Softball: Batter up, play ball

By JULIE ASH

Relentless is the catchphrase the Black Sox are taking into the world championships.

It means they will do whatever it takes to win heading into their opening match against Samoa on Thursday.

"We want to ensure when we get to that first game we have got no 'if onlys. If only we had done this or if only we had done that'," said Black Sox coach Don Tricker.

"We are on track to achieving that, which is pleasing."

The Black Sox have been one of New Zealand's most consistent performers on the world stage over the past 20 years.

Since their world championship victory in 1984, they have never finished outside the top two at a world championship event.

Their success in 1996 and in 2000 has set them up to become the first team to win the title three times in a row. That success can partially be attributed to having strength throughout the side.

There has always been a Jarrad Martin or a Mark Sorenson to hit the ball out of the park, a Kevin Herlihy or Marty Grant at the mound.

To the rest of the world it must appear as if New Zealand has a production line which keeps reeling out world-class players.

But the attitude within the team has also played a key role in their success.

"I think the culture within the Black Sox is our x-factor," said infielder Clayton Willocks.

"On paper you can look at teams like Canada, Japan and the States and there is not a lot of difference between the teams. But the Black Sox are such a tight-knit group."

That culture was developed in 1992 following their disappointing silver medal-winning performance in Manila.

A number of senior players, such as Sorenson, Dean Rice and Eddie Kohlhase, felt the standard of the team had dropped and that people were not training properly and it was time to set some standards.

A bar was set and everyone was expected to reach it.

Ironically, what also helped the team's culture was their lack of money.

Unlike many other New Zealand sports teams, the Black Sox have hardly enjoyed a life of luxury.

At the last world tournament, in South Africa, the team stayed in a cockroach-infested school dormitory.

Some of the teams who were staying at the same place checked out and went to a hotel but the Black Sox could not afford to. This brought the players together.

As Tricker says: "You go into hotels and the guys have their own rooms, TVs and PlayStations - there is no need to socialise.

"Stay in a dorm with three or four to a room, with maybe one TV in the whole place and that's what builds teams."

As a result the Black Sox have stayed at the Burnham Army camp as part of their buildup to this tournament.

There is no question this tournament will be their toughest. Fifteen years ago they really had to worry only about Canada and the US.

This time, add Japan, Australia, Venezuela, the Philippines and even Samoa to that list.

But there is no denying the New Zealand team are classy.

With Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea and Donny Hale, the batting lineup will be the most feared in the game.

New Zealand have always been known as a strong pitching nation and this time is no different.

Fronting for his fourth world tournament, Marty Grant will lead the charge. Alongside him are Michael Gaiger and Jim Wana, who, although both competing in their first world championship, are vastly experienced. Also expected to help out are captain Jarrad Martin and Karl Gollan.

Although it will mean extra pressure, playing at home will be an advantage, as will the fact the tournament is being played in New Zealand's season.

While other sides may take a few games to warm up, the Black Sox have already had plenty of game time, having competed in the national league and warm-up games.

In Tricker, they could not wish for a better coach.

A man who analyses absolutely everything in not only his own sport but in many others, he places a lot of emphasis on the basics.

His philosophy is that if you can do the basics in your sleep, when it comes to the crunch in a game you will do it without even thinking.

Simple things win softball games. Good pitching, making catches and hitting the ball - things the Black Sox do very well.