Black Sox bound for Japan

[fastball]

Received: 4/27/06 3:45:48 AM 
From:  Vance <vanf(at)ihug.co.nz> 
Subject:  Black Sox bound for Japan  
 

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Black Sox bound for Japan
Thursday April 27th 2006

The New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox fly out for Japan tomorrowmorning
with just one thing on their minds – winning the Pacific Seriesagainst
Australia, Samoa and the home team Japan. 

The battle for 2006 Pacific Series supremacy will be played out
atShellcom, Sendai from May 3rd – 6th. In the tournament all
four teamswill play each other twice in a double round robin
before the playoffgames on Saturday May 6th when the top two
sides face off for the titlewhile the other two teams playoff
for the minor placings. 
 
Going into the four day tournament as the three time world champions
anddefending Pacific Series winners NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie
Kohlhase iswell aware that his team will be targeted as the one
to beat. 

“The fact we haven’t been beaten in a while is not lost on our
oppositionand a lot of teams go into a tournament like this looking
to get at leastone scalp from us,” said Kohlhase.

It is seven years since the NZCT Black Sox last toured Japan
but Kohlhaseis well aware of what the team will face. In a new
experience for theplayers the ground where the tournament will
be held is a fully enclosedindoor stadium used for both softball
and baseball. 

“This is a team that needs challenges and the excitement levels
in theteam are high for the tour. None of the guys have played
in an indoorstadium before with the exception of Michael Gaiger.”

In the squad of 17 selected for the Pacific Series there are
two new capsboth from Hutt Valley pitcher Regan Manley and outfielder
Malcolm Namana.With the exception of the two debutants Kohlhase
describes the squad asexperienced.

“It is an experienced team but we have always been mindful of
introducingnew players to the squad to ensure we are not a team
that rests on ourlaurels and we continue to try and lift our
game to the nextlevel.”

As he departs for Japan Kohlhase says the tour is another step
in thelong term planning for the 2009 World Championships but
he is also wellaware of the need for success at the Pacific Series
as the NZCT Black Soxlook to maintain their winning ways.

NZCT BLACK SOX SQUAD TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN:
Pitchers - Jeremy Manley (Hutt Valley), Thomas Cameron (Auckland),Michael
Gaiger (Canterbury), Regan Manley (Hutt Valley).

Catchers – Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Stephen Ratu(Wellington).

Infield –Donny Hale (Auckland), Travis Wilson (Canterbury), Brad
Rona(North Harbour), Nathan Nukunuku, vice captain (Auckland),


Outfield - Daniel Milne (Canterbury), Thomas Makea (Wellington),
RhysCasley (Hutt Valley), Stacy McLean (Wellington), Gus Leger
(Auckland),Malcolm Namana (Hutt Valley). 

Designated Player - Jarrad Martin, captain (North Harbour).


By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
* mailto:kelly.mitchell at xtra.co.nz 

http://www.softball.org.nz/
*mailto:snz at softball.org.nz 


Cheers Vance 
Softball New Zealand web master.
* mailto:vanf at ihug.co.nz 

 

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