Received: 6/6/07 1:07:28 PM From: "Jim Flanagan" <jim(at)fastpitchwest.com>
Subject: NZCT Black Sox V Canada International Series - June 14-16, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NZCT Black Sox V Canada International Series June 14th June 16th Orillia, Ontario NZCT Black Sox prepared for pressure test Thursday May 31st It may have been over three years since the two teams last met on the softball diamond but the atmosphere will be electric when the New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox face Canada on their home turf next month. The NZCT Black Sox fly out next week bound for Canada and a 12 day tour that will consist of four warm up games and six internationals. NZCT Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase says such a short tour is unheard of and something the team has never done before. However he says it will be an ideal chance to set the framework for the 2009 World Championships which will also be held in Canada. "Six internationals spaced over three days with two double headers each day against one of the best sides in the world. It will be a test of our team and give us a good indication of where we are at," said Kohlhase. Going into the tour the NZCT Black Sox hold the title of three time world champions having defeated Canada in the final of the 2004 World Championships to stay on top of the world. Since that world championship victory in 2004 the Black Sox selection panel have increased the talent pool utilising up to 35 players on various tours in recent years. However there will be no experimenting on this tour. "We are going there to win an international series and for the first time during this programme we have picked what we believe to be our best 17 athletes. "The athletes understand that while they are the 17 going a number in the extended squad could well consider themselves unlucky to miss selection. This will be a test of the squad and the depth of the squad," said Kohlhase. Given that the world champs are just two years away Kohlhase says the tour will be a great chance to gauge where the team is at and understand the environment the team will be faced with in 2009 when they attempt to claim their fourth consecutive world title. Due to the timing of the tour which sees the NZCT Black Sox taking to the diamond in their off season Kohlhase says he will be calling on all his players to stand up and perform. "Traveling to Canada is a pretty tough assignment and we will be looking for everyone to deliver. Unlike what other teams are saying where they have a leadership group we talk of a team being "leader full". We are very lucky to have experienced core of hardened internationals in this team and everybody has a role to play from the youngest guy in the squad Tyson Byrne through to the most experienced in Jarrad Martin". Draw Friday June 15th 12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada 2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada Saturday June 16th 12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada 2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada Sunday June 17th 12.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada 2.00pm NZCT Black Sox Canada * Note all times listed are New Zealand time. Toronto where the games are being played are 17 hours behind New Zealand. Itinerary Thursday 7th June NZCT Black Sox fly out from Auckland International Airport bound for Toronto. Friday 8th June Following a two hour bus trip the team arrive in Kitchener and settle into their accommodation with a rest day. Saturday 9th June The team spend the day training. Sunday 10th June Day four of the tour will be spent training and holding a skills clinic in the Kitchener area. Monday 11th June The team have a 90 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Jarvis for two exhibition games against Jarvis Merchants. Tuesday 12th June The team have a 30 minute bus trip from Kitchener to travel to Travistock for two exhibition games against the Kitchener Hallman Twins. Wednesday 13th June The team have a three hour bus trip from Kitchener through to a new base in Orillia. Thursday 14th June The international series between the NZCT Black Sox and Canada gets underway with a double header at Tudhope Park. Friday 15th June The team return to their base in Kitchener and settle back into their accommodation before traveling to Sebringville for another double header against Canada in the evening. Saturday 16th June The NZCT Black Sox wrap up their international series against Canada with two final games at Peter Hallman Ballyard. Sunday 17th June The team spend their final day on tour