Joel Evans - the Black Sox’s best batter at the Softball World Cup - will take time to evaluate his own future , but he’s convinced the young team will bounce back from current disappointment.

ANAYLSIS: A concerted push must be made to get more international competition for the Black Sox and improve the domestic game after back-to-back Softball World Cup failures.

The Black Sox wore black armbands at the Softball World Cup in memory of Sir Murray Halberg and honoured the New Zealand sporting great with a solid win.

Coach Mark Sorenson lamented the lack of hitting as the Black Sox were knocked out of the top-six playoffs and crashed to their worst-ever Softball World Cup result.

Black Sox coach Mark Sorenson was left feeling “pretty shattered’’ after Argentina fought back from a 5-1 deficit to beat the New Zealanders 11-5 in a Softball World Cup tiebreaker epic.

Black Sox catcher Te Wera Bishop’s path to his first Softball World Cup began with playing softball alongside future All Black TJ Perenara.

The Black Sox have suffered their first loss at the Softball World Cup after being pounded for two big home runs by the United States.

Mark Sorenson will delay any decision on his Black Sox coaching future until after the World Cup – and a duel with an Argentinian coach he roomed with in the United States almost 20 years ago.

Kiwi captain Cole Evans is convinced eight to nine teams are “legitimate contenders’’ to win the men’s Softball World Cup, underlining the challenge ahead for the Black Sox on home soil.

The Black Sox playing group has been cleared of Covid on the eve of the men’s Softball World Cup despite a management team member testing positive earlier this week.

Australia claimed the honours in the international invitational series men’s softball contest in Palmerston North.

After three years of no international softball, a new international invitational series this weekend can’t come soon enough for Pita Rona and the Black Sox.

The partnership with local organisation Poverty Bay Rugby Union was designed to deliver softball beyond Gisborne and drive connectivity within the regional townships.

Head Coach Roman Gabriel say’s “After the NFC championship we have decided to use the tour to Australia as an opportunity for current squad members to put their hands up for the major selection come March next year for the WBSC World Cup qualifier.

It is with sadness we acknowledge the passing of Rob Siolo who passed away.