Softball: Black Sox champs aim to make wider impact

By JULIE ASH

Softball New Zealand chief executive Haydn Smith says there are plans to ensure the sport benefits from the Black Sox world championship success.

The Black Sox became the first team to claim three back-to-back world titles after beating Canada in Christchurch on Sunday.

"We have been planning what to do with this success for some time now," Smith said.

"The players don't like to mention things like that but from our perspective it would be reckless of me to ignore the fact we have got such a successful bunch of players who have an image that will impact on our development.

"I must admit all my plans were looking like custard in the first innings when they scored three runs," Smith said.

However, the Black Sox were relentless.

"They kept whacking that ball and I don't think I have seen such an entertaining game in my life," Smith said.

"I just felt this euphoria when it was finally achieved."

Smith said in the past five years player numbers had increased by 10 per cent each year.

Creating "professional administration" throughout the country was a priority.

"We will shortly be announcing a major injection to our association to ensure that we have a level of professional administration that will support the success of the team," he said.

The fact the world championships were played in New Zealand did a lot for the profile of the game in this country.

"I think the people that we want to back our sport will see that we are not just a winning side on the diamond.

"The Black Sox are a bunch of professional people off the diamond. Our sport reflects the Kiwi attitude in that we just get on with the business and do it.

"I would hope corporates, TV and the media start realising that softball is a game that is relevant to New Zealand."

He said it was a game in which New Zealanders could have pride, and one which welcomed young players from all cultures and backgrounds.

Money was not what the sport was all about, Smith said.

Pointing to the world championship trophy, he said: "This is what it is about.

"This is what we play for. Money and bonuses are irrelevant."

The Black Sox attended a civic reception in Christchurch yesterday.

While there are no immediate international matches for them, Smith sees the need to keep the momentum going.

"The Black Sox are having a break.

"A lot of them have taken many weeks off work and we can't over-commit them. But a number of things have been mentioned and no doors are closed. We just have to be careful we don't over-tax these guys and their families.

"We don't pay them a weekly wage, we don't cover them for their loss of leave. We have to be fair when we commit them to do things."

Smith said the trophy would be housed at SNZ headquarters in Lower Hutt.

To mark the victory the team are looking to continue a Black Sox tradition by having world championship rings created.

Black Sox legend Mark Sorenson, who contested his sixth world championship in Christchurch and who has been a member of four world title-winning teams, joked he had run out of fingers for any more rings.