From:
By TONY SMITH – The Dominion Post
Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase is not fazed that the three-time world champions will open their title defence against the traditional powerhouse United States in July.
The draw for the International Softball Federation tournament has resulted in New Zealand and the US squaring off in the feature opening-night clash in Saskatoon, Canada.
New Zealand, the tournament top seeds, play their main rivals in pool A first and last.
The Black Sox end their seven-game round-robin phase against Japan. “They [US and Japan] are certainly two sides who will provide a significant challenge for us,” Kohlhase said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better draw than the US first-up on opening night in the main game.”
The US and the Black Sox have both won five world championships but the US have won just one medal (bronze in 2000) at the past three world championships, all won by New Zealand.
The Black Sox will play just one game a day in the preliminaries which start on July 18.
“At previous world series, we’ve played a mix of morning, mid-afternoon and evening games, but this year most of our games are at night,” Kohlhase said. “But I guess we have to expect that as the No1 seeds.”
The 17-strong Black Sox squad have been training since their selection in March but have stepped up “softball-specific” sessions during the past fortnight.
“The southern boys [Canterbury Red Sox players Daniel Milne, Gareth Cook and Stephen Ratu] have been leading the way with their training,” Kohlhase said.
A full training camp will be held in Auckland in June and the Canterbury-based players and Nelson-based pitcher Marty Grant will also attend a “mini-camp” in Wellington. Canterbury infielder Travis Wilson is training hard at his US base in Tennessee. He will join the Black Sox in Toronto for their pre-world championships buildup tour.
Kohlhase said Auckland outfielder Donny Hale (Japan), pitcher Jeremy Manley and outfielder Ben Enoka (US) will be playing for their overseas clubs before the world championships.
Shortstop Nathan Nukunuku will also play in a US club tournament just before the buildup tour swings into action.
The Black Sox, US and Japan are the leading teams in pool A.
THE SCHEDULE
The Black Sox’s round-robin draw is:
Saturday, July 18: v United States, 3pm (NZT).
Sunday, July 19: v Britain, 9.30am.
Monday, July 20: v Philipines, 2.30pm
Tuesday, July 21: v Botswana, 11.30am.
Wednesday, July 22: v Denmark, 7.30am
Thursday July 23: v Mexico, 12.30pm.
Friday, July 24: v Japan, 2.30pm.Playoffs:
Saturday July 25-Monday July 27: (gold medal game: Monday 27 at 9am)