Softball: Tricker prepares to clock up air miles

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Encouraged by what he saw as much as the results of the international tri-series, New Zealand coach Don Tricker is now looking ahead to a two-and-a-half week stint in South Africa and Botswana in May.

"It will be more about training than playing," said Tricker. "Our objective is to continue building the game we want to play at next year's World Series."

There will be a tri-series in South Africa involving the hosts and Botswana, who have a world class pitcher, but Tricker will be more concerned about continuing the build-up to the World Series.

"The tri-series we have just had with Australia and Japan was a key part of that. We used all but one of the 20 players we had in Christchurch," said Tricker, who was pleased with the team's come-from-behind 9-6 win over Australia in the NZ Community Trust-sponsored series.

Earlier, the Black Sox had also beaten Australia 4-1 to win the transtasman trophy.

In August, Tricker will go to the Pan American Games where he will have the chance to watch some of New Zealand's World Series opponents including Cuba, Argentina and the Dominican Republic in action.

He will then travel to the United States to watch what is basically a North American club tournament featuring many of the world's best players, including a number of his New Zealand team.

"We will name the team for the World Series in September even before our domestic season starts."

Most of the preparation will be done in Christchurch, although Tricker plans to play a few games around the country.

The World Series is to begin in late January next year at Christchurch's Smokefree Ballpark.

"We are on track to have a far better team than we had in 2000. While we accept you can't just replace a player like Mark Sorensen, we have got a group of guys ready to step up and fill the gap he has left.

"In catchers like Bevan Martin, Patrick Shannon and young Darren Neemia, we are well-served. "

Of one thing, Tricker is adamant.

"We are not talking about defending a world title. We are not the world champions. That was the team we had in 2000. We are now a group of people going after winning a World Series."