Softball: Black Sox get early taste of worlds site

New Zealand captain Jarrad Martin says his team made the most of their early chance to test the venue for the world championships over the weekend .

That included extending their Saturday night session on the No 1 diamond at Smokefree Ballpark under the upgraded floodlights to about 10.30pm.

"We took advantage of the time we had," Martin said, after the two-day camp ended in Christchurch yesterday.

The captain reckoned the new lights were pretty bright - "it's just like playing during the day".

It was the Black Sox first training under lights for some time, and hard work at the end of a long day.

Martin said they were fortunate to get an early taste of the facilities before their opening tournament match there, against Samoa on January 29.

The Black Sox trained under head coach Don Tricker in an empty ballpark, but one where most of the more than 4000 bucket seats have already been installed and the amphitheatre is taking firm shape.

Martin said the set-up was "pretty amazing" and groundsman Ian Hall was doing a good job.

"He's just laid a bit of soil down so the dirt's a bit soft at the moment, but it's going to be better come the start of the championship.

"A lot of the boys are still getting used to the fact it's not a caged fence you're running into any more - it's a solid wall," Martin said.

Eighteen days out from the start of the championship, the Black Sox were yet to experience real nervousness.

"No, not yet. I don't think it's kicked in. We're still working on team dynamics."

And he does not believe nervousness is a problem, anyway.

"There's no harm in being nervous - it makes you play a bit better."

The specialist first baseman turned his arm over a bit during the camp with two of the Black Sox pitchers, Michael Gaiger and Jimmy Wana, having minor injuries.

"But they seem to be coming along okay, so let's hope I don't have to get out there [on the mound]," Martin said.

The Black Sox squad ranges from previously United States-based outfielder Karl Gollan, making his debut for New Zealand at 24, to former captain Mark Sorenson, who will be playing his sixth world series at 36.

Martin reckoned the world-respected Sorenson would probably be back-up "in a whole lot of areas" - including the leadership.

"We can't not let him share his views."

Previously Martin has speculated that his third world series might be his last, but was saying nothing definite yesterday.

"I don't like to anticipate a retirement or the end of a career [after 12 years], but it's been a long road," he said.

"I mean the last four years have been pretty tough, too, with the main focus being this tournament. We'll wait and see and once the event's done we'll just re-evaluate where we're at."

With the Black Sox defending their world title at home for the first time, Martin said they could not let outside influences distract them.

"We've just got to worry about our camp and the things we can control. It'll be fun."

The Black Sox will be back at the venue to play the Canterbury Red Sox in a double-header on Tuesday next week.

- NZPA