Changing of the guard for world champs Black Sox

The Black Sox regained their world men’s softball crown but their triumph in Auckland was also the end of an era. Two of the game’s all-time greats, Wellington outfielder Thomas Makea and former captain Jarrad Martin, called ‘‘time’’ on their long, distinguished careers.

The pair, who enjoyed near 20-year careers, joined Mark Sorenson as the only Black Sox brethren to win four world championships. Makea and Sorenson were joined in retirement by veteran catcher Patrick Shannon, outfielder Daniel Milne and Rhys Casley.

Captain Casley wanted to continue, but had to accept that injuries had taken their toll.

The Hutt Valley infielder went out on a high, blasting a three-run home run to set up the Black Sox’s 3-1 win over Venezuela in the world championship final.

Casley had bounced back from a serious shoulder injury, which he aggravated just weeks before the world championship. But coach Eddie Kohlhase stood by his skipper and the courageous Casley repaid his faith.

Kohlhase – the head coach since 2004 – also stepped down from the Black Sox helm after 30 years with the team as a player and coach. The Aucklander had to make some tough calls, including dropping young outfielder Jarome Haretuku on the tournament’s eve to accommodate infielder Nathan Nukunuku as cover for Casley.

Kohlhase’s loyalty to veterans like Makea and Martin also proved justified.

The Black Sox were worthy winners in Auckland but luck went their way when defending champions Australia were upset by Venezuela in the semifinal.

The Australians’ defeat meant the Kiwis did not have to face Australia’s world-class pitcher Adam Folkard, who was still smarting at an extra-innings playoff defeat to New Zealand.

So much for 2013, but how about the Black Sox’s future prospects?

Softball New Zealand couldn’t have asked for a better coach to replace Kohlhase. Sorenson, rated one of the shrewdest strategists to have played the game, was persuaded to put his hand up as head coach.

He has already set about rebuilding the squad to defend the world title in Canada in 2015.

Former coach Don Tricker rated Makea alongside Sorenson as the two greatest New Zealand softballers.

The master outfielder – the world’s best leadoff batter in his prime – will leave massive cleats to fill.

But the Auckland world championships also represented a changing of the guard. The Black Sox’s best batters weren’t their veteran sluggers, but Auckland outfielder Ben Enoka and Hutt Valley shortstop Tyson Byrne.

That dynamic duo, and Canterbury utility Tyron Bartorillo, will be the new nexus for the Black Sox and there’s still plenty of experience at hand in veteran sluggers Donny Hale and Brad Rona and infielder Nukunuku.

Jeremy Manley and Nik Hayes are still relatively young, and plenty of top prospects are knocking on Sorenson’s selection door.

The international women’s softball scene is much more competitive than the men’s and the White Sox still have a long way to go to be serious medal contenders.

Naomi Shaw’s team batted better at the Gilley’s Shield Australian inter-state tournament in Auckland in December, but still only won two of their seven games and their defence and pitching struggled against the stronger states.

But the Junior White Sox finished fourth – their highest placing yet – at the world under-19 championships in Canada in July and a clutch of highly promising young players, including Danica Ferriso, Cassie Siataga, Shannon Hearne, Beth Stavert, Tyneesha Houkaumu, Kingsley Avery, Ellie Cooper and Taylor Paige-Stewart have already pushed through to the White Sox senior ranks.