Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase said his team's focus on building depth over the past year has ensured they are not left wanting following the retirement of veteran catcher Bevan Martin.
Martin said yesterday he decided to retire because of the high number of injuries he has sustained. In recentseasons he has been plagued by groin, knee and tendon injuries.
"Since 2002, injuries for me have been ongoing and the body can only take so much," Martin said.
"I had goals set to go the 2009 world champs but that isn't going to happen. The body is finding it too hard."
The 34-year-old made his senior international debut for New Zealand in 199.
During his career he collected three senior world championship titles and, in 1989, a junior world title.
Martin was unlucky that his time in the team coincided with great Mark Sorenson who monopolised the catching position.
Kohlhase, who was on the diamond as a player in 1994 when Martin made his debut, said Martin epitomised what the Black Sox culture was about.
"He is very committed, very honest and very proud of the team and of the performance on and off the field," Kohlhase said.
"He leaves a big hole but we have been doing a lot of work in our camps in developing a couple of guys."
Those in contention for the catchers spot are Lyndon Andrews, Jonathan Mundon, Stephen Ratu and Patrick Shannon.
Samoa's Aaron Neemia may also be considered.
"Our whole strategy is trying to build depth in each position.
"Over the last 12 months we have certainly done that around the catching position in anticipation of the wear and tear that position brings," Kohlhase said. Following their success in the recent Commonwealth Series, the Black Sox are now back with their clubs for the national club championships in March.
Kohlhase will name an extended squad in April from which he will pick a team to go to Japan for a series against Japan, Samoa, Australia and Argentina in May.
Bevan Martin
* Position: Catcher * Club: Waitara * Province: Taranaki * Born: July 3, 1971. * Career highlights:
1994-2006: Black Sox member. 2004, 2000, 1996: Member of World Championship winning Black Sox sides.