packing up and preparing for departure. Monday 18th June The NZCT Black Sox team travel home flying out from Toronto and headed for Auckland. NZCT Black Sox Touring Party Heinie Shannon Pitcher Auckland Jeremy Manley Pitcher Hutt Valley Michael Gaiger Pitcher Canterbury Patrick Shannon Catcher Auckland Stephen Ratu Catcher Wellington Jonathan Munden Catcher Auckland Jarrad Martin Infield North Harbour Travis Wilson Infield Canterbury Brad Rona Infield North Harbour Nathan Nukunuku Infield Auckland Tyson Byrne Infield Hutt Valley Thomas Makea Outfield Wellington Stacy McLean Outfield Wellington Donny Hale Outfield Auckland Daniel Milne Outfield Canterbury Gus Leger Outfield Auckland Rhys Casley Outfield Hutt Valley Eddie Kohlhase Coach Auckland Eric Wilson Assistant Coach Wellington Dave Workman Assistant Coach Wellington Wayne Small Manager Wellington Helen Townsend Video Analyst Canterbury Rob Cashman Physiotherapist Wellington Kurt Olsen Trainer Auckland Russell Moffatt Scorer Christchurch NZCT Black Sox Player Profiles JEREMY MANLEY Position: Pitcher Club: Hutt City United Province: Hutt Valley DOB: 15/05/82 Career details Victory in the 2006 Pacific Cup was Jeremy's first taste of international softball with the NZCT Black Sox. He secured a place in the team last season on the back of strong performances for his club side Hutt City United as he led them to the 2006 NZCT National Club title. With his first taste of international softball behind him Jeremy is now looking to cement his place in the team with the 2009 World Championships in mind. MICHAEL GAIGER Position: Pitcher Club: Parklands Christchurch United Province: Auckland DOB: 06/12/70 Career details Michael debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1999 but has had a stop start international career due to injuries. Despite injury frustrations Michael has tasted the ultimate success winning world championships gold in 2004 and was also part of the victorious NZCT Black Sox team in the Pacific Cup last season. HEINIE SHANNON Position: Pitcher Club: Auckland United Province: Auckland DOB: 21/06/75 Career details It has been a long time between appearances for Heinie in the NZCT Black Sox uniform. Making his debut in 1998 Heinie has not played for New Zealand since the North American tour of 2002, so he will be keen to make the most of every opportunity in Canada. While he may not have been playing for New Zealand in recent years Heinie has not been lost to international softball as he has been representing Samoa. PATRICK SHANNON Position: Catcher Club: Waitakere Bears Province: Auckland DOB: 21/06/75 Career details Patrick first debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1995 and was in and out of the team before cementing his place in the side in 2001. Since then he has become a regular feature of the side and was part of the 2004 World Championship winning team. Patrick is joined in the team by his twin brother Heinie. STEPHEN RATU Position: Catcher Club: Miramar Province: Wellington DOB: 05/09/75 Career details - In the late 1990's Stephen made his senior international softball debut but it wasn't until his selection in 2005 that he became a regular member of the side. Stephen offers a degree of versatility to the NZCT Black Sox infield as he can successfully full the positions of both catcher and third base. Having fought his way into the NZCT Black Sox side Stephen is now targeting a world championship title in 2009. JONATHAN MUNDEN Position: Catcher Club: Auckland Marist Province: Auckland DOB: 30/08/86 Career details While still only young in years Jonathan has already had a wide taste of international softball. Jonathan debuted for the NZCT Black Sox as a 19-year-old in 2005 and in the same year he also captained the Junior Black Sox team at the Junior World Championships. JARRAD MARTIN Position: Infield Club: Northcote Province: North Harbour DOB: 05/02/73 Career details When it comes to softball there is little that Jarrad hasn't achieved in his illustrious career. Since debuting for the NZCT Black Sox in 1991 Jarrad has claimed three world championship gold medals, a Commonwealth Series gold, two Pacific Cup titles and numerous provincial and club titles in New Zealand. TRAVIS WILSON Position: Infield Club: Papanui Province: Canterbury DOB: 10/07/77 Career details Travis debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1996 and was part of the World Championship winning team. Stella performances in that tournament caught the eye of American baseball scouts and he signed up for the Atlanta Braves in 1996. Travis played professional baseball in America for seven years