Black Sox recall veterans for World Cup qualifiers
The Black Sox have recalled three multiple world champions for the men’s Softball World Cup qualifiers in Canada.
Pitcher Nik Hayes, infielder Tyron Bartorillo and outfielder Wayne Laulu - members of the Black Sox’s world title winning teams in 2013 and 2017 - made the 16-man squad announced yesterday.
The veteran trio played alongside new head coach Thomas Makea on the Black Sox’s 2013 world champion team.
They last played at World Cup level in 2019 but were not selected for the 2022 World Cup tournament in Auckland where the Black Sox finished eighth.
Laulu is in his early 40s, Bartorillo, 39, and Hayes 34, but all have continued to play well in domestic competitions and in North America during the New Zealand off-season.
Makea clearly feels their experience and pedigree can bolster a squad containing 11 members of the 2022 World Cup group, including captain Cole Evans.
Hayes - who lives in Queensland but commutes to play in Auckland - joins Auckland ace Daniel Chapman, North Harbour’s Pita Rona and young Canterbury left-hander Liam Potts on the pitching staff.
Wellington’s Te Wera Bishop and Dunedin-based Canterbury representative Cameron Watts remain the catchers.
Cole Evans, his brother Rhys, big-hitting Wellingtonian Jerome Raemaki and Hutt Valley speedster Tane Mumu are joined in the infield by Bartorillo, who can play at third base, first base or shortstop.
North Harbour outfielder Hohepa Monk has made the cut after getting the MVP award with a .625 batting average last November at the Oceania qualifying tournament in American Samoa where the Black Sox finished second to world champions Australia.
New Zealand will play in Group B of the regional qualifiers in Prince Albert, Canada from July 10 to 14. The top two teams in each of the three qualifying groups and two wild cards will go through to the World Cup finals in Prince Albert in July 2025.