Black Sox coach Mark Sorenson says the squad for the Mens Softball World Championship was the toughest he's had to pick.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We've worked really hard at developing and increasing the depth of our squad over the last couple of years and succeeded in creating competition for places.
"It's been hard to tell those who have missed out but that's the by-product of developing that competition for places."
The Black Sox head to Prague as defending champions and chasing their eighth world title.
They have been in 10 consecutive finals and won six of those and captain Nathan Nukunuku could make history if the Golden Homes Black Sox are triumphant in Prague in June.
Nukunuku will be attending a record seventh men's world championship (2000, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019).
He shares the record (six) with coach Sorenson, Thomas Makea, Jarrad Martin and Brad Rona.
Nukunuku has a shot at becoming the most decorated player in Golden Homes Black Sox history.
He has four world championship gold medals (2000, 2004, 2013, 2017), an accolade he shares with Sorenson (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004), Makea and Martin (both 1996, 2000, 2004, 2013) and Rona (2000, 2004, 2013, 2017).
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sorenson is happy with the balance of his squad but is under no illusions it will be tough to defend their title.
"I know if we come together as a team and play to our potential we will be tough to beat, but there's a lot of work to do before that.
"Every country wants to take a shot at the title holder so it's going to be tough.
"The other teams are getting better, but we are better than we were two years ago too."
The Black Sox squad:
Pitchers
Daniel Chapman - Auckland
Nik Hayes - Auckland
Josh Pettett - Wellington
Catchers
Kallan Compain - Auckland
Zane van Lieshout - Auckland
Infield
Tyron Bartorillo - Canterbury
Cole Evans - Auckland
Joel Evans - Hutt Valley
Josh Harbrow - Canterbury
Nathan Nukunuku (C) - Auckland
Jerome Raemaki - Wellington
Outfield
Ben Enoka - Auckland
Campbell Enoka - Auckland
Thomas Enoka - Auckland
Wayne Laulu - Wellington
Reilly Makea - Wellington
Jackson Watt - Canterbury