before returning to softball in New Zealand 2004. Travis won a NZCT Black Sox recall in 2005 and is now targeting the 2009 World Championships. BRAD RONA Position: Infield Club: Northcote Province: North Harbour DOB: 17/02/76 Career details Brad has been in the NZCT Black Sox team for the last seven years after making his debut in the team's gold medal winning performance at the 2000 World Championships. He claimed world championship gold again in 2004 with the NZCT Black Sox and caught the eye of the New Zealand sports fans with his power hitting and refusal to take a step backwards. NATHAN NUKUNUKU Position: Infield Club: Mt Albert Ramblers Province: Auckland DOB: 08/05/80 Career details Nathan burst on to the international softball stage as a 19-year-old in 1999 joining his older brother Dion in the side. Since then Nathan has gone on to claim two world championship titles with the highlight being the 2004 win in front of a home crowd in Christchurch. Nathan has also had plenty of success with both his club side and provincially for Auckland with three club national titles and three NZCT National League victories to his credit. TYSON BYRNE Position: Infield Club: Hutt Valley Cardinals Province: Hutt Valley DOB: 27/09/88 Career details Tyson is the youngest member of the touring squad and at the age of 18-years of age will be looking to make his NZCT Black Sox debut on tour. Following his international softball debut with the Junior Black Sox team in 2004 and 2005 Tyson has quickly risen through the ranks of senior softball in New Zealand. THOMAS MAKEA Position: Outfield Club: Porirua Province: Wellington DOB: 20/08/75 Career details As a three time world champion Thomas is something of a veteran in the NZCT Black Sox team but the desire to be the best continues to drive the world class outfielder. Thomas debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1994 and has been a fixture of the team ever since. A leader within in the team he is formidable in the batters box and hard to beat in the outfield. DANIEL MILNE Position: Outfield Club: Parklands Christchurch United Province: Canterbury DOB: 07/09/78 Career details Since making his NZCT Black Sox debut in 1999 Daniel has been in and out of the national team. Daniel has toured Australia, North America and Botswana with the NZCT Black Sox but is yet to attend a senior world championship. With his foot in the door Daniel is looking to cement his place in the NZCT Black Sox team with his eye on the 2009 World Championships. STACY MCLEAN Position: Outfield Club: Poneke Kilbirnie Province: Wellington DOB: 02/10/75 Career details World Championships gold in 2004 with the NZCT Black Sox has been the highlight of a distinguished softball career for Stacy to date. At 23-years of age Stacy made his international softball debut in 1998 and while injuries have seen him in and out of the team she has been a regular member of the side since 2002. GUS LEGER Position: Outfield Club: Auckland Marist Province: Auckland DOB: 12/10/74 Career details Gus has a wealth of international softball experience behind him for both New Zealand and Samoa. Gus debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 1995 and then took up an American baseball contract before returning to New Zealand. Gus reignited his international softball career in 2000 with Samoa and captained the side at the 2004 World Championships. Gus won a recall to the NZCT Black Sox team in 2005 and is now targeting the 2009 World Championships. DONNY HALE Position: Outfield Club: Mt Albert Ramblers Province: Auckland DOB: 03/04/75 Career details Donny has been part of two world championship winning NZCT Black Sox teams in 2000 and 2004 and is an experienced member of the New Zealand team. The past season has seen Donny taste considerable success in the role of player coach as he has claimed the NZCT National League title with Auckland and the NZCT Open Club Championship crown with Mt Albert Ramblers. RHYS CASLEY Position: Outfield Club: Hutt City United Province: Hutt Valley DOB: 21/12/78 Career details Rhys debuted for the NZCT Black Sox in 2002 but is still to cement his place in the side. He won an international recall in 2005 for the Evodrive Series where he was in impressive form with the bat. Along with maintaining a successful career in New Zealand he has also tasted plenty of success in America where he plays in the off season. best regards, Jim Flanagan www.fastpitchwest.com Email: jim (at) fastpitchwest.com Al's Fastball News *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball VIA http://www.webbox.com
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