Softball: Champion Black Sox eye world series foes

WELLINGTON - New Zealand's world-champion Black Sox have drawn the same pool as Team USA for the men's world softball series in South Africa.

The two pools of eight teams to contest the title in East London from July 7-15 were announced by the International Softball Federation.

The others grouped with the Black Sox are Mexico, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Philippines and Lesotho (Southern Africa).

The American side will be spearheaded by expatriate Kiwi pitchers Michael White and Pete Meredith.

The other group features 1996 silver and bronze medallists Canada and Japan, along with Venezuela, Australia, the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Botswana and the Dominican Republic.

Black Sox coach Don Tricker said the pools were seeded on final standings from the previous world series.

He said his team's initial aim would be to qualify in the top four, although a top-two finish would be preferable.

The Black Sox fly out of the country on June 14 and will play in a three-week build-up tour of North America.

- NZPA