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ORIGINAL STORY - BY TONY SMITH
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New Zealand softball great Mark Sorenson says it had always been his ambition to coach the Black Sox but it was "probably a case of now or never". Â
   The four-time world champion has been confirmed as head coach of the world champion Black Sox for their title defence in Saskatoon, Canada in 2015. Â
   Sorenson said he was "honoured" to accept the job but taking over a team that won a record sixth world title in Auckland in March came "with a lot of tradition and responsibility". "It's a responsibility I take seriously because I was a part of helping build that tradition. Â
   "I'm deeply passionate about the Black Sox and their success and I really want it to continue." Â
   The Hutt Valley stalwart replaces his former Black Sox team-mate, Eddie Kohlhase, who ended his nine-year tenure by leading the Black Sox to the gold medal in Auckland, avenging their silver medal finish at Saskatoon in 2009. Â
   Fairfax Media understands Sorenson got the job ahead of two members of Kohlhase's support staff, assistant coach Dave Workman and pitching coach Chubb Tangaroa. Â
   Long-time former Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant, who challenged Kohlhase for the post in 2009, was the other unsuccessful applicant. Â
   Sorenson 's last coaching job was in 2005 when he guided the New Zealand Junior Black Sox at the world under-19 men's championships in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Since then, he has been focussed on family commitments and his business career. Â
   The 45-year-old former catcher admitted he had always been "harboured an ambition'' to coach the Black Sox but "it was a matter of timing''. Â
   "I had some changes in my personal life and I've recently had a role change in my career. Â
"To be honest, if it wasn't now, it was probably going to be never. I'm not saying I'm going to be there for a long time, but we have had coaches who've been around for a while. I played for the Black Sox for 20 years and I only had two coaches [Mike Walsh and Don Tricker].
   Sorenson is only the Black Sox's fifth head coach in 32 years.