Gettins said keeping selection open for another two months would allow some players with niggly injuries to recover.
Former White Sox captain Katrina Nukunuku's name is missing from the 21-member squad after playing at four world championships since 2006. Gettins said competition had been hot for Nukunuku's third base role.
"Over the last few years we have developed some depth in key positions.
"Katrina's been a great servant for the White Sox over the years, but Lara Andrews has had an outstanding season being rewarded as MVP at the interclub tournament and NFC. Lara also led Hutt Valley to win the National Fastpitch Championships. Mikayla Werahiko can cover shortstop, third base and outfield and Mereana [Makea] can play third base, second base or the outfield too.
"It's no reflection on Katrina, but we just didn't see her fitting in there this time.''
The White Sox squad features nine American-based players, including four of the six pitchers – 21-year-old college scholarship holders Courtney Gettins and Amy Begg (Morgan State University), Nyree White (Oregon University) and recent graduate Taylor Paige-Stewart of the University of Wisconsin. Gettins expects the White Sox to take five pitchers in the 17-strong world championships squad.
He has named four catchers in the provisional group, Melanie Gettins, Kyla Bromhead and Stefanie Smith, who were in the 2016 team, and young Aucklander Zoe Tolhopf.
"At the last world championships we took three catchers and this is another area we want to go back and have another look at before finalising the make-up of the squad."
Other American-based players include current White Sox captain and middle infielder Ellie Cooper, Hailey Breakwell, Werahiko, Makea and speedy Californian outfielder Kelley Renner. Makea, Renner and first base player Pallas Potter have been promoted from the 2017 New Zealand Junior White Sox under-19 team.
Gettins said other young players were knocking on the White Sox selection door, including Hutt Valley trio Denva Shaw-Tait, Mikayla Lewin and Otila Tavite and Brisbane-based pitcher-third base player Erin Blackmore.
"This season we exposed these players to international softball and they all performed well, their time will come, as well.''
The White Sox still have a comparatively young squad with only Auckland pitcher Jennifer Feret-Brear, Smith and Bromhead over 30.
Most of the younger players have international experience with Werahiko and Hutt Valley utility Danica Ferriso, both still in their early 20s, along with Courtney Gettins, on target to attend their third senior world championships.
The White Sox will assemble in Surrey, British Columbia on July 12 to compete in the Canada Cup International Fastpitch Championships. They head to Chiba, Japan for the August 2-12 world championships which are expected to be a key qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The 21-strong squad is:
Pitchers: Taylor-Paige Stewart (University of Wisconsin/California), Rita Hokianga (Flaxmere/Hawke's Bay), Courtney Gettins (University of Alabama/Hawke's Bay), Amy Begg (Morgan State University/Canterbury), Jennifer Feret-Brear (Western Magpies,/Auckland), Nyree White (Mt Albert Ramblers/Oregon).
Catchers: Melanie Gettins (Flaxmere/Hawke's Bay), Kyla Bromhead (Waitakere Bears/Auckland), Stefanie Smith (Howick/Auckland), Zoe Tolhopf (Howick/Auckland).
Infielders: Pallas Potter (Te Aroha/Hutt Valley), Mikayla Werahiko (University of Maryland/Canterbury), Ellie Cooper (Florida State University/Missouri), Lara Andrews (Te Aroha/Hutt Valley), Hailey Breakwell (Wichita State University/California), Danica Ferriso (Dodgers/Hutt Valley).
Outfielders: Kingsley Avery (Western Magpies/Auckland), Ancelle van Molendorff (Waitakere Bears/Brisbane), Kelley Renner (University of California San Diego/California), Mereana Makea (Florida South Western State College/Wellington), Krysta Hoani (Otahuhu/Auckland).
■ Hastings Boys' High School were beaten 3-0 by Mount Albert Grammar School in yesterday's final of the national division one secondary schools boys softball tournament in Lower Hutt.
It was the second consecutive year MAGS had beaten in HBHS in the final. HBHS coach Quentin Chadwick said his troops left everything on the diamond and he could not have asked for more from the side which finished the week with five wins and three losses.
Chadwick's first string pitcher Ihaka Tangaroa, a son of retired Black Sox hurler Chubb Tangaroa, was named top pitcher. He was one of four HBHS players named in the tournament team.
The others were catcher Corban Kireka, infielder Liam Udy-Johns and outfielder Donovan Mataira.
■Hokianga and Melanie Gettins will play for their Flaxmere team in Hawke's Bay's premier men's semifinal against Fast Pitch at Akina Park, Hastings this morning.
The winner of this match will play Saints in this afternoon's post-Christmas competition grand final. Flaxmere, the pre-Christmas comp champions, will start as the favourites against Fast Pitch as they will miss the services of Mataira, Kireka and Udy-Johns who will be on HBHS 1st XV rugby duty.
