Black Sox players out to impress
Black Sox hopefuls have another chance to push their case for world series selection at the National Fastpitch Championships in Christchurch.
New Zealand’s leading men’s players return to their provincial teams after playing for the Black Sox at the Challenge Cup international tournament in Auckland last weekend.
Black Sox head Sorenson and his fellow selectors will be in Christchurch as they finalise their 17-man squad for a world title defence in Prague in June.
The Black Sox will be named after the national interclub tournament in March and places are still up for grabs, but players get an opportunity to further their claims at the NFC, which will feature the Japan national team which beat the Black Sox 3-1 in the Challenge Cup final.
Sorenson said after the Challenge Cup some younger players had impressed for the Black Sox and Black Sox B teams.
‘‘It will force us to review the mix of our side. We’ve got more headaches than answer, which is a great position to be in,’’ he said.
The Black Sox selectors’ chief conundrum centres around whether to take four pitchers to Prague, or three specialists plus other players who can pitch, if required.
Sorenson rested his most experienced pitcher, Nik Hayes, for the Challenge Cup, but the Brisbane-based hurler will pitch for Auckland in Christchurch.
He will be joined by Daniel Chapman, who starred in his first tournament on home soil for the Black Sox.
Chapman’s pitches were clocked at up to 133kmh with Sorenson saying: ‘‘We haven’t anywhere up there for a while.’’
Hutt Valley won the NFC last year for the first time in 18 years with Hayes on the mound, but Auckland should be favourites in Christchurch with three Black Sox pitchers (Hayes, Chapman and Campbell Gibson) listed on their roster.
Apart from the injured Gibson, Auckland’s entire lineup played at the Challenge Cup last weekend, including player-coach Nathan Nukunuku and star outfielders Ben and Thomas Enoka.
Hutt Valley will have a young pitching staff, including the promising Adam Woon, but they have good batting depth with current and former Black Sox players Joel Evans, Joe Ferriso, Cory Timu, Gareth Cook and Craig Wallace.
Wellington will have Black Sox pitchers Josh Pettett and Eru Drage on the mound, with support from Sam Marley, who shone for the Black Sox B team last weekend as a late replacement.
Black Sox sluggers Jerome Raemaki, Wayne Laulu and Reilly Makea head a powerful hitting lineup for Wellington coach Thomas Makea, who impressed with his aggressive, attacking strategies with the Black Sox B team at the Challenge Cup.
Canterbury will call on Black Sox B pitchers Ben Watts and Ethan Johnston while hitters Tyron Bartorillo, Jackson Watt, Josh Harbrow and Callum Bishop are back from Challenge Cup duty.
North Harbour have Pita Rona and Brad Worsley on their pitching roster while Southern Pride boasts former Black Sox hurler Kurt Schollum.
Counties-manukau complete the eight-team men’s field.
Women’s NFC
The New Zealand White Sox’s leading American-based players won’t be taking part in the women’s NFC and New Zealandbased internationals Rita Hokianga, Mel Gettins and Kingsley Avery are also unavailable.
Hutt Valley won the title last season for the first time in nine years. They have American pitcher Shivaun Linderoos back to defend the crown, along with White Sox players Lara Andrews, Danica Ferriso, Ashley Johnston and Caitlyn Lewis.
Auckland will have White Sox pitchers Jennifer Feret-brear and Tyla Morrison, plus Czech Republic international Vernoika Peckova.
White Sox pitcher Amy Begg’s return from four years at an American college will bolster hometown team Canterbury. She will share the pitching load with American import Paige Crawford and Lauren Sutherland.
Wellington – coached by longtime Hutt Valley stalwart Naomi Shaw – will have Junior White Sox pitcher Nikita Hiroki and Jasmin Kaiaruna and current White Sox infielder Mereana Makea.
The four-day tournament starts at Christchurch’s Mizuno Ballpark today and ends on Sunday.