by Warren Henderson – Kelowna Capital News
Their traditional pre-game haka dance has captured the imagination of sports fans the world over.
The New Zealand Black Sox can play an awfully good game of fastball, too.
The defending world men’s champions will be bringing both spectacles to Kelowna’s King Stadium next Wednesday night.
The Black Sox will take on the Kelowna men’s all-stars in an exhibition doubleheader, as the Kiwis prepare for the ISF World Men’s Softball Championship later this month in Saskatoon.
“This is the real deal, you don’t get any better than this,” veteran pitcher and game organizer Rich Haldane said of next week’s visitors. “They have great pitching and tremendous hitting. They’re No. 1 in the world, so there’s not much more you can say.”
Haldane, who has played his share of international fastball over the years, has seen the New Zealanders perform their haka ceremony on many occasions, much like the Kiwi junior men’s team did last summer prior to an exhibition game in Kelowna.
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From SoCoRadio, cap tip Rich Haldane
Click here to listen to interview with New Zealand Black Sox Thomas Makea