A blend of experience and youth has the task of regaining the world softball crown for New Zealand next year.
Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase has named a 17-player team that features veterans Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea, Donny Hale and Brad Rona. Martin and Makea will be playing in their fifth world championship, while for Hale and Rona, it will be their fourth.
But the roster also includes world championship rookies Nik Hayes, Penese Iosefo, Tyson Byrne and Jerome Haretuku.
Aaron Stroman-Neemia and Wayne Laulu were members of the Samoa team at the 2004 world championship. Stroman- Neemia was also named in the 2009 Black Sox team, but had to withdraw for personal reasons.
Gone from the team that were runners-up to Australia at the 2009 tournament are Nathan Nukunuku, Marty Grant, Paul Walford, Gareth Cook and Stephen Ratu.
The world championship will take place at North Harbour's Rosedale Park, March 1-10, 2013.
Black Sox: Heinie Shannon, Patrick Shannon, Donny Hale, Ben Enoka, Jerome Haretuku (all Auckland), Penese Iosefo, Tyron Bartorillo, Daniel Milne (all Canterbury), Rhys Casley (captain), Nik Hayes, Tyson Byrne (all Hutt Valley), Aaron Stroman-Neemia, Wayne Laulu, Thomas Makea, Jarrad Martin (all Wellington), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Jeremy Manley (USA-based).
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