‘Brutally honest’ review needed’
Mark Sorenson says a ‘‘brutally honest’’ review is needed of the Black Sox’s unsuccessful world championship campaign before he ponders his coaching future.
Sorenson has returned home from a brief break in Europe, ‘‘still pretty gutted’’ at the fourthplaced finish in Prague last week.
‘‘It’s the worst Black Sox result for 35 years and it’s not something that we should be able to get over easily. Everyone involved should be really disappointed. I know I am. It’s still very raw, but I’ve never been one to make a kneejerk decision
[about my future].
‘‘I want to be part of the review – I think it’s important that we have a chance to contribute to that. I’m going to catch up with [Softball New Zealand chief executive] Tony Giles and talk about things and just go down that path.’’
The Black Sox went to Prague as defending champions chasing a record eighth title, but suffered five losses and missed a medal for the first time since 1980.
Sorenson – New Zealand’s head coach since 2014 – said a full review was needed to determine how the Black Sox could rebound in time for the next world championship in Auckland in 2021.
‘‘We’ve got to be brutally honest about all facets of the campaign – including looking at what we got right and what we didn’t get right.’’
Sorenson said the Black Sox were only at their best for two games – the 9-0 tournament opening victory against the Czech Republic and a 7-4 comeback win over Australia in the quarterfinals.