is a pretty tough assignment and we will be
looking for everyone to deliver. Unlike what other teams are saying
where they have a leadership group we talk of a team being "leader
full". We are very lucky to have experienced core of hardened
internationals in this team and everybody has a role to play from the
youngest guy in the squad Tyson Byrne through to the most experienced
in Jarrad Martin".
Draw
Friday June 15th
12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
Saturday June 16th
12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
Sunday June 17th
12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
* Note all times listed are New Zealand time. Toronto where the games
are being played are 17 hours behind New Zealand.
(Canadian times follow:)
. June 11 - NZ Black Sox vs Jarvis Merchants - Jarvis, ON - 7 & 9pm
. June 12 - NZ Black Sox vs Kitchener Twins - Tavistock, ON - 7 & 9pm
. June 14 - NZ Black Sox vs Canadian National Team - Orillia, ON - Tudhope Park - 7 & 9pm
. June 15 - NZ Black Sox vs Canadian National Team - Sebringville, ON - 7 & 9pm
. June 16 - NZ Black Sox vs Canadian National Team - Kitchener, ON - Peter Halman Ballyard - 6 & 8pm
Itinerary
Thursday 7th June NZCT Black Sox fly out from Auckland International
Airport bound for Toronto.
Friday 8th June Following a two hour bus trip the team arrive in
Kitchener and settle into their accommodation with a rest day.
Saturday 9th June The team spend the day training.
Sunday 10th June Day four of the tour will be spent training and
holding a skills clinic in the Kitchener area.
Monday 11th June The team have a 90 minute bus trip from Kitchener to
travel to Jarvis for two exhibition games against Jarvis Merchants.
Tuesday 12th June The team have a 30 minute bus trip from Kitchener
to travel to Travistock for two exhibition games against the Kitchener
Hallman Twins.
Wednesday 13th June The team have a three hour bus trip from Kitchener
through to a new base in Orillia.
Thursday 14th June The international series between the NZCT Black
Sox and Canada gets underway with a double header at Tudhope Park.
Friday 15th June The team return to their base in Kitchener and
settle back into their accommodation before traveling to Sebringville
for another double header against Canada in the evening.
Saturday 16th June The NZCT Black Sox wrap up their international
series against Canada with two final games at Peter Hallman Ballyard.
Sunday 17th June The team spend their final day on tour packing up and
preparing for departure.
Monday 18th June The NZCT Black Sox team travel home flying out from
Toronto and headed for Auckland.
NZCT Black Sox Touring Party:
Heinie Shannon Pitcher Auckland
Jeremy Manley Pitcher Hutt Valley
Michael Gaiger Pitcher Canterbury
Patrick Shannon Catcher Auckland
Stephen Ratu Catcher Wellington
Jonathan Munden Catcher Auckland
Jarrad Martin Infield North Harbour
Travis Wilson Infield Canterbury
Brad Rona Infield North Harbour
Nathan Nukunuku Infield Auckland
Tyson Byrne Infield Hutt Valley
Thomas Makea Outfield Wellington
Stacy McLean Outfield Wellington
Donny Hale Outfield Auckland
Daniel Milne Outfield Canterbury
Gus Leger Outfield Auckland
Rhys Casley Outfield Hutt Valley
Eddie Kohlhase Coach Auckland
Eric Wilson Assistant Coach Wellington
Dave Workman Assistant Coach Wellington
Wayne Small Manager Wellington
Helen Townsend Video Analyst Canterbury
Rob Cashman Physiotherapist Wellington
Kurt Olsen Trainer Auckland
Russell Moffatt Scorer Christchurch
NZCT Black Sox Player Profiles
JEREMY MANLEY
Position: Pitcher
Club: Hutt City United
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 15/05/82
Career details – Victory in the 2006 Pacific Cup was Jeremy's first
taste of international softball with the NZCT Black Sox. He secured a
place in the team last season on the back of strong performances for
his club side Hutt City United as he led them to the 2006 NZCT
National Club title. With his first taste of international softball
behind him Jeremy is now looking to cement his place in the team with
the 2009 World Championships in mind.
MICHAEL GAIGER
Position: Pitcher
Club: Parklands Christchurch United
Province: Auckland
DOB: 06/12/70
Career details – Michael debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1999 but
has had a stop start international career due to injuries. Despite
injury frustrations Michael has tasted the ultimate success winning
world championships gold in 2004 and was also part of the victorious
NZCT Black Sox team in the Pacific Cup last season.
HEINIE SHANNON
Position: Pitcher
Club: Auckland United
Province: Auckland
DOB: 21/06/75
Career details – It has been a long time between appearances for
Heinie in the NZCT Black Sox uniform. Making his debut in 1998 Heinie
has not played for New Zealand since the North American tour of 2002,
so he will be keen to make the most of every opportunity in Canada.
While he may not have been playing for New Zealand in recent years
Heinie has not been lost to international softball as he has been
representing Samoa.
PATRICK SHANNON
Position: Catcher
Club: Waitakere Bears
Province: Auckland
DOB: 21/06/75
Career details – Patrick first debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1995
and was in and out of the team before cementing his place in the side
in 2001. Since then he has become a regular feature of the side and
was part of the 2004 World Championship winning team.
Patrick is joined in the team by his twin brother Heinie.
STEPHEN RATU
Position: Catcher
Club: Miramar
Province: Wellington
DOB: 05/09/75
Career details - In the late 1990's Stephen made his senior
international softball debut but it wasn't until his selection in 2005
that he became a regular member of the side. Stephen offers a degree
of versatility to the NZCT Black Sox infield as he can successfully
full the positions of both catcher and third base. Having fought his
way into the NZCT Black Sox side Stephen is now targeting a world
championship title in 2009.
