Softball: Key outing for Black Sox

SYDNEY - New Zealand's win in last year's softball world series has hardly opened up a new world of opportunities.

Financial and time restrictions in an amateur sport mean this week's four-match test series against Australia in Canberra is their only competition for the year.

"That's principally because no one's got any time to take off work because they used it all last year," said Black Sox coach Don Tricker, who himself can't join the team until today because of work commitments.

"So the idea is to get back to work this year and accrue some leave so we can use it in the future.

"Our whole plan for the next one (world series) in 2004 is based around momentum. The closer we get, the more games we want to have.

"So everyone's having a break from the international side of it this year and we start again early next year when we've got some camps planned."

New captain Jarrad Martin, who takes over from the long-serving and now retired Mark Sorenson, said his players were keen to enjoy their only hitout of the year.

"We've introduced a few first-timers for the start of our journey towards 2004," Martin said. "Our focus right now is a good series against Australia and hopefully we can enable a few more players to make their mark at this level."

Gone from the world series-winning team in South Africa are Sorenson, Dean Rice and Kere Johanson, while three others - Dion Nukunuku, Brad Rona and Taifau Matai - were unavailable.

Four newcomers in the 17-strong squad are three Wellingtonians - pitcher Vincent Swanwick, infielder Gene Lutton and Fabian Makea, who joins older brother Thomas in the outfield - and Hutt Valley catcher Lance Abbot.

Hawke's Bay-based Swanwick, aged 23, has represented New Zealand at age group level and was a late call-up to replace North Harbour's Derrek Coleman, who injured his groin at last week's national interprovincial championships.

With world series star Marty Grant and experienced Aucklander Michael Gaiger, Swanwick will be given plenty of time on the mound by Tricker.

"It's giving them a chance to get in there and work with new catchers and new infields and just see how they fit in to the team patterns," Tricker said.

"You can't win without pitching, so a big emphasis over the next few years is on making sure we increase our pitching stocks."

It meant Martin, who pitched during the world series, will be used in Canberra only in case of injuries. Tricker said Martin would play at first base and concentrate on his main weapon, his hitting.

The Black Sox were to have two warm-up games against ACT tonight before the first two tests tomorrow night. The third and fourth tests will be on Saturday.

New Zealand have never lost to Australia in a test. And Tricker said his team did not want to be the first.

Black Sox squad: Marty Grant (Wellington), Michael Gaiger (Auckland), Vincent Swanwick (Wellington), Bevan Martin (Wellington), Lance Abbot (Hutt Valley), Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Jarrad Martin (capt, Wellington), Clayton Willocks (Wellington), Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Daniel Milne (Canterbury), Roman Gabriel (Auckland), Gene Lutton (Wellington), Donny Hale (Auckland), Stacy McLean (Wellington), Gareth Cook (Canterbury), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Thomas Makea (Wellington).

- NZPA