Softball: Japan to take on world champions

By JULIE ASH

Softball New Zealand will announce today that the only team to have beaten the world champion Black Sox men's team in the past four years will tour here in February.

Japan will play the Black Sox in a four-test series in Auckland, Wellington, Hutt Valley and Christchurch.

The international fixture is one of several for the 2001-2002 season expected to be revealed today.

The White Sox women's side are hoping for a tri-series with Korea and Italy in February, and the Black Sox a series with Australia in October, and possibly Canada in February.

The Black Sox beat Japan 2-1 to win their second consecutive World Series title in South Africa last year. However, they were beaten 1-0 by the Japanese in the first semifinal.

As well as the tests, Japan will play midweek games, which have yet to be confirmed. Japan last visited New Zealand in 1976 for the World Series in Hutt Valley.

Softball New Zealand chief executive Haydn Smith said Japan were one of a number of international teams keen to tour New Zealand.

"The Canadian team, who are ranked fourth in the world, want to come next year so we are looking at some top international games for both the Black Sox and White Sox," he said.

Defending their world title at home was also possible for the Black Sox. Only New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Canada have made bids to host the 2004 World Series.

The venue will be decided at the world congress in Florida in November.