JONATHAN MUNDEN
Position: Catcher
Club: Auckland Marist
Province: Auckland
DOB: 30/08/86
Career details – While still only young in years Jonathan has already
had a wide taste of international softball. Jonathan debuted for the
NZCT Black Sox as a 19-year-old in 2005 and in the same year he also
captained the Junior Black Sox team at the Junior World Championships.
JARRAD MARTIN
Position: Infield
Club: Northcote
Province: North Harbour
DOB: 05/02/73
Career details – When it comes to softball there is little that Jarrad
hasn't achieved in his illustrious career. Since debuting for the NZCT
Black Sox in 1991 Jarrad has claimed three world championship gold
medals, a Commonwealth Series gold, two Pacific Cup titles and
numerous provincial and club titles in New Zealand.
TRAVIS WILSON
Position: Infield
Club: Papanui
Province: Canterbury
DOB: 10/07/77
Career details – Travis debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1996 and was
part of the World Championship winning team. Stella performances in
that tournament caught the eye of American baseball scouts and he
signed up for the Atlanta Braves in 1996. Travis played professional
baseball in America for seven years before returning to softball in
New Zealand 2004. Travis won a NZCT Black Sox recall in 2005 and is
now targeting the 2009 World Championships.
BRAD RONA
Position: Infield
Club: Northcote
Province: North Harbour
DOB: 17/02/76
Career details – Brad has been in the NZCT Black Sox team for the last
seven years after making his debut in the team's gold medal winning
performance at the 2000 World Championships. He claimed world
championship gold again in 2004 with the NZCT Black Sox and caught the
eye of the New Zealand sports fans with his power hitting and refusal
to take a step backwards.
NATHAN NUKUNUKU
Position: Infield
Club: Mt Albert Ramblers
Province: Auckland
DOB: 08/05/80
Career details – Nathan burst on to the international softball stage
as a 19-year-old in 1999 joining his older brother Dion in the side.
Since then Nathan has gone on to claim two world championship titles
with the highlight being the 2004 win in front of a home crowd in
Christchurch. Nathan has also had plenty of success with both his club
side and provincially for Auckland with three club national titles and
three NZCT National League victories to his credit.
TYSON BYRNE
Position: Infield
Club: Hutt Valley Cardinals
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 27/09/88
Career details – Tyson is the youngest member of the touring squad and
at the age of 18-years of age will be looking to make his NZCT Black
Sox debut on tour. Following his international softball debut with the
Junior Black Sox team in 2004 and 2005 Tyson has quickly risen through
the ranks of senior softball in New Zealand.
THOMAS MAKEA
Position: Outfield
Club: Porirua
Province: Wellington
DOB: 20/08/75
Career details – As a three time world champion Thomas is something of
a veteran in the NZCT Black Sox team but the desire to be the best
continues to drive the world class outfielder. Thomas debuted for the
NZCT Black Sox in 1994 and has been a fixture of the team ever since.
A leader within in the team he is formidable in the batters box and
hard to beat in the outfield.
DANIEL MILNE
Position: Outfield
Club: Parklands Christchurch United
Province: Canterbury
DOB: 07/09/78
Career details – Since making his NZCT Black Sox debut in 1999 Daniel
has been in and out of the national team. Daniel has toured Australia,
North America and Botswana with the NZCT Black Sox but is yet to
attend a senior world championship. With his foot in the door Daniel
is looking to cement his place in the NZCT Black Sox team with his eye
on the 2009 World Championships.
STACY MCLEAN
Position: Outfield
Club: Poneke Kilbirnie
Province: Wellington
DOB: 02/10/75
Career details – World Championships gold in 2004 with the NZCT Black
Sox has been the highlight of a distinguished softball career for
Stacy to date. At 23-years of age Stacy made his international
softball debut in 1998 and while injuries have seen him in and out of
the team she has been a regular member of the side since 2002.
GUS LEGER
Position: Outfield
Club: Auckland Marist
Province: Auckland
DOB: 12/10/74
Career details – Gus has a wealth of international softball experience
behind him for both New Zealand and Samoa. Gus debuted for the NZCT
Black Sox in 1995 and then took up an American baseball contract
before returning to New Zealand. Gus reignited his international
softball career in 2000 with Samoa and captained the side at the 2004
World Championships. Gus won a recall to the NZCT Black Sox team in
2005 and is now targeting the 2009 World Championships.
DONNY HALE
Position: Outfield
Club: Mt Albert Ramblers
Province: Auckland
DOB: 03/04/75
Career details – Donny has been part of two world championship winning
NZCT Black Sox teams in 2000 and 2004 and is an experienced member of
the New Zealand team. The past season has seen Donny taste
considerable success in the role of player coach as he has claimed the
NZCT National League title with Auckland and the NZCT Open Club
Championship crown with Mt Albert Ramblers.
RHYS CASLEY
Position: Outfield
Club: Hutt City United
Province: Hutt Valley
DOB: 21/12/78
Career details – Rhys debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 2002 but is
still to cement his place in the side. He won an international recall
in 2005 for the Evodrive Series where he was in impressive form with
the bat. Along with maintaining a successful career in New Zealand he
has also tasted plenty of success in America where he plays in the off
season.
Softball New Zealand
http://www.softball.org.nz/
Follow all theaction this summer at:
Al's Fastball News
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2007 Season Plans for AlsFastball
www.alsfastball.com
We plan to be in Woodstock – June 1-3 – Legends of Fastball Tournament
Monkton – June 29 – July 1 – Men’s WorldFastballInvitational
Orillia – July 14-16 – World Series of Fastball
SW Ontario June 11-16 – New Zealand Black Sox Tour
Kitchener – August 10-18 – 2007 ISC World Tournament
