Black Sox star commits to championship
By TONY SMITH - The Press | Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Black Sox star Travis Wilson has vowed he will be in top shape for the world softball championships despite missing his second international softball tour through cricket coaching commitments.
Wilson's name was notably absent yesterday from the Black Sox squad for the Pacific Series in Samoa in mid-February. He will be with the Black Caps as their fielding coach and video analyst for the Chappell-Hadlee one-day international cricket series in Australia.
The Canterbury slugger also missed the Black Sox tour to Argentina in late November while the Black Caps were in Bangladesh.
"It's not ideal, especially in a world series year, but after this I will be available for everything," he said.
Wilson remains committed to the Black Sox's bid for a fourth consecutive title at the July world series in Saskatoon, Canada, but he could understand if Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase was not entirely happy with the situation.
The specialist second baseman admitted he was running the risk of someone taking his spot and staking a claim for the world series. But most softball fans expect the former baseball professionals to be one of the first names confirmed for Kohlhase's Saskatoon squad.
The Black Caps leave for Australia on Tuesday but Wilson will "get in seven or eight games" of softball this weekend at the Vic Guth club tournament in Auckland.
He will also miss the second leg of the national softball league while on cricket duty. "I'll be available for the national league finals and the club nationals. I get married in May in the US to my American girlfriend, Jill, but I'll basically be spending three to four months getting ready for the world series."
Wilson who won a gold medal with New Zealand at the 1996 world series before spending the next 10 years in baseball will be 32 by the world series but he doesn't plan on retiring.
Kohlhase has named a strong squad for the February 11-14 Pacific Series against Samoa and Japan in Apia. Shortstop Nathan Nukunuku, third baseman Brad Rona, pitcher Heinie Shannon, catcher Aaron Neemia and outfielder Gus Leger return after missing the Argentina tour.
Wilson's absence means outfielders Daniel Milne and Gareth Cook are Canterbury's only representatives, while Nelson's Marty Grant is partnered by Shannon and Jeremy Manley on the pitching staff.
BLACK SOX Heinie Shannon, Patrick Shannon, Nathan Nukunuku, Roman Gabriel, Mike Cameron, Gus Leger, Donny Hale (Auckland), Marty Grant (Nelson), Jeremy Manley (Hutt Valley), Aaron Neemia, Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea, Fabian Makea, Karl Gollan (Wellington), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Daniel Milne, Gareth Cook (Canterbury).