My Favourite Black Sox Players
Name: Brad Rona
Province: North Harbour
Club: Northcote
Position: Infielder
Born: February 17, 1976 at Wanganui
Nickname: B-Man
Ethnicity: Maori (Te Atiawa)
Rona debuted for the Black Sox at the 2000 world championship, so this will be his fourth appearance at the tournament. He has played 11 years with North American clubs, most recently with the ISC champion Jarvis Travelers from Ontario. Rona’s son, Pita, recently signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
In 2009, Rona was New Zealand’s top batter, with 13 hits from 28 turns at bat, for an average of 0.464. His fearsome reputation in the batting box saw him walked on 12 occasions.
Province: North Harbour
Club: Northcote
Position: Infielder
Born: February 17, 1976 at Wanganui
Nickname: B-Man
Ethnicity: Maori (Te Atiawa)
Rona debuted for the Black Sox at the 2000 world championship, so this will be his fourth appearance at the tournament. He has played 11 years with North American clubs, most recently with the ISC champion Jarvis Travelers from Ontario. Rona’s son, Pita, recently signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
In 2009, Rona was New Zealand’s top batter, with 13 hits from 28 turns at bat, for an average of 0.464. His fearsome reputation in the batting box saw him walked on 12 occasions.
Name: Rhys Casley (Captain)
Province: Hutt Valley
Club: Hutt Valley Dodgers
Position: Infielder
Born: December 21, 1978
Nicknames: RC
Casley first played for the Black Sox in 1997, but had to wait until 2009 for his first appearance at a world championship. He assumed the captaincy from Jarrad Martin soon after that tournament. Over recent months, he has battled back from shoulder surgery on an injury sustained in last year's International Softball Congress finals and this may yet see his role at Rosedale park restricted to that of a designated hitter.
At Saskatoon, he played 12 games for 24 turns at bat and nine hits, for an average of 0.375.
Province: Hutt Valley
Club: Hutt Valley Dodgers
Position: Infielder
Born: December 21, 1978
Nicknames: RC
Casley first played for the Black Sox in 1997, but had to wait until 2009 for his first appearance at a world championship. He assumed the captaincy from Jarrad Martin soon after that tournament. Over recent months, he has battled back from shoulder surgery on an injury sustained in last year's International Softball Congress finals and this may yet see his role at Rosedale park restricted to that of a designated hitter.
At Saskatoon, he played 12 games for 24 turns at bat and nine hits, for an average of 0.375.
Name: Nathan Nukunuku
Province: Auckland
Club: Ramblers
Position: Infielder
Born: May 8, 1980 at Hastings
Nickname: Nate Dog
Ethnicity: Maori (Ngati porou)
Nukunuku debuted for the Black Sox in 1997, and was part of the world champion sides of 2000 and 2004. He was originally left off this year’s roster, but was a last-time addition when captain Rhys Casley re-injured his shoulder.
At the 2009 world championship, Nukunuku and current team-mate Thomas Makea led New Zealand in runs scored (15). He collected 12 hits from 38 turns at bat, for an average of 0.316.
Province: Auckland
Club: Ramblers
Position: Infielder
Born: May 8, 1980 at Hastings
Nickname: Nate Dog
Ethnicity: Maori (Ngati porou)
Nukunuku debuted for the Black Sox in 1997, and was part of the world champion sides of 2000 and 2004. He was originally left off this year’s roster, but was a last-time addition when captain Rhys Casley re-injured his shoulder.
At the 2009 world championship, Nukunuku and current team-mate Thomas Makea led New Zealand in runs scored (15). He collected 12 hits from 38 turns at bat, for an average of 0.316.