Softball: Sorenson steps up to the plate as new coach of Junior Black Sox

Former New Zealand softball star Mark Sorenson will make his first foray into coaching at national level when he takes the reins of the New Zealand under-19 boys team this year.

Sorenson was yesterday confirmed as Junior Black Sox coach, taking over from Dennis Dolejs whose term ended with last year's world series in Sydney.

Sorenson is excited about the prospect of working with the rising stars of the game.

"Coaching at this level really appeals to me because it's where players make a big transition," he said.

"It was a significant time in my own playing career in terms of taking on leadership and things like that. I'm really looking forward to getting in there and passing on some of the knowledge I've acquired during my own career."

Sorenson captained the Junior Black Sox team that won the world title in 1985.

After an international career that spanned 20 years and five world championships, Sorenson retired from international softball last year.

He had previously been player-coach of his Hutt Cardinals club team, but his coaching experience extended beyond that.

He worked with teams not only in New Zealand, but in the United States and Japan. His latest coaching stint was at a two-day camp with the Australian women's side in Sydney.

Softball New Zealand chief executive Hadyn Smith said he was thrilled to have someone of Sorenson's calibre in the national under 19 programme.

"When Mark announced his retirement last year he said he would be involved in the future, but he wasn't sure in what way," Smith said.

"We're thrilled that he has now chosen to share his knowledge and expertise with the rising stars of the sport here.

"He has so much to offer these young players - not just his technical knowledge of the game, but his firsthand experiences as well. There could not be a better role model for the Junior Black Sox."

Sorenson's first job as Junior Black Sox coach will be to select an assistant coach to plan a campaign through to the junior world series in 2005.