Softball: Passion and pride prove unstoppable

By JULIE ASH

A simple bunch of guys who have plenty of passion and pride in playing for New Zealand. That is how Mark Sorenson sums up the world champion Black Sox.

New Zealand last night became the first team to win three consecutive world softball championships, cleaning out Canada 9-5 in the final after trailing 3-0 early on.

Veteran catcher Sorenson said the culture within the side and the fact they would "walk over broken glass for each other" made them an extremely strong unit.

"We are a simple bunch of guys, we have pride and passion to play for New Zealand, that is unquestioned.

"I think ... being down 3-0, a team that wasn't strong and together would find it hard to come back from that, which speaks volumes for the spirit and the culture we have. It is a very, very special side."

Black Sox coach Don Tricker said it was "the coolest thing" to see the side "achieve what they have set out to do and watch the emotions pour out".

"The last two weeks have been a hell of a rush for us that could have derailed some teams, but our guys have got huge Kiwi hearts and they just soaked up everything, including the three-run head start we gave the Canadians," he said.

"When it is all over you just want to sit back and take a couple of deep breaths and maybe turn the lights off and chill out for a while and try and put it into perspective.

"But tonight it is just about having a good time with these fantastic New Zealanders."

Going into the final, the Canadians were the only side in the tournament to have rattled the Black Sox, having beaten them in the final match of pool play.

"Coming out here today, we left nothing behind," said Tricker. "Everything that we had emotionally and physically we were prepared to give to each other and that is exactly how it panned out."

Tricker hoped the win would raise the profile of the Black Sox in New Zealand.

"The biggest regret I have as a coach is that the rest of New Zealand don't get to know these outstanding New Zealanders ... These guys are worth getting to know."

The win may also mark the end for many, including Sorenson, Marty Grant, who missed the tournament through injury, Jim Wana, Jarrad and Bevan Martin, Patrick Shannon and Thomas Makea.

And maybe even Tricker and his assistant Eddie Kohlhase.

"There is a whole heap of things I need to do," said Tricker. "I have a great employer and a young family and all sorts of things to consider.

"But what we have got here is a real family in the Black Sox and once you experience it you never leave it."

Tricker also paid special tribute to cancer victim the late Cameron Duncan, a former junior Black Sox training squad member.

"We have got to know Cameron Duncan over the last few years and he has been a real inspiration to this side and we wanted to turn his movie Strike Zone into a reality."