[Alsfastball] New blood in Black Sox training squad

[Al Doran]

Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 23:59:00 +1200
From: Vance <vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: New blood in Black Sox training squad


New blood in Black Sox training squad
Thursday September 29th

There are four new faces in the 2005 spring 
training squad named by New Zealand Community 
Trust Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase today.

Along with four new caps there is also one player 
returning to the Black Sox selection frame. New 
to the squad are Wellington players Todd Grego 
and Corey Matakatea and youngsters Bernard 
Hale  and Vaero Hagai who will be making the step 
up from the Junior Black Sox squad. Another 
member of the Junior Black Sox side joining the 
squad is infielder David Butler.

Kohlhase describes both Hagai and Hale as great 
young talents and both have been included in the 
squad to introduce them to the set up within the Black Sox.

“Vaero is only 17-years-old and we want to get 
him into the environment and give him some one on 
one training with defensive coach Jimmy Wana 
while also getting him alongside veteran pitcher 
Marty Grant. Bernard has been around for a while 
now and in the outfield we are looking for guys 
who can hit well and have speed to play good 
defence and Bernard fits that,” said Kohlhase.

Also new to the squad are Todd Grego who has had 
previous international experience with Australia 
and Wellington utility player Corey Matakatea.

“Todd is an outstanding talent. When we first saw 
him he was being scouted by major league baseball 
clubs. He is an outstanding hitter and a player 
whom we want to have a closer look at.

“Corey has been included on the back of an 
outstanding domestic season for Porirua, he 
played consistently well all year and is a very good player,” said Kohlhase.

Returning to the team after a nine year absence 
is former baseballer Travis Wilson who last 
played for the Black Sox in 1996 when the team 
claimed gold at the world championships. 
Following that tournament Wilson took up a 
professional baseball contract with the Atlanta 
Braves. He returned to New Zealand last season to 
play softball and strong performances have seen 
him win his way back into the Black Sox selection frame.

“Travis is a seasoned professional and he has 
been involved in professional sport for nearly a 
decade. We will be keen to utilise all his 
experience and knowledge, Travis is keen to be 
involved in softball again and being part of the 
Black Sox is something he would dearly love to 
contribute to again,” said Kohlhase.

The squad will assemble for a training camp at 
the Trentham Army base from October 13th ­ 16th 
with all the players fitness levels expected to 
be given a tough work out. Kohlhase says the four 
day camp is an opportunity to establish the 
foundations for the 2005/06 international season

“There will be a strong element of physical 
activity involved and the guys will be tested and 
benchmarked against each other and our own Black Sox standards.”

NZCT BLACK SOX TRAINING SQUAD:

Pitchers: Marty Grant (Nelson), Thomas Cameron 
(Auckland), Tane Richardson (Hutt Valley), Vaero 
Hagai (Wellington), Jarrad Martin (Wellington).

Catchers: Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Lyndon 
Andrews (Auckland), Bevan Martin (Wellington).

Infield: Rhys Casley (Hutt Valley), Nathan 
Nukunuku (Auckland), Brad Rona (North Harbour), 
Craig Wallace (Wellington), David Butler 
(Manawatu), Travis Wilson (Canterbury), Stephen Ratu (Wellington).

Outfield: Thomas Makea (Wellington), Stacy McLean 
(Wellington), Chris Eden-Huria (Wellington), 
Damian McCulloch (Wellington), Daniel Milne 
(Canterbury), Bernard Hale (Auckland), Taifau 
Matai (Auckland), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Todd 
Grego (Wellington), Corey Matakatea (Wellington).



From: Vance <vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz>




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