Softball: Black Sox pitch line for future

Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase says next week's series against Samoa marks the beginning of a development phase for the world champion side.

Kohlhase yesterday named his team for the four-match series against Samoa to be played in Auckland and North Harbour on December 3-4.

The 17-strong squad included four recalled players and two debutants.

The most notable feature of the side is the return of infielder Travis Wilson and outfielder Gus Leger.

Wilson last turned out for the Black Sox in 1996 when they won world championship gold.

He then took up a professional baseball contract in America, where he remained until last year.

Former Samoan captain Leger last played for New Zealand in 1998 and since then has captained Samoa at the 2004 world championships. He also played rugby for Tonga at the 2003 World Cup.

"They are world-class athletes," Kohlhase said. "We are really happy to have them both back in the Black Sox fold. They bring so much to the team."

New to the team are Michael Cameron of Auckland and Corey Matakatea of Wellington, and Darren Davies and Daniel Milne have also been recalled.

Infielder Cameron, 20, is the youngest in the squad and replaces Brad Rona, who was not considered because of injury.

Cameron joins his brother Thomas in the team.

Canterbury first baseman Davies last played international softball in 2002 when the Black Sox toured North America. His inclusion in the team follows the move of Jarrad Martin into the pitcher's role.

Kohlhase said pitching was an area where New Zealand could be considered vulnerable.

"We have two young guns in there with Thomas Cameron and Tane Richards," he said. "We have picked Marty [Grant] for his experience and big-game temperament. Jarrad [Martin] is a guy who just needs time in that environment. We are looking at him as a prospect on the mound in 2009 [the world championships]."

Ranked fifth in the world, Samoa are a team the Black Sox have struggled to get past in recent encounters, mostly because their players are generally New Zealand-based and regularly compete against Black Sox players in club and national competitions.

"We are going to be in for some tough games but that is what we want," Kohlhase said.

The series marks the start of a busy international season for the Black Sox.

Following the Samoan series they line up in a Commonwealth tournament in Australia in January, head to Japan in May and then back to Australia in August.

Kohlhase said that with the world championships still four years away, the challenge for the team now was to increase their player depth and create competition for places.

"The Black Sox are the world champions so we have to go to the next level and do what we have to to create depth and competition for places.

"We have a squad of 30-31 so we will be looking to utilise all those players and others putting their hands up."

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD

Pitchers: Jarrad Martin (captain, North Harbour), Marty Grant (Wellington), Thomas Cameron (Auckland), Tane Richardson (Wellington).

Catchers: Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Lyndon Andrew (Auckland).

Infield: Darren Davies (Canterbury), Travis Wilson (Auckland), Steven Ratu (Wellington), Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Michael Cameron (Auckland).

Outfield: Stacy McLean (Wellington), Thomas Makea (Wellington), Gus Leger (Auckland), Corey Matakatea (Wellington), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Daniel Milne (Canterbury).