Thanks to Jon Nimmo of the California Lumberkings for this info:

NZCT Black Sox V Canada International Series
June 14th – June 16th
Orillia, Ontario

NZCT Black Sox prepared for pressure test
Thursday May 31st

It may have been over three years since the two teams last met on the softball diamond but the atmosphere will be electric when the New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox face Canada on their home turf next month.

The NZCT Black Sox fly out next week bound for Canada and a 12 day tour that will consist of four warm up games and six internationals.

NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase says such a short tour is unheard of and something the team has never done before. However he says it will be an ideal chance to set the framework for the 2009 World Championships which will also be held in Canada.

“Six internationals spaced over three days with two double headers each day against one of the best sides in the world. It will be a test of our team and give us a good indication of where we are at,” said Kohlhase.

Going into the tour the NZCT Black Sox hold the title of three time world champions having defeated Canada in the final of the 2004 World Championships to stay on top of the world.

Since that world championship victory in 2004 the Black Sox selection panel have increased the talent pool utilising up to 35 players on various tours in recent years. However there will be no experimenting on this tour.

“We are going there to win an international series and for the first time during this programme we have picked what we believe to be our best 17 athletes.

“The athletes understand that while they are the 17 going a number in the extended squad could well consider themselves unlucky to miss selection. This will be a test of the squad and the depth of the squad,” said Kohlhase.

Given that the world champs are just two years away Kohlhase says the tour will be a great chance to gauge where the team is at and understand the environment the team will be faced with in 2009 when they attempt to claim their fourth consecutive world title.

Due to the timing of the tour which sees the NZCT Black Sox taking to the diamond in their off season Kohlhase says he will be calling on all his players to stand up and perform.

“Traveling to Canada is a pretty tough assignment and we will be looking for everyone to deliver. Unlike what other teams are saying where they have a leadership group we talk of a team being “leader full”. We are very lucky to have experienced core of hardened internationals in this team and everybody has a role to play from the youngest guy in the squad Tyson Byrne through to the most experienced in Jarrad Martin”.

Draw

Friday June 15th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

Saturday June 16th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

Sunday June 17th

12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada
2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada

* Note all times listed are New Zealand time. Toronto where the games are being played are 17 hours behind New Zealand.

Itinerary

Thursday 7th June NZCT Black Sox fly out from Auckland International Airport bound for Toronto.

Friday 8th June Following a two hour bus trip the team arrive in Kitchener and settle into their accommodation with a rest day.

Saturday 9th June The team spend the day training.

Sunday 10th June Day four of the tour will be spent training and holding a skills clinic in the Kitchener area.

Monday 11th June The team have a 90 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Jarvis for two exhibition games against Jarvis Merchants.

Tuesday 12th June The team have a 30 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Travistock for two exhibition games against the Kitchener Hallman Twins.

Wednesday 13th June The team have a three hour bus trip from Kitchener through to a new base in Orillia.

Thursday 14th June The international series between the NZCT Black Sox and Canada gets underway with a double header at Tudhope Park.

Friday 15th June The team return to their base in Kitchener and settle back into their accommodation before traveling to Sebringville for another double header against Canada in the evening.

Saturday 16th June The NZCT Black Sox wrap up their international series against Canada with two final games at Peter Hallman Ballyard.

Sunday 17th June The team spend their final day on tour packing up and preparing for departure.

Monday 18th June The NZCT Black Sox team travel home flying out from Toronto and headed for Auckland.

NZCT Black Sox Touring Party

Heinie Shannon Pitcher Auckland
Jeremy Manley Pitcher Hutt Valley
Michael Gaiger Pitcher Canterbury
Patrick Shannon Catcher Auckland
Stephen Ratu Catcher Wellington
Jonathan Munden Catcher Auckland
Jarrad Martin Infield North Harbour
Travis Wilson Infield Canterbury
Brad Rona Infield North Harbour
Nathan Nukunuku Infield Auckland
Tyson Byrne Infield Hutt Valley
Thomas Makea Outfield Wellington
Stacy McLean Outfield Wellington
Donny Hale Outfield Auckland
Daniel Milne Outfield Canterbury
Gus Leger Outfield Auckland
Rhys Casley Outfield Hutt Valley
Eddie Kohlhase Coach Auckland
Eric Wilson Assistant Coach Wellington
Dave Workman Assistant Coach Wellington
Wayne Small Manager Wellington
Helen Townsend Video Analyst Canterbury
Rob Cashman Physiotherapist Wellington
Kurt Olsen Trainer Auckland
Russell Moffatt Scorer Christchurch

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