Softball: Tricker hoping for treat

By JULIE ASH

Like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. That's how Black Sox coach Don Tricker says he is feeling less than a week from the start of the world softball championships in Christchurch.

And with the hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders, the team go into the tournament aiming to become the first to win three consecutive world titles.

"I know there will be a little bit of anxiety the night before it starts because you can't wait for it to start," said Tricker.

"But knowing that when we show up for that first game we have done everything, that eases the nerves because you know there is nothing more you can do. Now it just time to go out and play."

The Black Sox have won the tournament four times - 1976, 1984, 1996 and 2000 - in the 10 times they have competed.

Since winning in 1984, they have never finished outside the top two.

"A lot of the team's success comes down to the culture that we have in New Zealand," Tricker said.

"Traditionally New Zealanders have been battlers and have got out there and have understood what needs to be done and been creative and innovative.

"We are also pretty adaptable. We are fast learners. We can view what is happening around us in terms of the trends of international softball, understand where the game is going and model our players to ensure that we can perform."

For Tricker, who played on and off for the national team from 1986 to 1991, these world championships are his second as coach after taking over in 1998.

In 2000, New Zealand charged through pool play, losing only one match to Japan, who they turned around and beat in the final.

Since then they have rarely been beaten.

"This isn't the team that won in 2000. While we have got 11 back from 2000, we are looking at this as a completely new team and what we are trying to do is win the world championship for the very first time," he said.

"When we look at our side of the draw, there are no easy games. We can't take anything for granted and that is a sign for us that we essentially get into finals mode on the very first day.

"It is ensuring that each day we get to the ball park we are bringing our A game and we execute it. The reality is if we don't, we are vulnerable.

"In previous years there has been quite a difference between the top four or five sides and the rest. I don't believe that will be the case this time around."

This improvement was a result of other teams understanding the game better. Some had good development programmes, and exceptional players were popping up in countries that traditionally were not a force in softball, Tricker said.

But to the rest of the world the Black Sox squad must read like a dream team. With Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea and Donny Hale, New Zealand go into the tournament with the most feared batting lineup in world softball.

"I'd say that we have depth pretty much right through the lineup, and particular our hitting ... We have got some very good hitters."

Such talent meant that two or three world-class hitters would miss out when match sides were named.

"But we certainly are not about being one-dimensional in terms of saying, 'These guys can hit but they can't do anything else'. We are working very hard on all the other parts as well."

The all-important pitching job will fall mainly on the shoulders of Marty Grant, Michael Gaiger and Jim Wana. The tournament is Grant's fourth, but the first for Gaiger and Wana.

"It still comes down to pitching," said Tricker.

"What you are trying to do is ensure that you get good pitching and you play good defence, and that will give you the confidence and the opportunity for your hitting to come through.

"If your pitching or your defence don't hold up then it is a pretty hard game to play.

"Throughout the world series it is a case of the right pitcher for the right game. It is not just about rotation."

Tricker, well-known for his analytical mind, looked at other New Zealand teams in the buildup to his sport's showpiece event.

"We like to understand why things happen. For example, in term of the [New Zealand] sevens team, we try to understand why they were successful in all parts of the world but up until last year, they weren't successful in New Zealand.

"You sort of say, what are the things those guys have learned that we can leverage off that puts us in a better position to perform."

Playing at home would provide the Black Sox with plenty of support, but it also brought added pressure.

"It is about being prepared - just ensuring that the athletes understand there is going to be more media attention and what does that mean?

"There are going to be lots and lots of very faithful Kiwi supporters coming out there with very high expectations. What does that mean?

"What is it like to play in front of a packed house of, say, 5000 very loyal and committed New Zealanders?

"I guess we try and limit those chances where we are going to be surprised, because when you are surprised it takes you out of your routine and can have an impact on your ability to perform."

For Tricker, playing at home means his wife, Carey, and children Mitchell, Bronte and Georgia will be on the sideline to support him.

Which is especially appealing for Mitchell considering he and his little softball team have to share their coach with the Black Sox.

"One of the differences between the kids' team and the Black Sox is that the Black Sox sometimes listen to you. The kids never listen to you," Tricker said.

"And the thing you learn as a parent coaching young children is that their way is always cooler."

But should Tricker guide the Black Sox to their third consecutive world series win, Mitchell and his little mates may just have to concede that their coach is pretty cool after all.