Ontario plays host to New Zealand Black Sox
June 24, 2024
Kitchener, ON - - Ontario plays host to New Zealand Black Sox
Fastball fans in Oxford County and the Kitchener-Waterloo area are in for a rare treat when the seven time ISF-WBSC World Champion New Zealand Black Sox play 4 exhibition games in the area, Tuesday, July 2 in Tavistock and Wednesday, July 3 in Hickson.
The Black Sox are no strangers to Ontario having toured a number of times en route to major fastball events across Canada. This time around they will be heading to Saskatchewan to take part in a tournament build up prior to competing in the WBSC staging event, mid July in Prince Albert. The staging event will decide spots for the WBSC World Series of nations, also in Prince Albert next July, 2025.
The exhibition games in both Tavistock and Hickson will raise funds for both minor softball associations, and entrance fee is only $5.00 in each location. Tickets available at the gate.
While the Black Sox will showcase members of the New Zealand Men's National Team, and are led by their captain Cole Evans, the opposition will feature some of Ontario's top young stars with a couple of add ons from Australia who are playing locally this year.
On Tuesday night the best young players in the Tavistock area will showcase many of the guys who were part of the National Championship U23 and U20 teams of 2022. Many of these players are part of the Tavistock Hops team now and that group will join a select team of local up and comers who have honed their skills in the highly successful Tavistock Minor Softball system.
The Tavistock game will get underway with introductions at 6:30 and game time at 7:00 pm.
On Wednesday, the doubleheader will feature a team of Ontario select players including legendary pitcher Adam Folkard who is living locally this summer. Introductions are at 6:30 pm and game one starts at 7:00 pm.
The evening will also feature an opening pitch from legendary centerfielder and Woodstock native, Brian Paton. Paton is Canada's most recent player elected to Softball Canada's Hall of Fame. He will be throwing to his best friend, catcher Chuck Hendricks himself a legend in the Ontario game and long time team mate and travel partner with Paton.
Both exhibitions will be doubleheaders with an 11:00 pm time limit. Admission will be just $5.00, kids in team sweaters are free.
The Tavistock game goes at Optimist Park, 198 Woodstock Street South, whie Hiclkson Ball Park is located at 99 Loveys Street.
Food and refreshments are available from local service clubs at the ball park.
