Softball: Black Sox meet US in opener

New Zealand and the United States will square off in a headline opening night fixture at the men's world softball championship in Canada in July.

The three-time defending champion Black Sox face a stiff test on July 18 when the 16-nation tournament begins at Saskatoon.

Both teams have won five International Softball Federation tournament titles, although the US have struggled in recent campaigns while New Zealand have dominated, winning four of the six titles contested since 1984 and finishing runners up in two.

New Zealand have been drawn in pool A, which also features the powerful Japan - their final round-robin opponents on July 24. The other pool matches are against Britain, Philippines, Botswana, Denmark and Mexico.

Canada and Australia are the leading teams in pool B. The top four teams from each pool go to the playoffs from July 25-27.

Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase was pleased with the outcome of the draw.

"They [US and Japan] are certainly two sides who will provide a significant challenge for us," Kohlhase told the Press newspaper.

"We couldn't have asked for a better draw than the US first-up on opening night in the main game."

The 17-strong New Zealand squad will attend a training camp in Auckland. Canterbury infielder Travis Wilson is training in Tennessee and will join the Black Sox in Toronto for the pre-championships tour.

Kohlhase said Auckland outfielder Donny Hale (Japan), pitcher Jeremy Manley and outfielder Ben Enoka (both US) will play for their overseas clubs before the world championships.

* Pools

POOL A: New Zealand, United States, Japan, Britain, Philippines, Botswana, Denmark, Mexico

POOL B: Canada, Australia, Czech Republic, Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Indonesia

* New Zealand schedule

July 18: v United States

July 19:v Britain

July 20:v Philippines

July 21:v Botswana

July 22:v Denmark

July 23:v Mexico

July 24:v Japan

July 25-27:playoffs

- NZPA