'Bring it on, we're ready': Black Sox set for World Cup final

The world's most decorated mens softball team, the New Zealand Black Sox, are looking to increase their medal tally, as they take on Japan in the Mens Softball World Cup Final.

After an impressive campaign, the New Zealand side earnt their spot in the gold medal match, after taking down Japan 8-3 on Sunday.

The Black Sox have long been a dominant force in the sport, having won the Men's World Championship a total of seven times, becoming World Champions for the first time in 1976.

The side have won a medal in 13 of the first 15 World Cups, and appeared consecutively in the World Championship Final 10 times from 1984 to 2017.

However, in 2022, the Black Sox had a disappointing finish on home soil, where they placed 8th.

But this year, the squad set out on a haerenga - a journey of redemption.

Head coach Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Marama, Ngāti Makea ki Rarotonga), who took over in 2023, said the team's resurgence was built on connection.

"We all know where they've been in 2022 and where they finished and how they finished, so [this year] it was about getting them to really play for each other, play for not only themselves but also their whānau and where they've come from."

Now, they're one win away from reclaiming the world title.

"Every time I set them a challenge and a goal, they smash it," he said.

A four-time world champion, three-time New Zealand player of the year and Hall of Famer, Makea knows the pressure of playing at the highest level.

He said what makes this team special is the sense of whanaungatanga.

"We're tight. We created something very, very special, and it's been brewing for a while now."

He said it's not only about the coaching staff but the village behind them.

"At our last camp, we had people back home that helped us too. Not just the coaching staff efforts, we have other people behind us and they wove their magic and brought us closer."

When the squad first arrived in Canada, half of the team were already there. But the moment the rest of the group joined, he knew something had clicked.

"We had a big pōwhiri. They welcomed us onto their whare, their marae. Once that connection happened, you could just feel something was growing."

Makea said the final match against Venezuela will be tough, but he knows what the New Zealand side can achieve.

"It's been a massive journey for these guys, they've come a long way. They've backed me, and I've had their backs too, so bring it on, we're ready."

Veteran out-fielder and lead-off hitter Ben Enoka (Ngāpuhi), said the boys came to the whakataetae (competition) with one goal - to make the podium - and now they've done it.

"We came here to do what we came to do, put ourselves on that podium and play for that top medal."

Enoka performed with the bat against Japan on Sunday, powering a ball over centre-fields head.

He has also secured over 100 games for the Black Sox - alongside his younger brother Thomas - a milestone not many athletes of the game ever achieve.

"We had a task, and we did what we came to do."

First-basemen and power-hitter Seth Gibson, who clutched two impressive and important home-runs against Japan, said making the Finals was a "20-year dream come true."

I grew up around softball, so to make it and be a part of it is something special, especially with this young group we've got."

He credits the team's success to the trust and belief they've built in one another.

"The connection we've built over probably three years now with Thomas leading at the helm and his staff has been huge. It's brought the team culture together. You can see it on the diamond. We just want to play for each other. It's awesome to be a part of."

"Bring on tomorrow."

Team captain Cole Evans whose glove and bat has proved strong during this tour, said the sides success has been based on team performance.

"We don't have a superstar, just a bunch of guys willing to work hard for each other. You can see that on the field."

He said their focus for today is to go out and enjoy themselves.

"Its the toughest thing to make the final, and we're there now,"

"We're gonna go enjoy ourselves, put our best foot forwards and see what we can do."

Pita Rona (Te Atiawa), who retired young pitcher Liam Potts in the fourth inning against Japan, held the strong hitting side to 0 runs.

He said the Black Sox have prepared mentally and physically for this moment.

"There's nothing I'm not ready for. That goes for all the boys. We've been building for this for years. We're ready to dog it up for the boys."

Rona, like many softballers, is following in the footsteps of his whānau, representing Aotearoa on the world stage and eyeing a championship title. He is the son of Brad Rona, a former team mate of the head coach and four time world champion.

He said getting the last three outs to secure a gold medal game for the Black Sox was the "biggest moment" of his career.

"Nothing changes tomorrow. We'll go out there and give it our all."

The Black Sox takes on Venezuela in the Gold Medal match at 8am on Monday (NZT).