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By TONY SMITH – The Press
Black Sox management have imposed a “zero-tolerance” drug policy and warned any player caught smoking cannabis will be banned from the 2013 world men’s softball championships in Auckland.
The tough, new stance was announced at a national coaching conference in Wellington at the weekend by new Black Sox manager Doug Golightly.
“Everyone in this room knows that our sport is mired in this illegal and sickening swamp,” Golightly, an Auckland-based sports media personality, said. “We are demanding that our Black Sox players are drug-free.”
Wellington catcher Aaron Neemia missed the 2009 world championships in Canada after he was banned for 18 months for a second positive cannabis test administered by Drug Free Sport New Zealand. Former Black Sox pitcher Thomas Cameron and provincial player Steven Manson were also suspended for two months in 2009 for cannabis breaches.
Golightly and head coach Eddie Kohlhase have now brought in a one-strike-is-out policy.
“Let me state quite clearly and openly that if one of our players is caught smoking dope or tests positive for dope then that player will not be eligible for the 2013 world championships,” Golightly said.
“Eddie has made it clear that there is a zero tolerance policy in operation … No matter their status – senior or rookie – they will be axed.”
Team management was prioritising a “great players, great people” philosophy.
“This just won’t be a slogan or cliche. It won’t just be a catchcry when the Black Sox are on tour. We want this to be a factor that will be associated with the Black Sox.
“A key part of that must be, and is, a firm stance on the use of drugs – in particular marijuana, dope, grass, electric puha, Herekino Green, call it what you will,” said Golightly, who explained “Herekino is one of Northland’s biggest cash crop areas, just south of Kaitaia”.
The new manager said he was “not that naive to believe there will not be some sort of drama for us to sort out”.
“It would be good if there wasn’t, but despite our protestations and pleas, it’s likely there will [be].
“Of course there could be cries of `natural justice’, [and calls for] two-month or four-month standdowns in line with Drug Free [New Zealand] policy. But the players will know where they stand.”
The cannabis use issue and other aspects of the new philosophy would be outlined at the Black Sox’s next camp at the Millennium Institute in Auckland next month.
Each player would be asked to sign a code of conduct, committing themselves to those principles.
Golightly said the Black Sox’s world championship record – five gold medals and three silvers – “can be counted among our most successful and significant sporting outfits”.
He heralded Kohlhase as “one of New Zealand sport’s most respected coaches” and “one of [softball’s] best analysts and deeper thinkers”.
But he stressed there had to be a reality check for some Black Sox players.
“The Black Sox team is no longer the best in the world. The Black Sox players are no longer world champions … the Aussies are. That’s why the Black Sox have to change.”