By TONY SMITH, The Press newspaper in Christchurch, New Zealand (Fairfax Group/the www.stuff.co.nz
New Zealand softball great Mark Sorenson says it had always been his ambition to coach the Black Sox but it was “probably a case of now or never”.
The four-time world champion has been confirmed as head coach of the world champion Black Sox for their title defence in Saskatoon, Canada in 2015.
Sorenson said he was “honoured” to accept the job but taking over a team that won a record sixth world title in Auckland in March came “with a lot of tradition and responsibility”. “It’s a responsibility I take seriously because I was a part of helping build that tradition.
“I’m deeply passionate about the Black Sox and their success and I really want it to continue.”
The Hutt Valley stalwart replaces his former Black Sox team-mate, Eddie Kohlhase, who ended his nine-year tenure by leading the Black Sox to the gold medal in Auckland, avenging their silver medal finish at Saskatoon in 2009.
Fairfax Media understands Sorenson got the job ahead of two members of Kohlhase’s support staff, assistant coach Dave Workman and pitching coach Chubb Tangaroa.
Advertisement
Long-time former Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant, who challenged Kohlhase for the post in 2009, was the other unsuccessful applicant.
Sorenson ‘s last coaching job was in 2005 when he guided the New Zealand Junior Black Sox at the world under-19 men’s championships in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Since then, he has been focussed on family commitments and his business career.
The 45-year-old former catcher admitted he had always been “harboured an ambition” to coach the Black Sox but “it was a matter of timing”.
“I had some changes in my personal life and I’ve recently had a role change in my career.
“To be honest, if it wasn’t now, it was probably going to be never. I’m not saying I’m going to be there for a long time, but we have had coaches who’ve been around for a while. I played for the Black Sox for 20 years and I only had two coaches [Mike Walsh and Don Tricker].
Sorenson is only the Black Sox’s fifth head coach in 32 years.