World champion Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase was named Softballer of the Year at the sport’s annual awards function last weekend.
After seeing the world title slip through his fingers four years ago, Kohlhase, along with assistants Dave Workman and Chubb Tangaroa, were instrumental in keeping his senior players motivated for one more shot on home soil at Rosedale Park.
Although the team’s build-up form was patchy, he kept faith in his players, managing a series of crucial injuries, late replacements and painful selection decisions to deliver the home crowd something worth celebrating on March 10.
Kohlhase, also named Coach of the Year, has since stepped down from his national team role to take up an advisory position with High Performance Sport New Zealand.
NZ captain Rhys Casley was recognised as Men’s Player of the Year after his game-winning heroics delivered a three-run homer in the world championship final and then the crucial home run for Hutt Valley Dodgers at the open club nationals final two weeks later.
White Sox outfielder Te Reo Powhiri Matautia won Women’s Player of the Year honours after she finished among the top 10 batting averages (.500) at last year’s world championship in Canada.
Softball NZ’s award recipients:
Softballer of the Year:
Eddie KohlhaseMen’s Player of the Year:
Rhys CasleyWomen’s Player of the Year:
Te Reo Powhiri MatautiaMen’s Pitcher of the Year:
Jeremy ManleyWomen’s Pitcher of the Year:
Petra KriklanovaMen’s Emerging Player of the Year:
Nik HayesWomen’s Emerging Player of the Year:
Taylor-Paige StewartUmpire of the Year:
Mark PorteousScorer of the Year:
Marie ByrneAdministrator of the Year:
Ray TibbitsPersonality of the Year:
Brad RonaVolunteer of the Year:
Fay Freeman